Running cat5e outdoors

[splash gti]

I plan on running cat5 to our conservatory (for computer/xbox) but approx 10ft will have to be run outdoors from the loft down the house wall. If using shielded cat5 cable, do I need additional surge protection to protect against lightening strikes or is it safe as it is? Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Merry]

I'd assume it'd be fine for that.

I would be considering putting the cable in some sort of copex/conduit to protect it from the weather/sunlight otherwise it'll need replacing within a few years.

Is running it inside really not an option?

[karona]

splash gti said:

I plan on running cat5 to our conservatory (for computer/xbox) but approx 10ft will have to be run outdoors from the loft down the house wall. If using shielded cat5 cable, do I need additional surge protection to protect against lightening strikes or is it safe as it is? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Provided you use the correct shielded plugs, and the shielding is earthed, you'll be fine. I've used it to cable my 'summer kitchen' for internet. Neither the router or access point at either end had a proper earth connection, so I wired the shielding to earth at the router end, and it's survived some pretty dramatic storms.

[WinstonWolf]

You can get direct burial CAT5 cable, we generally recommend surge protectors if you're going outside...

I lost some quite expensive kit when there was a ground strike a fair distance away, it does happen sometimes.

[48k]

Run the cable inside some properly earthed conduit with end protection at each end. Boggo cat5e plastic shielding isn't designed to withstand the UV and elements, and its worth minimising the risk of static.

[Royce44]

Use duct grade cat5 cable. Think of it as a armoured cat5. Also +1 on the conduit. Use black as it doesnt go green after a winter

[mjb1]

At the very least use an outdoor grade of cat 5 cable. Main difference is that the outer sheath has some/better uv resistance. Other than that, it shouldn't be any issue to go out and back into the same building.

[splash gti]

Thanks for the tips. Not really sure how to earth conduit or the shielding (but I presume to earth of electrical circuit, which aren't close by). If needed I was going to use 20mm round black plastic conduit with end protection and I will definitely go for outdoor-rated cable. If using surge protector would I put it router end in the house, in loft near soffit where cable comes into house or wall socket end in the conservatory or a combination of more than one? Easiest way to earth surge protector? Thanks.

[eliot]

as above use external grade cable, shielded cable not going to add much - its for noise suppression not lightening protection.

[Andehh]

eliot said:

as above use external grade cable, shielded cable not going to add much - its for noise suppression not lightening protection.

I would do this, go for an external grade cat5e cable, but I wouldn't use 'Shielded cable'.