Conduit for ethernet - corner problems with cat6 solid cable

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mdf

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#229139 9-Feb-2018 09:46

I'm installing some additional runs of ethernet. I'm just surface mounting these for now. The wall they are running along will be replaced in the medium term and the cables will be hidden then. There will be max 6 runs of cable.

The last time I did this, I used 25x25 mm conduit / trunking like this. This was plenty big enough for 6 parallel runs of cable. BUT I didn't factor in the corners. I am using Dynamix cat 6 cable which is pretty rigid; it certainly prefers sweeping bends and there was no way of getting 6 runs of cable around a corner using a 25x25 mm conduit.

What's the right way of doing this? Bigger conduit would probably help, but even then there is always going to be a limit on 90 degree bends. Some kind of clever corner piece?

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#1954110 9-Feb-2018 09:52

For that square conduit I don;t ever remember seeing a wide corner... only the sharp ones. I only install conduit 1-2 times a year.

The older round conduit had wide sweeping bends but that doesnt help you.... may just have to leave the corners open and put something attractive on top. Something floofy that the Mrs will like. :)

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michaelmurfy

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#1954129 9-Feb-2018 10:31

How about I get you another switch and you use Fibre (the SFP ports on your switch)?

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mdf

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#1954137 9-Feb-2018 10:45

michaelmurfy:

How about I get you another switch and you use Fibre (the SFP ports on your switch)?

Even I think that is starting to be overkill!

In any event, not all runs are going to the same place (they will start out in parallel but then branch off).

MikeAqua

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#1954151 9-Feb-2018 11:12

What's behind the corner - e.g. cupboard, outside, another room?

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#1954166 9-Feb-2018 11:34

You could be lazy and just cut the sheath off where it needs to make the right angle turn? (I take no responsibility should you follow my advice :P)

tripper1000

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#1954167 9-Feb-2018 11:49

Theoretically you're not supposed to bend cable that tight - minimum bend radius is ideally no tighter that 1 inch (24.5mm) hence the sweeping bends in the corners of the proper trunking.

If this is a temporary solution and if they're short (loss tolerant) runs that you don't mind compromising slightly, you could carefully trim off the outer sheath and cut out the inner Tee pair separator from the CAT6 at the corners in order to achieve a nice tight bend radius that fits nicely in the trunking. This will cause some degradation to the signal, so if the cable runs are long, the additional degradation may tip you over the edge and stop the link from working. If it is a big job to replace this cable in the event this compromises the signal too much, you may wish to do a simulated test first with a 7th separate piece of cable of the same length so as to confirm the plan will work before hacking up the cable you have already installed.

I wouldn't recommend this for a permanent or professional installation, and would caution readers that this technique would be illegal and unsafe with a mains voltage cable.

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Lias

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#1954266 9-Feb-2018 12:57

At each "corner" install a surface mount box? Like https://www.bunnings.co.nz/deta-adaptable-box-108x108x76mm-2840b_p04330859

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chevrolux

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#1954323 9-Feb-2018 13:36

Brute strength and ignorance would be my approach.

Or as you pointed out first off, bigger conduit. If you really really want to do it properly look at the LeGrand trunking range - get ready to fork out though!! You can get some dam nice 80x35mm trunking, and they have proper corner pieces. Looks extremely good when done, but just stupid expensive at retail rates.

mdf

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#1954807 10-Feb-2018 13:59

MikeAqua:

What's behind the corner - e.g. cupboard, outside, another room?

Hmm, you raise a good point. It's a wardrobe immediately behind, but unfortunately the bit of the house involved is... odd. It will be much more difficult getting it in to the wardrobe neatly. My original plan = a straight run through two walls (then some surface mounted bends to get it down the wall to where I want). Alternative wardrobe plan = one right turn, three walls and and change in ceiling height. But on the other hand, then it would be much easier from there to get the cable to the right spots.

Mrs MDF was asked for her opinion. "Either is fine with me". Which as we all know, can mean only one thing:

andrewNZ

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#1954812 10-Feb-2018 14:10

Dont buy corners, cut angles and butt it together instead. When making the corners rather than a 90 degree bend, do two 45's with a bit between to make more of a sweeping bend.

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#1954905 10-Feb-2018 19:31

You could also use some flexiduct to make a swept bend, just stop the capping a bit shorter on each leg.

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#1954913 10-Feb-2018 19:58

If it’s a temporary solution you could nick the top part of the capping with a pair of cutters about 50 mls from each end,and put a small cut top and bottom ,then you should be able to bend it .They should reach one another and you can bend them around 45° and hide the cables behind .

hio77

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#1955152 11-Feb-2018 12:44

Although joins for a Run isn't really recommended, could roll with a cheeky terminate and use strandard to get round the corner and reterminating into solid (using cuppliers)

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#1955153 11-Feb-2018 12:49

I did a whole explanation of what size conduit is appropriate for 6 cable (I know conduit is a round pipe, no need to look it up) and how to get corners onto it, and then realised we are talking about trunking/capping...

So the best way it to use big enough trunking to do the job, there is no escaping it if you have an external corner in it. Other bends can also be an issue depending on the type of trunking you have, some bigger expensive ones have special corners. So for 6 cables I would choose 25mm x 40mm as a minimum size. You shouldn't have to fight the thing to squeeze the cables in and get the lid on. Make the wall penetrations bigger than you need to allow for bend radius as well.

Time to find a new industry!

mdooher

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#1955154 11-Feb-2018 12:58

Use a drop saw and cut through the side of the capping (leave the lid on) Set it up so the bottom of the blade almost touches the other side. Make lots of slots along about 200mm. It should now look like a toast rack. Now bend toward the cutouts. Obviously you are going to get little gaps in the cover but..... you chose the capping... 😊

Matthew

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