Advice Needed: Pulling Cable and Cat5e/6 (Home Network)

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c4talyst

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Looking for some advice on two topics, first pulling cable (UTP) in existing ducts and secondly, should I invest in Cat6 cabling? Basically what I want to achieve is a gigabit network between two rooms (at this time) in my house. From the lounge (where the router/phone line is) to a bedroom cupboard (server-closet) :)

Cat5e vs Cat6
Ideally I would like to go for Cat6 (future proof etc). However, I have heard that it's quite hard to pull this cable where corners are involved, especially in the scenario below... I'm just going to refer to "cable" below.

Pulling Cable
I have access into the roof and want to pull cable through existing ducts (non-electrical of course). The duct into the lounge from the roof currently houses a single co-axial cable (DSTv). The duct is probably about 2cm in diameter (can get back to you on this). I would ideally like to pull another 2 cables in this duct... I guess I would have to push a nylon fish-tape through here, attach cables and pull them back through, sounds simple, but wait. The complex part is that this duct is not simply straight-down from the roof and has 2 90degree bends in it. I assume it's ducted all the way but can't be 100% sure. There is a panel where I can get access mid-way. So I would pull half way and then the rest.

If I do manage to get the fish-wire end-to-end, do you think it will be possible to pull 2 additional cables through here? Should I lubricate them and what with? I've heard people mention talcum powder. Do you think it will be possible to pull Cat6 through this duct or should I just go with Cat5e?

Any thoughts/advice/experiences will be welcomed!
 
I stuggled my ass off with CAT6... especially in the ducting - eventually gave up and ran CAT5... so far I haven't had any problems, and I'm running HD content in three rooms.

btw - I pulled the following through 2x 2cm ducting:
3x CAT5
2x 5mm speaker cable
3x DSTV coax cable

I think you'll struggle getting CAT6 around the bends. Also - my CAT5 cable also wasn't perfect the first couple of times, the individual stands in the cable kept breaking because we had to pull so hard, so couldn't get 1GBs...eventually got it right though...
 
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Hi.

I must say on the CAT6 cable I have no idea hehe.

I will push the fish-wire all the way through from end to end, then get the 2 CAT5 cables the length you wish and use isolation tape to tie the 2 cables and the fish-wire together.
Then just pull the cables through. Please use shielded CAT5 cable since it will be running along another cable. I cant really recommend any network cable lubricant and I wont use lubricant since you do not know if the ducts go all the way through so you might get network lube dripping from places you dont want.. For the 90 degree angle thing, I dont know if you can open the ducts... that part might be a mission.

I think you should first stick to the CAT5 cable it should be fine for the future too, but if in doubt FIBRE.

Best of luck with the installation!:D
 
solo7 said:
Do Cat5 and two cables will be fine.
Click to expand...

Firstly, there's a big difference between CAT5 and CAT5e and dropping the "e" will just serve to confuse. Assuming you meant CAT5e, why?

I wouldn't worry too much about cross-talk to be honest. We have been forced to run CAT5e for around 30m, about 50cm above a series of 400V cables rated to and carrying several hundred amp with no signal issues.
 
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LAN cables around 90 degree corners isn't a particularly hot idea.

Ignoring that the "correct" way to do this is as follows: You attach some fish line to a fuzzy ball thing which creates a weak seal with the duct and then shoot it through with high pressure air. Electricians use a specific tool for this...not sure if you can DIY it....a powerful vacuum cleaner might work too.
 
Wow thanks for the replies! Unfortunately where I want to pull I can't check if it's exactly 90 degree corner or not, might be a bended corner bracket thing (I hope). My thinking is that if the co-axial got in there, I'd be able to get my own cables in there too :)

I'll see what I can do and get back to you guys! I bought some fish-tape now, a nylon one with a bendy metal tip. I'm going to poke around and see what I can find out :)

Anyone have any good advice where to buy some structured cabling stuff in Cape Town?
 
Cat5e is the better option, cheaper and will still give you the Gigabit speed. The bend radius is an issue though, as a rule of thumb don't let the bend radius extend beyond 4 times the cable's diameter.
 
OK! So I bought Cat5e. Will do (attempt) the install later in the week. Thanks for the advice everyone :)
 
In case anyone cares... I had massive success doing the install on Friday :) I pulled two Cat5E. One for 1000mbit, the other one for combination of 100mbit and a telephone extension. I'll probably never use the 100mbit, but it's there as a "just-in-case". I've included some URLs here for proof!

The faceplate

The other side (I still need to add a single surface mount with RJ-11)

The tools used
 
I also upgraded to a gigabit network this weekend. I thought I'd have to climb back in the roof and replace my cables, but then noticed I already have cat5e cables on my 100mb switches. Just replaced the switches with gigabit switches and everything is up and running again. :)
 
xrapidx said:
Thinking of getting these... I only have three devices in each location, and no plans to expand.
http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=24_116&products_id=1181
Click to expand...

Damn, that's cheap.

Anyone know where I can buy a network / switch wall mount cabinet in Cape Town? Any place that can either deliver or are open after 5 or on weekends. Something like this would be perfect.

http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=47_94&products_id=563
 
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