Ethernet cabling

[RichA]

My refurb is well underway and the builder shave started closing up the plasterboard.

I am concerned I don't have sufficient ethernet cabling and might add some over the weekend.

Would this be suitable?
https://www.screwfix.com/p/nexans-cat-5e-f-utp-ethernet-cable-100m-gry/8558T?

Any tips on running it?
i.e from comms cupboard to rooms in pairs? anything else?

 

[AndyPRK]

Why pairs?

Keep it at least 6” away from mains cables.

 

[RichA]

Thanks. Is the wiring type/quality ok?

I am going to run to wires from G/Floor tel/comms cupboard to the loft to allow me to drop down into any of the top floor rooms at a later date.

 

[AndyPRK]

It looks ok to me (although not an expert), as long as you aren't expecting mega fast speeds.
I think they do CAT 6 now, for mega fast.

But for speed and cost balance I think that looks good stuff to install

 

[AndyPRK]

these crimpers are good value if your only doing one house.

Just need to ensure the pins align with the tool before pressing down.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RJ45-Cat...209338?hash=item468b62a83a:g:TgYAAOSwSidcCSDp

 

[AndyPRK]

more tips in this part of forum

https://www.diynot.com/diy/forums/home-automation/

 

[mattylad]

I have a tip - number both ends of the cables and the face plates..

Simply make labels with a label machine (plenty available for about £15 - very useful ).
That way, in a few years time you will know which end is which and where they go rather than having to remember them.

I did not do this, I forgot. It's been a pain in the ass trying to figure out which cable came from where.
It's also easier to pull a errant kids room cable (thereby removing their access) if you know exactly which one it is

 

[AndyPRK]

Are your's labelled kid No.1, kid No.2

OP only has this weekend to do it, so other labeling options are available.

 

[ironsidebod]

I just use some masking tape and a sharpie during installation (both ends) and then label up properly when terminating at the patch panel and faceplate ends.

The cable linked has a question about whether it is CCA (which you don't want) and the manufacturer has replied that it is "solid stranded bare copper"...so which is it solid or stranded? Hopefully it is solid copper if you buy it.

 

[PhillCO2]

Cat5e will handle gigabit speeds, the standard specification of course allows for a maximum of 100 metres for reliable Ethernet communication.
Cat5a UTP can suffer from cross talk and interference in electrically noisy environments but for most general use is not a problem.

If you wanted to future proof and support higher throughput for multi-gigabit networking e.g. 5Gbps, 10Gbs and above then Cat5e will not be sufficient.

You may want to look at Cat6, Cat6a, or Cat7 specification cable for this. You can put in unshielded (UTP) or shielded (STP) Cat6, Cat7 is always shielded.
Shielding is useful in electrically noisy environments but requires patch panels for STP which have an earth bond and ensure continuity of the cable shield through panel to earth.

 

[RichA]

Thanks for the tips. I have been out and bought a 100m reel.

My installed ethernet network is very minimal (sitting room, home office & kids playroom). At this stage I am planning on adding to this with some cable from the g/f cupboard that holds the comms up to the loft area; that will allow me to drop cable down to any of the 1F rooms should that be required in the future.

I will run 4x 25m cables from G/F to loft/eaves. This is c5m so will leave me 4x 20m coiled in the loft for future network deployment.

[It may never be used; but does feel worthwhile given I have only paid £18 for the cable.]

 

[AndyPRK]

Yes. Very sensible.

People use this cable for security cameras too

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Cat5e will handle gigabit speeds, the standard specification of course allows for a maximum of 100 metres for reliable Ethernet communication.

Not a problem in most people's houses...

You may want to look at Cat6, Cat6a, or Cat7 specification cable for this.

I would have thought that Cat 7 was ludicrously over-specced for a house.

Even 6a is unlikely to be needed - Cat 6 will do 10Gb up to 50m. And if he's never going to have a 10Gb network, then 5e will be fine.

Which is just as well, as that's what he has bought. So presumably he's decided he won't ever want to run any of the more recent HDMI versions over it.

Shielding is useful in electrically noisy environments but requires patch panels for STP which have an earth bond and ensure continuity of the cable shield through panel to earth.

Houses tend not to be very electrically noisy.

 

[PhillCO2]

Not a problem in most people's houses...



I would have thought that Cat 7 was ludicrously over-specced for a house.

Even 6a is unlikely to be needed - Cat 6 will do 10Gb up to 50m. And if he's never going to have a 10Gb network, then 5e will be fine.

Which is just as well, as that's what he has bought. So presumably he's decided he won't ever want to run any of the more recent HDMI versions over it.



Houses tend not to be very electrically noisy.

Did you have anything useful to add to the conversation too or are you holding that in reserve...

The information is entirely accurate and allows the OP to make his or her own mind up, he was asking for advice on the cable, not stating it had been purchased already, you will note that information followed my post.

Ta ta for now.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Did you have anything useful to add to the conversation too or are you holding that in reserve...

I did add useful things to the conversation.

Reminding people that a 100m limit on 1Gb over Cat 5 is unlikely to be a problem in a house is useful.

Suggesting that Cat 7 is overkill in a house is useful.

Pointing out that Cat 6 will do 10Gb over 50m and so even Cat 6a isn't likely to be needed is useful.

Pointing out that houses tend not to be electrically noisy enough to warrant shielded cables is useful.

I hope you aren't one of those people whose definition of "useful" is "only what I want to hear, and nothing which disagrees with what I believe".

The information is entirely accurate and allows the OP to make his or her own mind up

So was mine.