cat 8 cable?

[Lectrician]

Cat 8 is still experiemtnal.

We where asked to fit it to a house earlier this year, but have simply installed cat5e (they decided against cat8, and cat6 was still to expensive).

We looked into it, and it still has no spec, and no line modules or patch panels - The test spec is simply plugs on either end of a cable.

They are 'selling' this to people at home type shows for the rich and famous. They are selling it on it's ability to be able to be used for streaming movies, TV, CCTV, music, and just about anything else....all at the same time.

As I say, we did get a price for the cable, which was extortionate. No wall plates, parach panels or even network switches or computers etc even exist for it yet.

 

[Chri5]

Have a look at http://www.mayflex.com/products/cop...s/10gplus-unshielded-twisted-pair-uutp-cable/

Mayflex are very good, as in suppling, talking and offering design assistance if you need it.

In a previous life I used to take 500 boxes of 305m a month from them, and they will be a brillant 'sounding board' for future proofing Mr IT Geeks home.

Another option might be to dump copper and go for multi mode fibre direct to each location required. Although the cost of adaption between fibre and device can be daft, if the guy needs future proofing ......

I'd suggest that when you do get to the bottom of the spec and have confirmation as to requirement you do a major consult with the builder and client.

The cable (or fibre) will require easy routes, consideration of MBR, tieing down, containment, seperation from ELV and the client might expect a 15 year fully tested and warranted system.

I'd imagine that a Pentascanner hasn't yet been built to test the service, and that could be a stubbling block

 

[2scoops0406]

Wouldn't fibre be easier?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Another option might be to dump copper and go for multi mode fibre direct to each location required. Although the cost of adaption between fibre and device can be daft, if the guy needs future proofing ......

Or if part of what he wants is to be able to brag, what about microwave links through waveguides?

 

[mattysupra]

Wouldn't fibre be easier?

good point! Anyone?

 

[plugwash]

Afaict fiiber is a PITA, you need exepensive transceivers (and expensive network adaptors and switches to support those transceivers) and it has to be installed very carefully (you can't bend it too tightly or the light leaks out).

My advice for concealed data wiring is to put conduit in and run cat5e cat6 or maybe even cat 6a down it. If and when a new standard comes out that requires a higher spec cable it can then be pulled in when it is known what cable spec is required.

 

[jimbojones]

Trying to arrange a face to face meeting for the beginning of next week, so i'll let everyone know the outcome.

Thanks everyone for suggestions and comments so far, keep them coming.

 

[2scoops0406]

Afaict fiiber is a PITA, you need exepensive transceivers (and expensive network adaptors and switches to support those transceivers) and it has to be installed very carefully (you can't bend it too tightly or the light leaks out).

My advice for concealed data wiring is to put conduit in and run cat5e cat6 or maybe even cat 6a down it. If and when a new standard comes out that requires a higher spec cable it can then be pulled in when it is known what cable spec is required.

But then I'd imaging Cat 8 (don't know the spec) would be almost physically impossible to bend

 

[plugwash]

The cable manufacturers seem to have got better at achiving higher specs with manageable cables. Early cat6 cable was afaict horrible stuff to handle (though I never saw any in person) but the modern stuff I've seen had the same look and feel as cat5e.

 

[Lectrician]

Most cat 6 comes on a drum in a box rather than spools too.

 

[2scoops0406]

Afaict fiiber is a PITA, you need exepensive transceivers (and expensive network adaptors and switches to support those transceivers) and it has to be installed very carefully (you can't bend it too tightly or the light leaks out).

My advice for concealed data wiring is to put conduit in and run cat5e cat6 or maybe even cat 6a down it. If and when a new standard comes out that requires a higher spec cable it can then be pulled in when it is known what cable spec is required.

The switches are expensive, but the rest not so bad. Probably more future proof than copper. Maybe the future will be wireless, which would be a tad annoying