8P8CSteckverbinder

The 8P8C connector is a modular electrical connector that is widely used for terminating twisted pair and multi-conductor flat cable. It is commonly known as the Ethernet connector or RJ45 connector, although RJ45 technically refers to a specific wiring standard for this connector. The designation 8P8C stands for 8 positions and 8 conductors, indicating that the connector housing has eight possible positions for electrical contacts, and all eight of those positions are used for conductors.

These connectors are prevalent in telecommunications and networking applications, particularly for Ethernet local area networks (LANs). They provide a standardized and robust method for connecting network devices such as computers, routers, switches, and modems. The physical design of the 8P8C connector ensures a secure and reliable connection, preventing accidental disconnections.

The wiring of the 8P8C connector is critical for proper network functionality. Two common wiring standards exist for Ethernet, T568A and T568B. While both standards use the same 8-pin connector, the arrangement of the colored wires within the connector differs. Using the same standard at both ends of a network cable is essential for a direct connection between devices. Mixing standards typically results in a crossover cable, used for specific device-to-device connections. The connector is designed with a locking tab to prevent it from being easily dislodged.