Cat6 from Toolstation

ZombieFan · 9 Jul 2020 at 22:00

Hi. I'm looking to buy some Cat6 to run from our new house extension to our garage. I've discovered that Toolstation sell Pitacs branded cable by the drum - https://www.toolstation.com/pitacs-cat6-data-cable/p71044

Has anyone had any experience with this brand, or is Cat6 pretty much all the same?

WJA96 · 9 Jul 2020 at 23:33

No, it’s not all the same. In fact, it can be quite radically different. The only way you’ll know if it’s any good is to buy some and try it.

bremen1874 · 9 Jul 2020 at 23:47

It's solid copper and the correct AWG so there's no obvious problem with it.

No centre spine, which is unusual, but that doesn't stop it being compliant. There's also a good chance they have a photo of Cat5e cable on the Cat6 listing, it does look more like Cat5e.

Caged · 10 Jul 2020 at 00:02

Pitacs are an importer, their data cables brand is Time:

https://www.timecables.co.uk/data-cables.html

Screwfix carry it for broadly the same price. There’s no datasheet but I can’t really see any reason not to assume it will be up to the task. It claims to be solid copper and the sizing is right.

WJA96 · 10 Jul 2020 at 00:16

bremen1874 said:
It's solid copper and the correct AWG so there's no obvious problem with it.

No centre spine, which is unusual, but that doesn't stop it being compliant. There's also a good chance they have a photo of Cat5e cable on the Cat6 listing, it does look more like Cat5e.

Two of the reviews talk about a plastic spine or spacer in the cable so yes, I’d say the picture is wrong.

Avalon · 10 Jul 2020 at 13:53

Is the garage a detached building?

ZombieFan · 10 Jul 2020 at 17:50

Avalon said:
Is the garage a detached building?

No, it's attached. The electrician is going to have to lay new power cables to the fusebox in the garage so I wanted to take the opportunity to get him to pull through some ethernet at the same time (not alongside the power!). But I'm considering buying the cable up-front, rather than relying on whatever he gets via the trade.

bledd · 10 Jul 2020 at 19:13

Buy Excel or CCS cable.

ZombieFan · 10 Jul 2020 at 22:24

Thanks bledd. I'll take a look at them.

bremen1874 · 11 Jul 2020 at 01:50

My goto is Excel, but AFAIK you aren't going to be getting it (or Connextix) in reasonably priced 100m lengths. I'm assuming you aren't wanting full 305m boxes from the link in the opening post.