The complete guide to terminating Cat6 plugs in Australia
Terminating Cat6 cable correctly is the difference between a clean Gigabit link and a network that's plagued by intermittent dropouts, slow speeds and crosstalk. Unlike Cat5e, Cat6 requires a load bar (or equivalent wire-organising mechanism) to manage the thicker 23 AWG conductors and meet the stringent crosstalk performance of the standard. This guide covers everything you need to know: which plug type to choose, the tools required, the correct wiring sequence for Australia, step-by-step termination instructions for every Access Cat6 plug we sell, and how to identify and terminate the three historical load bar versions still found in the field.
Why Cat6 needs a load bar
Cat6 cable uses 23 AWG conductors, which are noticeably thicker than the 24 AWG used in Cat5e. If you tried to line all eight Cat6 conductors up in a single row inside the plug body the way Cat5e plugs do, the wires would not physically fit. More importantly, Cat6 must meet a much higher crosstalk specification at 250 MHz bandwidth, and that is impossible with the simple single-row arrangement used for Cat5e.
A load bar solves both problems. It organises the eight conductors into two staggered rows (typically 4 over 4, or 6 over 2 depending on the plug version) before they enter the plug body. This staggered arrangement physically separates the pairs from each other at the termination point, dramatically reducing near-end crosstalk (NEXT) and far-end crosstalk (FEXT), which is what allows the finished link to meet Cat6 performance.
For more on telling Cat5e and Cat6 plugs apart, see our visual guide to Cat5 and Cat6 plugs.
Which Cat6 plug should you use?
Access stocks several types of Cat6 and Cat6A field-termination plug, each suited to different applications. The right choice depends on the cable type, the environment, and how often you need to terminate plugs in the field.
| Plug type | Termination method | Best for | Access SKU family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat6 standard 2-piece (load bar) | Load bar + crimp | Standard Cat6 UTP terminations, patch leads and field installs where time is not critical | P2176UB |
| Cat6 Quick Term | Tool-less, pierce-IDC | Fast field terminations, retrofits, anywhere a crimp tool is awkward | P2176QT family |
| Cat6A field-term shielded | Tool-less with shielding continuity | Cat6A S/FTP or F/UTP installs, industrial, medical, data centre | P2178FT |
| Cat6/6A shielded 2-piece | Load bar + crimp with shield | Bulk shielded patch lead production | P2178UJ |
| Cat8 tool-less field term | Tool-less, 40 Gbps rated | Cat8 data centre runs | P2180FT |
This guide focuses on the Cat6 standard 2-piece plug (the P2176UB family) because it is the most common, most cost-effective, and the plug that uses a true load bar. The Quick Term, field-term shielded, and Cat8 toolless plugs each have their own termination methods and are covered in their respective product instructions.
Tools you'll need
For a proper Cat6 termination with the standard 2-piece plug, you need three core tools plus a tester to verify your work.
- Cable stripper: A T0033 cable stripper sets the correct strip length and removes the outer jacket cleanly without nicking the inner conductors.
- Modular crimp tool: A T0019 8P8C ratchet crimp tool applies the correct compression force to seat the contacts onto the conductors and lock the strain relief onto the cable jacket.
- Wire cutters or flush cutters: Clean, straight cuts on the conductors are essential. Diagonal cutters work but flush cutters give the best result.
- LAN cable tester: A T0042001 LAN cable tester verifies continuity and the wiring sequence. Skipping this step is the most common cause of installer callbacks.
Optional but recommended: strain relief boots in matching colour, slid onto the cable before terminating.
Australian wiring sequence: T568A or T568B?
The two standard wiring patterns for terminating an RJ45 plug are T568A and T568B. They differ only in that the orange and green pairs are swapped. Both deliver identical Ethernet performance.
For new Australian commercial installations, use T568B. Most patch panels, keystones, jacks and factory-terminated patch leads sold through Australian trade channels are wired T568B by default. If a product specification does not state otherwise, assume T568B. The most important rule is consistency: both ends of any single cable run must use the same standard.
For a full side-by-side comparison and the reasoning behind the AU commercial default, see our RJ45 wiring guide (T568A and T568B).
| Pin | T568A colour | T568B colour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Green/White | Orange/White |
| 2 | Green | Orange |
| 3 | Orange/White | Green/White |
| 4 | Blue | Blue |
| 5 | Blue/White | Blue/White |
| 6 | Orange | Green |
| 7 | Brown/White | Brown/White |
| 8 | Brown | Brown |
Step-by-step termination: Cat6 standard 2-piece plug (P2176UB)
The following steps cover the most common Access Cat6 plug, the standard 2-piece load bar plug (P2176UB family). If you have an older Access Cat6 plug with a slightly different load bar, see the three historical versions further down this page.
- Slide the boot on first. If you are using a strain relief boot, slide it onto the cable now. Boots cannot be added after the plug is crimped.
- Strip approximately 20mm of outer jacket. Use the T0033 cable stripper. The adjustable blade is set to score the jacket without nicking the inner conductors. Twist the stripper around the cable, then pull the jacket section off.
- Cut the rip cord and any cross-web divider. Cat6 cable typically has a nylon rip cord and may have a plastic cross-web divider between the pairs. Trim both flush with the end of the jacket.
- Untwist the pairs and straighten each conductor. Untwist each pair back to the jacket. Straighten each conductor by running it gently between your thumb and a screwdriver shaft or other smooth surface. Do not nick or kink the conductors.
- Arrange the conductors in the correct sequence. Fan the eight conductors out and arrange them in your chosen wiring sequence (T568B for Australian commercial). Use the colour code table above.
- Trim the conductors to an even 8mm. Hold the conductors flat and cut them all to the same length with flush cutters. A straight, even cut is essential for the plug contacts to seat properly.
- Insert the conductors into the load bar. Orient the load bar with the staggered rows facing the correct direction. Push each conductor into its corresponding hole in the load bar until it reaches the end. The order is locked in by the load bar.
- Push the load bar fully against the cable jacket. Slide the load bar down the conductors until it is hard against the end of the outer jacket. There should be no exposed conductor between the jacket and the load bar.
- Insert the cable and load bar into the plug body. Push the assembly into the plug body, keeping the load bar oriented correctly, until the load bar reaches the front of the plug and the conductors are visible through the clear contacts.
- Verify the conductors are fully seated. Look at the front of the plug. Every conductor should be visible right at the end of its channel, with no gap.
- Crimp the plug with the T0019 ratchet crimp tool. Insert the plug into the 8P8C die. Squeeze the handles fully closed. The ratchet releases when the correct force has been applied. This pushes the contacts down through the insulation onto the conductors and locks the strain relief onto the cable jacket.
- Check the contacts. Look at the top of the plug. Every gold contact should be pressed down level. If any contact is sitting higher than the others, the connection may be unreliable.
- Slide the boot up and snap it onto the plug. Slide the strain relief boot up the cable and snap it over the rear of the plug.
- Test the termination. Use the T0042001 LAN cable tester to verify continuity and the wiring sequence. Test both ends. Mark the cable as tested and label both ends with the run identifier.
Identifying the three historical load bar versions
Access has supplied three different versions of the Cat6 standard 2-piece plug over the years. The plug body and process are essentially the same, but the load bar geometry differs. If you have older plugs in stock, identify which version you have and follow the slight variations below. For the current P2176UB plug, use the step-by-step instructions above.
Version 1: blocked-end load bar
The first version had a load bar in which the conductor holes were blocked at the front. Conductors could only be inserted partway through. The conductors must be trimmed to exactly 8mm before insertion, because they cannot be cut after the load bar is in place.
Key step difference: Trim the conductors to 8mm BEFORE inserting into the load bar (step 6 happens before step 7).
For the original 2003 instruction sheet, see Version 1 instructions (PDF).
Version 2: pass-through load bar
The second version introduced pass-through holes. Conductors are inserted all the way through the load bar and trimmed flush after the load bar is positioned. This is forgiving and is the same approach used by today's P2176UB.
Key step difference: Insert the conductors first, then trim flush after the load bar is pushed against the jacket.
For the original 2003 instruction sheet, see Version 2 instructions (PDF).
Version 3: load bar with legs
The third version added two protruding "legs" at the front of the load bar. The legs locate the bar precisely against the cable sheath so the end of the legs sits flush with the end of the jacket, ensuring consistent geometry.
Key step difference: When pushing the load bar against the jacket, the legs should sit flush with the cable sheath end.
For the original 2006 instruction sheet, see Version 3 instructions (PDF).
Common termination mistakes
Most failed Cat6 terminations come down to a small number of recurring mistakes. Avoiding these takes the failure rate close to zero.
- Untwisting pairs too far back. Each pair should remain twisted as close to the load bar as possible. Untwisting more than 13mm pushes Cat6 performance into Cat5e territory.
- Cutting conductors at uneven lengths. If the conductors are not all exactly the same length, some contacts will not pierce the insulation properly. Always trim them flat together.
- Nicking conductors during stripping. A blade set too deep cuts through the conductor insulation and into the copper. Adjust the T0033 to score only the outer jacket.
- Not seating the conductors fully against the plug end. If a conductor sits even 1mm short of the end of the plug, the contact will not pierce the insulation correctly. Always verify before crimping.
- Crimping too early. If the load bar is not fully inserted into the plug body, the strain relief will not engage the cable jacket properly. Pull-test the finished plug.
- Mixing T568A and T568B at opposite ends. This creates a crossover cable, which is almost never wanted for modern Ethernet. Use the same wiring at both ends.
- Skipping the test. Untested terminations are the single biggest source of installer callbacks. A 30-second test with a T0042001 LAN tester saves hours of troubleshooting later.
Frequently asked questions
What is a load bar in a Cat6 plug?
A load bar is a small plastic component that organises the eight conductors of a Cat6 cable into two staggered rows before they enter the plug body. It is required for Cat6 plugs because the thicker 23 AWG conductors will not fit in a single row, and because the staggered arrangement is what enables the Cat6 plug to meet the higher crosstalk performance specification of the standard.
Can I use a Cat5e plug on Cat6 cable?
Physically you may be able to crimp a Cat5e plug onto Cat6 cable, but the Cat6 conductors are thicker than the Cat5e plug is designed for, so the crimp will be unreliable. More importantly, you will downgrade the entire link to Cat5e performance. Always match the plug to the cable.
What strip length should I use for a Cat6 plug?
Approximately 20mm of outer jacket for the Access P2176UB plug family. Trim the individual conductors to a final length of 8mm so they extend cleanly to the end of the plug.
Should I use T568A or T568B for Australian Cat6 installations?
For new Australian commercial installations, use T568B. Most patch panels, keystones, jacks and factory-terminated patch leads sold through Australian trade channels are wired T568B by default. T568A is generally only required where existing wiring uses it, or where US federal specifications apply. The most important rule is consistency: both ends of any single cable must use the same standard.
What's the difference between the three Cat6 load bar versions?
Access has supplied three versions over the years. Version 1 had blocked load bar holes requiring conductors to be pre-trimmed to 8mm. Version 2 introduced pass-through holes allowing conductors to be trimmed after insertion. Version 3 added locating legs at the front of the load bar for consistent positioning against the cable sheath. All three terminate the same finished plug and use the same crimp tool.
Do Quick Term Cat6 plugs use a load bar?
No. Quick Term plugs (Access P2176QT family) use a different termination mechanism that pierces the conductor insulation with internal IDC contacts, eliminating the need for a load bar and crimp tool. They are faster in the field but cost more per plug. The standard 2-piece P2176UB load bar plug remains the most economical for high-volume work.
How do I know my Cat6 termination meets the standard?
Visually verify that the conductors are fully seated, that all contacts are flush with the top of the plug, and that the strain relief is engaged with the cable jacket. Then test with a LAN cable tester to confirm continuity, wiring sequence and absence of opens, shorts or split pairs. For mission-critical installs, a Cat6 certification tester (such as a Fluke DSX) measures NEXT, return loss and insertion loss against the standard.
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