Home Network Wiring

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wazzab

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#13463 11-May-2007 11:45

I am about to extend and renovate my house, and putting in structured cabling. IMO I still think a cable will beat wireless handsdown. I have a couple of questions. Cat5e vs Cat6 - the cost is not that more to run Cat6, and will only be running 100Mb network, but should i future proof to Cat6 or possible Cat7. I will be running 2 x Data and 1 x RF to each of the bedrooms and 2nd lounge and want to terminate them all in a nice cabinet/network enclosure - does anyone know how to source these cabinets. I've seen a couple like PDL LexCom, but can't seem to find a basic one where I can setup and do all the terminating myself. Thanks in advnace for any help and tops.

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#70367 11-May-2007 12:35

I've now wired up several houses for friends with a structured system generally running 2x cat5e to all rooms + RG6 for TV and to the main entertainment area running 2x cat5e and 4xRG6 allowing for a Satellite input, Cable input, terrestrial aerial and a return to feed it back into other rooms.

I guess the decision of cable type depends on how much you want to spend but I'm happy running cat5e as most of it is gigabit certified these days anyway. In terms of cabinets I've opted for wall mounted 19" cabinets and wired the cat5e back to a patch panel.

Have a look at a Coreys/Mastertrade outlet that does data stuff (Taranaki St if you're in Wellington) as they have a pretty good range of stuff.

wazzab

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#70373 11-May-2007 13:09

another thing I forgot to ask was, Solid vs Stranded Cat5e/6 cable? from what i've read the Solid cables tend to be better for the actual cable runs, and Stranded is more flexible and used for patch leads etc.

sbiddle

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#70377 11-May-2007 13:19

Yip best to stick with solid cable for long runs.

One other thing to be aware of is the bad practice of running any form of data cable near power. There are plenty of different recommendations but staying at least 200mm from power is a good idea and if you do need to cross power cables always do this at right angles. Sometimes however it's simply unavoidable so you're not left with any option!

If you stick with PDL or HPM faceplates you can mount your keystones in them directly by buying a small adapter. You can also mount F style connectors for RG6 in the same faceplates.

Saptha

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#71226 19-May-2007 00:31

what abt the price of Gigabit Switchers in NZ ? are they really cheap ?

antoniosk

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#71230 19-May-2007 07:29

Saptha: what abt the price of Gigabit Switchers in NZ ? are they really cheap ?

Down to brand - the consumer 8-port no-brand varieties are about $150-200, Cisco CE500 about $1200.

________

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thekiwi

295 posts

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#72983 31-May-2007 11:01

wazzab:
I am about to extend and renovate my house, and putting in structured cabling. IMO I still think a cable will beat wireless handsdown. I have a couple of questions. Cat5e vs Cat6 - the cost is not that more to run Cat6, and will only be running 100Mb network, but should i future proof to Cat6 or possible Cat7. I will be running 2 x Data and 1 x RF to each of the bedrooms and 2nd lounge and want to terminate them all in a nice cabinet/network enclosure - does anyone know how to source these cabinets. I've seen a couple like PDL LexCom, but can't seem to find a basic one where I can setup and do all the terminating myself. Thanks in advnace for any help and tops.

Hi wazzab

What other enclosures have you found. At the same stage with our new house and have been looking around. Have seen the Lexcom ones from PDL ... but like you am looking for something a little simpler

wazzab

84 posts

Master Geek

#72989 31-May-2007 11:17

There seems to be many out there. SmartAlec (can't remember who from - someone in Grey Lynn Auckland), NetSelect from Hubbell which is from JA Russell http://www.hubbell-premise.com/HomeNetworking.asp - these look good and seemed well priced (in USD$ so not sure what they are here). ModelPak do one called called SuperNet http://modempak.co.nz/supernet.htm around $500-$600 though.

Still researching anyway and will post any other info I find.

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cyril7

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#73000 31-May-2007 12:12

Both Modempak and ETL do wall frames in 2u, 4u x 200mm or 300mm and larger which you should be able to put together for around $150. Mastertrade sell them. Last few installs I have done I have used SIGNET or Dynamix patch panels, mastertrade should be able to supply 24way ones for around $70, they also have 16 and 48way. I normally mount this in a suitable cupboard. Ensure power is there. Ideally also place the security panel there.

I have made up my own phone patch/isolation panel that fits over a standard powerpoint flushbox, this has IDC strips to terminate two incomming lines, a RJ11 test point that also serves as a direct connection point to an ADSL modem. An isolation switch as required by PTC106, followed by a MM3200B central ADSL filter which them feeds to an IDC strip to route the phone line to and from the security panel. The return circuit then terminates on 5 RJ45 sockets for patching to phone circuits on the patch panel as well as an IDC strip for direct wiring.

I normally dont terminate RG6 coaxs on a patch panel, however you can get 19" blanks that will accept F through connects. Normally I bring all the cables to a single point typically in the ceiling space and directly terminate them on splitters etc rather than a patch panel. If you are distributing satellite L-Band IF then the extra connector losses of the patch panel are best avoided. Normally in the ceiling space somewhere easy to get to from the manhole (close to it so you dont need to leave the ladder) I place a plywood panel on the trusses and lay all the cables and splitters. Not as tidy but less losses.

Cyril

pando

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#73024 31-May-2007 14:18

I've wired up my house and my neighbours with Cat6 stranded cable as it's not that much more expensive than Cat5e. We're running 2x 8port LinkSys gigabit switches and it's all good. Be sure to get Cat6 connectors as the Cat5 ones you get from DSE and the likes can cause near end cross talk issues.

E: Sorry, should say that i'm assuming here that you're wiring the connectors yourself

thekiwi

295 posts

Ultimate Geek

#73031 31-May-2007 14:28

cjs6793968: I've wired up my house and my neighbours with Cat6 stranded cable as it's not that much more expensive than Cat5e. We're running 2x 8port LinkSys gigabit switches and it's all good. Be sure to get Cat6 connectors as the Cat5 ones you get from DSE and the likes can cause near end cross talk issues.

E: Sorry, should say that i'm assuming here that you're wiring the connectors yourself

When you say "not much more expensive" ... could you qualify that?
Im looking at Cat5e and Cat6 rolls of 300m and can find:
SOLID STP 305M Cable in Pull Box, Cat 5E Enhanced Shielded Twisted Pair Cable - $256
Cat 6 SOLID STP 305M Cable in Pull Box, Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) 24 AWG - 473

Thats not quite double the price ... but pretty close.

wazzab

84 posts

Master Geek

#73039 31-May-2007 14:34

Those are expensive prices - try cablesdirect.co.nz Cat6 305M SOLID for around $250. I just scored a box of cat6 305m Solid General Cable brand for $170 on Tradme - slight box damage but cable find.

thekiwi

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#73041 31-May-2007 14:37

wazzab: Those are expensive prices - try cablesdirect.co.nz Cat6 305M SOLID for around $250. I just scored a box of cat6 305m Solid General Cable brand for $170 on Tradme - slight box damage but cable find.

yup those prices are CablesDirect ... who appear to be about the cheapest .. even compared to those on TradeMe. Might have to keep an eye out for some Cat6

PS. Might be STP compared to UTP

wazzab

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#73043 31-May-2007 14:42

there are two places where cat6 is listed on cables direct - try : http://www.cablesdirect.co.nz/catalog/entry?entry=89&page_number=1

sbiddle

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#73060 31-May-2007 15:38

thekiwi:
cjs6793968: I've wired up my house and my neighbours with Cat6 stranded cable as it's not that much more expensive than Cat5e. We're running 2x 8port LinkSys gigabit switches and it's all good. Be sure to get Cat6 connectors as the Cat5 ones you get from DSE and the likes can cause near end cross talk issues.

E: Sorry, should say that i'm assuming here that you're wiring the connectors yourself

When you say "not much more expensive" ... could you qualify that?
Im looking at Cat5e and Cat6 rolls of 300m and can find:
SOLID STP 305M Cable in Pull Box, Cat 5E Enhanced Shielded Twisted Pair Cable - $256
Cat 6 SOLID STP 305M Cable in Pull Box, Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) 24 AWG - 473

Thats not quite double the price ... but pretty close.

The going rate for a box of 305m cat 5e these days is around the $100 - $120 + GST range.

cyril7

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#73062 31-May-2007 15:46

Yeah you should not be paying more than $120 for a box of 5e, and around $180 for cat6. I normally only put cat5e in, have run tests on the installs at Gigbit, no problems.

Cyril

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