Where can I find a fault log

[Slartybart]

You can get the cable either way.

The issue would be the length you need. The unfinished cable would be best for your distance I think.

I do not suggest splicing a few 100 foot cables together - it's not the best signal.

You might find a length of finished cale in a search that is long enough
https://www.google.com/search?q=cat...=vw:l,cat:3940&tbm=shop&q=cat5+ethernet+cable

A hardware or computer store might be able to make one for you - but it's really easy to crimp the connectors. The color coded wires makes it easy to make a straight trough cable (looking at the connectors in the same direction, the wires match in color - the color itself is not important, just that they match in the connector)

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hum sounds a good idea but I would be wary about using one of these for two reasons 1. they are plugged in a high voltage circuit and any fault occurring inside them could potentially make live the network lines and 2. it could be possible that any household items could interfere with the performance of your equipment. For example any devices that use the 2.4Ghz and 5.8GHz frequencies in their normal operation. That depends of course on the number of devices but I can think of things such as microwave ovens, pest control devices, and cordless phones which most people have three have in their house.
I stand to be corrected of course.

 

[Slartybart]

Hum sounds a good idea but I would be wary about using one of these for two reasons 1. they are plugged in a high voltage circuit and any fault occurring inside them could potentially make live the network lines and 2. it could be possible that any household items could interfere with the performance of your equipment. For example any devices that use the 2.4Ghz and 5.8GHz frequencies in their normal operation. That depends of course on the number of devices but I can think of things such as microwave ovens, pest control devices, and cordless phones which most people have three have in their house.
I stand to be corrected of course.

Your point is valid - in that the Ethernet cable provides another path for the power to get to the machine in a way that you wouldn't want if there is a device failure.
The same concerns would naturally be for any connection to the mains ... including the power cord - yes?

The frequency for household devices really only comes into play for wireless. A more common source of interference are high draw (microwave) and motorized appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators . I don't know what the device uses across wires, but it has to be different from the power frequency.

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References:

• HomePlug Alliance | Home
  

  HomePlug Alliance is a group of 60 companies working together to develop technology specifications and certification & logo programs for powerline networking. HomePlug Alliance brings together the individual researchers, technologists, strategic thinkers, market experts, business decision-makers and product developers, and unites them in a common goal: to create a global environment where powerline communications can thrive.

  
  
• HowStuffWorks "How Power-line Networking Works"
  

  Here are the advantages of a power-line network:
  •It's inexpensive. (This author bought a complete Intelogis' PassPort kit to connect two computers for $50.)
  •It uses existing electrical wiring.
  •Every room of a typical house has several electrical outlets.
  •It's easy to install.
  •A printer, or any other device that doesn't need to be directly connected to a computer, doesn't have to be physically near any of the computers in the network.
  •It doesn't require that a card be installed in the computer (although there are companies working on PCI-based systems).
  
  The new PowerPacket technology provides a couple of other advantages as well. It is fast, rated at 14 megabits per second (Mbps). This speed allows for new applications, such as audio and video streaming, to be available throughout the house.

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  There are some disadvantages to connecting through power-lines when using the older Intelogis technology:
  •The connection is rather slow -- 50 Kbps to 350 Kbps.
  •The performance can be impacted by home power usage.
  •It can limit the features of your printer.
  •It only works with Windows-based computers.
  •It uses large wall devices to access an electrical outlet.
  •It can only use 110-V standard lines.
  •It requires that all data be encrypted for a secure network.
  •Older wiring can affect performance.
  
  According to Intellon, PowerPacket technology eliminates many of these concerns, citing the following advantages:
  •It is very fast, rated at 14 Mbps.
  •It "avoids" disruptions in the power-line, maintaining the network's connections and speeds.
  •It does not limit the features of your printer.
  •It can be compatible with other operating systems (depending on driver availability).
  •It may have the necessary circuitry embedded within the device, necessitating only a standard power cord to access an outlet.
  •It works independent of line voltage and frequency of current.
  •It includes encryption.
  •In tests, it showed no signal degradation due to older wiring.

• Another technology using existing wiring in a house is PNA ... but it is limited
  HowStuffWorks "HomePNA Technology"
  
  
• Still another is using the coax cable already strung in the house - you get to pick your poison.
  
  I prefer wiring a house (retrofitting if necessary) with Cat5. Depending on the need - subnets can be created, but this is overkill in most homes.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yes mate I agree with your last comment and I would do it with cat6 - better than cat5 stuff as it is less prone to interference -
Ask LH: What's The Difference Between Cat5, Cat5e And Cat6 Ethernet Cables? | Lifehacker Australia personally I us it always.

 

[Slartybart]

Yes mate I agree with your last comment and I would do it with cat6 - better than cat5 stuff as it is less prone to interference -
Ask LH: What's The Difference Between Cat5, Cat5e And Cat6 Ethernet Cables? | Lifehacker Australia personally I us it always.

CAT5 is less expensive - CAT6 might be cost prohibitive for long runs, but should be considered if a budget allows.

1000 ft bulk CAT5 -> $80 USD
1000 ft bulk CAT5e -> $130 USD
1000 ft bulk CAT6 -> $180 USD

Should be shielded cable regardless of the std.

From the article you linked:

So, in short, If you transfer lots of data over your network, upgrading your cables from old Cat5 might help, and it’s so cheap that you might as well try it out. But don’t stress over it.

For home use, the cables you use aren’t going to be a huge deal.