Cat 5/5e/6 installation and termination

[72-van]

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

 

[Burnt Fingers]

Fluke Ciq-100 Cableiq Qualification Tester - Cables/wiring/connectors#

Fluke's Cable IQ - especially if its Cat 6

 

[sythai]

Bit out of my price range....!! Ok if your doing it day in dayout

Think I will try one of these first (does look like it's come out a cracker though) :

ETHERNET NETWORK LAN CAT6 CAT6e RJ45 RJ11 CABLE TESTER on eBay (end time 25-Feb-11 12:01:02 GMT)

 

[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

 

[Roger]

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,

 

[sythai]

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

Have put my order in, if it's no good and need to find any faults then time to call a professional

 

[telectrix]

Bit out of my price range....!! Ok if your doing it day in dayout

Think I will try one of these first (does look like it's come out a cracker though) :

ETHERNET NETWORK LAN CAT6 CAT6e RJ45 RJ11 CABLE TESTER on eBay (end time 25-Feb-11 12:01:02 GMT)

mine is similar, but also has BNC for checking CCTV cabling.

 

[telectrix]

Network LAN Cable Lead Tester RJ45 & BNC Cat5/Cat 5/6 on eBay (end time 09-Mar-11 19:22:07 GMT)

this one

 

[Bonse]

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!

 

[sparkiegaz]

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?

errmm think its one

 

[davelerave]

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

 

[Golden_Boy]

mine is similar, but also has BNC for checking CCTV cabling.

Isn't the BNC socket for thin ethernet ?? ( old cabling in coax with a 50 Ohm termination at each end )

 

[Bonse]

BNC were the push and twist connections yes but they were a ring.

if you broke one connection the whole network would fall over....

 

[mogga]

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

 

[Bonse]

lol i want a fridge that does the shopping too!

 

[mogga]

LG Internet Refridgerator there you go

 

[Golden_Boy]

BNC were the push and twist connections yes but they were a ring.

if you broke one connection the whole network would fall over....

If there is one thing that would certainly cause failure of a thin ethernet installation it would be a RING connection. Have a read here
Thin Ethernet (10base2)

 

[ColinACJL]

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

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.