Questions tagged [data-wiring]

Questions about planning, installing, and servicing network cabling such as computer networks, home automation, and so on. See also the [cabling] tag.

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Cat 5/6 in same conduit as power: is NM-B required, or is THHN acceptable?

Preface: I'd like to avoid the question of whether one should run data and power together; my question is focused on Code compliance. I'm trying to ensure I interpret Code correctly when running Cat ...
the_meter413's user avatar
39 votes
7 answers
83k views

How do I run ethernet cable through a wall cavity?

I want to install an ethernet jack in an interior wall of one room. I'd like to run the cable up through the wall cavity (so it is hidden) into the crawl space and back down another wall to another ...
Lisa's user avatar
  • 515
70 votes
14 answers
39k views

What should I consider regarding LAN wiring before building a house?

I am planning a small house (4 rooms, 2 floors, no basement, no attic, 120 sq.meters) and I want to run a lot of LAN cables throughout because of poor WiFi experiences in my apartment. Because the ...
Torben Gundtofte-Bruun's user avatar
22 votes
4 answers
34k views

What should I use to secure/organize data cable runs?

I am running Cat-6 and Coax in new construction. I am looking for advice/best practices on how to organize and secure the cables during the runs. I will be running 2 Cat-6 and 1 Coax to a single-...
Steve's user avatar
  • 805
7 votes
3 answers
97k views

How can I pass cables vertically through walls that contain fire blocking?

How can one pass (speaker) cables through walls from the floor to the ceiling. I am assuming that drilling a small hole at the top, dropping the cable I want to pass through and catching it at the ...
Matt's user avatar
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24 votes
5 answers
77k views

What is the proper way to run Category 6 underground?

I'd like to run some Category 6 cabling underground, for a distance of about 120 ft, between a main home and a 2nd unit, for ethernet connectivity between the two homes. I've run Category 5 indoors ...
DuckMaestro's user avatar
15 votes
3 answers
87k views

Is there any code for running Ethernet cable (through attics)?

We have an unfinished attic - the insulation-everywhere, step-in-the-wrong-place-and-fall-through-the-ceiling kind. I'd like to run Ethernet cable through the attic. I know for Romex, I'd have to ...
BlueRaja - Danny Pflughoeft's user avatar
13 votes
10 answers
148k views

How can I run Cat5e cable through a completely finished house?

My family and I are interested in buying a house that was built in 2002. This house is two floors on a concrete slab with a finished bonus room upstairs so there is no attic other than above the ...
DᴀʀᴛʜVᴀᴅᴇʀ's user avatar
11 votes
5 answers
23k views

What type of ethernet cable do I need for outdoor use?

I want to run about 100 meters of Ethernet cable out my attic and down a drainpipe. The cable will be exposed to the elements, and attached to a gigabit switch (indoors) at both ends. What kind of ...
Portman's user avatar
  • 1,079
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

How do I terminate coaxial cable in a crimp on F type connector?

I've got some coaxial cable, and I'd like to put F type connectors on the end so I can use the cable to connect my TV to the Cable box. How do I put ends on the cable?
Tester101's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
19k views

How can I convert Cat5e wired sockets to Ethernet?

I recently moved to a new home and I noticed that the phone jacks (RJ-11) were connected using Cat5e cable. I'm thinking I can replace the RJ-11 plugs with RJ-45 and use Ethernet over the existing ...
llk's user avatar
  • 163
6 votes
2 answers
22k views

Do open-back low voltage boxes have advantages over standard outlet boxes?

I will be running LV wiring in new construction. I've seen the open backed Carlon boxes, but have read that they are difficult to insulate, and therefore should not be used on exterior walls. I ...
Steve's user avatar
  • 805
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

Is my plan for wiring ethernet reasonable?

I would first of all like to start off by saying that I am a software developer by profession, so my networking knowledge is relatively basic. My question is therefore aimed at figuring out if I am ...
network's user avatar
  • 51
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

Can PoE cause interference with neighboring non-PoE Ethernet cables?

I plan on upgrading my home Wireless Access Point in the near future and rather than running an extension cord to the location I was thinking about getting a WAP that supports Power Over Ethernet. My ...
user45041's user avatar
5 votes
7 answers
49k views

How should I wire for a security system during construction?

I would like to run wires in anticipation of a future hard-wired security system. However, I have yet to find any information that pulls everything together regarding what is required. From what I ...
Steve's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
67k views

How can I find out which ethernet cable goes where?

I moved in to a house where I have a bunch of cables in the basement that go god knows where. Is there a way to find out the destination and purpose of all of them?
Trident D'Gao's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
36k views

How to use network patch panel in new house

I just moved in to a townhouse built in 2007 with a seemingly nice CAT5 and coaxial cabling. In fact, I found a patch panel in the closet! I opened it and found this: I also noticed some of the ...
amh's user avatar
  • 631
4 votes
2 answers
644 views

Where should shielded data cables be grounded?

In the comments on this question (Using PEX as wire conduit), the issue of grounding shielded data cables on one end vs both ends came up. For any arrangement of cables (ex. single cable, multiple ...
Hari's user avatar
  • 2,200
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Home Ethernet "patch" panel - how to approach?

I recently moved into a home built in 2000, which appears to be pre-wired for Ethernet in some rooms. I would like to use this existing ethernet wiring but I am really not sure how to approach this ...
formuluxe's user avatar
23 votes
3 answers
38k views

Is running ethernet cable through an air return allowed under US code?

I'm looking to wire up the second floor of my house and the cold air return provides a convenient, straight run from the office to the utility room. Is it safe and within code to run ethernet cable in ...
Freiheit's user avatar
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22 votes
3 answers
12k views

Repurpose telephone line to ethernet

I have a (UK) telephone socket in the same corner of each of the three floors in my house. My broadband router is connected to the socket on the bottom floor. The wiring looks like the following: ...
gozzilli's user avatar
  • 323
15 votes
1 answer
16k views

Running cat 6 networking cable in the attic: what is up to code?

I plan on adding a Cat 6 network in my single-story detached home. It would consist of home runs from each of the 3 bedrooms + TV room to a central patch panel in the garage, which is close to the ...
funkadelic's user avatar
12 votes
7 answers
53k views

Is "don't mix data and power cables" and "don't loop power cables" still valid nowadays?

There are two sayings I keep hearing when talking about wiring e.g. home cinema or computer hardware; Don't wrap data/network cables and power cables up in the same loop because the power cables will ...
F.P's user avatar
  • 223
10 votes
5 answers
106k views

How many CAT6 cables can fit in 3/4 conduit?

I was planning to get 3/4" conduit (Carlon ENT/Smurftube) to run network cables through the house. Just how many CAT6 cables can safely fit into 3/4" conduit?
Slav's user avatar
  • 483
10 votes
2 answers
7k views

What should I leave in the walls to allow me to fish future wires?

I'm working with a builder, and I did all of my own low-voltage wiring to open low voltage single gang plates. I have some runs that I want to be able to fish future wires through. Some of my runs ...
Baronz's user avatar
  • 201
8 votes
4 answers
5k views

How Do I Plan for an Intrusion Detection System?

I would like to plan for an intrusion detection system in a home that is currently under construction. The home has a walkout basement that is sloping, shown in the rear elevation picture shown below....
Steve's user avatar
  • 805
8 votes
7 answers
6k views

Can I run Cat-6 in conduit with line-level power cables? [duplicate]

I am sitting on a beautiful and relatively new patio in my back yard. When installing the concrete patio, one electrical conduit was installed to run power out to the gazebo. This coming week it will ...
Sam Carleton's user avatar
6 votes
7 answers
18k views

Replace existing phone jack with network cable

I'm trying to get wired network to my living room since wireless isn't ideal for streaming high quality video. My first instinct was to replace the existing phone jack, since I don't have landline ...
Miles Budnek's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
24k views

Installing Coax & Cat6 in 2-Gang with Electrical?

Using a 2-gang box, can I install a (1) outlet, (2) coax, and (3) Cat-6 line without code or interference issues? I have an existing 1-gang box with electrical that I am running the coax and cat-6 ...
Nicholas Pappas's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

Connect Network Expansion Board/Patch Panel to Router

I am somewhat unfamiliar with home networking but trying to set up my home's ethernet pre-wiring which originates from a control panel box in my garage. The control panel has a Leviton 1x6 Telephone/...
Declan's user avatar
  • 143
4 votes
6 answers
1k views

How to thread a line through 40 foot plenum?

UPDATE: I have tried to snake 20 foot 1 inch PVC, however it is not rigid enough and suffers the same problem as the fiberglass rod UPDATE: This space is between the ground-floor ceiling and the first ...
gatorback's user avatar
  • 3,026
3 votes
2 answers
5k views

Should I be able to run some 1.5" PVC chase conduits from attic to basement next to a cold air return?

I have a new home I just moved in to and rather than having them put this stuff in ahead of time (silly me) I'm now trying to do it now. Here is my situation... I live in a 2 story home with a ...
Joshua F. Rountree's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
458 views

Best Practices for running data conduits through basement [closed]

I'm a new homeowner, having recently moved into a 1920's house. I'd like to run Ethernet conduits throughout the house. The basement runs the full length of the house and its ceiling already hosts ...
Mystagogue's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
3k views

How can I use the existing structured wiring panel to get internet throughout my house?

My apartment is currently wired with five Cat5e cables that all meet in a closet, where there is also an outlet and the cable entry. The ethernet is currently wired into the board in the picture below....
surfearth's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
1 answer
5k views

wire Cat6 cable through PVC pipes

I bought this house with phone cable wiring though PVC pipes all over but no Ethernet at all. I'm wondering if there's a way for me to fishing Cat6 cable through those pipes. Note that it's concrete ...
Cecile Y's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

How would I connect several speakers to an amplifier for multi room sound?

I would be happy if anyone can help me with the following project I wish to build : I have an old amplifier 4ohm impedance with A and B zones, support for mono and stereo and playing A and\or B. I ...
chegov's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
4 answers
7k views

Using PEX as wire conduit

I have some 1/2" PEX-AL-PEX left over and thinking about using it as conduit for ~20' ethernet or phone cable. Pipe is appropriately orange. Will the aluminium layer provide RF shielding? (assuming I ...
Serguei's user avatar
  • 163
0 votes
2 answers
145 views

Does Power-Over-Ethernet help the DIYer?

Power-Over-Ethernet (POE) has come up in several answers recently as potential solutions to problems involving wiring and getting power to strange places. How does POE help the DIY person in achieving ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 10k