What is the difference between stranded and solid crimp tools

[Basterb]

I just picked up a RJ45 crimp tool and I see that it says for use only on stranded wire. I've got solid wire. Will it still work. What is the differences in tools

[DoPeY5007]

um, I think you have stranded solid wire.


"I Think" this is how it is


there is no "solid" network cable. That would be one thik wire.

The wires inside the stranded cable may be solid, but it is still stranded ( because it is many cables in the one ). Now if you took out that wire and it was alone, then it would be solid.



please correct me if I am wrong

[DoPeY5007]

your cable should look like this



it is stranded

[DoPeY5007]

ok, I was a littke off in my first post.




I found this


Solid vs. Stranded Network Cabling, What's the difference?

Solid conductor uses 1 solid wire per conductor, so in a 4 pair(8 conductor) roll, there would be a total of 8 solid wires. Stranded conductor uses multiple wires wrapped around each other in each conductor, so in a 4 pair(8 conductor) 7 strand roll, there would be a total of 56 wires.

Solid conductor is useful because it can be punched down onto wall jacks and since it is a single conductor, it seats properly in a insulation displacement connector. Solid is less useful when you are terminating RJ-45 connectors on it because most RJ-45 connectors use 2 prongs which penetrate the conductor. This is bad for solid because it has the tendency to break when it is penetrated. Using a 3 prong connector creates a good connection and doesn't break the conductor, because the 3 prongs wrap around the conductor instead of penetrating it. It is recommended using stranded for patch cables, even if you have the 3 prong connectors because the most solid connection is made by penetrating multiple stranded connectors. Stranded cable is much less useful for punching down on wall jacks because the strands do not keep their perfect round shape when thrust into a insulation displacement connector. For best results, use solid for wall jacks and stranded for crimp connectors.

[Basterb]

I knew the differences in the types of wire. But anyways are you saying the tool should be the same for both and just the connectors are different?

[FlyingPenguin]

I've never heard of a different tool for solid and stranded. The tool NEVER touches the wire itself so it makes no difference.

I have seen crimps labelled for either solid or stranded or both.

Most network cable you buy in bulk is solid. Patch cables are generally stranded so they can be more flexible.