IDEAL has released a new range of shielded connectors specifically designed to handle the challenges faced with field termination of shielded cables. Used in combination with the FT-45™ Crimp Tool the complete solution just made the traditional, time-consuming RJ-45 assembly and crimping process faster and more consistent.
The versatile tool is capable of crimping IDEAL feed-thru, standard, shielded and unshielded connectors and includes 568A and 568B wiring schemes marked on the tool for ease of use. The heavy duty cutting blade will last for over 2000 cuts and is replaceable, allowing users to control costs by easily maintaining the crimp tool, instead of purchasing a new one.
By using the industry-leading products in the FT-45 solution, installers can benefit from a completely new take on the traditional, time-consuming RJ45 assembly and crimping process. With FT-45, the process is simplified and the success rate of terminations is increased.
To speed up the assembly process, FT-45 installers no longer need to spend time accurately pre-trimming conductor wires to a specific length. Instead, to get started simply strip an appropriate section of jacket, remove the centre spline (if present), untwist the pairs into the right order, and trim the ends flat. The cable can then be slid into the connector until foil enters the back end of the shielded connector.
As the wires are fed through the clear connector they can be seen, enabling installers to visually verify the correct wiring order. This is far easier than looking through the plug’s shell, as with a standard connector, ensuring greater accuracy and fewer errors. In addition, the open-ended feed-thru plug includes 3-pin contacts, rather than the 2-pins seen in most other RJ45 modular plugs. This improves wire stability by providing 3 prong contacts into every wire for more conductive contact points, as well as a better transfer rate.
Once the wires are fed through, the user can pull the cable into the plug, allowing the twists to be pulled to the front of the connector. This provides better radio-frequency performance and minimal untwisting, while ensuring that the cable jacket is fully secured under the strain relief tab. After wrapping the drain wire around the base of the strain relief or cutting it off, the strain relief can be closed or crimped around the jacket with a plier nose tool or crimper.
To complete the process, the installer places the assembled plug into the compact and easy-to-use FT-45 Crimp Tool and squeezes the handle to the closed position. With reduced hand force and no ratcheting, this cleanly shears the excess conductor wires and leaves a smooth, flat finish – crimping and cutting in one easy action.
For maximum efficiency, the FT-45 package can be used with an IDEAL PrepPRO® to strip the cable jacket. With auto-adjusting blade depth, replaceable blade cartridges and a spring-loaded mechanism for consistent cutting force, the cable jacket can be stripped easily. The IDEAL Electrician’s Scissors can be used for easy spline removal and wire trimming. The pre-formed clip can be closed and crimped with a standard nose or plier-nose device like the IDEAL® 33-719 or other IDEAL® T®-Strippers.
The new range includes the following connectors: Shielded Feed-Thru for large diameter Cat 6a/6/5e cable that typically will not fit into a standard in-line modular plug design, Feed-Thru for Cat 6, shielded Feed-Thru for Cat 5e, standard shielded for Cat 5e and standard for Cat 6.