Best for fast terminations Product type
Pass-through crimper kit
Faster RJ45 terminating, if the tool matches the connectors.
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RJ45 pass-through crimpers and connectors: what to know before buying
Our top picks
Best for fast terminations
Product type
Cat6 pass-through RJ45 connectors
Connectors with holes at the front so wire ends pass through and are trimmed flush.
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Best for home use Product type
Basic network cable tester
Quick check of all 8 wires, handy for home use and crimp checks.
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| Product | Connection | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass-through crimper kit | Pass-through RJ45 | Faster terminations | Needs a crimper with a cutting blade; ratcheting action gives a more consistent crimp |
| Cat6 pass-through RJ45 connectors | Pass-through RJ45 | Use with a pass-through crimper | Match the connector to your cable type |
| Basic network cable tester | Continuity (LEDs 1-8) | Home, quick crimp checks | Can't catch split pairs, speed, noise or length |
Pass-through RJ45 connectors and their matching crimpers make it faster to terminate Ethernet cable, but only if the tool and the connectors suit the cable. Mismatched connectors are the top reason new crimpers get blamed for dead links. This guide explains how the system works and how to avoid the common mistakes.
Based on manufacturer specifications, TIA/EIA-568 wiring conventions and published documentation. We have not hands-on tested these products.
Pass-through vs standard connectors
| Standard RJ45 | Pass-through RJ45 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wires | Cut to exact length and aligned before inserting | Wires go through the connector and are trimmed flush |
| Speed | Slower, needs precise trim | Faster, easier to see order |
| Failure risk | Wires not seated at the contacts | Wires not trimmed right, poor strain relief if skipped |
| Crimper | Standard RJ45 crimper | Needs a crimper with a cutting blade for pass-through |
| Looks | Closed front | Holes at the front for wire ends |
Pass-through connectors need a crimper designed for them. A standard crimper cannot trim the wire ends flush.
Match the connector to the cable
- Category: Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a connectors are designed for different wire thickness. A Cat6 connector often has a staggered wire guide to handle thicker conductors.
- Solid vs stranded: Solid-core cable is used for in-wall runs; stranded cable for patch cords. Use connectors rated for the type you have.
- Shielded vs unshielded: Shielded cable needs shielded connectors and drain wire connection.
- Conductor gauge: Cat6a cable is often thicker (larger overall diameter and sometimes heavier gauge) and may not fit connectors designed for Cat5e/Cat6.
A note on proper installation
Standards-based structured cabling terminates permanent links at jacks and patch panels with punch-down tools, and uses factory or field-terminated patch cords for the connections between devices. Putting a plug directly on a long in-wall run is common at home and in small jobs, but it is not what a certified structured cabling system uses. If you want the cleanest result, use keystone jacks and a patch panel.
T568A vs T568B
Both work. The rule is: use the same standard on both ends.
| Pin | T568B | T568A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | White/orange | White/green |
| 2 | Orange | Green |
| 3 | White/green | White/orange |
| 4 | Blue | Blue |
| 5 | White/blue | White/blue |
| 6 | Green | Orange |
| 7 | White/brown | White/brown |
| 8 | Brown | Brown |
T568B is common in the United States for commercial work; follow what the existing installation uses.
Step-by-step: pass-through crimping
- Strip about an inch and a half (3 to 4 cm) of jacket without nicking the conductors.
- Untwist pairs only as much as needed, and keep the untwisted length as short as possible. Over-untwisting hurts performance.
- Arrange the wires in T568B or T568A order and flatten them.
- Slide the wires through the connector until they pass through the front.
- Check order from the front before crimping.
- Crimp with the pass-through tool, which trims the ends.
- Test with a cable tester. See network cable testers.
Common mistakes
- Wrong connector gauge for the cable, causing wires to bulge or not seat.
- Crimping before checking order. Re-doing costs a connector each time.
- Leaving the jacket outside the connector’s strain relief, so the cable pulls out.
- Using a cheap crimper whose blade leaves long wire stubs that can short.
- Skipping the tester.
What to look for in a crimper kit
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Pass-through compatible with your connector type | Required for pass-through connectors |
| Ratcheting action | More consistent crimp |
| Built-in stripper/cutter | Convenience |
| Included tester | Handy for checks (often basic) |
| Connector count and type | Cat5e vs Cat6 vs shielded options |
| Replaceable blades | Blades dull over time |
Many kits are sold as a tool plus a bag of connectors. Check which category the connectors are rated for, and buy the connector type that matches your cable.
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FAQ
Can I use a regular RJ45 crimper for pass-through connectors? Generally no; it does not trim the wires flush.
Are pass-through connectors worse than standard? Not inherently. They are easier to do; the quality depends on matching the connector to the cable.
Which connector for Cat6a? One rated for Cat6a and the cable’s diameter, often shielded. Verify with the cable maker.
Why does my crimped cable only run at 100 Mbps? A bad termination on one pair is a common cause. Re-terminate and test.
Should I make my own patch cords? For custom lengths, yes. For many cables, factory-made patch cords are tested and consistent.
Verdict
Choose connectors for your cable first, then a crimper made for those connectors, then a tester. Treat pass-through as a speed convenience, not a performance upgrade. See Cat6 vs Cat6a for choosing the cable.