Punch down or couplers?

[JLocke5]

Should I use punch down blocks or couplers for my wall plates in my home? Not sure what factors go into choosing. 

[Windows7ge]

That's really up to preference/maintenance. Most homes/buninesses currently use keystone jacks (punch-down blocks) but for places like the server room where you need to terminate all the connections using couplers makes long term maintenance a lot easier instead of the punch-down strips where if a jack dies it's basically done-for/not replaceable without a lot of work.

 

When wall jacks get worn-out from abuse using a coupler in place of keystone makes replacement easier/faster.

 

At least this has been my observation.

[beersykins]

Depends what you're doing too.  If you can measure out accurately the run size you need and buy premade, keystone couplers are super easy and save you a lot of time and potential error if one or more of the jacks aren't terminated well.

 

If it's difficult to measure or you want to skip that step then pulling some solid core and punching down is the better play.

[JLocke5]

16 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

That's really up to preference/maintenance. Most homes/buninesses currently use keystone jacks (punch-down blocks) but for places like the server room where you need to terminate all the connections using couplers makes long term maintenance a lot easier instead of the punch-down strips where if a jack dies it's basically done-for/not replaceable without a lot of work.

 

When wall jacks get worn-out from abuse using a coupler in place of keystone makes replacement easier/faster.

 

At least this has been my observation.

I tried the wall plate couplers. i used Cat5e cable but I noticed that the couplers said cat6 on them would this cause a problem or no? Thanks

 

[JLocke5]

13 minutes ago, beersykins said:

Depends what you're doing too.  If you can measure out accurately the run size you need and buy premade, keystone couplers are super easy and save you a lot of time and potential error if one or more of the jacks aren't terminated well.

 

If it's difficult to measure or you want to skip that step then pulling some solid core and punching down is the better play.

I tried the wall plate couplers. i used Cat5e cable but I noticed that the couplers said cat6 on them would this cause a problem or no? Thanks

[beersykins]

1 minute ago, JLocke5 said:

I tried the wall plate couplers. i used Cat5e cable but I noticed that the couplers said cat6 on them would this cause a problem or no? Thanks

Should be fine my dude.

[Windows7ge]

3 minutes ago, JLocke5 said:

I tried the wall plate couplers. i used Cat5e cable but I noticed that the couplers said cat6 on them would this cause a problem or no? Thanks

 

That's not an issue. If anything it gives you room to upgrade the cabling down the road without having to replace the couplers. They're backwards compatible.

[JLocke5]

50 minutes ago, beersykins said:

Should be fine my dude.

well i've tried to use the couplers and the connections work up until the couplers. Example, the cord running through the wall that would plug into the back of the coupler will give my device internet but, as soon as i plug the coupler into that cord and plug another Ethernet cord from the front of the coupler to the device no signal. 

[JLocke5]

50 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

That's not an issue. If anything it gives you room to upgrade the cabling down the road without having to replace the couplers. They're backwards compatible.

well i've tried to use the couplers and the connections work up until the couplers. Example, the cord running through the wall that would plug into the back of the coupler will give my device internet but, as soon as i plug the coupler into that cord and plug another Ethernet cord from the front of the coupler to the device no signal. 

[Windows7ge]

4 minutes ago, JLocke5 said:

well i've tried to use the couplers and the connections work up until the couplers. Example, the cord running through the wall that would plug into the back of the coupler will give my device internet but, as soon as i plug the coupler into that cord and plug another Ethernet cord from the front of the coupler to the device no signal. 

With pre-terminated cables have you found them to work at all? Might be defective.

[JLocke5]

I terminate my own and they have all passed my tester and meet my ISP speeds. But as soon as i plug them into the coupler no connection.