NETWORKING -- Thanks to some basement water issues I have a bunch of exposed wall where my home o...

[G+_Mark Messiha]

NETWORKING -- Thanks to some basement water issues I have a bunch of exposed wall where my home office used to be. I figure I should make the most of the situation and run some Cat6 down there and cut ties with my powerline network that did a mediocre job in the first place. I'll be running two lengths one to where my desk will be and one to where a tv will be in the future, 50ft and 75ft respectively.

 

I'm not very experienced with this sort of thing so I have a few questions for the Know How community.

 

1. How important is plenum? I think by definition where I'll be running this (low in the wall - steel studs and insulation) it is not a "plenum" but do I really need to buy plenum rated cable? If I DO need plenum, any ideas where I could get about 200-250 ft of it? Pretty much all I see is 1000ft boxes.

 

2. What sort of box is advised for both ends?

 

3. Can I get away with not buying any special tools or is there something that I'll need?

 

I'll take any other advise the network pros would have for me. Thanks a ton!

[G+_Jason Hammond]

Running the cables in the walls does not require plenum cable. Plenum is is required if you are running cable in a drop ceiling that also acts as ventilation(for example). For tools needed, I recommend watching know how episode 310.

[G+_Shooter_FPV (Shooter_FP]

From my network install days, we didn't use any sort of special box, since there is no electricity in the lines. When we wired up a building we used a typical plastic outlet box. The plates and connectors can be had at Home Depot/Lowes, but I'm not sure about Cat6... I think they may have it too...

[G+_Black Merc]

Ken Jancef no electricity? These lines are grouped in the category low power signaling wiring. (Telephone, door bell, intercoms and the like) plastic boxes for low power fixtures sold at many home improvement stores. But standard plastic outlet boxes work fine.

[G+_Steven Atkinson]

Whilst you are going to the effort of pulling cables, double up and pull two lengths instead of one. It's not going to be that much more expensive and much less frustrating than having to pull more once the walls have been made good. You never know what you will need in the future, especially for the TV.

[G+_David Peach]

I agree with Black Merc?, run two of everything you are pulling for networking and media. If you have a closet in the office, you might also consider pulling a couple of cables to it. That way you can put a switch in there for splitting out to anything you need to do in the future.

[G+_Ben Reese]

All the advice already given is fantastic!

Monoprice sells Cat 6 in 1000 ft and 250 ft rolls. If you're not going through any air ducts or return air wall spaces, you shouldn't need plenum-rated cable. You DO NOT want copper-clad aluminum (CCA).

Here's the Monoprice 250ft Cat 6 https://www.monoprice.com/mobile/product/details/14767

 

For a box, any regular gang box will work. I've almost always just used the low-voltage remodel boxes - even for new construction. Something like this: https://www.monoprice.com/mobile/product/details/7013

 

And these should be available from your local Home Depot/Lowe's/Menards...

[G+_Mark Messiha]

Thanks to everyone. Lots of good info here.

[G+_Black Merc]

I'd go and get the 1000 role. Leave about two feet hanging out after the pulls. That extra will give you plenty of 'doit-again' line should you miswire. The remainder of that spool will come in handy for short runs from the wall to the devices.

[G+_Jason Perry]

I can not agree with Ben Reese? enough. Do not get CCA, I learned my lesson. It is a pain to work with, and I question the integrity of the CCA lines I pulled.

 

As for my personal rule for future proofing, at least one line, at two or more locations, on opposite sides of the room. I personally don't run more than one line to a box unless I can see a future need. I would rather have more boxes than boxes with multiple lines.

[G+_John Gilbert]

Plenum cable is made not to release toxic fumes if melted. If you use non plenum and it melts, it could make you very sick. You will need delicate wire strippers and a terminating tool to crimp the ends to the cat cable. Or just buy pre terminated cables from wire monster on the net.

[G+_Akira Yamanita]

1. Riser rated cable is fine for residential. No need for the extra expense of plenum rated cables.

 

2. The box doesn't matter. Just don't mix high and low voltage (class 1 and class 2) in the same box and don't put high voltage in a low voltage box.

 

3. Since you're asking about boxes, I assume that you'll be using keystone jacks. You'll need a punch down tool. Then there are tools that can make things a lot easier like auger bits, fish tape, push-pull rods, etc., but recommendations would depend on the specifics of your installation.

 

Consider leaving a pull cable for each run location. Then if you need another run, you attach the new cable and another pull cable (to replace the pull cable that you're going to pull out of the wall) and just pull. Running conduit may be necessary for that scenario if there are spots where the cables might get snagged.

[G+_Golden Retriever]

If there's any chance of water again you might find that fiber survives better than copper

[G+_Mark Messiha]

Tod Sage Ha as much as I'd like a reason to put in fiber the wall being exposed is due to the expensive fix to the basement. I'm just trying to take advantage? of the situation.