The answer in two lines
The standard telephone jack for a landline is called RJ11; RJ12 is the same size with six wired conductors; RJ45 is wider (8 positions) and is the network outlet used with Cat5 or Cat6, not a phone socket. Pick the phone socket from the same series as your switches (Unica, Easy Styl, Miluz or Arteor), and use a network outlet wherever you need wired internet. Names are used loosely, so follow the product's instruction sheet, and have a qualified technician do the final installation.
Want to fit a phone outlet at home or in the office and cannot see a clear difference between RJ11 and RJ12? That is normal, because the names are used loosely in the market. In this guide from Tawredaat (توريدات), an electrical and finishing materials store in Cairo and Giza (FAQ here), we simplify the difference, show how to match the socket to your switch series, and explain when a network outlet is the right choice. Every technical point comes from a named source listed at the end.
What is the difference between RJ11, RJ12 and RJ45?
All are modular connectors. Codes such as 6P2C give the number of positions and the number of conductors that actually carry metal contacts. Per Wikipedia, 6P means six positions, 6P2C has conductors in only the middle two positions, 6P4C has four and 6P6C has all six.
| Name | Shape (positions / conductors) | Typically used for | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| RJ11 | 6 positions; the strict standard uses the centre two (6P2C) for one phone line (Wikipedia); some sources count it as 4 conductors (Monoprice) | Landline phones and ADSL (Monoprice) | Cords sold as RJ11 often use 6P4C (Wikipedia) |
| RJ12 | 6 positions, 6 conductors (6P6C) (Wikipedia, Monoprice) | Business telephone systems (Monoprice) | Same jack size as RJ11 with more connections (Monoprice) |
| RJ45 | 8 positions, 8 conductors (8P8C) | Ethernet networking (Monoprice, Wikipedia) | Wider than a phone jack; this is the network outlet |
An important point: per Wikipedia, the RJ designations refer to the wiring of the (female) jack, people apply them loosely to plugs and cords, and RJ45 is often wrongly used for the 8P8C Ethernet connector. So "RJ11" or "RJ12" on a product page may describe the jack shape as the maker labels it, not necessarily the number of wired conductors. If the page does not say how many conductors are wired, ask or check the product sheet.
Can I use a phone plug in a network outlet or the other way round?
VCELink (a vendor blog, not a standards body) says an RJ11 connector can be inserted mechanically into an RJ45 port but warns against it because it may damage devices. Wikipedia says the keyed RJ45S plug (an old modem/data jack) cannot be inserted into an Ethernet port. The practical rule: do not mix phone and network outlets, and use the outlet made for each service.
How do you match a phone socket to your switch series?
The main rule: the socket must come from the same series as your switches and sockets so it fits the same frame and plate. See our switches and sockets buying guide for the series. This is what we stock now, described only from each product page:
| Series | Product | What the listing says |
|---|---|---|
| Schneider Unica | Unica RJ12, graphite, NU349154 | RJ12, one module, for the Unica series |
| Schneider Unica |
Unica RJ12, white, NU349118 Unica RJ12, aluminium, NU349130 |
RJ12, one module; the listing states standard wall boxes, not a specific series |
| Schneider Easy Styl | Easy Styl 1 module, white | States Cat 3 (telephone cabling); does not state RJ11 or RJ12 |
| Schneider Miluz | Miluz E, white, M3TB1_RJ4M | 6 pin, 4 wire, with shutter |
| Legrand Arteor | Arteor RJ11, white, 572300 | RJ11 with 4 contacts, 1 module |
Naming inconsistencies to watch
- ⚠ The Unica listings say RJ12 while the Arteor says RJ11 with four contacts. The two names share the same six-position size per Monoprice and Wikipedia, so what matters is matching the series and confirming from the instruction sheet that the socket suits your device. The Unica pages do not state the number of conductors.
- ⚠ The Easy Styl listing says only Cat 3. It is not clear whether it is RJ11 or RJ12, so ask or check the product sheet before buying.
- ⚠ The Miluz listing says 6 pin, 4 wire. This resembles the 6P4C description on Wikipedia (six positions, four conductors), but that is our inference, not something the product page states.
- ⚠ If your device specifies RJ11 or RJ12 (for example a phone exchange), check the device manual, because the sources do not specify any device.
How do you install a telephone socket? The basic idea
The wiring order differs by maker and model, and we do not write one because we found no published instruction sheet for these models in the sources we checked. Follow the instruction sheet of the exact product you buy. The general idea:
- ✔ Choose the position next to where the device (phone, exchange or modem) sits, and agree the cable route with your technician before drilling.
- ✔ Fit the socket in the same series and frame as your switches, and check the spacing between modules if it sits beside switches or sockets.
- ✔ Terminate the conductors in the places and order the instruction sheet shows, and do not leave any wire loose or with extra bare copper.
- ⚠ Do not use the socket if you are unsure of the connection. Call a specialist technician if the cable is old, its route is unknown or it carries more than one line.
- ⚠ Final installation should be done by a qualified electrician or technician, especially if the cable runs near mains wiring.
How does a phone outlet relate to the router and cables? When do you need Cat5 or Cat6 instead?
A phone outlet (RJ11 or RJ12) is for the voice line and is also used with ADSL (Monoprice). Computers, routers and wired cameras connect with a network cable and an 8P8C plug, wrongly called RJ45, which is used for Ethernet and the ANSI/TIA-568 cabling standard (Wikipedia). So:
- ✔ For a landline or phone exchange: an RJ11 or RJ12 phone outlet, depending on your device.
- ✔ For wired internet to a laptop, TV, camera or access point: an 8P8C network outlet connected to Cat5 or Cat6 cable.
- ⚠ Do not assume the old phone cable in the wall will work as network cabling. You usually need a suitable network cable, and a technician should decide.
Read our dish and internet cables guide (RG6, RG11, Cat5, Cat6) (tawredaat.com/blogs/news/rg6-rg11-cat5-cat6-cable-guide) to understand Cat5 vs Cat6 and choose the cable, and our switches and sockets buying guide for the series. Network outlets are not listed in this article, so ask our team if you need a Cat5 or Cat6 outlet.
Common mistakes with phone outlets
- ⚠ Fitting a phone outlet where a network outlet is needed: the device will not work over Ethernet and you will probably need to change the outlet and the cable.
- ⚠ Buying by name only (RJ11 or RJ12) without matching the series: it will not fit the frame.
- ⚠ Loose or unfixed wires in the socket: they cause line drops or noise.
- ⚠ Mixing RJ11 and RJ45 mechanically: it may fit, but VCELink warns it can damage devices.
- ⚠ Ignoring the instruction sheet: wiring order differs by maker.
- ⚠ Pulling or bending the cable hard during installation: let the technician route and fix it properly.
Telephone sockets available at Tawredaat
All of these are in stock on the site now:
- Schneider Unica RJ12, white, NU349118 — tawredaat.com/products/unica-1-telephone-socket-rj12-white-nu349118
- Schneider Unica RJ12, graphite, NU349154 — tawredaat.com/products/unica-top-class-1-telephone-socket-rj12-graphite-nu349154
- Schneider Unica RJ12, aluminium, NU349130 — tawredaat.com/products/unica-top-class-1-telephone-socket-rj12-aluminium-nu349130
- Schneider Easy Styl 1-module telephone socket Cat 3, white — tawredaat.com/products/easy-styl-1-module-phone-socket-cat-3-white-lmr6231001
- Schneider Miluz E telephone outlet 6 pin 4 wire, white — tawredaat.com/products/telephone-outlet-schneider-miluz-e-6-pin-4-wire-mechanism-with-shutter-white-m3tb1_rj4m
- Legrand Arteor RJ11 1 module, white, 572300 — tawredaat.com/products/telephone-socket-arteor-rj11-4-contacts-1-module-white-legrand-572300
See also the switches and sockets collection (tawredaat.com/collections/switches-sockets).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between RJ11 and RJ12?
Both are the same size with six positions. RJ11 is for one line (two conductors per the standard) and RJ12 has six conductors (6P6C) per Wikipedia, but the names are used loosely, so follow the product sheet.
Is RJ45 the same as a phone socket?
No. RJ45 (8P8C) is wider and used for networks and Ethernet; a phone socket has six positions.
Should the phone socket match my switch series?
Yes, so it fits the same frame. We have Unica, Easy Styl, Miluz and Arteor.
Does the router connect to a phone socket?
For ADSL it connects with an RJ11 phone cable per Monoprice, but network devices connect with an 8P8C Ethernet cable. Check the device manual.
When do I need a Cat5 or Cat6 outlet?
When you need wired internet or a local network for a computer or camera. Read our cables guide.
What is the wiring order?
It differs by maker and model. Follow the instruction sheet; we have no published order to quote.
Can I install it myself?
Final installation should be done by a qualified electrician or technician.
Do you deliver?
Tawredaat delivers in Cairo and Giza only.
Ready to choose your telephone socket?
See switches and sockets at Tawredaat, with delivery in Cairo and Giza.
Switches and sockets at Tawredaat Dish and internet cables guide
About Tawredaat: Tawredaat (توريدات) is an Egyptian supplier of electrical and finishing materials, serving homeowners, companies and contractors in Cairo and Giza. Questions? See our FAQ.
English summary: RJ11 is the usual telephone jack (six positions, one line, centre two contacts per Wikipedia); RJ12 is the same size with six conductors; RJ45 (8P8C) is the wider network outlet used with Cat5 or Cat6. Names are used loosely, so follow the product's instruction sheet. Match the phone socket to your switch series and use a network outlet where you need Ethernet. We give no wiring order because we found no published sheet; installation should be done by a qualified electrician or technician.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Registered jack (6P means a six-position modular jack; 6P2C has conductors in only the middle two positions, 6P4C four and 6P6C all six; RJ11 is wired for one telephone line using the centre two contacts of six positions; RJ14 is wired for two lines and RJ25 for three; RJ12 is listed as 6P6C; the RJ designations pertain to the wiring of the female jack, so calling plugs by these names is common but not strictly correct; cords sold as RJ11 often use 6P4C; RJ45 is often incorrectly used for the 8P8C connector of ANSI/TIA-568 T568A/T568B and Ethernet, and the keyed RJ45S telephone jack cannot be inserted into an Ethernet port) — en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registered_jack
- Monoprice support, What are the differences between RJ connectors? (lists RJ11 as 6 positions 4 conductors for residential telephone lines and ADSL, RJ12 as 6 positions 6 conductors for business telephone systems, RJ45 as 8 positions 8 contacts for Ethernet networking; note that this page counts RJ11 as 4 conductors while Wikipedia counts the strict RJ11 as 2, which shows how loosely the names are used) — monopricesupport.kayako.com/article/169-what-are-the-differences-between-rj-connectors
- VCELink, RJ45 vs RJ11: How to Distinguish? (RJ11 is for voice uses such as telephones, fax and ADSL, RJ45 for networks; the article says an RJ11 connector can be inserted into an RJ45 port but warns against it because it may damage devices; this is a vendor blog, not a standards body) — vcelink.com/blogs/focus/rj45-vs-rj11
- Tawredaat product listings (socket series, finish, and the wording RJ11 / RJ12 / Cat 3 / 6 pin 4 wire / 4 contacts are taken only from the listings on tawredaat.com; the listings do not give wiring order, contact layout or cable category support in detail) — tawredaat.com/collections/switches-sockets
