Windows 7: Ethernet Pass Through Cable

seekermeister · 05 Oct 2011

For regular coax cables, like used for TV antenna, there are short cable sections that are thin and flat, to permit the cable to fit under closed windows or doors. I'm wondering if anything like that is available for ethernet cables?

Dwarf · 05 Oct 2011

Take a look at these: Amazon.com: flat ethernet cable

seekermeister · 05 Oct 2011

It's difficult to tell by looking at the pictures, but while those cables are flat, I don't think that they are thin. At least not thin enough to pass below a patio door without interfering with it, or passing on the side, without creating a gap that would prevent the door from closing properly.

pparks1 · 05 Oct 2011

You aren't going to find an unshielded twisted pair Cat5e or Cat6 cable that is thin enough to put through a door or window and get it to close completely. These cables are jacketed and thus have a little size to them.

seekermeister · 05 Oct 2011

Hmm, I wonder if the internal wires are insulated, so that one might remove the external jacket? Even if that would work, I would need a very short section of it, and I doubt that any ethernet cables come that short.

pparks1 · 05 Oct 2011

Yes, the internal wires are insulated, but not very well.

As far as length, you can make the cables as short as you want. I used to make all of my own cables to length, but was never that great at crimping on the RJ45 ends....so I don't do it much anymore.

seekermeister · 05 Oct 2011

I think that I understand what you mean by not being well insulated. I imagine that it would not withstand the wear of the door closing on them for very long. I'm wondering if there is something like a tape or other material that would be thin, yet protective, to shield them with?

Comp Cmndo · 06 Oct 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Dwarf

Take a look at these: Amazon.com: flat ethernet cable

Those are as flat (thin) as the OP was referring to, i.e. 300ohm antenna twin-lead cable.