[Q] Can I bury CAT 5 cable?
[A]Standard PVC Jacketed CAT 5 Cable is not specifically
designed to be buried in the ground, although it is done quite
often with or without the use of any kind of protective conduit.
There
are now varieties of CAT 5 Cable that are being manufactured
to be buried in the ground without having to be protected by
conduit. This type of cable also generally has UV protection
for the benefit of those who run the cable on top of the ground
for temporary purposes. There are even varieties of Cable that
have special layers of insulating material, waterproofing layers,
and in some cases flame resistant coatings.
It
should be noted that this type of direct-burial CAT 5 Cable is considerably more expensive than standard cable.
However,
if you choose to bury standard CAT 5 Cable,
the cable should be enclosed in some type of water-tight conduit,
and the conduit should be buried, rather than direct burial
of the cable itself. If this is done, the cable is less likely
to be exposed to environmental extremes that might adversely
affect its performance.
If
the cable is buried by itself, you should take the minimum protective
measure of using PVC or metal conduit coming away from each
structure by at least a few feet. This will reduce the chance
of cutting the cable unintentionally while digging near the
cable. It will also provide a good visual marker for where the
cable is buried. Remember to follow local codes governing installation
of this type of cable, and be sure to maintain the required
degree of separation between electrical cables in the ground,
if applicable.
If the cable is direct buried without any protective covering, be certain that the cable is packed around a layer of fine dirt or sand, rather than gravel or any other rough-edged material that could easily penetrate the jacket and compromise the cable.
CAT
5 Cable is very durable, and if you follow the basic guidelines
we have just discussed you should have a trouble-free installation.
Careful planning and project management will be the key to success in this type of situation. As always, if you have questions or concerns regarding the use of cable in buried applications you should consult a networking professional.
That
being said, many customers have chosen to direct bury CAT
5E Cable, and have done so with no ill effect. Some of our
customers have reported runs of CAT 5 and CAT 5E Cable
still operating perfectly in the ground after 7-10 years of
service. So please use your own judgment in this matter.
Again,
we cannot warrant cable used in this manner.
RELATED
FAQ QUESTION: Can
I use CAT 5 cable outdoors?
Keywords: cat 5 burial, direct burial cat 5, bury cat 5
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