Ethernet cables provide a stronger, more secure internet connection than Wi-Fi. The cables are also inexpensive, easy to find, and simple to use. You connect one end to your router and the other to the device. It doesn’t get any easier. Sometimes you need more length than a single cable provides, and instead of purchasing a longer cable you may be wondering if you can simply connect up two shorter ethernet cables you have on hand.
To connect two Ethernet cables together, you can use a simple RJ45 coupler. Using several of these couplers can start to degrade the signal, so if you find yourself needing more than one you should consider purchasing a longer cable or cutting your own ethernet cable to length.
With an RJ45 coupler, you can easily connect two ethernet cables together, but it isn’t always the best idea for a couple of reasons, including the degradation of not only the cable itself but also the strength of the connection. To put it simply, you’ll get better performance using a longer cable, and they’re inexpensive and easy to make.
Connecting Ethernet Cables
It’s pretty simple to connect two ethernet cables; all you need is an inexpensive RJ45 coupler like these blue Azda couplers (on Amazon). It has two ethernet ports, one on each end, so that it can bridge the gap between two ethernet cables forming one much longer cable.
Sometimes, you get lucky and the cables are the perfect length, however, this doesn’t happen very often, so these couplers are great to have on hand. Incidentally, that’s why it’s hard to buy just one, with them typically coming in 2 or e5 packs.
Your other option is to make the cable the right length, in which case you’ll still need a coupler, along with wire cutters and a crimping tool.
This can sound a little intimidating, but cutting and splicing your Ethernet cable to the exact correct link is a simple matter that can be accomplished with an inexpensive kit like the Preciva RJ45 Crimper Tool Kit (on Amazon).
How to Make an Ethernet Cord at Your Perfect Length
A quick and inexpensive way to connect ethernet cables is to start with a single long cord. You can find cheap cables at varying lengths; just choose the one that is long enough for your setup.
There are different types of ethernet cables by the way. The most common as of right now is Cat5e, but Cat6 is becoming more and more common. Both of these operate the exact same but have different data transfer rates.
Also, most ethernet cables are unshielded but shielded Ethernet cables offer a bit more EMI protection. It’s good to know the differences between shielded and unshielded Ethernet cables and what will work best for your situation.
A kit like this one (on Amazon) has 500ft of cable and all of the tools needed to terminate the ends of an ethernet cable.
In our five-step process shown below, you can see that it really isn’t difficult if you choose to go this route. you just need the proper tools. Here’s a simple video on how to complete this process as well:
- Measure the cable length. You don’t have to get an exact measurement. It’s a good idea to leave the cable a little longer. Once you have the length, use the wire cutters to clip it.
- Use the crimping tool. Strip off a couple of inches of the protective outer jacket away with the crimping tool. You want to leave the wires exposed. When you’re stripping the covering away, be careful you don’t damage the thin wires.
- Separate the wires. This is the most time-consuming part, separating the four pairs of wires. When you’re finished, you’ll have eight individual wires.
- Get the wires ready for crimping. There is a precise order the wires need to be in with ethernet cables. Both sides of the cable must have the wires in the same order. Most people use the T-568B method for wiring ethernet cables.
The order is Orange/White > Orange > Green/White > Blue > Blue/White > Green > Brown/White > Brown.
When the wires are in order, starting pressing them closer together. When they are lined up straight, with no space in between them, cut off the excess leaving about half an inch behind. Make sure to cut them off so it’s strainght and not at an angle. - Put the connector on. With the clip part of the connector facing away, slide it carefully over the wires. Each wire will fit into a slot. When all of the wires are at the edge of the connector, use your crimping tool to squeeze down on the RJ45 coupler.
Repeat the same steps for the other end, and you have an ethernet cable that’s the perfect length. You can lose some signal strength with extremely long ethernet cables, but it’s not enough to notice any real difference in performance at the residential scale. Always keep ethernet cables under 300ft long.
How Many Ethernet Cables Can You Connect with RJ45 Couplers?
With an RJ45 coupler, there isn’t a limit on how many ethernet cables you can connect. However, there are a few reasons you wouldn’t want to go crazy with this concept.
With a little creative hiding and a bit of bending, you can have an ethernet cable running virtually unseen throughout your house. And if you use enough of these couplers you may be able to do it all with the ethernet cables you have on hand.
But, ethernet cables are designed to transmit a connection from one end to another, and introducing more and more of these couplers can reduce the quality and speed over time. The longer the cable and more couplers you use, the greater your risk of signal interference.
Not to mention the couplers are ultimately cheap plastic parts that could break or jostle loose over time. So, the more RJ45 couplers you put on the line, the more possible points of failure you’ve introduced.
Conclusion
With all that said, it’s worth noting that ethernet cables, along with any couplers or switches, do go bad over time and simply need replacing periodically. If you make your own cable that’s the perfect length, that’s going to last a bit longer and is more appropriate for continued use over time.
If you just need your router to reach your desktop computer now, while you’re waiting to sort out a better option, then using a long line of ethernet cables and couplers will work, but know that’s more of a short-term solution.
Know that if you’re thinking about running ethernet through your house, then using any kind of non-powered couplers should be your last resort…when you’re installing a system that needs to function for years, take the extra time to simply make your own cables of the perfect length up front.