Lexcom Cabling and General Questions

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Lexcom Cabling and General Questions

networkn

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#243834 4-Jan-2019 14:02

My FIL had a Lexicom system installed in his (then) new house about 8 years ago. The "switch" seems to have died (no power) and I can't see anywhere to troubleshoot it.

I decided to just bypass it as it says 100M connection. The question I have, is how to I determine the maximum speed of the cabling used for the house? It's got the numbers written on it:

PIMF 4x2xAWG23 LSFROH which a google search seems to indicate could be CAT7A or perhaps even CAT6. It's super thick and difficult to bend etc.

I am wondering if the ethernet ports are wired as 100MBit but the cable is capable of 1Gbps if we get someone to re-terminate?

Anyone familiar with the systems and have any ideas why there may be no power going to the built in switch, or if that switch can be removed and "upgraded" to a Gigabit version?

cyril7

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#2154398 4-Jan-2019 14:06

Hi all that overpriced lex stuff should have been wired as full 4 pairs, and yes it's cat7, which is infact cat6 pairs with foil shielding.

I suggest you just purchase a standard desktop gig switch and try your best to fit it in the cabinet, slamming the door harder might help, .......... or maybe not😎

Cyril

wellygary

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#2154401 4-Jan-2019 14:10

I am wondering if the ethernet ports are wired as 100MBit but the cable is capable of 1Gbps if we get someone to re-terminate?

100MBit only uses 2 pairs, ... if all 4 pairs are terminated it should be fine for the socket to do 1 Gbit....

networkn

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#2154402 4-Jan-2019 14:11

There are two sides to the Lecom unit all ethernet. The Ethernet ports are all wired to the left and the "switch" is on the right. If I take a device and connect it from the left hand to a Gigabit switch, I get a 100Mbit link, which makes me think it's terminated at 100Mbit for some reason.

cyril7

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#2154404 4-Jan-2019 14:15

Hi it's possible, not knowing who installed it, but I have dealt with a number of these systems, it's nothing unusual other than packaging and the fact it uses sheilded cabling.

Can you pull a outlet appart and check.

Cyril

networkn

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#2154405 4-Jan-2019 14:17

Yeah I will do that. Proofs in the pudding though and I can't get a 1Gbps connection on any ports plugged into the lexcom system.

I'll be back over there in a few days and I'll update once I know.

networkn

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#2155681 7-Jan-2019 11:37

Sorry it's not an amazing picture, not sure it will tell you anything, but this is what my FIL sent me regarding the network jackpoint in one of his rooms.

It doesn't look like any CAT5 variant of wiring I've ever seen

cyril7

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#2155686 7-Jan-2019 11:47

Hi, that unfortunately does not tell a lot. As its CAT7 (which is a very, Euro standard, although used in the US aswell) there is shielding involved, and as you can see the braid around it all, each of the four pairs within are standard 100ohm pairs just like cat5 through cat6a, but with foil shielding around each of the pairs. The overall braid keeps the foils bonded and provides complete shielding of the whole run.

So to tell if its wired with all 4 pairs you will need to crack the jack open, you will need to be careful as the assembly method normally requires a one piece crimp tool (not a simple IDC hand tool).

To be honest, I really dont believe they would have wired it for two pairs only, as mentioned above there is a crimping tool used to assemble these that crimps all 8 wires in one action, so it would be odd that someone would leave 4 wires out.

If you dont want to pull it apart then maybe a simple wiring tester to check if all 8 wires are connected and correctly so.

Cyril

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Jase2985

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#2155779 7-Jan-2019 13:47

who wires their home like that anyways? massive overkill

cyril7

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#2155784 7-Jan-2019 13:54

Jase2985:

who wires their home like that anyways? massive overkill

This Lexicon stuff is exactly that, what is interesting is that the system includes amps and baluns to reticulate V-UHF over noted Cat7 cabling, which it does albeit with a fair bit of amplification to overcome the significantly higher loses compared to RG6.

When in years past and I was doing this type of work (but I must add never install Lex stuff) I was asked to attend two rather expensive and brand spanking new houses that had this sh1t installed. The wheels had fallen off when the Sky installer had come to do his bit, and wanted to rip brand new Gib off walls or plaster trunking down walls to get Sky installed. Someone had forgotten that this fancy Lex sh1t could not transport L-band, so no Sky for you Sir, and so I was asked to turn up to try sort it out. When I challenged PDL about it they just ran for cover.

Over priced over hyped Cr@p.

Cyril

chevrolux

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#2155810 7-Jan-2019 14:23

Yep Cyril summed it up nicely. Over priced cr4p!

I wired a whole house up with this stuff maybe 7-8 years ago as it was supposed to be "the next big thing". But just lacked so so much especially in the Sky arena.

The whole point of it was to be completely modular so you could just patch TV/Data anywhere you wanted. But then Sky wouldn't work we run over it. Luckily we had run standard RG6 to the distribution point. But then it meant putting the decoder there, and using a modulator to get it out to a TV, and then you had the IR to deal with - which used up another outlet.

And then the patch panels were so tight you could only fit a handful of their modules in there, and then they had to be powered by 12V DC. etc etc etc

Just a steaming pile of sh!t!!!!

In your circumstance though, completely ignore the lexcom modules, and just think of it like a patch panel - hell, you could run 10Gbps out to all the devices on that stuff!!