In this article, we will look at several ways that you can lengthen your Internet cable. With your own hands (using twisting) and without additional devices, or at minimal cost (using an adapter). Following the instructions in this article, you can also lengthen the network cable that you use to connect your computer to a router, or for other tasks. Not just the cable that your internet provider has put into your home.
Most often, it becomes necessary to lengthen the Internet cable that enters our house, or an apartment from the provider's equipment. Note that we are talking about a twisted pair cable. If you have, for example, fiber optic, then the solutions from this article will not work. Very often during the repair process, when rearranging furniture, or moving devices, it turns out that the Internet cable is short and does not reach our computer or router. There are not many options in this case: adjust to the length of the cable, ask the provider to lay a new cable of the length you need (which they are unlikely to do), or just finish the Internet cable. What we are going to do now. But first, a few tips:
- If you want to connect a regular network cable that you use to connect two devices (for example, a PC with a router), then this may not make any sense. It is easier to make a new cable of the required length. It will be easier and the cable will be more reliable. Since any connection and especially twisting is not very good. You can make such a cable yourself, or ask to crimp the cable of the required length in some digital store.
- Perhaps, in your case, it makes sense to install a Wi-Fi router (if it does not already exist), and not to lengthen the cable and lay it through the entire apartment. And if there are stationary computers, to which a network cable is most often laid, then they can also be connected via Wi-Fi. You only need a Wi-Fi adapter, which I wrote about here.
- If we are talking specifically about connecting an Internet cable, then you can call your Internet provider and explain the situation. That you are missing the length of the network cable laid into the house. Perhaps the provider will offer you some reasonable solution. For example, he will send specialists who will replace the cable free of charge.
- Internet sockets. If they are installed in your home / apartment, then consider the possible connection options using these outlets.
If you cannot do without connecting a network cable, then it is best to use special connectors (coupler, joyner). If everything is done correctly, the quality of the connection will not suffer. I do not recommend using twists. They create additional resistance and this can greatly affect the stability of the connection. And in the end, the speed and ping. A computer or router may simply not see such a cable.
Extend the network cable using an adapter (connector)?
This method will work in all cases. Both for connecting a network cable through which the Internet enters the house, and for extending a network cable for a computer, TV, router, modem, etc.
These connectors look something like this:
They call him a joyner. There is simply an entrance for a network cable on both sides (for an RJ-45 connector). Mom-mom type. To connect a cable using such a LAN connector, you need to crimp the cable from both sides into an RJ-45 connector. How to do it yourself without a special tool, I wrote in an article on how to crimp a network cable without a tool. If you have a special tool (crimper), everything can be done according to this instruction: how to compress a twisted pair cable into RJ-45.
If you are going to use such a connector to lengthen your internet cable, you can buy a second piece of cable at a store. It will be ready-made (with connectors). If the cable is not of the required length, then this cable can be made for you. Ask around in stores that sell computers and other computer equipment.
You just need to plug two network cables into such an adapter and you're done.
Let's say, on the one hand, we have an Internet cable from a provider, and on the other hand, a second piece of cable that we made ourselves or bought in a store.
There are slightly different LAN cable connectors - couplers.
They make it even easier and more convenient to extend the LAN cable. No need to crimp the cable into a connector and no special tool is needed. Only a screwdriver.
Do not confuse these connectors with splitters. They have one entrance and two exits. And they are intended for other tasks.
If you need to extend the network cable for a computer, TV, router
When there is not enough length of the network cable to connect a computer, TV, another router or some other device from a router or modem, then you can also use connectors. But do not forget that you can always buy or make a longer cable, or connect your device via Wi-Fi. Perhaps in your case, such a solution will be more correct and convenient.
Of course, you can take two pieces of twisted pair crimped on both sides into an RJ-45 connector and connect them through the connector.
With the help of such a cable, you can connect to the Internet absolutely any device that has a LAN input.
We connect the Internet cable using a twist
I already wrote above that this is not the best way to connect a network cable. Connection quality may suffer, or may not work at all. But if there are no other options, or you need to do everything urgently, then you can try.
It is enough to simply strip the cable at both ends and twist its color into color. Use insulating tape or heat shrink tubing for insulation. Each cable must be securely twisted and insulated.
I did everything the first time. The most difficult thing is to strip the veins and twist them. They break sometimes. First we remove the outer insulation, and then we strip each wire.
Then we twist all the veins by color.
I think it can be done more accurately than I did. After the network cable is twisted, each wire must be insulated. I used heat shrink tubing. Insulation tape works too. Here's what I got:
Believe it or not, this cable even turned out to be working 🙂
Just be careful with it, the veins are very fragile without insulation. They are easy to break and the cable will not work. You can wind the cable lower so that the connections do not move or break.
Write in the comments what method you use to lengthen the network cable and how everything works for you.
