Tips before running cat6a wire through house?

[Sanders0492]

I've been on wireless for years to avoid running wire, but I'm finally going to do it. I decided to go with UTP CA6a solid wire from Monoprice. 2 to my media room (probably 75-100 feet) and one to my office (maybe 15-20 feet).

I'm not sure what kind of wall jack to use though. I want to terminate it at the wall (I think they're called keystone plates?) But I'm not sure what to look for to find quality. I've read that i might have to buy a special tool, and I'm ok with that as long as it actually produces more quality in the job.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[gbb0330]

its called RJ45 wall plate, all home improvement stores have them. they should come with a little plastic tool and a wiring diagram, you can also look up the wiring diagram online

 

[jimmysmitty]

http://www.monoprice.com/search/index/?keyword=rj45%20jack

You would want a CAT6 wall jack, although unless you have a 10Gbe switch and firewall you wont be able to take advantage of the only thing CAT6e is useful for, which is 10Gbe connections.

http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7055

I would suggest investing in a proper kit so you can properly splice, crimp and punch down the CAT6 cable and ends.

 

[Ralston18]

Agree with gbb0330.

Will add that there is a lot of information online.

Here is a very generic link:

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=home+network+wall+plate+installations&qpvt=home+network+wall+plate+installations&qpvt=home+network+wall+plate+installations&qpvt=home+network+wall+plate+installations&FORM=IGRE

You can google and narrow down based on the specifics involved with your home and intentions.

 

[Solandri]

You want keystones to terminate it at the wall. They make tool-less ones, but they get poor ratings (never used them myself). To use the regular kind, you need a 110 punch tool.

http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5384
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7043

Use keystone wall plates. They have a rectangular hole where the RJ-45 connector keystoe just slides right in. (You may have to fiddle with the first one to figure out which way is up on both the keystone and the wall plate.

http://www.monoprice.com/search/index?keyword=keystone+wall+plate

You'll also need mounting brackets to attach the plates to the wall.

http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7013

Now comes the complicated part. Are you going to rip off the drywall where you're going to run the cable (for other repairs)? If not, you'll need a stud sensor to find the horizontal studs. You can get those at Home Depot or Lowes. Costco has a nice one - pricier than the cheap ones, but about $20 less than the equivalent model at Home Depot.

Vertical studs are spaced 16" apart by law. Law also requires that there be horizontal studs interspersed randomly, both for more strength (California - earthquakes y'know), and to slow any fire in the wall from rising too quickly. If you're able to find a section of the wall without a horizontal stud (e.g. the stud is set low, so you can just position the wall plate above it), then you're home free. If every section has a horizontal stud in the way, then you'll need a drill and a special long, flexible bit that you use to drill a hole through the stud.

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/walls-ceilings/486600-ran-into-solid-wood-after-cutting-hole-drywall-wall-plate-what-now.html

Before you go buying all that, try to see if there's an electrical line which passes through the horizontal studs. A lot of times contractors drill a too-large hole in the stud for those, and you'll be able to squeeze the UTP cable through it. (Yes, I know what you're thinking. 110 Volt AC traveling right next to the UTP cable = RF noise! Electrical lines have to be placed in metal conduit to prevent any electrical fires from reaching wood studs. And the metal acts as a faraday cage, preventing any RF noise.)

Finally you'll need some fishing tape and a friend up in the attic who can pass this down so you can attach the cable.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-25-ft-Depthfinder-Steel-Fish-Tape-56005/100660167

 

[Sanders0492]

Thanks everyone for the input. My main concern was quality of the wall plate and connection at the plate/wire. Is that anything to worry about?

although unless you have a 10Gbe switch and firewall you wont be able to take advantage of the only thing CAT6e is useful for, which is 10Gbe connections.

Yeah, at first I was taking that into consideration, then I realized for only $10 more I can get the CAT6e cable. So I figured "why not?" At least this way I'll have it if I ever need it. Thanks for pointing it out though!

 

[Sanders0492]

You want keystones to terminate it at the wall. They make tool-less ones, but they get poor ratings (never used them myself). To use the regular kind, you need a 110 punch tool.

http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5384
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7043

Use keystone wall plates. They have a rectangular hole where the RJ-45 connector keystoe just slides right in. (You may have to fiddle with the first one to figure out which way is up on both the keystone and the wall plate.

http://www.monoprice.com/search/index?keyword=keystone+wall+plate

You'll also need mounting brackets to attach the plates to the wall.

http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7013

Now comes the complicated part. Are you going to rip off the drywall where you're going to run the cable (for other repairs)? If not, you'll need a stud sensor to find the horizontal studs. You can get those at Home Depot or Lowes. Costco has a nice one - pricier than the cheap ones, but about $20 less than the equivalent model at Home Depot.

Vertical studs are spaced 16" apart by law. Law also requires that there be horizontal studs interspersed randomly, both for more strength (California - earthquakes y'know), and to slow any fire in the wall from rising too quickly. If you're able to find a section of the wall without a horizontal stud (e.g. the stud is set low, so you can just position the wall plate above it), then you're home free. If every section has a horizontal stud in the way, then you'll need a drill and a special long, flexible bit that you use to drill a hole through the stud.

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/walls-ceilings/486600-ran-into-solid-wood-after-cutting-hole-drywall-wall-plate-what-now.html

Before you go buying all that, try to see if there's an electrical line which passes through the horizontal studs. A lot of times contractors drill a too-large hole in the stud for those, and you'll be able to squeeze the UTP cable through it. (Yes, I know what you're thinking. 110 Volt AC traveling right next to the UTP cable = RF noise! Electrical lines have to be placed in metal conduit to prevent any electrical fires from reaching wood studs. And the metal acts as a faraday cage, preventing any RF noise.)

Finally you'll need some fishing tape and a friend up in the attic who can pass this down so you can attach the cable.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-25-ft-Depthfinder-Steel-Fish-Tape-56005/100660167

Oh wow, thanks for the details! Luckily, everything backs up to the attic, so I'm going straight through the wall, into the attic, routing the wires, and going to each room, so the wiring wont be too hard. Installing the boxes is what I'm worried about since I won't be removing drywall, but since they sell part specifically for that, I'm not dreading it too much!

 

[jimmysmitty]

I honestly have not seen a quality issue with the wall plates or keystones from monoprice. I mean sure you can try to find some place more expensive but I have used monoprice parts quite a bit and apart from the one off faulty jack they have a pretty decent quality reputation.

You will be fine but make sure to use the proper tools and don't use the tool-less ones, they are just not as good as ones that use a punch down tool.