New house - Wiring rooms - CAT5e vs CAT6 vs CAT7?

GTiPUG said:
Hm okay, cheers for the input. I never even considered moving the master socket/BT line. Having it all in the loft would be better as it'd only be a case of dropping it one floor to the first floor where the office is. There'd then be two cables running down one floor again to the living too. I like it...

I'll ask the contractor to consider it and see what price they come out with for both.
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That's how we'd do it, what cabling system are they using? I'd be happy to cast an eye over them if you wish.

I'd expect them to be using Connectix as price point wise it's very competitive, @bledd rates them highly and having had some meetings with them recently they're certainly going in the right direction after stealing a handful of Excels employees.
 
Hyburnate said:
That's how we'd do it, what cabling system are they using? I'd be happy to cast an eye over them if you wish.

I'd expect them to be using Connectix as price point wise it's very competitive, @bledd rates them highly and having had some meetings with them recently they're certainly going in the right direction after stealing a handful of Excels employees.
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Well in that case that's a valuable opinion to have :) Still waiting for exchange of contracts on the house let alone completion, so i'm in touch with a few contractors planning at present. Obviously without viewing they can't give me many details.

One thing that would be handy would be a list of things for me to keep an eye out for when discussing with them - Hints at bad/good practice to keep an eye out for maybe?

So this Connectix stuff is what I'm after, right?
 
GTiPUG said:
Well in that case that's a valuable opinion to have :) Still waiting for exchange of contracts on the house let alone completion, so i'm in touch with a few contractors planning at present. Obviously without viewing they can't give me many details.

One thing that would be handy would be a list of things for me to keep an eye out for when discussing with them - Hints at bad/good practice to keep an eye out for maybe?

So this Connectix stuff is what I'm after, right?
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Many of the good contractors will want to supply their own materials, mainly because most of the good stuff is trade only. Connectix have another business, CableMonkey which sell to the consumer but are quite expensive from memory.

Depending on what contractor you're using, have very little experience with contractors in the domestic sector:

I'd let them decide what type of cable to install, question their reasoning tell them you want to future proof it. I'd expect most to say Cat6 and I'd be worried if they don't really know what to use.
Ask them if they're backed by the cable manufacturer and if they have the certificate available for viewing.
Ask how they test the cabling.

I'd expect them to be quite forthcoming with information.




@bledd that NetStoreDirect are silly expensive! CCS did have a huge issue in the past but that's now been resolved and as much as I'd like to say I haven't heard of issues with their kit i'd be lying. But when you're in the tens of thousands of outlets and terminations it's hard not to encounter issues (even when they're project wide)
 
GTiPUG said:
With a vacuum cleaner? What? Why?
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Tie the string to plastic bag on the feeding end, put the vacuum on the opposite end and let it suck the string through the tube. You then have some string to pull through cable whenever you need (plus more string so you can pull more through the next time).

I did this for the front of the house so I can pull through the cable for VM or any other line right to under the stairs where all the networking is.
 
Hyburnate said:
Many of the good contractors will want to supply their own materials, mainly because most of the good stuff is trade only. Connectix have another business, CableMonkey which sell to the consumer but are quite expensive from memory.

Depending on what contractor you're using, have very little experience with contractors in the domestic sector:

I'd let them decide what type of cable to install, question their reasoning tell them you want to future proof it. I'd expect most to say Cat6 and I'd be worried if they don't really know what to use.
Ask them if they're backed by the cable manufacturer and if they have the certificate available for viewing.
Ask how they test the cabling.

I'd expect them to be quite forthcoming with information.




@bledd that NetStoreDirect are silly expensive! CCS did have a huge issue in the past but that's now been resolved and as much as I'd like to say I haven't heard of issues with their kit i'd be lying. But when you're in the tens of thousands of outlets and terminations it's hard not to encounter issues (even when they're project wide)
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Perfect, just what I was after :D I'll give these questions to a few and see what they respond. My worry is that one or two of them will simply install some cables and leave an RJ45 hanging out of the wall, rather than a keystone or port.
moogle said:
Tie the string to plastic bag on the feeding end, put the vacuum on the opposite end and let it suck the string through the tube. You then have some string to pull through cable whenever you need (plus more string so you can pull more through the next time).

I did this for the front of the house so I can pull through the cable for VM or any other line right to under the stairs where all the networking is.
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Ahhhh of course! Genius :) Will remember that nifty trick...
 
GTiPUG said:
Perfect, just what I was after :D I'll give these questions to a few and see what they respond. My worry is that one or two of them will simply install some cables and leave an RJ45 hanging out of the wall, rather than a keystone or port.


Ahhhh of course! Genius :) Will remember that nifty trick...
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Where abouts are you based? Might have someone I can recommend.

Any questions I'm sure myself or bledd could advise :)
 
Hyburnate said:
I don't know absolutely anyone in South Wales or remotely close to be quite honest :(

Any questions just quote me or send me a trust so I get a notification :)
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Awesome, I'll bear it in mind! Hoping to be getting it done around mid September so will keep thread updated in case anyone else is in the same boat :)
 
Rarely a need to go for a higher specification than Category 6. You'd need long runs and 10gig or a noisy environment to justify it. The majority of users don't saturate gigabit today, let alone 10gig. The latter has at least a 15-20 year shelf life in the home (in my opinion).

To echo good advice stated already:

* Category 6 cable everywhere (solid for panel to port, stranded for patch cables)

* Run at least two cables to each socket

* Ensure whoever is installing it is familiar with the rules around the type of cable chosen (bend radius', power cables, max untwisted length etc)

* Use a patch panel

* Don't put stuff in the loft unless it's just cable

* Use decent quality face plates/keystone jacks (e.g. Alyssa)


Enjoy
 
ov_sjo said:
Rarely a need to go for a higher specification than Category 6. You'd need long runs and 10gig or a noisy environment to justify it. The majority of users don't saturate gigabit today, let alone 10gig. The latter has at least a 15-20 year shelf life in the home (in my opinion).

To echo good advice stated already:

* Category 6 cable everywhere (solid for panel to port, stranded for patch cables)

* Run at least two cables to each socket

* Ensure whoever is installing it is familiar with the rules around the type of cable chosen (bend radius', power cables, max untwisted length etc)

* Use a patch panel

* Don't put stuff in the loft unless it's just cable

* Use decent quality face plates/keystone jacks (e.g. Alyssa)


Enjoy
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That seems to be what everyone says, I think anything more than CAT6 is overkill for my needs.

Thanks for the bulletpoints, I'll be sure to confirm them details with contractor beforehand.
 
You can run HDMI signal over network as well by the way, so if you think you would want distributed TV over the house at any point then install at least 2 CAT6 points to each required location (my understanding is you need 2 CAT5E/6 cables for a single HDMI signal)

Also, think VERY carefully about where you put your patch panel.
I told the electrician to put it under the stairs and if that was going to be difficult to put it in my office (3rd bedroom)
Room was a bit tight under the stairs so he put it in the office.
now we have our 2nd child I need to move the patch panel out of the office to make a nursery, which is a right royal PITA.
I am now semi-bodging it to save ripping the entire house apart to re-run cables.

My solution for anyone that is interested is to install a 2nd patch panel at the original location and run new cabling to the new location to a new patch panel, then use patch cables between the 2 patch panels to "bridge the gap" and this will be hidden in the celling/floor between ground and 2st floor. going to have to test, test, test once all terminations have been made.
 
MassiveJim said:
You can run HDMI signal over network as well by the way, so if you think you would want distributed TV over the house at any point then install at least 2 CAT6 points to each required location (my understanding is you need 2 CAT5E/6 cables for a single HDMI signal)

Also, think VERY carefully about where you put your patch panel.
I told the electrician to put it under the stairs and if that was going to be difficult to put it in my office (3rd bedroom)
Room was a bit tight under the stairs so he put it in the office.
now we have our 2nd child I need to move the patch panel out of the office to make a nursery, which is a right royal PITA.
I am now semi-bodging it to save ripping the entire house apart to re-run cables.

My solution for anyone that is interested is to install a 2nd patch panel at the original location and run new cabling to the new location to a new patch panel, then use patch cables between the 2 patch panels to "bridge the gap" and this will be hidden in the celling/floor between ground and 2st floor. going to have to test, test, test once all terminations have been made.
Click to expand...


Other option is to mount them flat against the wall, then have a very thin 'cupboard' or access hole. Not ideal, but worth considering for you.
 
MassiveJim said:
You can run HDMI signal over network as well by the way, so if you think you would want distributed TV over the house at any point then install at least 2 CAT6 points to each required location (my understanding is you need 2 CAT5E/6 cables for a single HDMI signal)

Also, think VERY carefully about where you put your patch panel.
I told the electrician to put it under the stairs and if that was going to be difficult to put it in my office (3rd bedroom)
Room was a bit tight under the stairs so he put it in the office.
now we have our 2nd child I need to move the patch panel out of the office to make a nursery, which is a right royal PITA.
I am now semi-bodging it to save ripping the entire house apart to re-run cables.

My solution for anyone that is interested is to install a 2nd patch panel at the original location and run new cabling to the new location to a new patch panel, then use patch cables between the 2 patch panels to "bridge the gap" and this will be hidden in the celling/floor between ground and 2st floor. going to have to test, test, test once all terminations have been made.
Click to expand...
Bit tight under the stairs? I have a full 39U rack with 100+ network cables run from under my stairs :p

Also, don't bother with HDMI over Cat6. It needs 2 cables (unbroken i.e. not through a patch panel or wall socket) and can be finnicky with handshaking. I use it in my living room and I had to crimp a plug on either end of the cables to get it to work which isn't ideal. HDbaseT can do the same over a single cable and it'll go through a patch panel but the downside is the cost. £30 for a HDMI balun vs £300 for a HDbaseT one.
 
EVH said:
Bit tight under the stairs? I have a full 39U rack with 100+ network cables run from under my stairs :p

Also, don't bother with HDMI over Cat6. It needs 2 cables (unbroken i.e. not through a patch panel or wall socket) and can be finnicky with handshaking. I use it in my living room and I had to crimp a plug on either end of the cables to get it to work which isn't ideal. HDbaseT can do the same over a single cable and it'll go through a patch panel but the downside is the cost. £30 for a HDMI balun vs £300 for a HDbaseT one.
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Yeah that shouldn't be an issue. HDMI over CAT6 isn't really something I'll be that bothered about. To be honest I've revised the plan and only really require ethernet run to the office and spare bedroom, rather than the master bedroom. Should make it a bit cheaper too.
 
Bledd said:
Other option is to mount them flat against the wall, then have a very thin 'cupboard' or access hole. Not ideal, but worth considering for you.
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I considered it and just decided putting it in the floor a "cleaner" solution.
Yes it prevents access but lets be honest how often do you need to access a patch panel if you don't need to plug anything in to it.

EVH said:
Bit tight under the stairs? I have a full 39U rack with 100+ network cables run from under my stairs :p

Also, don't bother with HDMI over Cat6. It needs 2 cables (unbroken i.e. not through a patch panel or wall socket) and can be finnicky with handshaking. I use it in my living room and I had to crimp a plug on either end of the cables to get it to work which isn't ideal. HDbaseT can do the same over a single cable and it'll go through a patch panel but the downside is the cost. £30 for a HDMI balun vs £300 for a HDbaseT one.
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yeh our understairs cupboard isn't that tall
 
Hi folks,

Loads of great info in here!

I’m just about to start a similar project as I’ve just moved into a new house. Currently trying to finalise where/how many sockets I’ll need as well as an idea on how they could be routed.

Sadly we don’t need/plan to be doing a full renovation, so trying to minimise the mess! My plan at the moment is to have the patch panel/switch/modem/microserver etc in a cupboard in the study, which I’ve converted from the smallest bedroom. This offers easy access up into the loft so should be relatively simple to wire the bedrooms, however going downstairs to the kitchen,lounge and outside (we’ve a garden studio which I eventually want to make into a home cinema) will be more of a challenge! As a last ditch idea I could run cables outside and then back in?

Also will I have cooling issues putting all the equipment into a large cupboard?

Cheers!
 
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