Any suggestions for interfacing a breadboard and groups of cat5 cable? Robustly.

[Ed.Kloonk]

Hi.

I am trying to automate my frankenhouse's water supply by using a micro to control the pumps and solenoids that supply my rain water and bore water.

I've already got 3 cat5 cables with each 'pair' connected to either a sensor or relay. All good. 

As the project is a work in progress, I am looking for a elegant way to manage the umbilical cord and keep it working while the project is either on the bench or 'shelved' so I can use the bench for other stuff. 

Any bright ideas?

[Gregg]

RJ45 plugs and sockets along with some means of labeling things should allow easy connect and disconnect.  Plugs with holes for the wires to protrude prior to crimping make things a lot easier on the cable end.  One brand is EZJ45 and here are some cheaper https://www.amazon.com/UbiGear-Through-Network-Modular-Connector/dp/B01B6SM2L4.  A search of ebay may get them cheaper as well as a selection of sockets.  I have personally crimped hundreds of the EZJ45 plugs with only a couple of bad crimps.  A set of Cat 5 testers for cable continuity should be cheap on ebay.   

[rstofer]

Use pin headers and wire-wrap the condutors.  You can simply unplug the cable and do whatever you want with the breadboard including plugging in some test cables.  If you don't have appropriate wire-wrap tools, just solder the wires tio the pins.

Like these but with longer pins (probably single row)
http://suddendocs.samtec.com/catalog_english/tlw_th.pdf

DigiKey has some...

[Ampera]

RJ45

[Ed.Kloonk]

Use pin headers and wire-wrap the condutors.  You can simply unplug the cable and do whatever you want with the breadboard including plugging in some test cables.  If you don't have appropriate wire-wrap tools, just solder the wires tio the pins.

Like these but with longer pins (probably single row)
http://suddendocs.samtec.com/catalog_english/tlw_th.pdf

DigiKey has some...

 

[tautech]

Use pin headers and wire-wrap the condutors.  You can simply unplug the cable and do whatever you want with the breadboard including plugging in some test cables.  If you don't have appropriate wire-wrap tools, just solder the wires tio the pins.

Like these but with longer pins (probably single row)
http://suddendocs.samtec.com/catalog_english/tlw_th.pdf

DigiKey has some...

Then insert them in an IC socket to keep them in some order you need and drop the socket into the breadboard with pins and Cat 5 cables all attached.

[TerraHertz]

Solder a female 9-pin D-shell connector on the end of each cat-5 cable, with pairs as
  1 2 3 4 x
   1 2 3 4

Mount the three D connectors in a bracket to the side of your breadboard.
Use single pins from scrap male D-connectors, with solid-core wire soldered in, as flying jumpers from the pins of the mounted D connectors, to your breadboard.

This way you get the cat-5 cables solidly mounted, plus an easy and flexible patching system.

[Kjelt]

Are you using ethernet over the wires or your own (RS485 or something like that) protocol?
If ethernet I would stick to the standard RJ45 connectors.

BTW later on in the project if you need a robust wire pull relief and beautiful finish on your outdoor casings, take a look at these Neutrik panel connectors, available in silver and black , cost around €12.-

[madires]

patch cable: crimp RJ45 and use a small patch panel for the breadboard
installation cable: terminate on a small patch panel, use another small patch panel for the breadboard, and add short patch cables for interconnecting them

[Gregg]

Here is a nice little 2 jack RJ45 board that would be easy for a prototype: www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-RJ45-Ethernet-Connector-Breakout-Board-w-LED-Screw-terminals-/381492120120
Although I do like the panel mount ones Kjelt mentioned.  A search of ebay will find a number of Arduino compatible boards and board mount RJ45 jacks.  The best part of RJ45 connections is the ease of installing the plugs on the cable that you are already using with a little bit of strain relief built in. 
I have nothing against DB9 connectors except it is a pain in the a$$ to solder solid wires with insulation that melts back only to have one break off at the joint.