CAT 5 and 230V AC

[TaffyDuck]

Quick question

I am of course aware of the separation criteria in the regs but in reality what is the longest you can run a CAT 5e cable in parallel to a 230V cable before there are problems.

Just inherited a site where a single piece of flixible conduit has bee laid in a floor to supply power and cat5 to a central point in the room over which a desk will sit. This conduit ( only 3 m) is there to accept both a 2,5mm radial circuit to power the computer and the Cat5 for data.

Will a short run of 3m cause any problems?

 

[Marvo]

Is the CAT5 cable screened and if so is the screen earthed? What data protocol is being used ie analogue, RS232, RS485.....?

3 meters is highly unlikely to cause problems, I usually start getting worried when they run over 20 or 30 meters together.

 

[TaffyDuck]

The CAT 5 isn`t in yet but yes and yes. As far as the data protocol I have no idea, just working to design plans but thanks for the advice

 

[partypest]

Screened Cat5e over 3m next to a single T&A will be no problem from a signal perspective. I've done longer runs than that without any signal issues but it depends on what data speeds you want to achieve.