Registered Jack 45 (RJ45) pin and color code explained

Registered Jack 45 (RJ45) pin and color code explained

An RJ45 network cable is a type of Ethernet cable used to connect devices in a network, such as computers, routers, and switches. The colors in an RJ45 network cable represent the different wires inside the cable that are used to transmit data.

RJ45 Cable Structure:
An RJ45 cable typically contains eight wires arranged in four pairs, each pair twisted together to reduce electromagnetic interference. The color coding of these wires ensures proper signal transmission.

Meaning of the Colors:
The wires are color-coded for easy identification, and each color corresponds to a specific role in transmitting data. The most common color-coding standards are T568A and T568B. (I will talk about it in the future)

Wiring Standards:
T568A and T568B differ in the order of color pairs but serve the same function.
Both standards have the same color pairings, with each pair performing a specific function.

Wiring Pairs and their functions:
Each color corresponds to a specific wire in a pair:
1. Pair 1 (White with Green / Green):
Function: Used for transmitting data.
White with Green (Pin 1): Transmit signal (TD+).
Green (Pin 2): Transmit signal (TD-).
2. Pair 2 (White with Orange / Orange):
Function: Used for receiving data.
White with Orange (Pin 3): Receive signal (RD+).
Orange (Pin 6): Receive signal (RD-).
3. Pair 3 (White with Brown / Brown):
Function: Typically used for additional data transmission (in gigabit networks, these are not used for standard Ethernet, but for higher speeds like 1000 Mbps or more).
White with Brown (Pin 4): Reserved or used in higher-speed Ethernet standards.
Brown (Pin 5): Reserved or used in higher-speed Ethernet standards.
4. Pair 4 (White with Blue / Blue):
Function: Can also be used for additional functionality or as a ground.
White with Blue (Pin 7): Reserved for future use or ground in some configurations.
Blue (Pin 8): Reserved for future use or ground.

The Color Coding (T568A vs T568B) standard:
T568A:
1. White/Green
2. Green
3. White/Orange
4. Blue
5. White/Blue
6. Orange
7. White/Brown
8. Brown
T568B (more commonly used in the U.S.):
1. White/Orange
2. Orange
3. White/Green
4. Blue
5. White/Blue
6. Green
7. White/Brown
8. Brown

Purpose of Color Coding a network cable.

Ensure Proper Connections: Correctly pairing wires based on their color ensures that data is transmitted and received properly.

Reduce Interference: The twisted pairs help minimize electromagnetic interference and crosstalk.

Standardization: Color coding allows for consistency in installation,
repair, and troubleshooting.

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Source: LinkedIn

Credits: Mr. Ojo Favour