Cat 5/5e/6 installation and termination

S

sparx1983

Hi, brand new to this forum, in the process of starting up my own business. Has anyone any experience with cat5 (low voltage) installation? Never done it before with previous company, would like to know more info about it or if someone could tell me where i can find info about it, such as wiring diagrams, usage, best materials etc. any information would be greatfully received. Thanks :D
 
only ever done cat 5. all data points are run as a single radial from the data cabinet. the only time you will loop off that point is if you want to duplicate that point, ie want to be able to move your computer from one to the other. i thionk there are other ways of achieving that also. On the back of the RJ45 keystone jacks (the bits you plug into) ther is a colour code. As brits we use B. so B=best.

When making up patch leads turn the plug so the brass is faceing upwards. you strip your cat5 so that the cores are half thye length of the plug. arrange them in this order from left to right. Orangewhite . orange, greenwhite, blue, bluewhite, green, brownwhite, brown. Flatten them in that order, and then push them into the plug. Push them home and then crimp with your RJ45 crimper.

See below for diagram
 
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:)thanks johnboy, im doing a rewire and the guy wants cat5 everywhere in 6 bedrooms, office, kitchen, living room, hall, etc etc. So each point has to be a seperate radial? and is it run off of a single router/modem connected to the hub/switch in the data cabinet? also can you use the data cabinet for a media center aswell? sorry mate its all a learning curve, really appreciate the advice
 
in small domestic, if the client wants internet accessat each point, a router supplied with the broadband pack is good. Imnot sure if you can use the same system as a network, im sure others will be along to advise shortly
 
on a larger scale, all data cables are run from a patch panel in the rack. thepatch panel acts like a big router. i only know the very basics, and like you would like to learn more.
 
ok thanks mate, does that eliminate the need for a data cabinet? and whats the diff between cat 5 and cat 6 cables? so its as simple as that? running radials and terminating them at each box and at the source?
 
Cat 6 can run data at higher speeds than cat 5... thats all mate.

Just finshed first fix on a couple of jobs myself.... data points all over the place.

Mateys brought a patch panel on one of the jobs so we'll see how I get on with that!

Got someone on standby if I second fix and it dosent all work out and maybe need some test gear.

Just make sure you dont over bend the cables and protect them correctly if going through walls, quite easy to damage.

Sy
 
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Heres one i done on friday....had to make of 40 cat 6 cables....heres 24 of them :)

IMG_0444.jpg
 
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Cat 6 has a screen conductor and is indicated when running data networks for 10/1000 LAN. HUgely more expensive but reduces crosstalk to near zero if cbles are routed correctly.

I have some info somewhere about data networks (we do several a year, and we test and verify many more) I'm looking it out for you.

In a nutshell, you run single data cables from each point back to a patch panel. We run 2 for each so there is a spare for later. Punch down neatly at the patch panel each one and use modular connectors on the sockets - testers are cheap enough but if you want to do it properly then testing gets very very expensive.

The patch panel then can be used to feed network data from a switch, router or gateway, or indeed anywhere to each single point on the network - it is just that - a patch - you use short interconnecting leads between switches/equipment to the patch to feed whatever is on the end of the cables.
 
But beware, I add - Builder will pull, walk on and do everything in they're power to damage data cable sof any specification. Sorry - had a bad "see what builder done" day.
 
CAT 6 must be installed correctly for you to optimise its performance sweeping bends only and definaltley no 45 bends or kinks, Cat5 is alot more robust when it comes to passing test results and can be ragged around alot more. Rember max distance of 100mtrs this distance also includes patch leads so generally 94-95 mtrs point to point.

If your going further than 100mtrs then a secondary cabinet may be required with a link between the 2 cabs.

I spent 10 yrs doing data comms before I turned to electric so any questions fire away
 
when i mentioned aboput duplicating points, ie looping from one to the next, (only 1 to be used at a time), is this common practice? ive been told to do it before, in a training room so that the instructor can choose where to plug into.
 
does anybody know what i can buy to test the cable/terminations etc. i've recently installed a cat 6 system but they havent organised the broadband connection yet (4months later). i'd like to know that it all works and they just have to 'plug in'
thanks
 
got my tester off ebay £8.99. just plug in at each end. fairy lights show each pair OK ( not the tester to use on MOD IT, but does for domestics.)
 
Hi All If you are only doing a domestic or small office and no comms cabinets are about then i have seen many wee networks where the router switch end of the cat5 cable radial runs are just a few double data points nice and easy to install .I have done a few this way myself using basic tools and a basic tester and i am by no network engineer .

cheers 72-van
 
Hi Sythai Thats almost exactly what i have ok for once in a blue moon type wee domestic jobs but as the experienced boys say not much cop if u were using it often and useless to diagnose tricky faults.Ok if your on a strict budget and only doing domestic stuff.I store mine in a wee plastic box with clip on lids type of thing you use to put leftover foodinto the freezer in .I also carry a spare 9v battery in the same wee box handy for this lan tester and my continuity tester.

cheers 72-van
 
Hi there,

Have completed many office refurbs and put anything up to 14 points per office back to comms cupboard and connected to patch panels.I check and test with a simple Ideal tester basically just tests end to end termination.Then have a Lancat datacom 6 unit which will certify up to 250mhz speed.All installs now CAT 6,spend the right money on cable about £70 to £85 per 305metres box.Wilts do there own brand which is very good or try Cable Monkey or BLack Box.Only time i have ever had problems is with cheap wholesale Cat 5e stuff,stay well clear.Only use MK logic brand Cat6 connectors although just got some from Mintrans to play with.You must keep the stripping of the cable to a minimum as this does have some effect of performance (so they say). The picture above looks very neat but outer insulation stripped back to far.And a previous post mentioned about other trades showing no regards for you nice cable runs,very true.The Wilts stuff is purple and very obvious ,yet everyone seems to tread on it and use the same feed holes through buildings.
A lot of installs are redone in compartment trunking so power and data are seperated,but if power runs to close to data you do get some effect of performance so plan your runs.No kinks and plenty of sweeping bends and don't cable tie everything to tight.You can get some good velcro straps now.
Cheers,
 
Hi Sythai Thats almost exactly what i have ok for once in a blue moon type wee domestic jobs but as the experienced boys say not much cop if u were using it often and useless to diagnose tricky faults.Ok if your on a strict budget and only doing domestic stuff.I store mine in a wee plastic box with clip on lids type of thing you use to put leftover foodinto the freezer in .I also carry a spare 9v battery in the same wee box handy for this lan tester and my continuity tester.

cheers 72-van
Click to expand...

:) Have put my order in, if it's no good and need to find any faults then time to call a professional :)
 
I have 10 years experience with data cabling. Data is basically point to point....

each computer has its own data point..... no rings or radials

your switch connecta all of your data points via the patch panel and your server connects into the switch.

If i can be of any assistance let me know.... FYI the diff between cat5e and cat6 is double the bandwidth...... can do more down one cable

doesnt like being bent though cat6!
 
sparx1983 said:
ok thanks mate, does that eliminate the need for a data cabinet? and whats the diff between cat 5 and cat 6 cables? so its as simple as that? running radials and terminating them at each box and at the source?
Click to expand...

errmm think its one ;)
 
same here

i got the basic cheapo continuity tester for testing patch leads etc

i do the first fix's on jobs-'home runs',no sharp bends,don't parallel with mains cabling etc.

never fancied getting into 'terminating'

stick to what i know and do what the IT guys tell me to do:)
 
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BNC were the push and twist connections yes but they were a ring.

if you broke one connection the whole network would fall over....
 
Im with the guys sayin put 2 in for ruture use I personaly would put in 3 as the nice "home automation " stuff iv fitted in the past used cat5 rj45 connectors in each room and Put one in the kitchen at fridge as theres a fridge you connect to net and it orders your stuff from tesco and as already said PROTECT Cabling cat5 doesnt like plasterers trowels or builders boots
 
sparx1983 said:
Hi, brand new to this forum, in the process of starting up my own business. Has anyone any experience with cat5 (low voltage) installation? Never done it before with previous company, would like to know more info about it or if someone could tell me where i can find info about it, such as wiring diagrams, usage, best materials etc. any information would be greatfully received. Thanks :D
Click to expand...
Cat5 is fairly straightforward, I picked it up straightaway. The two ways the connections go is online. All need it crimping tool and the connection tester. The flat cable is the easiest to use, but does not give the noise immunity of the four twisted pairs.
 

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Cat 5/5e/6 installation and termination
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