Tipex Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 I'm in the process of routing some cables so when Sky Q is fitted at the weekend I don't have to argue with the installer about him running a cable all around the outside of the house and then around the room tacked to a skirting board, they often refuse to go in attics etc too so I'm getting all that done so he just has to connect both ends. Also means I know the cable will be routed correctly and with the highest grade shielded cable possible without any kinks or sharp bends. Anyway, while I'm running them it makes sense to run the network cables I need to run up in to the attic where the router is going to live once I've moved the BT cable. I'll be running several cables to service the downstairs of the house, anyone recommend what type of cable I should use? I ideally want to pick it up later today from Maplin and the options are Cat5e or Cat6 is it worth bothering with Cat6? or is that completely unnecessary? Solid or stranded? Shielded or unshielded? 'Normal' or 350mhz? Alternatively, I could order from Amazon as Prime should see it here tomorrow, so if there is something better/significantly cheaper... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 (edited) I was always led to believe there was no point in Cat6 for this whatsoever - I think its been discussed on here in the past when I asked a similar question I've made runs of normal unshielded cat5e all around my house via the loft too. Works great Edited May 25, 2016 by Waylander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lussac Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 When I cabled our place some years ago I used CAT5e shielded as there were all sorts of power cables nearby. I got a drum of cable from Amazon I think and there was a choice of colours (I got orange so that the cables are easy to identify) I also got a cable tester at the same time just to make sure all the ends were terminated correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveP Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 I got a patch panel as well - because I could never seem to make a decent connection on the plug. and just buy a load of patch leads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Think I'll order some CAT5e shielded, solid copper core then. It will have to pass near power cables (at right angles wherever possible) so might as well get shielded, it certainly won't do any harm. Might get a tester too then, thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Oh, and how many cables to each room? Just the one and then stick a switch on it with however many ports I need for each room? Or run say, 4 separate cables to the lounge (TV, BluRay, Sky, games console) and having a big switch panel in the loft next to the router. I guess the benefit of not having a switch in each room is one less power socket, one less box to hide, the downside being 4 RJ45 Sockets on the wall with 4 cables coming out of them. Is there any technical benefit to either approach? Is one way more 'correct' than the other? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lussac Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 I have three low on the wall behind the TV, one in the kitchen and in the main bedroom all running back to the router and switch in the office (4 ports on the router and 4 on the switch). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasdrury Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 I have done 4 in all the rooms we've had replastered so far. Less switches less power sockets. For home use a few switches isn't going to matter but I think 4 sockets is neater than a switch in each room 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 I went one drop and switches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Think I'll probably run 4 to the lounge, 4 to the games room, probably a couple to most other rooms. Bedrooms are easy to add to at a later date but I want to make sure I have enough downstairs before I put the house back together. All will terminate in proper faceplates in the wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Proper faceplates usually have the facility to take 2 or 4 sockets neatly, so for rooms that have more than one device you may as well put several in while you're there. Cabling in an office is always an 'N+1' problem, I'm sure a house will go the same way eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Good point, I'm going to run a spare to each room as well I think, so that'll be 5 to the lounge but leave one un-terminated in the back box, that should solve any future requirement issues or in the unlikely event of a cable failing it'll be a simple job to replace. I'm a bit OCD about cables and sockets etc, everything has to be flush with the wall and neat so a 4 socket face plate will be perfect, just a shame all our walls are brick so it's going to be a pain in the arse drilling out for the back box, but I'm putting in 4 extra power sockets too so might as well go all out with the RJ45's as well as the TV/Sat sockets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 (edited) Incidentally, first time I've purchased from Amazon since becoming a Prime member, the cable and bits should arrive tomorrow, we'll see, interesting to see the 'This product is available cheaper from other suppliers' line under the price, I thought Prime meant you got the best price and free next day delivery, seems a bit of a con trick. Edited May 25, 2016 by Tipex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Use a wifi cable router instead of a switch in the front room, will help give you a good wifi signal for non-wired devices (until Sky-Q is installed) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Shielded is a bit OTT for a house. You only need a 50mm gap between data and electric which should be easy enough to do. Direct runs from a hub v drops and in room hubs are a simple choice of ease of direct runs v less hassle to run fewer cables down through properties. Half and half, as in all feeds to floor under Attic via attic hub, and runs to a hub on each other floor level, and local cable from the floor hub to points on that floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Why not just use extenders with a switch at the end, will give you ample enough bandwidth for home use unless you're copying Gb files all the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Why not just use extenders with a switch at the end, will give you ample enough bandwidth for home use unless you're copying Gb files all the time Some people just have to have all the gear so that they look the part. And they get it from Amazon Prime, ignoring all the local suppliers who could get it to them cheaper and quicker... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Sky Q goes in Saturday so I'm not worried about adding WiFi extenders. Unfortunately there isn't really a local supplier I could use other than Maplin, so given how much cheaper Amazon are compared to them. Yes shielded is probably a bit OTT, but there are a few runs where electrical cables are unavoidable and I just don't want to risk it, the stuff that's coming today is both shielded and braided, it will help physically protect the cable especially during installation and it was no more expensive than un-sheilded of comparable specification (solid copper not Copper Clad Aluminium) so was a no brainer really, having run cables in a previous life I know how frustrating it can be to find a damaged cable, and how much the braiding helps protect it. As for all the gear, well, running multiple cables to each room reduces the amount of equipment I'll need, instead of a switch in every room I'll just have one big one hidden in the attic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Sky Q goes in Saturday so I'm not worried about adding WiFi extenders. Unfortunately there isn't really a local supplier I could use other than Maplin, so given how much cheaper Amazon are compared to them. Yes shielded is probably a bit OTT, but there are a few runs where electrical cables are unavoidable and I just don't want to risk it, the stuff that's coming today is both shielded and braided, it will help physically protect the cable especially during installation and it was no more expensive than un-sheilded of comparable specification (solid copper not Copper Clad Aluminium) so was a no brainer really, having run cables in a previous life I know how frustrating it can be to find a damaged cable, and how much the braiding helps protect it. As for all the gear, well, running multiple cables to each room reduces the amount of equipment I'll need, instead of a switch in every room I'll just have one big one hidden in the attic. Gosh, some people take stuff you post on the Internet so seriously, don't they? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 (edited) Not really, just thought I might as well respond while I was doing so to other points made by other people. This isn't the Lounge of Joy either! Edited May 26, 2016 by Tipex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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