Network cables......

PapaLazaru

PapaLazaru

PapaLazaru

Soldato
Joined
23 Dec 2009
Posts
18,251
Location
RG8 9
I am getting interference and regular drop-outs from somewhere using powerline adaptors, so am going to install a cable from my router in the front bedroom to my man cave at the back of the house. I am going to go up through the attic and reckon I need a 30 metre cable.

Now I have never had to buy one before as have never needed to, so can anyone advise on what I should be looking for?

I've got fibre if it helps so need something that can take it and I do not mind paying a little extra for quality.

ta
 
I would get Cat 6 then if you want fastest and best speeds. I don't think OCUK sells that a CAT 6 cable that long. Only thing about CAT 6 is it can be very inflexible so tight turns aren't always possible.
 
MissChief said:
I would get Cat 6 then if you want fastest and best speeds. I don't think OCUK sells that a CAT 6 cable that long. Only thing about CAT 6 is it can be very inflexible so tight turns aren't always possible.
Click to expand...

There are only a couple of turns in the setup so should be ok.

Just seen some Duronic Cat6a which has a lot of good reviews so might just get that one.
 
Or just get a decent Cat5e cable. For the purpose described it'll perform the same as a Cat6 cable and is easier to handle.

Cat6a is overkill, and will be more difficult to route.
 
I still don't get why people think cat6 is difficult to work with. Yes cat5 is easier but cat6 is a piece of cake also and routing it around corners or in conduit is not difficult at all.

You wouldn't want to be a spark then if cat6 is difficult.

Stick to cat6 since the price difference isn't worth talking about.
 
I have a Cat6a going around my front room floor in conduit with several 90 degree turns and its fine.

If you can use Cat 6 because when the next step along for affordable high speed networking comes, you can guarantee cat5e won't support it.

If you can/are interested in it. Get cable that isn't terminated and terminate it yourself, not only do you learn something basic but the cable runs will be much easier if you don't have to poke rj45 ends through.
 
There's no sign of affordable 10GbE. In a situation where someone is running a single network cable to replace Powerline adapters it's a complete non-issue.

For the OP's situation Cat5e or Cat6 will be fine (toss a coin).

I can't see any real point in using Cat6a.

Anyone who has done a install of Cat6 or Cat6a that hasn't been certified can't really claim that it works. Sure it'll handle Gigabit, but Cat5 can handle that on a good day.
 
Last edited:
cat6 is only a real pain when you're attempting to put an RJ45 plug on it (which you shouldn't be doing).

With cat6 reels, always go into wall modules / patch panels
 
Google cat 5e 30m... click the top non paid link.....
Buy 3 of them.... run them all... if one brakes you have 2 backups...

Cat 5E can and will run at gigabit ethernet speeds... the only benefit cat 6 has is it comes with a piece of paper that guarantees that it will. even if you find your don't you would never even tell anyway.
 
PapaLazaru said:
I am getting interference and regular drop-outs from somewhere using powerline adaptors, so am going to install a cable from my router in the front bedroom to my man cave at the back of the house. I am going to go up through the attic and reckon I need a 30 metre cable.

Now I have never had to buy one before as have never needed to, so can anyone advise on what I should be looking for?

I've got fibre if it helps so need something that can take it and I do not mind paying a little extra for quality.

ta
Click to expand...

You should go for CAT6a if you can, it's not expensive. We got a 305m reel off of eBay in 2009 for £55 (It was LSZH as-well)! People say it's overkill, but if you're running a cable like that, you should aim to be futureproof.

Back in July 2009, we installed CAT6a throughout our house and despite what people think it's actually very easy to corner in conduit - I have no idea why they think it's difficult.

I'd do; RJ-45 Wall Module (On Wall Panel) -> Cat6a -> RJ-45 Wall Module (On Wall Panel) then use patch cables from each module to each node. Leave 5m or so slack in the attic in-case you run into any issues and/or for future expansion.

If you are likely to be living in your house for a long time (Years), I'd run two cables instead of just one. We found that within a few years we ran out of ports and had to add more.



Examples:

2 x RJ-45 Module, Faceplate and Backbox - This can be modified to accommodate 2 modules if you buy another RJ-45 module separately - You only have to remove the blank module: http://www.screwfix.com/p/philex-rj45-module-outlet-kit-single-cat-5e/10030

1 or 2 x 50m Cat6a (Only one example): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50M-CAT6A...uting_NetworkingCables_RL&hash=item4d1d9e0edb

1 x Punch Tool (You'll need this for punching & neatness!): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Network-E...rkingTools_Accessories_SM&hash=item33797ca7ee

2 x Patch Cable (This doesn't have to be CAT6a): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RJ45-Cat6...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item5664f03366
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the reply, but that is far too complex for me. :o

I've ordered 30 metres of Duronic Cat6a and am going to route it round the wall then drill up into the attic in a corner and use adhesive trunking to make it look a little nicer. Same at the other end in my man cave.
 
Nice one. Adhesive trunking is good stuff :-) Mine blends in so well with my skirting board, the mrs doesnt even realise how much stuff I have slung round the house lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom