Need Punchdown Tools and Instructions

[Wanabe]

Unbelievably I've spend several years in IT and have never had to use a punchdown tool. Although I have replaced many a RJ45 male connector. I now have a couple of Keystones that need replacing and need some guidance.

Can anyone recommend a decent punchdown tool and perhaps point me in the direction of some instructions on how to use one?

Thanks
Wanabe

[Confused]

http://catalog.blackbox.com/BlackBox/Templates/blackbox/mainscreen.asp

Look under Tester and tools / hand tools

They have different models on pages 1, 3 and 5. On I use is the blue and yellow model on page 5.

Get both 110 and 66 blades.

Link to specific product isn't working.
Chas

[ktkendall]

I have noticed that within the last year or so, Home Depot has been carrying what I consider to be advanced telcom items, such as punch down tool, toner and probe, and butt sets. The ones I've seen there are good quality brand name, and much better prices than found at Graybar..

[bailey]

yes that is very true, home depo has a great selection of tools for this, there is two styles t100 and a t66, each one uses a differant tool home depo only carries the t66.
do you know which one you need ?
the t100 is mounted vertical and the t66 is mounted horizantl.

watch the color codeing very carefully.

[Wanabe]

Based on what I've read about the keystone replacements that I'm going to use, I think I'll need the 100 blade. Can you tell me what the difference is?

Thanks

[Confused]

It's the type of connection block used. Telco MDF's and IDF's use M66 or 110 blocks and each take a different blade. Many companies will have both. For instance the company I'm doing work for tomorrow originally had all M66 blocks but when they installed a new switch couple of years ago went with 110 blocks for the switch room to save space but still uses M66 blocks in the wiring closets on different floors.

Go to www.blackbox.com and do a search on the different blocks under telco.
Chas

[Wanabe]

Interesting. Thanks for the input folks!

Wanabe

[ktkendall]

Just curious here though, I don't know what a keystone is????
Would that be like a CAT5 patch panel or something like that??

[Confused]

Originally posted by ktkendall
Just curious here though, I don't know what a keystone is????
Would that be like a CAT5 patch panel or something like that??

https://www.jensentools.com/product/search.asp?q=keystone&x=49&y=15

Actually after rereading original post, the poster doesn't need a punch down tool if all he is doing is replacing jacks as they come with modular caps that will act as punch down.
Chas

[Wanabe]

Confused,
Thanks for the info. I've never seen anyone install these devices. I'm clearly making this harder than what it really is.

[ktkendall]

OK, so Keystone is just a brand name of Jacks.. I personally don't trust just pushing the wires in with the plastic caps, I always go for using my punch tool instead...

[Confused]

I do it all the time. Haven't had a failure yet.
Chas

[Wanabe]

OK Folks, it appears that the type of Keystones that I purchased don't have the plastic cap. I must use the punchdown tool.

Question: Which wiring scheme listed on the Keystone do I need to follow, A or B.

This will just be a straight through connection to a switch.

Thanks,
Wanabe

[MulderMan]

what are these used for. excuse my noobness ;)

thanks

[ktkendall]

You could use either, as long as you use the same on both ends it won't matter. Probably the 'B' is what you will find you need to use though because your patch panel is most likely already punched down with the 'B' wiring scheme.

[Wanabe]

Thanks ktkendall.
I had the same thought but wasn't sure.

Wanabe