Cat5 through external wall

tntcoder · 10 Sep 2019 at 19:10

Hi,

Please can someone help me with the easiest way to put 4x Cat5e cables out through an external wall? These are for PoE CCTV and i'd like to just drill one hole if possible with an SDS drill.

I'd like to use this faceplate on this backing plate but I'm not sure on:
- What size hole to drill for 4 cables?
- Should you out a plastic conduit inside the hole?
- Should you silicone it up to block drafts?
- What should go on the outside? Would a simple PVC junction box like this be suitable and then just route them off where needed?

Thanks for any help

Quartz · 10 Sep 2019 at 19:19

Drill one big hole and put a plastic pipe through. If you can get flanges for the ends, so much the better. Make sure both ends are properly sealed against water. What you need on the outside depends upon where the cables are going. That box should do if all the cables are going in different directions, but if they're all going in the same direction you'll want to keep them together. You are using outdoor grade cable, aren't you? If you're using ducting outside, remember to include pull wires.

tntcoder · 10 Sep 2019 at 19:32

Thanks, would a 22mm hole be ok for that many cables?

Quartz · 10 Sep 2019 at 19:48

tntcoder said:
Thanks, would a 22mm hole be ok for that many cables?

That might be a bit tight especially once you've put the pipe through. Remember that external cable is thicker - up to 9mm - and you will want the capacity to add more cables.

On the outside, do make sure everything is sealed against insect ingress.

Burned_Alive · 11 Sep 2019 at 10:24

Bear in mind you'll want to try and drill the hole at a slight angle to ensure water doesn't track down the hole in the event that it's not fully sealed.

Participant · 11 Sep 2019 at 11:25

Check for air bricks if suspended floor. We ran ours in the void under the house floor and up through the boards.

RichL · 11 Sep 2019 at 13:31

Also, be careful not to burst the bricks when using the SDS and a large bit. Drill a smaller hole first and go slow (without hammer mode) when you are about to break through. I'd probably use a 30mm bit for 4 cables although you may get away with 25mm.

Just as an aside, I recently tested a new IP camera using just powerline and a POE injector and it actually works really well for hard to reach areas and saves a lot of cabling.