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Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 28-05-2024 Origin: Site
A Keystone jack is a network jack used for telecommunications and data connections. It’s a standardized snap-in package for mounting a variety of low-voltage electrical jacks or optical connectors into a keystone plate, faceplate, surface-mount box, or patch panel.
Keystone jacks have a rectangular face of 14.5 mm wide by 16.0 mm high and are held in place by flexible tabs. This allows them to snap into a mounting plate with correspondingly sized rectangular slots called keystone cutouts. They are available for many connections, including RJ-11, RJ-45, HDMI, USB, and more.
Keystone jacks come in various types to accommodate different cables and connections. Here are some of the common types:
RJ45 Keystone Jacks:
Used for Ethernet and network connections.
Supports Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat7 cables.
Common in both commercial and residential network installations.
RJ11 Keystone Jacks:
Used for telephone connections.
They are smaller than RJ45 jacks and typically have four conductors.
Coaxial Keystone Jacks:
Used for coaxial cable connections, such as cable television or internet.
Compatible with RG6 and RG59 coaxial cables.
USB Keystone Jacks:
Used for USB connections.
Supports various USB standards like USB-A, USB-B, and USB-C.
Fiber Optic Keystone Jacks:
Used for fiber optic cable connections.
Supports single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic cables.
Audio/Video Keystone Jacks:
Includes jacks for RCA, 3.5mm audio, and other A/V connectors.
Used for various audio and video applications.
Blank Keystone Inserts:
Used to fill empty keystone slots.
Provides a neat and finished look on keystone plates.
Each type of keystone jack is designed to accommodate a specific type of cable or connector, ensuring a reliable and efficient connection for various applications. The modular nature of keystone jacks allows them to be easily installed in wall plates, surface-mount boxes, or patch panels, making them a versatile choice for structured cabling systems.
An RJ45 Keystone Jack is a type of network connector used primarily for Ethernet networking. It’s designed to fit into a standard keystone cutout, which is a universal mount used in wall plates, patch panels, and surface mount boxes.
RJ45 Keystone Jacks are essential components in modern network installations, offering a reliable and standardized method for making Ethernet connections in a variety of settings.
Key features of an RJ45 Keystone Jack include:
Compatibility with Ethernet Cables:
It is typically used with Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and sometimes Cat7 Ethernet cables, which are standard in network cabling.
Eight-Pin Connector:
The RJ45 jack has eight pins for connecting eight wires of an Ethernet cable. This pin arrangement is crucial for maintaining the proper data transmission standards set by Ethernet protocols.
Snap-In Design:
The keystone design allows the RJ45 jack to be easily snapped into a keystone plate or panel. This feature provides versatility and ease of installation, allowing for quick changes and reconfigurations in network setups.
Standardized Size and Shape:
The dimensions of the RJ45 Keystone Jack are standardized, ensuring it can fit into any keystone slot regardless of the manufacturer.
Use in Structured Cabling:
It is commonly used in structured cabling for computer networks such as local area networks (LANs), and can also be used for other data transfer applications, including some telephone systems.
Color-Coded Wiring Schemes:
RJ45 Keystone Jacks often have color-coded wiring diagrams on the side to assist with the termination of Ethernet cables. The two most common wiring standards are T568A and T568B.
Variants:
They come in shielded and unshielded varieties to suit different environmental needs. Shielded jacks are used in areas with high electromagnetic interference (EMI).
1.Determine the type of cable you will be using. Consider the category (e.g., Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7,Cat8)
Cat5e:
Suitable for networks up to 1 Gbps with a frequency of up to 100 MHz.
Cat6:
Suitable for networks up to 10 Gbps with a frequency of up to 250 MHz.
Cat6a:
Supports networks up to 10 Gbps with a frequency of up to 500 MHz and improved crosstalk performance.
Cat7:
Though less common in keystone format, Cat7 supports higher frequencies up to 600 MHz.
2.Consider whether the environment requires shielded or unshielded jacks
Shielded (STP OR FTP):
Has additional shielding to protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI), useful in industrial or high-interference environments.
Unshielded (UTP):
Lacks extra shielding, making it lighter and more flexible, commonly used in home and office environments.
3.Decide Punch Down vs. Toolless:
Punch Down:
Requires a punch-down tool to terminate the cable wires onto the jack.
Toolless:
Designed for easy, tool-free installation, where the wires are placed and secured withoutspecial tools.
4.Consider the space where the jack will be installed.Then, decide Angled or Straight, & also the degree
Angled:
The cable entry is angled to reduce the cable’s bend radius, which is useful in tight spaces or to maintain cable organization.
45-degree angled termination port design alloweasy the separation and installation of wires
Straight:
Standard straight entry design for the cables.
90-Degree vs 180-Degree
5.Compatibility with Keystone Plates and Panels:
Ensure the keystone jacks are compatible with your keystone plates, patch panels, or surface mount boxes.
Check the dimensions if you are using a non-standard setup.
6.Color Coding and Labeling:
Color-coded jacks can be useful for identifying different networks or services.
Labeling is especially helpful in complex installations with multiple connections.
7.Supplier and Support:
Purchase from a reputable supplier.
Check if the supplier offers technical support in case you have questions or face issues during installation.
RJ45 keystone jacks, widely used in network cabling systems, can be installed in various locations depending on the network design and requirements.
Common places for installation include:
Wall Plates or Face Plates:
They are often mounted on wall plates in office or home environments, allowing for easy and convenient access to network connections. This is typical for connecting computers, printers, and other network devices.
Patch Panels:
In data centers or server rooms, keystone jacks are frequently used in patch panels. This centralizes network connections, making it easier to manage and organize large numbers of network cables.
Surface Mount Boxes:
When wall plates are not feasible or desired, keystone jacks can be installed in surface mount boxes, which can be placed on walls, under desks, or in other accessible areas.
Floor Boxes:
For conference rooms or areas where ceiling or wall access is limited, keystone jacks can be installed in floor boxes to provide network access.
The choice of location for installing RJ45 keystone jacks depends on factors like network layout, ease of access, aesthetics, and the specific needs of the users or devices in the area. Proper planning and consideration of future expansion needs are also crucial to ensure a scalable and efficient network infrastructure.
