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Category 5 cables are the industry standard for high-speed Internet connections. Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images A network cable for high-speed cable Internet connections is made of a length of Category 5 (Cat-5) cable with the proper connectors attached to it. To create a functioning Cat-5 network cable, you only need three components: the cable, the connectors and the tool to put them together.
Cat-5 Cable
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The Category 5 cable is the meat of the network cable. Cat-5 cables have transfer speeds of up to 100 MB per second and come in two different types: solid and stranded. Solid Cat-5 cables are made up of solid copper wires that are not easily flexed and better suited for in-the-wall wiring. Stranded cables are made up of stranded copper wires that are easily flexed and better suited for shorter patch cables. Cat-5 cables are generally bright blue, but come in other colors as well.
RJ-45 Connectors
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The RJ-45 connector is the piece that goes on the end of the Cat-5 cable and plugs into the Ethernet port on the network device. RJ-45 connectors come in two types: one for stranded cable and one for solid cable. The correct connector must be used to create a functioning Cat-5 network cable.
Crimping Tool
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The crimping tool is the tool that will allow you to assemble the Cat-5 network cable. The built-in cutter allows you to cut the cable; the different stripping sizes allow you to strip the cable; and the copper wires inside and the crimper allows you to crimp the RJ-45 connector onto the cable. Alternately, a wire cutter, wire stripper and separate crimping tool can be used to assemble a Cat-5 cable.
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