Extending CAT5

{{INX}} · 16 Dec 2015 at 22:22

Can anyone advise the best way to extend Cat5 cabling?

I cabled my whole house when we first bought it a few years back and the wires cannot be changed but I now need to relocate my server and Gigabit switch.
Are couplers or punchdowns the best option for roughly 16 cables?

andicole0 · 16 Dec 2015 at 22:27

I think I'd go for punch down blocks. Easier than making lots of cable ends.
Andi.

{{INX}} · 16 Dec 2015 at 22:49

Thanks for the quick reply. I was leaning more towards punch down, but can you get multiple blocks rather than individuals?

andicole0 · 16 Dec 2015 at 23:25

You could try these and make yourself a connection box to hide the ends.
Andi.

Armageus · 16 Dec 2015 at 23:33

Something like http://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/cat5e-accessories/1478-cat5e-inline-idc-coupler-box.html
Would be my choice - bit neater and more robust over a long term (although By seem to use those jelly crimps in quite a few places with seemingly no problems)

Randall8686 · 16 Dec 2015 at 23:55

I personally done this by soldering the cable and using some 0.5mm hearshrink and then some larger heatshrink over the whole lot once all connected. Works fine with no performance loss and more importantly for me did not take up any space. However those connectors will be fine but £4 eah could end up costing you a good few quid. I spend £2 on meters of heathshrink

joeyjojo · 17 Dec 2015 at 08:46

Could get 4 inexpensive 8-port gigabit switches? Stack them up and watch all the lights blinking away. :cool:

Seriously though watch the length of these extended cables - go over the spec length and you might well need an active solution.

paradigm · 17 Dec 2015 at 09:13

In a typical house I really doubt he'll be extending to over 100m.

Just use couplers, it'll be more than fine.

Armageus · 17 Dec 2015 at 10:30

Another option would be a connection box with terminal Disconnection strips (Basically the same as BT Style DP's):

http://www.network-cabling.co.uk/st...0-series-con-box-way-unloaded-type-301a-p-940

http://www.network-cabling.co.uk/st...terminal-disconnection-strip-237a-style-p-942

bremen1874 · 17 Dec 2015 at 17:05

How are the cables terminated at the moment?

Do the joins need to be hidden away?

Is the existing cable solid core or stranded?