Rj11 vs. Rj45 Connectors – Which one of these is best for your connections?
These two registered jack types are used to connect different devices to sound and internet sources. However, they differ in various ways. So which one of the two suits your applications best?
A lot of the times, we hardly stop and give thought to such things as connectors. If you have ever plugged an Ethernet cable to a router, it is likely that you have come across a registered jack. The Rj connectors are used in the connection of twisted pair wires for networks and telephone.
The more commonly used connector for networks is the Rj45 which is rectangular and long. The Rj11 is more commonly used to connect devices to source of sound, especially telephone lines. It is smaller than the Rj45 and has a more compact square like shape.
Aside from these aspects, there are more characteristics that set these two connectors apart. So which characteristics are these? And which one of the two is better suited to handle the purpose for which you intend it? Here is a brief breakdown, along with a detailed overview.
What are the differences between the Rj11 and Rj45 Connectors?
Connector |
Rj11 |
Rj45 (Winner) |
Shape |
Square shaped |
Rectangular shaped |
Bandwidth |
24 Mbps |
10 Gbps |
Configuration |
6P4C (6 positions, 4 connectors) |
8P8C (8 positions, 8 connectors) |
Usage |
Modem cables and phones |
Computer networking |
Table of Contents
The Rj11 and Rj45 Connectors – How do they compare?
Shape
The Rj11 connector features a compact square shape with a width of 9.66mm. The Rj45 has a longer rectangular shape, but has a wider width of 11.65mm. The reason for this extra width is because this connector accommodates more contacts.
Bandwidth
The Rj11 connector is able to transmit data at speeds of up to 24 Mbps. This makes it only ideal for really light data transmission. This is the reason it is ideal for ADSL and phone line and modem connections.
The Rj45 connector is able to transmit at speeds of up to 10 Gbps, making it ideal for Ethernet cable connections that transmit a lot of data at a time. For this reason, it is used in the connection of computers and other devices to routers and other network elements.
Configuration
The Rj11 connector typically uses two types of configurations. It can have a 6P2C configuration, meaning that there are 6 positions but only 2 connection points. This kind of configuration makes it have limited bandwidth, making it ideal for applications such as phone lines. The other configuration, the 6P4C means that it has 6 positions and 4 contact points. This gives it a little more leverage on the bandwidth.
The Rj45 has one configuration type of 8P8C. This essentially puts it in a position to handle higher bandwidth with its 8 positions an 8 connection points which give it the ability to handle up to 8 wires at a time.
Usage
The Rj11 connector is quite small, and with a diameter of 9.66mm, it can only handle a maximum of 4 wires at a single go. This means that this connector can only be able to handle phone line and modem connections.
The longer and wider Rj45 connector is in a position to hold up to 8 connections at a time. This makes it easy for this connector to comfortably handle up to 10 Gbps data speed. For his reason, it is better suited to handle Ethernet connections that carry large amounts of data at a time.
The Rj11 vs. Rj45 Connectors Overview
The Rj11 Connector
- RJ11 connectors for 4 Conductor Stranded Wire Round Phone Cables
- Crimp on RJ11 connectors
This relatively small connector is suited to handle small bits of data at a time. With a bandwidth of 24 Mbps, it works best when connecting phone lines and modem connections. It has a diameter of 9.66mm which is smaller than a centimeter.
It comes with two main configurations which are the 6P2C and the 6P4C. The 6P2C configuration means that the connector has 6 positions and 2 connection points, which only gives it the capacity to handle a maximum of 2 wires at a time which further limits its bandwidth. The 6P4C configuration broadens the bandwidth by just a bit, allowing the connector to have 6 positions and 4 connection points. This adds the capacity of wires that can be connected by two, meaning that 4 wires can be connected at one go broadening the bandwidth a little.
This connector is ideal for use in telephone lines and modem connections.
Pros
- It has two different variations
- It is ideal for smaller connections such as telephone lines and modem connections
Cons
- It has a very small bandwidth
The Rj45 Connector
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- Compatible with multi-stranded ,single-stranded and solid cables ,supporting 24 to 26 AWG round or flat...
This connector has a long rectangular shape and a diameter of 11.65mm. It is significantly bigger than the Rj11 and has the capacity to handle more data and more wires at a go.
Its 8P8C configuration means that it has 8 different positions and can be able to handle up to 8 wire connections at a time. It has an impressively high bandwidth that makes it able o handle up to 10 Gbps. For this reason, it is used in high speed Ethernet connections, so long as the other connections are able to support this kind of speed.
The interesting thing about this connector is that it is entirely transparent, allowing you to see the connection of wires inside. It works quite well with both shielded and unshielded twisted pair wires.
Pros
- It has more positions and connection points
- It can comfortably handle high bandwidth and fast transmission speeds of up to 10 Gbps
- It work well with both shielded and unshielded twisted pair wires
Cons
- It is too heavy to handle telephone and modem connections
- It is a bit more expensive than the Rj11
Conclusion
While both of these connector types are used for different device connections, they have lots of differences. They both serve different purposes, and one cannot be used as a replacement or substitute of the other.
Verdict: So, which one is better -Rj11 or Rj45
Since we have already established that these connectors cannot be used in place of one another, it all boils down to your needs as the user. However, the Rj45 connector seems to stand out with its features. For this reason, it can be hailed as the better performer as a result of its broader bandwidth and more connection points.
FAQs
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Is it possible to plug an Rj11 cable into an Rj45 port or slot?
Yes, you can be able to plug an Rj11 connector into an Rj45 port or slot. This, however, is greatly discouraged since it eventually results in a damaged port or a spoilt connector. You cannot, however, plug an Rj45 connector into an Rj11 port. Try and ensure that these two connector types are not used in this manner.
-
How many wires are needed for a 100 Mbps transmission speed in an Rj45 connector?
The Rj45 connector comes with a total of 8 connection points that facilitate a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps. However, if you wish to lessen this maximum transmission speed to 100 Mbps, a maximum of 4 wires is enough for connection into the Rj45 connector.
