This article shows a Straight Through or straight Cable Color Code with Wiring Diagram , In computer networking field, Straight Through Cables are used to connect different networking devices with each other. You have to use a Straight Through Cable while connecting a
- Router to Switch
- PC to Switch
Majority of patch cables used in networking world these days are Straight Through Cables.
UTP (unshielded twisted pair) cables are used to make Straight Through Cables. Following is diagram of how UTP cable looks like
Both end of these UTP cables are truncated at RJ45 (Registered Jack 45) connector.
We can see from above diagram of UTP cables that there are eight small wires in it, these eight small wires are twisted in four pairs. Each pair has different color scheme. In traditional 10/100 Mbps networks only two pair of wires are used for sending and receiving, while in new gigabit standard all four pairs are used for data transmission.
To understand how these types of cables work, it's important to have sound understanding of Straight Cable Color Code.
Standards of Straight Cable color code :
There are two color coding standards for straight through cables, these are EIA/TIA 568A & 568B. These color coding standard tell which color is connected to which end. We now look at details of these wiring standards.
T568A Color coding Standard
This color coding standard is not widely used these days. Below is diagram of straight cable color coding based on 568A standard.
Next we illustrate sending and receiving pins in 568A color coding standard.
Pin No Wire Color Transmitting/Receiving
1 White/Green Transmitting
2 Green Transmitting
3 White/Orange Receiving
4 Blue -
5 White/Blue -
6 Orange Receiving
7 White/Brown -
8 Brown -
T568B Color coding Standard
This is the most widely used color coding standard of current era. Almost all Straight through cable these days are following T568B color coding standard. Below is straight through cable color code and wiring diagram that is using 568B standard.
Next we illustrate sending and receiving pins in 568B color coding standard
Pin No Wire Color Transmitting/Receiving
1 White/Orange Transmitting
2 Orange Transmitting
3 White/Green Receiving
4 Blue -
5 White/Blue -
6 Green Receiving
7 White/Brown -
8 Brown -
It's called straight through cable since all wires are connected at same pins on both sides of wires. You can see that in both figures of 568A as well as in 568B.
There is not much difference between 568A and 568B, you can see from above diagrams that only green and orange pairs are swapped, rest combination remains same.
An important point to remember is that whether you use 568A or 568B, make sure both ends of wire is following same standard. Which means if one end of wire has 568A standard, other end must also have 568A and vice versa.
Automatic Medium-Dependent Interface Crossover (Auto-MDIX)
Today's devices are getting intelligent, due to introduction of Auto-MDIX standard. With Auto-MDIX, devices can automatically adjust sending and receiving pins. So any wire can be used for connecting same or different devices.
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