Wiring Cat5e cable outside

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pm

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Master Geek

#22766 7-Jun-2008 19:52

Does anyone know if its ok for me to wire up 50m of cat5e around the outside roof of my house?
It will be used to relay my broadband connection (from a switch) to other rooms downstairs. Apparently, it may cause surge spikes from all the noise it picks up or even during electrical storms? This is simple cat5e cable, the plastic coating looks like enough to protect against water...right?

marmel

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#136303 7-Jun-2008 21:25

I'd be concerned about UV damage. Within 2-3 years the exposed cable would be pretty brittle I suspect and could cause a few problems.

Fraktul

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#136304 7-Jun-2008 21:30

You should use CAT5E exterior cabling which is designed for outdoor usage, it has a thicker sheath which is UV resistant. Ensure all building penetration points are made water tight etc and if you are not confident or unsure about running cabling then you should get in a professional - your insurance company would take a dim view if you cause a roof leak for example

cyril7

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#136306 7-Jun-2008 21:35

There are outdoor rated cables that use different outer sheaths suited to outdoor exposure, and can also contain gel to repel water ingress, however if above ground and attached to buildings its normally cheaper to use standard cable but within conduit. Running cables outdoors is not normally a interference exposure issue if properly done.

PM me if you need more assistance.

Cyril

pm

78 posts

Master Geek

#136328 7-Jun-2008 22:55

Thanks everyone. Holes are all properly sealed. I couldn't run these cables within conduits due to the bad construction of our house. The cable is well secured to the wall edges of the house and if UV damage is a real cause, then maybe I should place some sort of tape seal over the exposed cable?

raytaylor

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#137679 12-Jun-2008 18:37

It would be best to shield it from the sun - if you want to do it cheap, i know of people who have used uv resistant electrical tape. Although it is never really uv resistant. But hey, whats $50 for a new cable every couple of years. This one guy i know also had the wonderful idea that tinfoil reflects sunlight and he wrapped the cable in the tinfoil and let it lay in the guttering on the roof.

Personally I would try and put the cable in a shaded area like under the eves of the roof or under the house if its not on a concrete base.

Ray Taylor

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cyril7

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#137687 12-Jun-2008 19:04

Hi Ray, PM and I took this issue offline several days ago where the importance of conduit to protect cables was stressed.

Cheers
Cyril