Need to run CAT6 outside..

[ejoech]

Hello. Before I begin I would like to say that I have searched for this topic and realize that there is danger in doing so. However, I have a small office on my property and need to run a line to my main house which has a small office in the basement. I need computers in both offices to be on the same network for some heavy file transfers. The office is about 200-300 feet away.

I need to know what type of conduit/outdoor rated wire I need to buy. I want this to be safe and plan on using a conduit.

Thanks.

Sage

 

[ScottMac]

Conduit won't make it significantly safer. It's a good thing, but not (much) safer.

Fiber would be a much better solution. CDW has copper/fiber converters in the "Clearance" section for under $50.00 each (100FX--> 100Tx).

Wireless would probably be better too, assuming you have clear line of sight.

Stretching copper that far, outdoors, when you don't know what you're doing is a Very Bad Thing (and dangerous).

Good Luck

Scott

 

[ejoech]

Scott,

It seems that every thread I make you have a wonderful answer to. Thank you!

I've never dealt with fiber. Wouldn't it be very difficult to install? I'm not looking to pay an installer thousands of dollars to do this..but if I can just lay the fiber in some conduit and use those converters - then that i can do.

thanks,

sage

 

[spidey07]

Its not a big deal, you can buy fiber cables for relatively cheap. then just pull through your conduit.

Ideally you would have junction boxes.

 

[EatSpam]

Is there less danger in running lines above ground as opposed to below ground?

 

[skyking]

no difference, IMO. The ground differential over 300 feet can be significant, and a major static discharge (nearby lightning) could potentially enter either or both structures via the unbonded copper wire.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: skyking
no difference, IMO. The ground differential over 300 feet can be significant, and a major static discharge (nearby lightning) could potentially enter either or both structures via the unbonded copper wire.

What's the safest length you can run Cat 6 outside before the ground differential poses a problem?

 

[skyking]

I have no idea. If I had to run it up an outside wall, for instance, I'd put it in grounded EMT conduit.

 

[networkman]

A few years ago I ran Cat5e out to my garage so that I'd have expansion capability for LAN parties.

Now, my garage is only about 30 feet away so nowhere near as far as you're planning to run, but I got a permit, dug a trench(a little overkill at roughly 3' deep), and used grey industrial PVC pipe for my conduit. I have had zero problems regarding interference or electrical issues including lightening hitting the tree behind the garage.

 

[ejoech]

thanks for all the help. ill look into running fiber, otherwise ill run cat 6 in a grounded EMT conduit.

-sage

 

[ejoech]

Scott,

I searched CDW but could not find the cheap converters you spoke of. I also looked into running fiber a bit.

It also seems that 300' of fiber will run me $250 or so. I don't think I can afford that.

Where can I get a proper grounded emt conduit for running cat 6?

sage

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: ejoech
Scott,

I searched CDW but could not find the cheap converters you spoke of. I also looked into running fiber a bit.

It also seems that 300' of fiber will run me $250 or so. I don't think I can afford that.

Where can I get a proper grounded emt conduit for running cat 6?

sage

EMT is normally an exposed installation. I was talking about a short run ouside of a concrete wall, for example.
If money is the defining item, go with wireless. It is safe and does require expensive trenching and restoration.

 

[ScottMac]

Try this link.

This is their "Clearance" stock.

To get a product description, do another search (on the CDW site) using the same product number, without the "-BSTK" tag at the end.

In the product ID:

TX = Copper
FX, FC, FL = Fiber

For the fiber, try getting a quote from Anixter (www.anixter.com). For the bother, get at least four-strand, connectorized. It should come in at ~ US$0.50 a foot, and ~5-10 bucks per connector.

You can probably accomplish the same thing with wireless.

Copper (especially if you don't know what you're doing) can be a Very Bad Thing.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[ejoech]

The problem with wireless is it's 200-300 feet with trees in between and I also will need somewhat high speeds to transfer some big files...

If you reall'y don't think I should use copper, I guess I have to go fiber as I don't think wireless will work.

sage

 

[skyking]

that distance is no problem for wireless, really. you can get real world transfers of up to 25 Mb/sec with directional antennas and a good setup, which is like 30+% of what you'd get with fiber and media converters. For massive files, a removable drive would do wonders. I just took down a WDS system with 200' between nodes and stock crappy antennas, and only because we had trenched the place for water line and could properly install copper and cisco LRE equipment. It worked fine at 18Mb typically, and with good antennas it would have done much better. there was a roof and wall in the way also.

 

[netsysadmin]

I knew a business that went on the cheap side and ran copper a short distance outside from the warehouse to the showroom. Well after the blew a few switches and nic cards they basically paid for the fiber run. Do it right the first time!!

John

 

[keeleysam]

Yes! Run Fiber!

Wireless is great for laptops, but for things that arent going to be moving, i would never use it. It just disconnects too much.

I have a fiber run between my house and the house next door, and it has never disconnected in 3 years.

 

[ejoech]

Did you run it yourself? Are there any easy guides to running fiber? I need to do this as cheaply and easily as possible. Thanks.

Sage

 

[cmetz]

This question comes up monthly. The answer is still: Outside cables = very bad.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: cmetz
This question comes up monthly. The answer is still: Outside cables = very bad.

I guess that's really the best way to sum it up. We can go over and over why its bad, but its still bad.

As far as running fiber...just get an cable pre-terminated on each end. Wrap the end with electrical tape bound to your fish tape (that long steel pully through the conduit thingy) and pull 'er on through. Just don't yank on it.

Fiber is much more resisilent than most think. Just don't yank on on it that hard....a good tug is fine - a full fledged grunting tug is not.

 

[tiap]

Don't be frazzled. There is no real danger here.
Use 1/2 in or 3/4 in pvc conduit buried 18 inches (per NEC). It coasts around $1.00/10ft.
Thgen you can pull cat6 fiber or whatever thru it. Cat 6 is good for around 350ft. so you should be ok. Even if degraded a little, thruput will be more than wireless.
Definitely do not use EMT conduit. This is not designed for exterior or burial. RIGID conduit is for burial and it is a pain and just antique.
Pvc conduit is also waterproof and will not rust thru.
Worry about lightning only as much as you do for your own person when outside.
BTW I have actually done this several times before.

 

[ejoech]

Tiap, thanks.

I'd like to go Fiber but I think it may be too expensive/difficult to do.

Did you ground the cat6, tiap?

 

[Wizkid]

Use this to ground the cat6 at BOTH ends:

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=PNET1

 

[ejoech]

Wonderful. Thank you.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: Wizkid
Use this to ground the cat6 at BOTH ends:

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=PNET1

Would this surge protector (used on both ends) make running cat 6 underground a viable option, or are you still asking for trouble?