DIY Ethernet install advice

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Subway

45 posts

Geek

#306721 16-Aug-2023 11:45

Hey Team,

I'm needing to run a new ethernet cable from our ONT to home office in the shed (have tried Mesh and signal is terrible).

Length is approx 20m with roughly 2m needing to be underground, and the remainder under our villa.

Have picked up 50m of dynamix solid core cat 6 from pbtech, planning on running 30cm underground in solid PVC conduit.

Do I need to run the remainder under the villa in conduit as well? if so, would flexible PVC be okay?

Have seen a couple of posts suggesting 20mm is too small, go for 25mm?

Planning on getting someone more experienced to terminate/crimp, only doing this myself as got a quote of circa $1700 which is just not in the budget right now.

MarkM536

309 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3116738 16-Aug-2023 13:53

Category 6 solid core copper is good, Dynamix are a reputable brand that won't have cheated for CCA (copper clad aluminum).

I cannot remember off the top of my head what regulations are for depth.

I think mains power is 600mm and data/low voltage is at least 300mm...? The depth helps against accidently putting a spade through it while gardening.

Flex vs solid conduit, flex should be alright. I would personally try with solid conduit and bend as needed, just bend around your knee with a spring inside of it.

Terminating/crimping, I would use punch-down keystone wall jacks at either end. A cheap punch down tool can get the job done for a few terminations.

and finally test it with a cheap tester. They run $10 off TradeMe and are more than enough for testing you haven't miswired it.

WellWhat

12 posts

Geek

#3116739 16-Aug-2023 13:56

Do I need to run the remainder under the villa in conduit as well? if so, would flexible PVC be okay?

By under the villa I'm going to assume you mean under the house running along the wooden beams and not in the dirt, if thats correct then no you don't need to protect it with flexible conduit. Get some cable clips to make it tidy and out of the way

Have seen a couple of posts suggesting 20mm is too small, go for 25mm?

I would suggest going for the larger size and putting a spare pull cable though with your inital run as well, way easier to replace the run if there is a fault or you need another cable

The difference in price is very little for conduit, bunnings have very good prices on it for 4m lengths
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/deta-rigid-conduit-medium-duty-25mm-2601b_p4330848

Crimping is pretty simple, follow the diagram and make sure both sides match however you do need a special tool to do so.

Mehrts

1063 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3116792 16-Aug-2023 15:10

For solid core cable, it's best to terminate the cable with punch-down terminals (RJ-45 sockets), and then use patch cables to go from those to the end devices.

While you can get RJ-45 connectors for solid core cable, it's more likely that you'll damage the cores of the cable by work-hardening the copper and snapping it which will lead to connectivity issues. Punch-down is easier and makes for a better connection.

Subway

45 posts

Geek

#3116798 16-Aug-2023 15:19

Awesome, plan was to have rj45 sockers and patch cables so thats good to know.

As for under the villa, plan was to clip the cable/conduit to the beams/joists to keep it off the ground.

Re the Dynamix solid core cat 6, its not outdoor rated. Given it will need to go underground for 2m, i'm wondering if i should return it and get something like this Shireen Outdoor Shielded Cat5e Dry Gel Tape Cable Per meter | Ethernet Cable Rolls (gowifi.co.nz)

deadlyllama

1264 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3116799 16-Aug-2023 15:19

Mehrts:

For solid core cable, it's best to terminate the cable with punch-down terminals (RJ-45 sockets), and then use patch cables to go from those to the end devices.

While you can get RJ-45 connectors for solid core cable, it's more likely that you'll damage the cores of the cable by work-hardening the copper and snapping it which will lead to connectivity issues. Punch-down is easier and makes for a better connection.

+1. I use solidcore RJ-45 connectors, and have no trouble with them, but there's a time and a place (like my security cameras). For a permanent run to another building, definitely punchdown to RJ-45 sockets at both ends.

raytaylor

4017 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3119986 25-Aug-2023 08:23

Use solid cable

Indoor cable is usually fine if you protect it when it goes underground. The main concern is

1) Sunlight - as long as sunlight doesnt get on the cable, the sheath wont break down from UV light

2) Rodents and dogs chewing on the cable. Keep it off the ground if possible or enclose it in conduit

If its going to be laying on the ground, direct buried or exposed to sunlight then get outdoor gel filled cable. But that alone wont protect it from rodents. I hate working with gel filled cable.

Ray Taylor

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