The Ethernet rj45 splitters can be used to bifurcate the network connection between two network devices. However the term in itself is a bit confusing and misleading. Ethernet splitters have to be used in pairs and cannot be used alone to split the network.

The confusion arises because of one’s assumption of the rj45 splitter as something like a tap wherein fixing of a new tap to the pipe with running water will divide the water in the pipe. But this is electronics and you can’t split it like that. This is because you can’t compare the network signals to water, unless there is only a single wire carrying these signals.

In actuality the Ethernet cable consists of 8 wires running in parallel out of which only 4 would be used for a single network device. Now this is where you could try to utilize the bandwidth here. That is the 4 extra wires which are running in parallel inside the Ethernet cable.

Now imagine the same ethernet splitter to be used as a combiner in the input end. The inverse of splitting that is combining has to be done initially in order for the splitter to split the network signals to the two network devices.

Points to note while buying Ethernet RJ45 splitters:

Always buy Ethernet splitters in pairs as buying a single piece is not going to be of any use. The combining and the splitting action done in the same order only can result in the successful operation of the splitter.

Buy Ethernet splitter as per your requirements. The data-data splitter used for two data devices ( eg computer) is different from a voice-voice splitter(example telephone). In case you want both, you can use a data-voice splitter.

The cost of a pair of these splitters would be around 20-22 dollars.