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[Q] What are some precautions to take when installing CAT 5 Cable?
[A] Without question, the first and most important precaution would
be the selection of the actual cable itself. There are a ton
of cheap brands of cable on the market, and an uneducated salesperson
would be quick to tell you that all cable is the same. Even
the big retail electronic stores will carry cheap cable in fancy
packaging that is not worth buying, so choose wisely
The
next thing to consider is the location where you will be running
the cable. There are some obvious warnings to cover here, so
Let's name a few places NOT to run your cable:
- On
or along the floor in a manner that will leave the cable
exposed to foot traffic or wheels rolling over it.
- Behind
any "permanent" fixture, preventing access to
the cable in the event it requires upgrading or repair in
the future.
- In
close proximity to electrical conduit or other high-voltage
electrical sources. This is not only a performance issue,
by a major safety consideration for any install. A general
rule of thumb calls for at least 18 inches of separation
between electrical and data lines, but you will need to
check local codes and other applicable regulations.
- Any
area that is likely to see temperatures lower than -4 degrees
fahrenheit, or higher than 150 degrees fahrenheit. These refer
to sustained temperatures, not a single occurrence. Most of
the high-quality CAT 5 material will operate within the temperature
range previously mentioned.
- Any
location that will violate local, state, or federal regulations
regarding the installation of cable in your specific situation,
or otherwise be considered unsafe or illegal for any reason.
An example of this would be running a cable from your house
over to a neighboring residence so that they can share your
high-speed Internet connection through a router. In many
cases, this is illegal because the DSL or Cable service
is sold to a specific client at a single residence. Use
common sense on this one.
Last,
a few things to consider during the actual install:
- Mark
junction box locations carefully, and do not drop the cable
into the desired location until after the hole is cut. You
can damage the cable otherwise.
- When
pulling cable through drop-in ceilings, you must be sure
to prevent the cable from scraping along sharp edges. To
prevent this, you should have a partner help guide the cable
from the roll or spool, keeping it clear of the ceiling
framework at all times. If you are forced to do this work
alone, there are commercially available "edge-guards"
that you can place over the edges of ceiling framework to
protect the cable as it passes over it. These will usually
have some type of roller system to allow for smooth cable
movement without snagging.
- Plan
ahead. Look at the installation location and try to imagine
changes in the future. Make sure that you allow for movement
of furniture, installation of new equipment or appliances,
and of course, expansion of the network.
- Take
your time. Every rushed install will most likely have something
wrong with it. Get it right the first time.
RELATED
FAQ QUESTION: What
is the maximum length for CAT 5 Cat 5e Cable?
Keywords: Cat 5, Cat 5e, ethernet, RJ45, patch cable, crossover cable
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