Installing a Category 5 patch panel can be a difficult task. Great care should be taken to make sure that the wires are placed into the right connectors and that they are placed in the connectors correctly. Specialized equipment named a punchdown tool makes it easier to properly connect all of the cales from a Cat5 cable to the correct connectors.

• Remove the Cat5 wire to find the patch panel with 1-2 inches out.

• Strip about 1-1/2 inches of the outer defensive cover from the cable.

• Fan the inner wires out in hand. All patch panels have a guide displaying where each colored cable should go.

• Begin with the cable on the top left of the RJ-45 jack. Put right color wire, according to the patch panel, at the connector.

• Put the punchdown device near the cable at the connector. The orientation of the tool is essential. The punchdown tool can only be held both ways. One way will cut the cable with no punching the cable in and the other will punch the wire in the connector. Hold the punchdown tool so that the side that says "Cut" is away from you and cannot be read. With the punchdown tool held against the connector, press the tool firmly until you hear a click. Open the device but do not take it out from the connector. Press the device a to cut the extra cable.

• Do the Step 5 on more time for all 8 of the cables in the Cat5 cable. Take off the extra cable once punched in all the cables.