changing from wireless to wired - help please

kryten

kryten

kryten

Associate
Joined
15 Feb 2003
Posts
41
Hi, can someone please advise...

I currently have a wireless setup (VM Broadband via a Motorola Surfboard SB4100, through a Linksys WRT54G wireless router to PC). The modem and router are next to the cable junction box.

Due to changes in household I have now had to relocate PC to other end of house (broadband connection enters house at front upstairs and now moved PC to back of house downstairs). Signal strength is patchy so have decided to go to wired.

As far as I can see my options are to
A) use powerline adapters
B) leave the modem adn router where they are and run a long length of Cat5 cable from router to PC
C) run long length of Coax from junction box and have the modem and router relocated near the PC and connected via Cat5

My preferred options would be either B or C as the cable should be cheaper than the powerline adapters.
I should add that I am currently getting the house rewired and could easily get cable routed through the house. However, I have read that Cat5 cable should not be "near" electrical wiring".

Questions are...
1. How "near" is "near" with respects to interference of Cat5 signal by electrical wiring
2. Are there any problems with Coax being "near" electrical wiring
3. If I went for Coax then what type of cable should I get (and what connectors)

thanks
Kryten
 
I'd go for option B for a number of reasons. Cat5 is relatively cheap and easier to work with i.e physically lay than Coax (decent CT100 can be +£1/metre). Extending the coax lead can increase attenuation which will cause problems with your modems sync to the head end. Modifying the coax lead is also against your cable operators recommendations which could possibly cause you problems in the future.

Cat5 shouldn't be laid near to electrical cables but if you're simply using it for the internet then the bandwidth throughput wouldn't be high enough to worry about interference.
 
Thanx for this.
I have already spoken to the electricians rewiring the house and they were aware of potential interference if data cables are routed near electrical wires. They have told me they can keep the Cat5 cable separate when doing the rewiring so that is good.
I am only using it for internet (soon to go to 20mb Virgin) so hopefully should still get a more reliable and speedier connection than my existing wireless setup
thanks for taking the time to advise
Kryten
 
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