01

Why This Happens

Understanding the root cause helps you fix it faster. Here are the most common causes:

🔍

Standard Connectors Have Fragile Tabs

Most RJ45 plugs ship with locking tabs that snap off easily, making future removal impossible without tools.

📏

Tight Installations Block Tabs

High-density patch panels and shallow wall jacks physically prevent the tab from depressing.

🛠️

Strain Relief Sold Separately

Crimping strain relief separately wastes time and often leaves the boot loose.

⚡ Instant Option

Buy GTZ or Everest No-Tab Kits

Pre-packaged 50-100 count kits give you passthrough RJ45 plugs plus matching strain-relief boots—no locking tab included.

📁 Choose Cat5e (Everest) or Cat6 (GTZ) kit → Verify boot color and cable OD range → Order via Amazon or industrial suppliers

Add the best-rated kit to cart and crimp today.

02

Step-by-Step Solutions

1
✓ Easy

GTZ Cat6 Passthrough + Boot Combo (100-pack)

Top-rated kit on Amazon; transparent plugs let you verify wire order before crimping, and molded boots replace the need for a locking tab.

  • 1 Strip cable 1 inch, untwist pairs
  • 2 Feed wires through plug until color order is visible
  • 3 Slide boot over jacket but behind plug
  • 4 Crimp with passthrough die; trim excess wire
  • 5 Boot grips jacket and plug body—no tab required
💡

Pro Tips

✂️ Use a flush cutter to snip passthrough tails cleanly.
📏 Boot fits 5.5–6.5 mm OD cable; measure first.
Success Rate:
95%
2
✓ Easy

Everest Media Cat5e 50/50 Kit in Assorted Colors

Budget-friendly option for home installers; colored boots help identify cable runs at a glance.

  • 1 Choose boot color for each cable run
  • 2 Follow T568B wiring order through plug
  • 3 Seat jacket inside boot funnel
  • 4 Crimp once—boot locks plug in place
💡

Pro Tips

🎨 Use red boots for critical drops, blue for cameras.
Success Rate:
92%
3
◐ Medium

Field-Terminable Cat6A Jack + Boot (Tool-Free)

If you must eliminate tabs entirely, use tool-free jacks; snap-in boots still provide strain relief.

  • 1 Cut cable square, strip 0.5 inch
  • 2 Insert each wire into jack module per label
  • 3 Close lid to punch down
  • 4 Snap on strain-relief boot
  • 5 Mount jack into keystone plate or patch panel

⚠️ Warning: Requires compatible keystone wall plates or patch panels.

Success Rate:
88%
4
⚠ Advanced

Machine-Press Pass-Through Plugs (Panduit)

Commercial-grade plugs pressed with hydraulic tooling; locking tab can be ordered separately or omitted.

  • 1 Order Panduit MP2E series without clip
  • 2 Prepare cable with factory strip length
  • 3 Load into press die
  • 4 Apply 150 lbs force until cycle ends
  • 5 Install optional rubber boot
💻 Part Numbers (no clip)
> Panduit MP2E88-C6 (Cat6, 50 µ gold) > Panduit MP2E88-C6AO (boot ordered sep.)
Success Rate:
98%
5
✓ Easy

Boot-Only Upgrade for Existing No-Tab Plugs

Already have tab-less passthrough plugs? Slide-on silicone boots add bend relief and color coding.

  • 1 Select boot inner diameter (6 mm typical)
  • 2 Warm boot in hot water for 5 s
  • 3 Slide over plug rear until flush
  • 4 Let cool—tight grip achieved
💡

Pro Tips

🔥 Warm boots slide on without stretching.
Success Rate:
85%
6
◐ Medium

3D-Print Custom Boot with Company Logo

For integrators needing branded boots, print TPU strain reliefs sized to your cable OD.

  • 1 Measure plug shoulder and cable OD
  • 2 Design boot 0.2 mm smaller ID for stretch fit
  • 3 Print in TPU at 0.2 mm layer height
  • 4 Post-process with IPA bath for smooth finish
💻 Sample OpenSCAD dimensions
> difference() { cylinder(h=15, d=8.2); > cylinder(h=15, d=6.0); }
Success Rate:
75%
7
✓ Easy

Buy Pre-Made Patch Cables (Molded Boot, No Tab)

Quickest fix: factory-assembled cables use over-molded boots instead of tabs—ideal for patch panels.

  • 1 Measure exact length needed (add 1 ft slack)
  • 2 Order Cat6 slim-boot patch cords
  • 3 Verify boot diameter fits panel cut-out
Success Rate:
100%
8
◐ Medium

Retrofit Broken Tabs with External Clip

If you already snapped tabs, add external retention clips so plugs still lock into ports.

  • 1 Buy RJ45 external clip set (10 pcs)
  • 2 Slide clip over plug until it snaps under ridge
  • 3 Insert into port—clip shoulders catch port edges
💡

Pro Tips

🔧 Use needle-nose pliers to position clip.
Success Rate:
70%
03

Quick Diagnosis Flowchart

Need RJ45 without tab?
Making new cables?
Buy GTZ/Everest passthrough kit
Crimp & boot in one step
Already have tab-less plugs?
Slide silicone boots on
Use tool-free keystone jacks
Tab-free connection complete
04

Quick Reference Summary

🎯
#1 Fix
GTZ Cat6 Passthrough + Boot Combo
⏱️
15 min
Average Fix Time
💻
Cat5e/Cat6 UTP 24-26 AWG
Compatible
🔧
8
Total Solutions
🛡️

Prevention Tips

📏 Measure cable OD before ordering boots to ensure snug fit.
🧰 Keep multiple boot colors in your kit for instant cable ID.
⚡ Use passthrough plugs only with passthrough crimp dies to avoid bent pins.
05

Frequently Asked Questions

Will no-tab plugs stay secure in normal ports?

▼

Yes. The strain-relief boot butts against the port face, providing axial retention. For vertical ports, choose boots with a slight lip that catches the bezel.

Can I reuse passthrough plugs if I mis-wire?

▼

No. The blades pierce the conductors during crimp; remove and discard. Boots can be reused if undamaged.

Are these connectors PoE-rated?

▼

GTZ and Everest Cat6 variants are rated 1 A per contact, sufficient for 802.3at (30 W) PoE+. For higher wattage, use Cat6A machine-press plugs.

06

Quick Fix Checklist

Use this checklist to systematically troubleshoot:

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Last Updated: Dec 12, 2025

Applies to: Cat5e and Cat6 UTP solid or stranded cable, 24-26 AWG, OD 5.5-6.5 mm

General RJ45 passthrough connector strain relief