Network cabling access for new office

James Colbert · 17 Jul 2011

profdlp said:

If you're renting, this is not a big deal, but if you are in a more or less permanent location you might consider running conduit between the wall boxes. This would allow you to easily fish additional cables from point to point, or replace it entirely when the "next great thing" in technology becomes available. I know lots of people who wired their home with 300-Ohm TV cable who were kicking themselves once 75-Ohm coax became the standard.

Excellent idea, prof. I think vertically installed from the attic for ease of future replacement in a diameter large enough to accomodate easy replacemnt of multiple cables. Thanks!

James Colbert · 17 Jul 2011

Can anyone think of a reason not to go with CAT6 cabling and connectors (albeit a bit more expensive...)? Will CAT6 work with my current router and switches? My understanding is that, although the standards are still CAT5, CAT6 gives better performance due to a cleaner signal and better handling of crosstalk?

kegobeer · 17 Jul 2011

Cat5e supports gigabit ethernet. If you want to spend the extra cash, now's the time to do it. But honestly there's no real reason to upgrade, IMHO. You'd have to be sending tons of data over a gig-e network to notice any difference, and from what you'll be doing I highly doubt you'd actually notice any real world difference.

James Colbert · 18 Jul 2011

Thanks KoB.

Britton30 · 20 Jul 2011

But remember the people who put in all the 300ohm wiring.

If you can decide where you want the work benches, I would have a shelf or two above them or cabinets and shelves below the bench. Space out Ethernet wall boxes about 18"-24" along the bench wall. After you figure out how you will wire it of course. you won't be sorry if you have "too many" wall boxes. Oh at least one 120V receptacle for each Ethernet box too.

TBoyd · 20 Jul 2011

The CAT5e should be sufficient. CAT6 is a good idea if your wire runs are excessive in length.

Be sure that your CAT5 has solid copper conductors. I don't know if stranded-copper CAT5 is still around, but I have run across some at times. AVOID stranded-copper at all cost! It can cause intermittent connectivity problems that will confound even the best repair techs!