Rj12 vs. Rj45 Connector – Which one of the two is superior?

The Rj12 and Rj45 connectors are quite common in the telecommunication field. They are mostly used for different purposes and they have different characteristics. What sets them apart?

We may not be conscious about it, but cable and connectors are a big part of our daily lives. You may stumble upon a cable every now and then, but not so much a connector. Connectors play as important a role as cable and without them there would not be the seamless connections we enjoy.

The Rj45 and Rj12 are two connectors that are commonly used. They have different characteristics and functions and are, therefore, used for different applications. The Rj45 is a somewhat big connector with more connection points than the Rj12. But is this the only difference?

This article will delve into each connector and outline each one’s outstanding characteristics to help you decide the best one and most practical for you. Come along!

What is the difference between the Rj45 and Rj12 connectors?

Connector	Rj45 (Winner)	Rj12
Physical characteristics	Long, rectangular shaped	Compact square shaped
Configuration	8P8C configuration	6P6C configuration
Functionality	Computer networking/ Ethernet cables	System phones
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Rj45 vs. Rj12 connectors – How do they compare?

Physical Characteristics

The Rj45 is a long rectangular connector that is made using rigid plastic. It has a width of 11.65mm. It is wider than most connectors because it has room for the connection of more wires.

The Rj12 is a compact square shaped connector that looks almost identical to the Rj11. It has a width of approximately 9.69mm. It is also made using rigid plastic that is clear, allowing for the connected wires to be visible.

Configuration

Being mainly a connector for Ethernet cables, this device has a configuration of 8P8C. This indicates that it has 8 positions and 8 connection points. This means that it has the capacity to hold 8 wires at a go.

The Rj12 has a configuration pattern of 6P6C, meaning that it has 6 positions and 6 connection points. It can hold up to 6 wires at a go. This connector is ideal for system phones.

Usage/ Application

The Rj45 is mainly used as a connector for Ethernet connections. Its 8P8C configuration makes it ideal for this since Ethernet cables usually have a total of 8 wires. It mainly does connection of UTP (unshielded Twisted Pair) cables.

The Rj12 I mainly used as a connector for system phones. Its 6P6C configuration makes it unable to handle as many wires as the Rj45.

Rj45 vs. Rj12 Overview

Rj45 Connector

This connector is made using rigid plastic that is entirely transparent. It has a long rectangular shape and has a width of 11.96mm. It has an 8P8C configuration. This means that it has 8 positions and 8 contact points. It can, therefore, be able to handle 8 wires at a go.

This device has copper pins that ideally act as the conductors between the router and the cable and vice versa. They are made of copper so as to enable the actual transmission. These pins are coated in gold to prevent them from rusting.

This connector has the capacity to transmit at a speed of 10 Gbps, making it a champion even with its small size.

Pros

• It has the capacity to hold 8 wires at a go
• It has a strong and durable build
• It has copper pins that are gold coated to prevent rusting
• It can transmit at very high speeds

Cons

• It is a bit more expensive than most connectors

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The Rj12 Connector

This device is compact square shaped connector. It is made using rigid plastic that is clear, allowing you to see the connection of wires inside. It has a width of approximately 9.6mm. It has a configuration pattern of 6P6C and can handle up to 6 wires at a time.

It has copper pins that act as conductors between the cable and the network source. They are coated with gold to prevent them from rusting. It is ideal for system phones.

Pros

• It has a strong build
• It has copper pins that are gold coated

Cons

• It cannot handle heavy transmissions

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Conclusion

Both of these connectors have their own unique characteristics which make them ideal for different applications. They are important devices when it comes to data transmission.

Verdict: So, which one is best – Rj12 or Rj45?

The Rj45 stands out as a better performer. It has the capacity to handle more wires at a go and can transmit higher volumes of data at high speeds, making it a better performer than the Rj12.

FAQs

1. Is the Rj12 the same as the Rj11?

No, these two look alike but they are different. The Rj11 has a 6P4C configuration.

2. Is the Rj45 ideal for STP?

This connector is most ideal for UTP connections. The Rj48 works best for STP.