Hi, thank you for your comment! We include the copper tape in the connector package, which creates a solid 360° contact surface for the ground clamp. This solid connection method is more reliable than the aluminum foil method, especially if the cable moves or is flexed.
Thanks for the great videos! When using shielded cable do you recommend grounding the cable at just the patch panel or at both the wall keystone jack and at the patch panel?
Hello Tyler - thank you for the question! We reached out to Ralph Parrett, our Cable & Termination Expert - he shared the following response to your question: "The wall Keystone Jack usually will not have a grounding mechanism. If it is mounted in a plastic plate for example, no ground path exists. It would have to be mounted in a steel plate with a metal back box attached to conduit to get a chassis ground function. The cable attaching to the keystone will usually be shielded and that will attach the ground on the remote side. I hope that answers the question. Note for HDBaseT circuits, if a ground differential issue exists between the components (source and display for example), a connected ground on both ends will cause issues up to and including hardware failure. To “Lift the Ground”, use a coupler at the display side of the link and a short unshielded patch cable to the receiver. This issue is more common than you would think and responsible for a lot of field failures of HDBT equipment and active optical hybrid cables."
Liberty AV Solutions Thank you for the quick response! Do you mind asking Ralph what purpose the 3M 1181 copper tape serves in the termination process? Also, would it be an issue to use a non shielded keystone jack at the wall plate with shielded cable, or is shielding recommended throughout? This is for residential application with low alien cross talk. Unfortunately shielded cable (which was not necessary in my opinion) was installed instead of unshielded. Thanks again!
Our Termination Titan, Ralph has responded! :) "The copper tape provides a solid 360° ground surface contact. Many shielded RJ45 systems use clamps, solder, crimping and these are only as good as the termination. Adding the copper tape ensures a solid and consistent ground plane contact, essential with HDBT shielded installs. An unshielded keystone would “Lift the Ground”. Best practice is maintaining the shield throughout the link but in areas where ground differentials exist, lifting the ground is an acceptable practice. Most of our trouble calls are because unshielded cable was used where shielded should have been used. Those were primarily commercial installs where ballasts, motors, communications and power interference is present. In a Resi install, shielded needs would be dictated by the run and where it passes through. If your unshielded keystone is at the display end of the link, you would be OK. If it is not, I would install the proper unit to warrant shield continuity."
Liberty AV Solutions Thanks Ralph! One last follow up. If plastic keystone jacks are used is there a need for the copper tape or even the drain wire at all since it will not be grounded? Could it simply be cut at the base of the exposed cable? Thanks!
There is a need. You cannot have a shielded cable without at least one end grounded out. What can and has happened in this case is the shield will store energy and then discharge when the potential gets high enough. We saw very expensive equipment damaged where the shield was not grounded in an installation and this discharge occurred.
Hello and thank you for your question - Yes, are items are available to end users from a variety of online sources. This item is part number 1A68TPZA0 and it can be found through websites including one of our distributes, B&H Photo and Video, (www.bhphotovideo.com/). To purchase, contact the B&H customer service team at 800.606.6969. Our products are also available on RF-AV, Neobits, Tiger Direct, and Full Compass, to name a few. If you do not see the product online, you can call and order over the phone, as these are all authorized distributors of Liberty products.
Hi Ty! That is our EHT010 - Category 6A 180 Degree Cut & Crimp Tool for Keystone Compatible Inserts. secure.libertycable.com/product_details.php?pitem=EHT010
That is the dust cap, when the jack is not in use that snaps over the receptacle opening and protects the socket from dirt, debris, or physical damage. Its use is optional but recommended.
Hello Jeff, this is our Category 6A 180 Degree Cut & Crimp Tool for Keystone Compatible Inserts (EHT010) secure.libertycable.com/product_details.php?pitem=EHT010. It can be found through websites including one of our distributers, B&H Photo and Video, www.bhphotovideo.com. To purchase, contact the B&H customer service team at 800.606.6969. If you do not find the product online, please contact us at product@libav.com or 800-530-8998.
