I'm new to Cat 5 and need pointers.

[Cbr900rr]

First post and a big hello to all
So here it goes........ I'm in the middle of a domestic rewire in a large, old house. Plenty of bedrooms, bathrooms, high rise ceilings, that sort of thing. I have plenty of domestic experience but very little in commercial and industrial.
I understand cat 5 cannot be run with 240v cable and has to be separate. Some of these runs are around 30metres long, under floor boards, through aticks and stud walls.
What is the recommended distance between 240v and cat 5/ coax cable?
Any tips and advice, do's and don'ts would be more than appreciated.

Thanks in advance to anyone taking the time to reply.

 

[tigerpaul]

You can cross over at right angles but if your gonna run comms and power alongside each other try to maintain as wide a seperation as possible, minimum 150mm.

 

[Cbr900rr]

A big help Paul, thanks.

 

[Doomed]

Although the preformed dado kits used in offices for power and data don't have 150mm separation between them....

but as Paul says, keep them apart as far as possible.

 

[Cbr900rr]

Makes sense Doomed, thanks

 

[Paul.M]

50mm apart or have a barrier in between them. Crossing over is fine (as above) you can also run your Cat5 and 230V side by side for up to a max of 3 meters if needs be. Take a length of copex with you, it may come in handy

 

[mole2006]

If you might end up transmitting HD over the cat5 to the TV's I would recommend running Cat6 to them.
Don't forget items like Sky / Freesat boxes, game consoles, audio systems like Sonos , heating / lighting controllers and don't forget to put some points in for WiFi access points.

It's better to have extra points that might not get used the n to have to try and run in extra after the build is complete.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

All in all 30m is not a long run so it's unlikely to be problematic. However - no sharp bends and avoid crushing the cable e.g. with tight cable ties; it affects the symmetry of the pairs and uniformity of impedance, so can cause errors at high data rates. Avoid cheap connector modules and evil copper-clad aluminium cable. Worth considering Cat6 as standard these days.

 

[Cbr900rr]

That's a good point with the cat 6 Mole, unfortunately my client doesn't want to spend that little more. Which is ridiculous in my opinion!!
Paul M. Iv looked into the copex as you suggested, damn good idea! Does that mean the 230v and cat5 can be side by side as long as one of them is run in the copex (Remembering the 3metre rule). Also, Iv been informed that a single twist while running cat5 cables together is enough to ruin the run, you know, while passing through joists, etc. Is that true or is it just scare mongering?? Of course cables should never be twisted, but it can happen in areas that are difficult to check.

All info has been taken on board so far, Thanks to all!!!

 

[Cbr900rr]

Cheers Lucien

 

[mole2006]

Also, Iv been informed that a single twist while running cat5 cables together is enough to ruin the run, you know, while passing through joists, etc. Is that true or is it just scare mongering?? Of course cables should never be twisted, but it can happen in areas that are difficult to check.

I remember on one training course, we tied the cable in to a big knot and it still passed the test (only just) so the odd twist shouldn't be the end of the world - as Lucien said best to avoid sharp bends and crushing cables and most important of all AVOID CCA cable . Also avoid putting a lot of nail clips - I've seen this cause issues.

 

[Cbr900rr]

Thanks mole, I'll keep it all mind.

 

[Paul.M]

Paul M. Iv looked into the copex as you suggested, damn good idea! Does that mean the 230v and cat5 can be side by side as long as one of them is run in the copex (Remembering the 3metre rule).

All info has been taken on board so far, Thanks to all!!!

In a word YES. Put the Cat5/Cat5E or Cat6 in the Copex. That is the barrier protecting Band I and Band II cables stopping an EMF from one to another. (section 7 OSG I think??)

Really good posts above^^^ Treat the Cat5 with respect when installing. Be gentle with it, Cat5 cant take much abusive.

 

[Cbr900rr]

A big thanks to everyone for all the info. Feeling more confident now I have the basics from some solid advice.
:rockon:

 

[shanky887614]

just a bit of advice with copex.

never buy the glands seperate a contractor pack is cheaper than buying the glands on there own, we throw loads of copex away cause of this.

get the cat5e/6 or whatever in a box if you can.

if you want stronger cat cable get the ones on a drum with the thicker shieth but be warned they dont fit in rj45 connectors well (cant crimp it onto the sheith)

get yourself a cheap tester off the internet as well to check all your connections are good.

they include a sender and reciever so just watch the reciever to make sure it follows sequence