CAT cable - a few questions (quality difference, good source etc...)

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › CAT cable - a few questions (quality difference, good source etc...)

jonathan18

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#288449 30-Jun-2021 15:49

I’m getting Ethernet cable run to various parts of the house for PoE security cameras, and have a few questions:

1. Should I run CAT 6 or would 5e be fine for this purpose? (Given the price difference now I assume is negligible, I was planning on going with 6.)

2. Is there a specific classification of cable that’s needed when running in walls/through the ceiling and/or that it’ll be using PoE?

3. If not, is there much difference in quality between different cables? (One of the cheaper options seems to be buying long cables with the connectors off TM - anything critically wrong with this?)

4. What’s a good source of acceptable quality but well-priced CAT cable?

5. Similar, where’s a good place to buy RJ46 connectors?

Thanks in advance.

Zeon

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#2736740 30-Jun-2021 16:00

If the price is negligble just go with cat6.

The big difference in between the Trademe cables you are probably referring to and actual in-wall wiring is the wires on Trademe are probably stranded where-as for permanent cables you should be using solid core.

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cyril7

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#2736743 30-Jun-2021 16:04

Hi, firstly you must run solid core cables in walls, its not recommended to use stranded which is what is most likely on TM (but not sure what you are looking)

Regardlless solid core is the go, and Cat6 is recommended over Cat5e, simply becuase its not that much dearer and its rated to higher bandwidth, although none of which will be used by your cameras. Cat6 is typically (but not madatory) of heavier gauge than cat5e (23 comapred to 24) so has better power handling capablility wrt to POE.

Obviously some brands are of better builds that others, but standard old Dynamix is fine, never let me down, $200 for 305m is not bad.

https://www.cablesdirect.co.nz/catalog/entry?entry=746

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richms

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#2736898 30-Jun-2021 16:26

Dynamix from PB tech or similar is good quality. Trademe stuff is often copper clad aluminum junk.

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Jase2985

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#2736976 30-Jun-2021 17:15

jonathan18: I’m getting Ethernet cable run to various parts of the house for PoE security cameras, and have a few questions:

1. Should I run CAT 6 or would 5e be fine for this purpose? (Given the price difference now I assume is negligible, I was planning on going with 6.)

2. Is there a specific classification of cable that’s needed when running in walls/through the ceiling and/or that it’ll be using PoE?

3. If not, is there much difference in quality between different cables? (One of the cheaper options seems to be buying long cables with the connectors off TM - anything critically wrong with this?)

4. What’s a good source of acceptable quality but well-priced CAT cable?

5. Similar, where’s a good place to buy RJ46 connectors?

Thanks in advance.

1. Run cat6, small difference in price, but can go to higher speeds if you need.

2. Solid cables, i ran Shielded cables for my instillation as there was a bundle of 5+1 for the alarm in 1 conduit and it was close and parallel to the power so having it shielded and earthed at one end was beneficial.

3. Pre-made cables will be stranded not solid.

4. Ive used dynamix from cablemax for all my cable and connectors. PBTech also sell dynamix but they didnt have the stock of what i wanted when i needed it.

5. same as above.

jonathan18

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#2737330 1-Jul-2021 14:14

Thanks, guys - really useful guidance as usual.

Will look to get a roll of Dynamix solid CAT 6 - assume this one will do the job? (This is one of the cheaper prices; shipping and GST on other sites pushes those prices up)

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CABDNX2916/Dynamix-C-C6-SLDBLUE-305m-Cat6-Blue-UTP-SOLID-Cabl

Re connectors - can someone please point me to some examples that are compatible with the above cable, ideally on PB Tech’s website? ( https://www.pbtech.co.nz/category/networking/structured-cabling/modular_connectors)

I’m only needing four cables, so don’t need a huge number (no more than 20, just to have a few spares).

Also, do they need any kind of sleeve at the point the cable joins the connector?

Thanks once again.

Jase2985

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#2737359 1-Jul-2021 15:42

you can by cable boots if you want them

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wratterus

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#2737367 1-Jul-2021 16:03

That cable from PB Tech is prefect. You're best to get a patch panel for the main location &/or use keystone jacks & short patch leads where possible, but if you really want to crimp on some ends to the solid core cable, use something like these.

Crimping ends on solid core for fixed devices like IP Cameras, ceiling/wall mounted APs is fine. Just best not to anywhere it gets moved regularly.

jonathan18

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#2754343 3-Aug-2021 11:47

Ok, I have the Ethernet cable in place now, and so am moving onto crimping the plugs (have used Dynamix CAT6 and have Dynamix plugs and boots).

A number of the videos I've watched demonstrating crimping RJ45 plugs show them using ones with bars that evenly distribute and align the wires before that is inserted into the plug - the Dynamix ones don't have this bar, so are there any particular tips on inserting the cables into these plugs in preparation for crimping?

I'm sure the answer may be 'hire a professional, which is no doubt sound, but I'd also like to learn how to do this myself!

Many thanks.

wratterus

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#2754366 3-Aug-2021 12:20

Practice makes perfect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvP0D0jiyLg&ab_channel=FerrulesDirect

That's a decent basic guide.

lxsw20

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#2754398 3-Aug-2021 13:18

jonathan18:

I'm sure the answer may be 'hire a professional, which is no doubt sound, but I'd also like to learn how to do this myself!

Nah IMO the answer is put keystone jacks on the end of the cables, then a short patch lead to the camera.

The crimp plugs you've got are they for solid core or stranded?

jonathan18

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#2754422 3-Aug-2021 13:59

lxsw20:

jonathan18:

I'm sure the answer may be 'hire a professional, which is no doubt sound, but I'd also like to learn how to do this myself!

Nah IMO the answer is put keystone jacks on the end of the cables, then a short patch lead to the camera.

The crimp plugs you've got are they for solid core or stranded?

I believe keystone jacks will be too bulky at the camera end, given apparently it's already a tight squeeze in the junction boxes for the cameras.

For the switch end I'm not going to use a patch panel, but rather a plug plugged into a two-way RJ45 socket, then a patch lead to the switch as per the advice received in this thread.

Yep, crimp plugs are for solid core cable. Have tried crimping one plug, and will try the other end to see if I've done an ok job.

If the cable tester detects an issue, is there any way to tell which end the problem is or is it just a matter of checking that specific wire both ends?

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jonathan18

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#2754487 3-Aug-2021 14:24

... and my first attempt went fine! The cable tester showed all were wired properly, and the cable works fine on my laptop, though solid core cable is a dog to work with in such situations...

Two final questions:

The cheap-as TM kit I bought for the crimping tool and cable tester also came with 50 RJ45 plugs - is there any easy way to determine if these are for solid core or stranded cable?
Does it really not matter, as I've heard in many of the wiring videos I've watched, whether I use the A or B standard for wire order, as long as they're the same on both ends of that cable?

Thanks again.

itxtme

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#2754542 3-Aug-2021 15:46

Either is fine, but make sure you do B 😅

Mehrts

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#2754599 3-Aug-2021 17:22

Realistically, as long as the same standard is used at both ends, then it'll be fine.

As for the solid vs stranded connector differences, here's your answer:

Also, the connectors with the small plastic guide that allows you to easily arrange the wires in correct order & length are called "modular" ones