Assembling, checking and/or re-configuring your Firewire cable
This page provides instructions for assembling our firewire cables which have 2x5 way
pin header connectors at both ends.
These cables can be used to connect a device to the the pin header on a motherboard
or PCI card or to connect up front panel Firewire ports.
Information you will need
Each wire in the Firewire cable must be connected to the correct pin
on the firewire pin header connector or front panel connection port.
Unfortunately there is no standard layout for the pins on firewire pin
headers so each cable must be configured to suit your own equipment. This
is quite easy and should only take a few moments.
Your equipment manufacturer will include a diagram of the
firewire pin header with a label next to each pin. The table below shows
the symbols used.
| Label |
| VP,Voltage+or Vcc |
| G,GND,Ground |
| TPA+ |
| TPA- |
| TPB+ |
| TPB- |
You will need to consult your equipment documentation or the manufacturer's
website where you will find a diagram which labels each pin on the firewire
connector. The cable can then be configured using the instructions below.
Note: The fitting instructions for these cables depend on whether you are
using the cable to install a Firewire device or connect a front panel
firewire port. Please click on one of the links below to select the
appropriate instructions.
Device Connection: click here if you are using the cable to connect a firewire device
Front panel port connection: click here if you are using the cable to connect up a front panel firewire port
Configuring the cables for device connection
These instructions should be used when you are using the cable to install
a firewire device.
At one end of the cable you should insert the pins into the connector
so that the wires are connected as shown in the table below.
First 2x5 way connector configuration table
| wire |
Pin |
| White |
VP,Voltage+ or Vcc |
| Black |
G,GND,Ground |
| Blue |
TPA+ |
| Orange |
TPA- |
| Green |
TPB+ |
| Red |
TPB- |
At the other end of the cable you should insert the pins into
the connectors so that the wires are connected as shown in
this table :-
Second 2x5 way connector configuration table
| Wire |
Pin |
| White |
VP,Voltage+ or Vcc |
| Black |
G,GND,Ground |
| Blue |
TPB+ |
| Orange |
TPB- |
| Green |
TPA+ |
| Red |
TPA- |
Your firewire pin headers may also have a pin labelled S-GND or S-ground. If this pin
is present you should connect the extra (slightly thicker)
black wires to this pin. If there is no S-ground pin this wire can be left unconnected.
Once you have inserted the pins into the connectors according to the
above tables you just need to make sure that the connectors are plugged
onto the pin headers in the correct orientation. To do this just make
sure that the white wire is alligned with the pin labelled VP,Voltage+ or Vcc.
Configuring the cables for front panel port connection
When you are using these cables to connect a front panel fire wire port
you should insert the pins into the connector
so that the wires at both ends of the cables are connected as shown in the table below.
2x5 way connector configuration table
| wire |
Pin |
| White |
VP,Voltage+ or Vcc |
| Black |
G,GND,Ground |
| Blue |
TPA+ |
| Orange |
TPA- |
| Green |
TPB+ |
| Red |
TPB- |
Your firewire pin headers may also have a pin labelled S-GND or S-ground. If this pin
is present you should connect the extra (slightly thicker)
black wires to this pin. If there is no S-ground pin this wire can be left unconnected.
Once you have inserted the pins into the connectors according to the
above tables you just need to make sure that the connectors are plugged
onto the pin headers in the correct orientation. To do this just make
sure that the white wire is alligned with the pin labelled VP,Voltage+ or Vcc.
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