Most flexible CAT5E cable for some internal runs

rubberduck · 5 Aug 2020 at 20:05

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I need to do some internal CAT5E runs (up to 5m), for some runs I may just clip to the skirting board as mitering mini trunking may be a bit of a faff.

Which cable can I buy that is white, with no marking and is nice and flexible to take round some right angle sections?

Thanks

Sparx · 5 Aug 2020 at 22:40

Flat Ethernet cable?

bremen1874 · 6 Aug 2020 at 02:20

Most of the flat network cable I've seen has been junk. You may get away with it over such short distances, but best avoided IMO.

Are you wanting bulk solid core cable or pre-terminated network cables? Are you intending to terminate at faceplates or have plugs on the ends? Are you want a few 10s of meters or a reel/box?

Almost all cables have markings of some sort to tell you what it is. It's only going to be on one side so it's easy enough to hide that side against the wall where you won't see it.

However flexible the cable is (and it doesn't vary much) you're still going to want to honour the recommended minimum bend radius (4 times the cable diameter) which stops you prevents you from making sharp 90 degree bends.

Sparx · 6 Aug 2020 at 08:36

I thought the same (on flat ethernet) - til I used some myself recently last month for a 10m run, works perfectly. Full gigabit speeds, no drop-outs. Maybe not the case for all brands though.

rubberduck · 6 Aug 2020 at 09:50

Looking to make up and terminate the cables myself, will be RJ45 connectors so after stranded cable ideally... As white as possible to match skirting. Probably need about 30m tops.

Can you get the flat stuff as a reel?

SixTwoSix · 6 Aug 2020 at 09:50

I have 20 metres of flat ethernet cat7 (there was little price difference between 6&7 at the time) running from router to upstairs, slides in nicely between carpet and skirting board so barely noticeable. Then just double sided taped at side and above some door frames, multiple 90 degree angles. A few nailed in clips on the stairs in hard to see spots and into upstairs office/gaming room.

Granted it's only 2 months since it was done but cable has two year warranty and i'm getting Gbps speeds on my 900Mb internet, however as it's rated for 10Gbps, i'd expect little else.

Cant see cat7 cable on ocuk store so link here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B017LLWC1K/

I'm sure it can be had cheaper, even more so if you go cat5 or 6 but I needed next day at the time on amazon and this was the only option when I ordered.

bremen1874 · 6 Aug 2020 at 11:28

rubberduck said:
Looking to make up and terminate the cables myself, will be RJ45 connectors so after stranded cable ideally... As white as possible to match skirting. Probably need about 30m tops.

Any reason you don't want to do it 'properly' with solid core and faceplates? If for no other reason that the terminations will be easier, especially if you're new to it.

If you must use stranded cable buy a 30m cable from a decent supplier (a specialist supplier, not somewhere that sells a few cables as a small part of their inventory) and chop it up. It'll be cheaper than buying in on a reel and it'll be easier to find in white.

You don't need or want Cat7 cable domestically, especially if it's coming from the likes of Amazon or eBay. You won't be doing anything that won't easily be handled by Cat6 or even Cat5e. If you're after flexibility stick to Cat5e which will also be thinner.