How do I punch Cat 5 network cable in a patch panel?

Question

How do I punch Cat 5 network cable in a patch panel? I have cable and punch tool.

Please tell me in which order and etc. How long will it take to punch 50 cables?

Answer 1

The following information is considered to be "just the right mix" of technical vs. practical knowledge and information on category 5 / 5e cabling, for beginner to intermediate.

Info can be found on the page listed below.

Answer 2

Most patch panels will have color coded markings for each jack just follow the codes on the back and punch them down with your punch tool.

How long it takes depends on your skill and practice. I have done 50 in a couple of hours (had some phone calls to answer while doing it) If you haven't done this then it might take three or four. Once you get the hang of it the process is easy.

Answer 3

Before you start try to buy a basic CAT5 tester, some of the color codes and numbering systems are poor. Test your first cable before you go any further, once you have 5 or 6 cables in it is quite difficult to inspect them and re-punch. If you sort out the first one it is easy to get the rest, you might have an odd one with a crossed pair or open connection, this is easier to sort out than 40 out of 50. Take your time as the idc connectors are not as robust as they should be.
2 of us have terminated and tested 200 cables in 1 day with no errors on test through a 3 story building, but we have been doing it for a long time. I have spent that long going through a 48 way system sorting out the incorrect connections on a badly finished job, the installer swore on his life he had tested everything.