Difference Between RJ12 and RJ45

RJ12 vs RJ45

A registered jack, otherwise referred to as RJ, is a standardized physical network interface whose construction and wiring pattern make it the most ideal network interfacing platform that allows telecommunications connection. The RJs can be used by either a local service provider or even a long distance provider. There are several standards that the registered jacks come with, and their naming depends on the wiring. Among the registered jacks available include RJ11, RJ14, RJ21, RJ48 and RJ45 among others, with most in the list exclusively being used in North America. Two of the most common used registered jacks across the world are the RJ 12 and the RJ 45. It is these two registered jacks that are compared so that their differences can be seen. It is important to note that the physical connectors used in the registered jacks are modular connectors and the miniature ribbon connector types.
The registered jacks also make use of gold pins which are used in improving signal strength and quality as well as low voltage control applications which is applied occasionally. The size of the RJ at face value should tell you the nature of the connection. When there are more pins in it, it means that the connection being referred to is larger as opposed to the smaller
These are all crimp connectors with gold pins used for telecoms, networking and occasionally low voltage lighting control applications. The difference is in the number of positions available on the connector and the number of contacts actually present. Obviously where there are more positions the connector is necessarily larger.
The RJ 12 is a 6-piece connector and it comes with 6 positions and 6 conductors, being able to be used as a phone line. This technology though still in place seems to be one that is being pushed out of business by the mobile technology that has many people moving with. It is important to note that the RJ11 and RJ 12 use the same switch, with the main difference between the two being that RJ 11 uses only 4 positions and RJ12 using all the positions. The cables that can be used depend on the type and can either be cat3 or cat5.

RJ 45, on the other hand, is an 8 position and 8 contacts whose function is largely limited to network wiring. In using the RJ 45 connector, the cables that are most commonly used are the cat 5 e or the Cat 6 cables.
There has been standardization of the connector, which in effect offers varying categories of performance. When the RJ 45 comes with all the 8 conductors present, varying performance can be expected as opposed with all the conductors being present. There is also an RJ 45s jack, which is available and its main function is for data connections. This jack comes with an extra tab on its connectors to prevent mating with other connectors. The RJ 45 connector on sale today is the 8 position and 8 connector modular connectors which can easily be wired to any pin out or even generic structured cabling system.
Summary
RJ refers to registered jack.
It is an ideal network interfacing platform that allows telecommunications connection.
The larger the RJ, the more connections it can support.
The RJ 12 is mainly used as a telephone line.
RJ 12 has 6 Positions and 6 Connectors.
The RJ 12 uses Cat3 or Cat 5 wiring.
RJ 12 and RJ 11 is the same connector but RJ 11 has 4 Positions and 4 Connectors.
RJ 45 is mainly used in Network wiring.
RJ 45 has 8 positions and 8 Connectors.
RJ 45 mainly uses Cat 5e or Cat 6 wiring.

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