On 12/21/12, Naslund, Steve <SNaslund@medline.com> wrote:
I have noticed that too. However it is not the RJ-45 connector's fault. It is the morons that insist on recessing connectors in places where you can't get your finger on the tab. I like the patch cords that have the
Likely any connector with a latching retention mechanism requiring a manual release will have this kind of problem in space-constrained situations. A small flat edge screwdriver, spudger, or similar instrument can work wonders, since they are much longer than fingers. I suppose a fancier connector would involve a more robust metal spring, and a push-button release; or unlock through some method such as push in and slide. The terminal connectors are tiny; human hands are large by comparison, so when clearances are tight, in a recessed area, or in the case of a densely populated panel with many terminal ports, operating the retention mechanism by hand won't be fun. It could have been avoided by eliminating tabs in the connector design, and requiring a spring-loaded mechanism to release the connector, such as that done with USB and thunderbolt ports. This would also get rid of the problem of connector Tabs accidentally getting broken off, when the tab becomes snagged; which "boots" solve, but create other problems in the process. The ubiquity of the modular connector... has pluses such as low cost; no patent owner charging a mint per unit to license the connector; industry familiarity; device compatibility; (more or less) compatibility with older Cat5 media; 10/100/1000 nics.
kind of loop/spring thing for a tab that does not catch on everything and that way you don't need the boot over the tab. Another pet peeve of mine is connector boots that harden up over time so it is nearly impossible to flex the tab to remove the cable. Also, how about the 48
Prefab patch cables with a boot that is permanently attached to the connector, and cannot be easily pulled off if necessary to get at the tab.... someone should ban those cables from the market. Until they do... you may sometimes just have to cut off the 'nub' on the boot, with angle cutters to get at the tab; or apply pliers/other forceful tools to the boot/connector (at risk of damaging the actual port). A nice thing about the 8P8C terminal connectors is that the connectors are cheap, so the cabling can be reterminated, or prefab cable replaced with a fresh one later, to solve booting issues. I would still say they make sense and shouldn't be redesigned just for one kind of device; wherever 8-pair UTP cabling is the physical media.
Steven Naslund -- -JH