Keystone Jack vs RJ45 Plug: What's the Difference & When to Use?

■ Keystone Jack vs RJ45 Plug: Understanding Network Connectors

In the deployment phase of network cabling, it is essential to realize the differences between a Keystone Jack and an RJ45 Plug, as the two components can only be assigned one role at a time in structured cabling systems. Make sure to select the right type of network cable that suits best your needs by looking at your application and its installation environment.

Let's examine the term's meaning, functions, benefits, and usage context.

■ What Is a Keystone Jack?

A Keystone Jack is the female modular connector mounted in wall plates, rack panels, or surface-mount boxes. The Ethernet wall and furniture connectors provide a point of fixed connections for those cables.

• Type: Socket

• Installation Location: Outlets on the wall, patch panels, and other ports.

• Cable Termination: A method of wiring, punching down (e.g., 110 block style).

• Standard Compliance: Fixtures for IPv4 on PCI Express, IP DMA controllers, and other similar devices.

• Common Use: Wiring for end devices in offices, houses, or data sites.

✅ Advantages of Keystone Jacks:

• Arranging orderly throughout network infrastructure.

• Enable entities to comply with high-speed standards (such as Gigabit and 10GigE).

• Heavy-duty, less pretentious to deterioration even for a longer period of time.

• Easily coordinated with patch panels and wall plates.

• It has superior signal characteristics... complete transmission into a steady state.

❌ Disadvantages:

• However, it needs more skills and tools for installation (punch-down tools, wire pliers).

• It creates a problem because it is difficult to be updated, and you can't replace it.

• The optic fiber cost is more expensive; however, the wall plates and mounting hardware add up.

■ What Is an RJ45 Plug?

The questionable quality is evident in the pin. The RJ45 Plug is the male connector crimped onto the end of an Ethernet cable, usually used instead of patch cables.

• Type: Male connector.

• Installation Location: RJ45 connectors at the ends of Ethernet cables (patch cords).

• Cable Termination: Crimped using an RJ45 crimper.

• Standard Compliance: Basic difference in quality (Cat5e, Cat6, etc.).

• Common Use: Typical use in tandem with devices, such as desktop computers, routers, switches, and wall outlets.

✅ Advantages of RJ45 Plugs:

• A very simple, pretty much the tool is all, that can be homemade.

• Portable, adjustable—very much like a patch cords.

• Very easy to replace or repair (by crimping again).

• Little expensive as a single unit.

• Fantastic for everyone who is building or when temporary setups are needed.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Amidst of this, we also have to face physical damage that can cause bent pins or broken latches.

• Generally, a small connection is less durable compared to a fixed installation connection.

• Performance is poor when crimping is poor and inexpensive plugs are used.

• Not good for LTC structured cabling ends.

■ How They Work Together

In a typical network setup:

• A keystone jack is installed in the wall, and at the end of it, it is connected to a surge of cable running to a patch panel.

• The patch panel is linked to a networking switch through data cables.

• You can use a patch cable with two RJ45 plugs to connect the computer to the wall jack.

So they are therefore ingredients of a complete recipe, not an option solely for either of them.

■ ️ When to Use Which?

• Use the wall outlets for those needing the continued internet access.

• Keystone Jack

• Fostering the use of patch cables of varying lengths.

• RJ45 Plug

• Computer network or office configurations.

• Keystone Jacks + Patch Cables with RJ45 Plug

• Linking the portable computer to a router.

• RJ45 Plug (on the patch cables)

• Pulling the wires through the wall or the floor.

• Use of Keystone Jack at the ends.

• Use of cell phone, tablet computer, portable servers.

• Using pre-fabricated cables with RJ45 plugs.

■  Conclusion: Which One Should You Use?

Keystone Jacks are employed for temporary network line use (e.g., when installing in walls, rack, or patch panels). They have more robust systems that are hard-wearing and well-arranged.

Make use of RJ45 connectors to join patch cords when it comes to making them or if you are connecting two devices. They are applicable to the cord ends but are optional for hard-range cord wall terminations.

Contact us for more information

Will is the Copper Cabling Product Manager at Zion Communication, 

specializing in the development and marketing of Ethernet cabling solutions. 

With extensive industry experience, he is dedicated to delivering high-performance 

and reliable cabling products to OEM/ODM clients worldwide.

will@zion-communication.com

+86 -18268007201