Are my wires stranded or solid?
Hi,
I have two cables, a ethernet Cat 6 and a Cat 5e.
The Cat6 is the thicker one and contains a plastic insert for support. On th side there is writing which is: 'Category 6 UTP 23 AWG 4 Pairs Patch cable 048m'
The Cat 5e is thinner and more flexiable, this already has connectors on the ends and has writing which is: 'FTP 26AWGX4P CAT5e PATCH CORD 100MHZ ISO 11801 EIA/TIA 568A EN50173 VERIFIED 041128m'
Can anyone tell me if they are Solid or stranded wire or can either solid or stranded connectors be added?
Also is a 'Punch down' need to install connectors as website advertise them in bundles with testers and crimpers?
Many Thnaks
Mike
Patch cables use stranded wire so the cable can be flexed without breaking continuity.
Bulk cable for wiring outlets is usually solid. You don't want to use solid wire for patch cables since it fatigues and breaks pretty easily.
You can usually tell just by how much stiffer the solid wire is. Also solid wire tends to hold its shape more when you bend it.
Unless it says specifically it's solid or stranded you can't tell from the cable markings (well I can't anyway 
. A 26AWG wire could be a single 26 gauge wire or the same diameter bundle of much smaller strands.
A punch tool is not required but you will get much better results with one usually plugs and patch panels use a 110 punch down connection. A crimper is pretty much required though. I have never manually crimped a plug onto a cable. I suppose it's possible.
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