Term used improperly

Thank you for taking the time to compile the Cabling Installation & Maintenance 1997 Buyer`s Guide, which will be a useful tool for completing everyday tasks. However, one thing in the product tables bothers me: the improper use of the term "RJ-45" when referring to an 8-pin modular jack or plug.

The term RJ-45 does not appear anywhere in the tia/eia-568a standard. The RJ stands for "registered jack" and was first coined by the local operating telephone company. Although several RJ-45s are listed in the registration books, none have pin/pair assignments such as those required for the T568A and T568B jacks used for high-speed-data local area networks. However, both the RJ-45s and the T568A and T568B jacks use 8-pin modular jacks and plugs.

For 15 years, this term has been used improperly throughout the industry. Now that we have standards such as tia/eia-568a, eia/tia-569 and -570, and tia/eia-606, I would like to see people use the correct terminology. If we keep calling these jacks RJ-45s, we will continue to pass on incorrect information. By using the proper terminology, we can teach old dogs new tricks.

Timothy J. Murphy, rcdd

Apex Communications Inc.

Sunnyvale, CA