Wiring CAT6 in house
Discussion
Looking to wire up some of my house with ethernet - not every room, just from one room to one or two others.
I've been doing some research and I'm thinking of going for CAT6 over CAT5e because it's barely any more difficult to install, might be more future proof, and barely any more expensive.
I don't think I need shielded because it's more of a pain to terminate, more expensive and unnecessary in a regular home environment.
The plan is a few runs from room to room with a faceplate on the wall in each, going "somewhere" to connect to a switch.
The problem is I've no idea where to get the cable from, what faceplate or tools I need!
So - cable. I'm thinking this - http://www.kenable.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=22... ?
Tools - probably need a krone or punch tool?
Recommendations please...
No, I don't want powerline / WiFi
I've been doing some research and I'm thinking of going for CAT6 over CAT5e because it's barely any more difficult to install, might be more future proof, and barely any more expensive.
I don't think I need shielded because it's more of a pain to terminate, more expensive and unnecessary in a regular home environment.
The plan is a few runs from room to room with a faceplate on the wall in each, going "somewhere" to connect to a switch.
The problem is I've no idea where to get the cable from, what faceplate or tools I need!
So - cable. I'm thinking this - http://www.kenable.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=22... ?
Tools - probably need a krone or punch tool?
Recommendations please...
No, I don't want powerline / WiFi
Faceplates are ten a penny, we went with modular ones as that gives you plenty of options. I can't recall where we bought our cable from but it was in 300m reels, just make sure you buy it from a reputable supplier as there is some cheap crap floating around. The only tools you will need will be a punchdown tool and a crimp tool, both cost next to nothing.
Unless you know how to make it off properly CAT6 won't give you much benefit over CAT5e - just look back at the picture posted on a recent thread to see what a mess is often made of it. You can get cable & outlets from a number of places (even Screwfix, although they look expensive). Try these people:
http://www.comms-express.com/
http://www.comms-express.com/
Muncher said:
I can't recall where we bought our cable from but it was in 300m reels, just make sure you buy it from a reputable supplier as there is some cheap crap floating around.
D'oh - I forgot to mention that non-CCA cable is a requirement.The "reputable supplier" bit is what I'm struggling with currently.
You will not need a crimp tool, no point in making patch leads up, buy them online.
Just ensure if you install CAT5e use CAT5e patch leads, same for CAT6.
For the few you want, you can get a low cost use a few times only punch tool from Maplin, they will probably sell the cable as well.
When you punch down, keep the pairs as tightly twisted as you can in the back of the faceplate, keeps crosstalk down to a minimum.
Do not follow any power for more than a metre, you can cross it.
Just ensure if you install CAT5e use CAT5e patch leads, same for CAT6.
For the few you want, you can get a low cost use a few times only punch tool from Maplin, they will probably sell the cable as well.
When you punch down, keep the pairs as tightly twisted as you can in the back of the faceplate, keeps crosstalk down to a minimum.
Do not follow any power for more than a metre, you can cross it.
There are some good deals on Excel cable at the moment - eBay should help you. 305mtr box of Cat.5e should be less than £50 at the moment & it's good quality stuff.
Excel modular faceplates are also good & not too expensive. Beware punch down tools, we bought one for £16 & it was IDENTICAL to the ones we pay a couple of quid for!
Excel modular faceplates are also good & not too expensive. Beware punch down tools, we bought one for £16 & it was IDENTICAL to the ones we pay a couple of quid for!
Muncher said:
garyhun said:
I'd agree with this - probably. I went Cat 6 in mine but think I'd just do Cat 5e next time. I believe the Cat 5e cable is a lot easier to manipulate/terminate as well than Cat 6.
I didn't really find it an issue to be honest, I would go with Cat6 again.I remember when doing my build, I thought Cat 6 definitely as it's the best. I really think it may have been overkill now.
I bet on my next one I'll do Cat 6 again though
I recently cabled up my house, as we were rewiring and installing new CH pipes.
We used about 400m of cable.
Two points in main bedroom, one in the two other bedrooms. Two in the office on the top floor and 8 in the living room, all tied back to a patch panel in the cupboard under the stairs.
We used about 400m of cable.
Two points in main bedroom, one in the two other bedrooms. Two in the office on the top floor and 8 in the living room, all tied back to a patch panel in the cupboard under the stairs.
VEX said:
Cat5 / Cat6 arguments I agree with the Cat5 argumentfor data,
However in the av industry we use cat6 over cat5 because the frequency range it can handle. Pushing HDMI down cat5 can struggle a little over a distance.
V.
Hmm max distance for Gigabit is the same for Cat5e/Cat6, does HDMI use more than a Gigabit of bandwidth?However in the av industry we use cat6 over cat5 because the frequency range it can handle. Pushing HDMI down cat5 can struggle a little over a distance.
V.
I am not one for remembering facts and figures, but I can tell you from experience that a properly installed and certified CAT 6 installation is far easier to get good results with from an AV point of view firing HDBaseT,HDMI, Control signals etc around a house than a similarly installed and certified CAT5e installation.
Having said that, the properly installed CAT5 will probably out perform a DIY installed CAT6 install. Just because you drag the cable from one room to another, punch the ends down and a cable tester says the connection is OK doesn't make it anywhere near a proper certified install.
It's just one of the many areas where every spark and DIYer thinks its easy and they can do it properly, but where there is very good reason why there are specialist firms who invest thousands in training and the right kit.
Having said that, the properly installed CAT5 will probably out perform a DIY installed CAT6 install. Just because you drag the cable from one room to another, punch the ends down and a cable tester says the connection is OK doesn't make it anywhere near a proper certified install.
It's just one of the many areas where every spark and DIYer thinks its easy and they can do it properly, but where there is very good reason why there are specialist firms who invest thousands in training and the right kit.
talkssense said:
I am not one for remembering facts and figures, but I can tell you from experience that a properly installed and certified CAT 6 installation is far easier to get good results with from an AV point of view firing HDBaseT,HDMI, Control signals etc around a house than a similarly installed and certified CAT5e installation.
Why ?cuneus said:
Why ?
Erm, it works better. You plug the kit in, set it up, and it works reliably.With CAT5 we regularly get issues with HDCP handshaking, pictures dropping out etc. Often it's intermittent and something that works one day right not the next. You (we) simply get a lot less of these issues when a proper CAT 6 install is in place and the proper fly leads are used. Also, the distance you can send pictures is undeniably greater via CAT6
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