atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring "RJ" designations?

I was looking at a list of RJ designations the other day, and I realised that RJ-45 actually calls for a KEYED 8p8c (as do most of the other RJ-4x's),
as opposed to the UNKEYED 8p8c used for ethernet, RJ31, 37, 61, etc..

So the RJ-45 == Ethernet is even more incorrect than we thought.. it's not only the wrong term for the connector, it's not even the right connector..

I knew I could find someone to be my deputy here on this subject!

I just ran into this thread, when I started in this industry I was being taught by both computer techs and older telecom guys. I got pretty confused trying to sort out what each one was talking about, same name/numbers but different uses. I use Newton's Telecom Dictionary now to try to figure out what is right.

Perhaps there is hope, though. One of our guys is getting ready to take the practical portion of the low-voltage electrician licensing exam for CT (or was it Rhode Island?) and they sent a list of supplies he'll need to bring to the exam.

That list includes a bag of "8P8C Modular Plugs". Not a mention of RJ-45 anywhere!

I'm currently taking a couple of networking courses at the local community college, one of the courses is the Cisco CCNA-1 course.
Since I already know most of this stuff, and am simply taking the courses for the certification, I'm having a grand time correcting errors in the texts..

Both of the texts refer to 8p8c modular plugs as "RJ-45", and the cisco text refers to 9 pin D-sub connectors as "DB-9".

What is this world coming to, when the certification courses can't even get the terminology correct?

I am impressed with the following I have gained in my quest, albeit a seemingly losing battle.

I guess RJ45 versus 8P8C has become:

"Chlorox" to bleach
"Coke" to cola soda
"Ty-Rap" to cable tie
"Sheetrock" to gypsum board (yes, it's a brand name)
"Vaseline" to petroleum jelly
"Crisco" to shortening
"Xerox" to copier
"Velcro" to hook & loop fastener
"FedEx" to overnight letter/shipping
"Reynolds Wrap" to aluminum foil

I could go on forever.

You get my drift here. The popular name with the general public for an item prevails and it's never going to change!

Yea Ed!
Pass me an orange coke would ya! :rofl:

I have absolutely no useful technical knowledge to add here, just wanted to say thanks for this amazing thread. The amount of wisdom in this one thread is incredible. All of you deserve HUGE kudos for this and again, THANK YOU!!!!!!
John
P.S. As far as I'm concerned you guys should never get off your so-called soap boxes

Thanks, TRONIC1, but I am finding that I am wasting my time on this subject. I appreciate your support and positive comments, though. Even distributors and manufacturers have drifted toward "whatever terminology the general public uses". They don't want to risk losing sales to newcomers who have been trained using the improper terminolgy.

La-Z-Boy from rocker-recliner