Pass Through vs. Non Pass-Through RJ45 Connector: Which Is Better?

Ethernet cables are terminated with RJ45 connectors. It is known that there are various RJ45 connectors, among which pass through RJ45 connectors have become very popular these years.

So, what do pass through RJ45 connectors look like and why are they so popular? We’ll take a closer look at differences between pass through and non pass-through connectors in this article.

Pass Through vs. Non Pass-Through

Non pass-through connectors are standard ones used to terminate Ethernet cables. But if you are network beginners, you may find it a frustrating thing to install non pass-through RJ45 connectors. Different from standard RJ45 connectors, pass through RJ45 connectors allow Ethernet cable wires to pass through and out of the whole body. So, you can easily make sure these wires are aligned and the color sequence is correct before crimping. Compared to traditional RJ45 connectors, pass through connectors have their own pros and cons.

Pros:

-Easy to Use: Pass through RJ45 connectors make it a simple process to terminate Ethernet cable because wires can be easier to be inserted into the connector. Pass through RJ45 connectors are very suitable for novices.

-Reduced Error: Pass through RJ45 connectors can also help reduce wiring errors before crimping.

-Better Connection: Pass through RJ45 connectors have a higher success rate of successful termination and a perfect termination can achieve a more stable and reliable connection.

Cons:

-Less Durable: The pass through design makes copper wires exposed to oxygen, so the RJ45 connectors are easy to damage.

-Requirement for Special Crimping Tool: Non pass-through RJ45 connectors can be crimped by most RJ45 crimping tools on the market, but pass through RJ45 connectors require special crimping tools. If you decided to purchase pass through connectors, you should also buy a pass through RJ45 crimping tool.

Types of Pass Through RJ45 Connectors

Pass through RJ45 connectors can also be classified into different designs to meet different requirements. So when you choose RJ45 connectors for your network cabling, you should not only consider the Ethernet category but also the connector style.

One-Piece vs. Two-Piece RJ45 Connectors 

One-piece RJ45 connectors are very common on the market, but sometimes you may find it difficult to feed the wires through the connector. Two-piece RJ45 connectors are the best solution to this problem. They usually come with a load bar that can help ensure the wires insert into the holes of connector. For network novices, two-piece RJ45 connectors may be a better choice. It should be noted that most two-piece RJ45 connectors are designed for Cat6 and higher Ethernet categories.

Unshielded vs. Shielded

It is known that Ethernet cables can be divided into shielded and unshielded types, and so do RJ45 connectors. There are shielded and unshielded pass through RJ45 connectors on the market. Shielded types feature metal shielding to avoid EMI and RFI and they should be paired with shielded Ethernet cables for the best performance. Unshielded pass through RJ45 connectors are enough for home network, but if you want to install network in an environment full of electromagnetic interference, don’t hesitate to pick up shielded ones.

Non-Staggered vs. Staggered 

Do you carefully check the front holes of pass through connectors? There are staggered and non-staggered styles. Staggered style is designed to hold Ethernet cables with thicker insulated wires. Thick insulated conductors will exceed standard holes of pass through RJ45 connectors, so a staggered design is needed. It doesn’t mean that RJ45 connectors should be staggered for thick insulated conductors such as CAT7 and CAT8 cables. In addition, staggered style can also help reduce cross talk among copper wires.

How to Install Pass Through RJ45 Connectors?

The RJ45 Pass through connector is a great choice for many network installation applications for its ease use and efficiency. By following the step-by-step tutorial, these RJ45 connectors can be easy to install. For example, here is an installation guide for two-piece pass-through RJ45 connectors.

Final Words

Pass through RJ45 connectors can be a great choice for many network installation scenarios for its convenience and efficiency. They may not be as durable as the standard RJ45 connectors, but they are also a worth investment for most installers. If you’re considering using pass through RJ45 connectors for your home or office network, weigh the advantages and disadvantages to determine if they are right for you.

If you want to know more about RJ45 connector, read on the blog: RJ45 Connector 101.

For more information on this topic, you can keep up on our blogs. While VCELINK offers general and basic information for our customers and other visitors to the website, it’s not professional advice.