Running Cat5e in parallel to power cables

matt1

matt1

matt1

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Nottingham
This is a topic I know zero about, despite trying to find out by the usual methods I’m finding conflicting and confusing information.

I’m getting the loft converted and asked for Ethernet cable to be run into both of the new rooms to a central point downstairs where the modem and router are. They have used Cat5e UTP, which will do, but was tempted to change this.

My question is regarding the proximity of the power cables and Ethernet cables running parallel to each other in the walls towards the wall outlet. In one room they are separated by about 3 inches, but the other they are not separated at all. Is this ok?

I’ve read about the potential issues of interference and ideally the cables should not be run in parallel close together, but I am more concerned if there are wiring regulations around this that need to be met.
 
I've never had issues at home running relatively short runs around/over power cables. I take a bit more care at work but even then... No issues. Using fairly run of the mill cat5e cable from the reel and pre-terminated bog standard cables

E: just to add, the only issues with ethernet cabling actually came from 15cm cables on one patch panel. Took a while to realise why one wing of the building was having issues logging in and general network performance. The switch logging was picking up loads of tx/rx errors. Turned out it was trashy copper clad aluminium core cable. Put about 200 of them into the recycling, not worth the hassle
 
Hmm this is hard to say as I dont install this for a living but have done so on many occasions with regular tools.

I doubt you would get much performance impact however if your worried you can test the throughput yourself when the lines are energised. The quality and materials used will vary also between cables so sometimes the marketing can be misleading.
 
In the home I've never had an issue just running cables and power side by side. Where ever possible I try to avoid it though.
 
Will in all likelihood be absolutely fine - we've had to run bundles of cat5e near 3 phase electric at work before, which should be even worse, but had no issues.
 
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