Running CAT 6 to garage?

TechMinerUK · 13 Sep 2016 at 16:58

Hi everyone, I'm sure I've seen a similar question asked already but I can't find it however I was wondering if I would need to take in extra precautions when running CAT 6 cable from my house to the garage. It will be going via an underground channel and possibly on the side of the two buildings.

If I recall correctly do I need to provide an earthing point for the cables or am I getting confused?

Any help is greatly appreciated

Jamauk · 13 Sep 2016 at 19:18

I haven't, I've been running a 20m Cat5e link to the garage along the fence in some 20mm conduit for nearly 9 years now with no issues. I'd recommend running at least two runs so there's a backup if one link fails.

TechMinerUK · 13 Sep 2016 at 19:21

Jamauk said:
I haven't, I've been running a 20m Cat5e link to the garage along the fence in some 20mm conduit for nearly 9 years now with no issues. I'd recommend running at least two runs so there's a backup if one link fails.

The plan is to run 6-12 for future use and backups

Awahwah · 13 Sep 2016 at 19:29

I believe the cat 6 specs states it should be Earthed but I've see. Production networks run fine without it. Just don't Fluke it as it will fail.

TechMinerUK · 13 Sep 2016 at 19:51

Awahwah said:
I believe the cat 6 specs states it should be Earthed but I've see. Production networks run fine without it. Just don't Fluke it as it will fail.

So what would be the best/cost effective earth method (Some sort of earthed patch panel?) and fluke it in what regard? (Sorry this is new territory for me

)

ov_sjo · 13 Sep 2016 at 19:53

Awahwah said:
I believe the cat 6 specs states it should be Earthed but I've see. Production networks run fine without it. Just don't Fluke it as it will fail.

How would you earth Cat.6? I think you may be talking about something else (possibly Cat.7)

ov_sjo · 13 Sep 2016 at 19:56

TechMinerUK said:
Hi everyone, I'm sure I've seen a similar question asked already but I can't find it however I was wondering if I would need to take in extra precautions when running CAT 6 cable from my house to the garage. It will be going via an underground channel and possibly on the side of the two buildings.

If I recall correctly do I need to provide an earthing point for the cables or am I getting confused?

Any help is greatly appreciated

Nothing special required. You could use outdoor spec. Cat.6 but it's probably not worth it if you're going through conduit.

TechMinerUK · 13 Sep 2016 at 20:41

ov_sjo said:
How would you earth Cat.6? I think you may be talking about something else (possibly Cat.7)

ov_sjo said:
Nothing special required. You could use outdoor spec. Cat.6 but it's probably not worth it if you're going through conduit.

So I can just run it as normal then with no issues/extra stuff needed as it will be going through a plastic tube underground. The irony is it's lightning just outside my house now

bremen1874 · 14 Sep 2016 at 00:07

There are theoretical issues with running copper between buildings, mainly related to grounding issues.

For a domestic DIY job using UTP cable you'll most likely never have a problem. Definitely worth the risk compared to the cost of using fibre with media convertors at both ends.

TechMinerUK · 14 Sep 2016 at 08:38

bremen1874 said:
There are theoretical issues with running copper between buildings, mainly related to grounding issues.

For a domestic DIY job using UTP cable you'll most likely never have a problem. Definitely worth the risk compared to the cost of using fibre with media convertors at both ends.

I suppose the worst it can do is take out my switch but is the risk considerable enough to invest in earthing?

ov_sjo · 14 Sep 2016 at 08:50

When was the last time your property was struck by lightning?

TechMinerUK · 14 Sep 2016 at 09:07

ov_sjo said:
When was the last time your property was struck by lightning?

Almost last night

ov_sjo · 14 Sep 2016 at 09:09

Then it's highly unlikely to happen again for while.....

TechMinerUK · 14 Sep 2016 at 09:22

ov_sjo said:
Then it's highly unlikely to happen again for while.....

True but how much would it cost to protect it?

ov_sjo · 14 Sep 2016 at 09:22

TechMinerUK said:
True but how much would it cost to protect it?

Fibre. Hundreds.

TechMinerUK · 14 Sep 2016 at 09:30

ov_sjo said:
Fibre. Hundreds.

What about just earthing the Cat6

ov_sjo · 14 Sep 2016 at 09:31

TechMinerUK said:
What about just earthing the Cat6

You don't earth Cat.6. I think you may be confusing grounding with earthing. Grounding is to improve noise immunity in high EMI environments. It's not there for lightning protection.

You can buy some surge protection if you're really that paranoid about it.

TechMinerUK · 14 Sep 2016 at 09:37

ov_sjo said:
You don't earth Cat.6. I think you may be confusing grounding with earthing. Grounding is to improve noise immunity in high EMI environments. It's not there for lightning protection.
You can buy some surge protection if you're really that paranoid about it.

Yep, I've been getting them confused. So this surge protection, how much would it cost?

bremen1874 · 14 Sep 2016 at 13:47

You're over thinking this.

Either use UTP copper and accept the minuscule risk, or do it properly and use fibre. I'd just run the copper.

Using copper and then bolting on a load of protection devices is just perverse.

TechMinerUK · 14 Sep 2016 at 14:47

bremen1874 said:
You're over thinking this.
Either use UTP copper and accept the minuscule risk, or do it properly and use fibre. I'd just run the copper.
Using copper and then bolting on a load of protection devices is just perverse.

We'll I've already paid for the CAT6 so I don't want to go for fiber as well (I was toying with the idea of fiber originally but decided against it)