How to splice ethernet cable to make one longer cable is a common question to ask because splicing cables is a necessity sometimes. There is a great use of splicing in the tech world and it is a good skill to know.
Splicing cables is also a generally easy task if you know how to do it but can get messy if you are new to it.
In this article, we will explain to you an easy step-by-step method to splice the ethernet cables and then put them to good use or however you want them.
How To Splice Ethernet Cable To Join Them? Simply Explained
You can splice the Ethernet cables to join them by first stripping the insulation off of them and unwinding them. After that, you will have to unwind the two together, making sure that the wires match each other in color. This is the simplest way to join the two wires.
Ethernet cables are used to join two or more computers together to form a network. In the market, you can find cables for all standard lengths but in case you want to construct your own length, splicing comes in very handy.
It is a very common process and is not only used in computer engineering but also in various other fields like horticulture and biology. It basically means to join two things together by first cutting their edges off.
You can do this technique by yourself when it comes to Ethernet cables or you can take the help of a professional or you can use the ethernet cable splice kit.
The best thing about it is that if done right, it works exactly like the new wires, except for less money. Following is a step-by-step procedure on how to splice Ethernet cables together to make a lengthy cable for connecting two computers in a network:
– Step 1: Collect the Cables
The first step in the procedure is the collection of the two cables that you want to connect. These can be any brand of cables but make sure the two cables you are using are for sure used in Ethernet works. If you are going to splice and connect two different cables of different use, they might not work in the end.
These cables should be cleaned and should not be exposed or broken from any end. Damaged cables will interfere with the signal transfer and cause you problems even if you splice them successfully.
– Step 2: Cut the Cables
The next step in the procedure is to check and cut the cables. The two cables should be cut using a wire cutter.
Make sure to cut the ends of the wire after leaving 1-2 inches of wire than your desired lengths. We do this because once they are cut there is no going back so to give yourself ample wire also because after cutting there will the stripping which will make it lose some length.
Make sure to use a wire cutter and not simple scissors or worse, knives, to cut the wire. This may not be hazardous in any way but precaution is better.
– Step 3: Strip the Cables
In the third step, strip the cables. Stripping the cables will include the removal of any insulation that is covering the cables. Other than insulation, there might be some glue between different insulation that would be holding them together. Stripping the wires off the insulation will leave the bare-knotted cables exposed.
These cables are now very delicate and should be handled with care because they can easily be damaged.
– Step 4: Unwind the Cables
The fourth step in the procedure is to unwind the cables. As they are all knotted, unwinding them will free their ends for splicing purposes. As explained above, these are delicate and any sudden or hard bend will damage them so make sure you put firm pressure on them and unwind steadily.
– Step 5: Wind the Cables
This is the most important step in splicing. The above four steps were followed on two different Ethernet cables. Now you have two unwinded cables that will be joined together. Make sure to wind the same colors of wires together.
Mixing colors will result in an unsuccessful signal transmission so be careful about it. Wind the same colors together and make sure that the winds are not loose. A loosely winded cable will lack signals. A firmly and closely wound wire will do the work seamlessly.
– Step 6: Insulate the Cables
After carefully winding the two exposed wires together, you need to now insulate the cables. Insulation is very important as it ensures that the exposed bits are closed off and also in this way you can keep track of the spliced wires and their splicing origin. You can use insulating tape to insulate them.
Make sure that the insulation is firmly wrapped on them and that there are no air bubbles. Do not overwrap the wires. Do not use clear plastic tape for wrapping the wires because they offer no insulation but just hold the wires in place.
– Step 7: Connect the Computers
The last step is to simply use the ethernet cables to plug into different computers and form a network. These cables will surely last a long time without any issues.
External damage, however, may make your wires lose their integrity. The spliced cables can help you in forming a network of more than two computers however you may want.
If you do not wish to use the splicing method, you can use an Ethernet cable extender adapter which requires no cutting, winding, or insulating. You just plug the ends of two cables in the adapter and it acts like a bridge.
FAQs
– Can Optic Fiber Replace Ethernet Cables?
In some instances, Optic fiber has replaced the Ethernet cables but it is hard to tell if they will be replaced completely in the future. Every day new technology is springing up we cannot really be sure what will stick and will be let go soon.
In the case of the internet, maybe 5G will replace all sorts of wired internet connections, or maybe its successor will. These questions are one for the theory and only there we can answer them with the utmost knowledge only and without the utmost certainty.
However, in terms of speed, fiber optic cables have the highest measured speed than Ethernet cables but the cost to produce optic fiber is much more than copper cables.
– Can I Get Electrocuted While Splicing the Ethernet Cables?
No, you will not get electrocuted while handling or splicing the Ethernet cables. This is because there is not much electricity in them and generally it is impossible to get electrocuted by them. So you can splice them easily without any danger.
The wires from which you can get electrocuted are very different than the ethernet cables. They also have a protective coating around them that makes them insulated but in case they are exposed, they can electrocute you. All the cables for connection between the networks are very safe.
– What Is Better Ethernet Or Internet?
Ethernet offers great speed and low latency whereas the Internet offers the speed according to the paid plan. It is really a question of self-preference where you choose whatever sits best with your system. These are however both wired internet choices.
If you want to go wireless, you can surely use the cellular networks or get a dongle that will give you access to the wifi without any wires or cables. Among them all, Ethernet is the most reliable option that will not let you down, in any case, other than grid malfunction or electricity outage.
– Do We Lose Signal Transduction In Case of Splicing?
Generally, no we do not lose signal transduction when we use spliced Ethernet cables if and only if the splicing is done right. The spliced cables work exactly like the other cables so there should not be any issue in sending or receiving signals.
However, if the splicing is not done right there may be some issues in the process. If you have not used the right cables, matched the right colors, or did not insulate them correctly, there might be some issues.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered all the basics of how to splice the Ethernet cables for using them to form a network the process is quite simple but in case you missed anything, here is a short conclusion on the matter:
- Splicing can be used to join two Ethernet cables together to make them longer so as to connect two computers to make a network.
- The simplest way is to first cut the ends, remove insulation, unwind the cables then wind them, and lastly put insulation on them.
- The splices cables will work exactly like the new cables and there will be no issue.
- You can also use an Ethernet cable extender adapter in place of splicing.
Here we come to the end of the article about splicing. For a seamless experience, follow the tutorial as it is written. We hope that the tutorial was useful for you and helped you in splicing.
