Cable & Termination Tools for A+
Short answer
Tool-purpose matching is the core skill: use a cable stripper to prepare a cable, use a crimper to attach RJ45 connectors, use a punchdown tool to seat wires into punchdown blocks. These actions are part of installation or repair where the cable end is being prepared or remade.
Why it appears on the exam
- Tool selection: Given the task description (terminate, prepare, or seat into block), choose the correct tool. - Sequence: Identify the correct order (strip, arrange pairs, crimp) for terminating a patch cable. - Exclusion: Determine which tool is inappropriate for a task that is purely diagnostic.
Key concepts
Concept 1
Required terms
crimper: Tool used to attach modular connectors (e.g., RJ45, RJ11) to a cable by compressing the connector onto the cable conductors. cable stripper: Tool used to remove jacket insulation cleanly to expose conductors for termination without nicking the wires. punchdown tool: Tool used to seat individual conductors into punchdown-style termination blocks or patch panels.
Example
Replacing a damaged RJ45 plug on a patch cable -> use cable stripper then crimper.
Concept 2
How Cable & Termination Tools works
Tool-purpose matching is the core skill: use a cable stripper to prepare a cable, use a crimper to attach RJ45 connectors, use a punchdown tool to seat wires into punchdown blocks. These actions are part of installation or repair where the cable end is being prepared or remade.
Example
Installing a new voice/data outlet using a wall keystone block -> use a punchdown tool.
Concept 3
Common confusion
Students may select a tester when the task is termination; remind them to ask: are we preparing/attaching connectors or are we verifying an existing cable? If preparing or attaching, choose a termination tool.
Example
Creating multiple patch cables from bulk cable -> cable stripper + crimper for each end.
Concept 4
Core 1 (220-1201) question cues
Tool selection: Given the task description (terminate, prepare, or seat into block), choose the correct tool; Sequence: Identify the correct order (strip, arrange pairs, crimp) for terminating a patch cable; Exclusion: Determine which tool is inappropriate for a task that is purely diagnostic.
Example
Replacing a damaged RJ45 plug on a patch cable -> use cable stripper then crimper.
Sample questions
Select an answer to reveal the explanation. For tracked practice and weak-area review, use the Cultiv8 app.
Q1.In an A+ question, this detail appears: Replacing a damaged RJ45 plug on a patch cable -> use cable stripper then crimper. Which option matches it?
Q2.For this A+ objective, the scenario says: Replacing a damaged RJ45 plug on a patch cable -> use cable stripper then crimper. What is the best match?
Q3.An A+ support scenario describes this situation: Installing a new voice/data outlet using a wall keystone block -> use a punchdown tool. Which answer fits best?
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