Mike's PBX Cookbook

RJ21 Amphenol Pinout

The RJ21 connector is very similar to the 50-pin Centronics interface, but with screws to anchor it into place instead of bail locks. Sometimes called a "Champ" connector (referencing a series of connectors made by Amp), or an "Amphenol" connector (referencing the connector manufacturer), RJ21 interfaces are typically used for datacomm applications and support up to 25 Tip/Ring twisted pairs.

Cable pairs are identified by a two color sequence comprising of a primary color from one color group (white, red, black, yellow, violet) combined with a secondary color from a second color group (blue, orange, green, brown, slate). This gives 25 color combinations.


50 Pin / 25 Pair RJ21 (Amphenol)
telephony connector Colors

RING (B)

Wire Colour:

TIP (A)

Wire Colour:

Blue - White
Orange - White
Green - White
Brown - White
Slate - White
White - Blue
White - Orange
White - Green
White - Brown
White - Slate
Blue - Red
Orange - Red
Green - Red
Brown - Red
Slate - Red
Red - Blue
Red - Orange
Red - Green
Red - Brown
Red - Slate
Blue - Black
Orange - Black
Green - Black
Brown - Black
Slate - Black
Black - Blue
Black - Orange
Black - Green
Black - Brown
Black - Slate
Blue - Yellow
Orange - Yellow
Green - Yellow
Brown - Yellow
Slate - Yellow
Yellow - Blue
Yellow - Orange
Yellow - Green
Yellow - Brown
Yellow - Slate
Blue - Violet
Orange - Violet
Green - Violet
Brown - Violet
Slate - Violet
Violet - Blue
Violet - Orange
Violet - Green
Violet - Brown
Violet - Slate