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.
218
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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 ...
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7
answers
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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 ...
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8
answers
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How do I run cable through my ceiling?
I have a cable that I need to run through the ceiling. I'd like to go under the floor, but I have a split level house, and this is the lower floor, so I don't believe there is room in the bottom half ...
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5
answers
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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 ...
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23
votes
3
answers
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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 ...
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22
votes
3
answers
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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:
...
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22
votes
4
answers
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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-...
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21
votes
7
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Why is my house wired with two coax in every room and an RJ11 splitter?
My house was built around 2005, though I've only owned it a year. Setting aside from the insane cluster of coax wiring we found in the attic, I'm trying to understand why every room in the house has ...
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votes
3
answers
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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 ...
15
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5
answers
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What is the official name for wiring hole stops/plugs and where can I buy them?
We have several holes in our house (floor and external wall) that are used for cables (coax and cat5e). The holes are bigger than the cable that goes through them so we'd like to minimize the excess ...
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15
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1
answer
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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 ...
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14
votes
9
answers
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What is a proper way to support/suspend cat6 cable in a drop ceiling?
I am trying to run some cat6 cable in the drop ceiling of my basement. I want to run 3x CAT6-CMP cables that from what i understand should not rest on ceiling tiles.
From what i have read, the ...
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votes
5
answers
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How can I use existing satellite coaxial cable to carry my internet connection?
I recently moved to another internet provider who provides FTTH (Fibre To The Home).
Now my powerline adapters are incapable of taking full advantage of the increased speeds. I'm currently using Wifi ...
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13
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10
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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 ...
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5
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What are some pros, cons and recommendations for multicables?
Currently saving to build a new home and I'm going over wiring options in my mind. My current home has too few sockets, cable connections and LAN ports (yes I still like wired LAN, wireless is good ...
user45
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7
answers
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Can an ethernet cable look OK to a cheap cable tester but still have a problem?
My home office is at the end of a 15-20m ethernet cable that a friend ran 15 years ago, and it recently stopped working. I tested it with a cheap continuity tester, hoping to discover a fault near one ...
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7
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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 ...
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11
votes
5
answers
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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 ...
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10
votes
4
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3k
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What is this "loose faceplate ring" and is it something that should be fixed?
I was hoping to replace an old yellow faceplate for a coaxial connection with a nicer white one, but when I took off the faceplate I was greeted with this sight:
I can only imagine that the cable ...
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10
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5
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What's the right way of removing an indoor telephone line?
I'm in the process of removing an old telephone jack that has wiring running along the wall. The jack is easily removed, but I'm unclear on what to do with the wiring. It seems short sighted and ...
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10
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5
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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?
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2
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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 ...
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4
answers
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How do I get all these wires up from the basement to the attic?
I'd like to run new cabling for data, voice and tv but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to get some of the wires up to the attic for the 2nd floor and would like some advice.
I've run cables, ...
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4
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Any reason not to put a structured wiring enclosure directly next to the house main breaker box?
I'm adding CAT6 networking to my house for higher speeds plus some POE cameras. I want to put the cable modem, switch and camera DVR in a metal structured wiring enclosure. The best place is the the ...
- 257
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votes
7
answers
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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 ...
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votes
4
answers
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Running ethernet under ground to another building
I'm trying to run ethernet cable about 250ft underground to the garage. It is going through a hard plastic/rubber tubing under the yard and into the garage. Is there anything I should know before ...
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8
votes
6
answers
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Does a (non-splitting) cable splitter degrade the signal?
I have cable and cable internet in my new apartment. The cable comes in to the water-heater closet from the roof and comes out an outlet in the wall of the closet, but there is a 4-way splitter in ...
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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....
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3
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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 ...
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2
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3k
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Will security system wiring cause interference in data cables?
Is it acceptable to run 22/4 security wire along side Cat6 and Coax cables, or is there any possibility for interference?
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Using fire retardant sealant for low-voltage cables through walls
I plan to wire my house with CAT6 cables, running inside the walls (drywall, wood). I would have to drill through the floor and probably through fire blocks in between the studs.
Lot of guides advise ...
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2
answers
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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?
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Can I use coax outlets for cable modem?
I recently moved into a home where each room has a coaxial wall plate. My ISP provides internet through a cable modem, where unfortunately the cable input is in a non-ideal location. Next to that ...
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votes
7
answers
18k
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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 ...
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6
votes
3
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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 ...
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6
votes
2
answers
22k
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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 ...
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6
votes
3
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35k
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Is there a way to fish a cable (network) using an existing one as a guide?
Are there any devices that allow you to basically clip a wire to an existing wire in a wall and use it as a guide? I had my house wired for networking, but that was before I upgraded to gigabit ...
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3
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How can I run Ethernet cabling through concrete walls?
I'd like to run CAT6 cable between 3 rooms which are separated by concrete walls. What are my options? I'm looking for the least intrusive way.
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3
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How do I properly bring in coax from the pole to the interior of my house?
As it is now, the coax comes off the pole and is anchored under the eave with a coax grounding block. From there, the local cable company stapled the coax down the siding, then horizontally around a ...
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3
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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 ...
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1
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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 ...
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2
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Does conduit terminated in backless gang boxes defeat the purpose of fireblocking?
My understanding for an ENT conduit (other than for future flexibility) was that it was fire-rated, to reduce the spread of fire/air-flow between floors. If the conduit went through fire-blocks or ...
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3
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How would I ground an internal ethernet surge protector?
I have a Cat-6 cable running to an external PoE security camera that I'd like to have surge protected, but I'm unsure how to ground the protector. It has a prong coming off that I assume is the ground ...
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votes
4
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2k
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Adding wifi router next to structured media enclosure
I am trying to properly place the Wifi router and AT&T gateway with 'Structured Media Enclosure' (essentially a metal box) and having a heck of a time arranging an otherwise basic setup.
So the ...
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7
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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 ...
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votes
2
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3k
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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 ...
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2
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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 ...
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3
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What should I consider when burying cable?
What should I consider when burying standard coaxial cable between the local pole and my house?
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3
answers
8k
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Cat 6 and Romex run perpendicular
I am mapping out a path to run Cat6 thru my house. I know not to run Ethernet parallel to power and the Intartubes say to try to cross at right angles.
But how much interference will I get by ...
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5
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2
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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?
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