How to Repair a Cut Cat5e Ethernet Cable

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In this wikiHow, you will learn how to repair an Ethernet Cat5e cable. If your wired internet goes out and you can not seem to find the problem, you should check the physical wires for cuts and abrasions. If you notice that the Ethernet cable is damaged or has been cut in two, this guide will allow you to repair that cable so you do not have to buy another one.

Steps

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  1. Locate the area of wire in need of repair. If removing the area would make your wire too short, consider adding addition cable to lengthen it. In some cases, it may make more sense to just buy a new cable.
  2. If the wire has an area that is mangled, cut that area out.
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  3. 3
    Determine which splicing technique you will use for splicing the small (usually 22-28 AWG) wires together. Use a technique that you feel comfortable using. As long as there is continuity through your splice, it should work.
  4. 4
    Place a long piece of larger shrink tube on one side of the split. This shrink tube can very in length, but usually between 2-6 inches will be appropriate. The length will depend on your splicing method.
  5. Take your preferred cable strippers and cut an area of insulation that is an appropriate length for your splicing technique, from both of the cables. If there is a metal film underneath this area, you may remove this. Do not cut or nick the 8 smaller wires located beneath the insulation.
  6. If your wires have a cotton or cloth-like material between them, you may remove this as well. It is there as a padding for the wires.
  7. 7
    For each of the wires, place a piece of shrink tube, measuring approximately 3 times the length of your splice, on one side of the cut. The shrink tube should be large enough to go over the splice you are about to perform, but not so large that it will not shrink down to the wire gauge you are using.
  8. 8
    Using a pair of wire strippers, remove the length of wire appropriate for your splicing technique from each of the 8 wires. Perform this step on both cables (you should strip 16 wires total.)
  9. You will splice the orange wire from one side of the cable to the orange wire from the other side of the cable; the orange/white wire from one side of the cable to the orange/white wire from the other side of the cable; and continue this pattern with all 8 wire colors.
    • Avoid adding a lot of solder, as it will make the wires brittle and may cause another failure later on.
  10. 10
    Use a multimeter to measure the resistance along each of the wires within the ethernet. To do so, place a lead at each end of the wire on the same wire. If the resistance reads higher than 3 ohms for a cable less than 100 feet, you should attempt to redo your splice. If you read an open (O.L. on most ohmmeters), make sure the correct wires are spliced together. If you have verified that you are using the correct wire and still show an open wire, you may have a bad wire and may want to replace the Ethernet cable.
  11. The shrink tube should be centered over the splice, with the ends extending over the insulation on both sides. Using a heat gun, shrink the tubes completely. When they are completely shrunk, you should not be able to move them along the wire any longer.
  12. The shrink tube should be centered over all 8 wires and with both ends extending over the insulation of the cables. Heat the shrink tube completely over the wires.
  13. You may plug each end into a tester or attempt to use the cable as a network cable to verify its operation. If it works, you have successfully repaired your Ethernet cable.
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      Tips

      • If you are experienced, you may cut your wires to different lengths before splicing them together to prevent a bulky area of wires.
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      • Measure twice, cut once.
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      • If you have adjustable yellow coax cable insulation strippers, start large and work your way down in the depth that the blade cuts to avoid cutting too deep into the insulation.
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      Warnings

      • Soldering irons and heat guns can get very hot. Use special care when handling these items. Pay special attention to them after they are set down. Coming into contact with these items can burn you.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Ethernet Cable
      • Wire strippers for 22-28 AWG wire
      • Cable strippers (Usually yellow coax cable strippers work best.)
      • Solder
      • Soldering Iron
      • Heat Gun
      • Shrink tube large enough to fit over your Ethernet cable
      • Shrink tube large enough to fit over the wires inside your Ethernet cable.

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