The challenge of
RJ45 contacting:
How to compensate for tolerances
and achieve reliable test results

RJ45 connectors have become an integral part of modern network technology. Since their introduction in the 1970s, they have established themselves as the standard for data transmission in telecommunications, IT infrastructures, and industrial networks thanks to their modularity.

Advances in materials and design have continuously improved their performance, enabling higher data transmission rates and more reliable connections.

Originally developed for telecommunications, the RJ45 connector became the preferred interface for Ethernet networks in the 1980s and remained popular as it supported the rise of local area networks (LANs). Today, it is used in data centres, industrial automation systems and home networks. Especially in industrial environments, its durability supports reliable connections for control systems and automation processes.

In data centres and telecommunications, it ensures efficient data transmission, while in home networks it guarantees stable (network) communication between countless devices. Its versatility and performance make the RJ45 connector an essential component in modern networking.

Features in focus

Modern RJ45 connectors are optimised for high data rates. They have eight electrical contacts and are available both with and without shielding. Versions based on the Cat8 standard support transmission rates of up to 40 Gbit/s over distances of up to 30 metres. This makes them ideal for demanding applications that require high speed and reliability. 

Specialised test plugs are used to efficiently test RJ45 connectors in series production. These compensate for tolerances of connectors on PCBs while bypassing the mechanical interlock. This ensures reproducible test results. Thanks to their robust design, they achieve very high contact cycles and are therefore also suitable for harsh production environments.

The PS-RJ45-M-008-M3-B from INGUN: 

• Long service life - up to 250,000 mating cycles
• Impedance-controlled design for data rates up to 1 Gbit/s
• Comprehensive shielding against electromagnetic interference
• Easy integration thanks to RJ45 socket as interface to the test system

For multi-port RJ45 sockets, INGUN offers the PS-RJ45-M-008-M3-XL, which is an extended version. In combination with the PS-RJ45-M-008-M3-B multiport RJ45 sockets with a pitch of just 14 mm can be contacted simultaneously.