underground ethernet and phone wire

[joebonici]

I want to provide ethernet and telephone land line wires to my shed in the back yard about 100 ft run and 70 ft of that will be in conduit underground. What wires should I use for this?

 

[bill001g]

If it is in conduit all the way ...ie it does not tough the soil...you can use normal indoor cat5e or cat6 ethernet cable. Most the issue with cable is the soil eat the insulation. Water and sun can damage indoor cable also but not as fast as some soils. They make special ethernet cable designed for direct burial. It will not protect it from a shovel cutting it but it will protect against the elements. You can search for direct burial or outdoor ethernet cable and you will find a number of options.
The most important feature to watch for when you buy any bulk cable is to make sure you buy solid copper cable. You will find CCA cable which does not actually meet the standards for ethernet usage.

 

[joebonici]

If it is in conduit all the way ...ie it does not tough the soil...you can use normal indoor cat5e or cat6 ethernet cable. Most the issue with cable is the soil eat the insulation. Water and sun can damage indoor cable also but not as fast as some soils. They make special ethernet cable designed for direct burial. It will not protect it from a shovel cutting it but it will protect against the elements. You can search for direct burial or outdoor ethernet cable and you will find a number of options.
The most important feature to watch for when you buy any bulk cable is to make sure you buy solid copper cable. You will find CCA cable which does not actually meet the standards for ethernet usage.

Thank you for quick reply. I want to lay this in my electrical trench directly over my power conduit to my shed. Would there be any interference?

 

[reedo_43]

I am pretty sure that is a no no. Here is some good info.

https://radiusvision.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201049688-Avoiding-the-most-common-problems-with-your-new-outdoor-installation

 

[bill001g]

Interference is not the issue, when you see the amount of power and ethernet cables packed into racks in data centers with no issues.

Mostly it is a building code issue related to separation of electrical and low voltage cables. It is mostly for safety. The building code vairies and I forget the exact spacing. It is either 6 inch or 12 inch but I think it depends if the elctrical is in conduit or direct bury. In ether case 6 inch is more than far enough away that you will not see any interference from the electrical. Pretty much you would have to wrap you ethernet around the electical cable to get much interference.

 

[joebonici]

I am pretty sure that is a no no. Here is some good info.

https://radiusvision.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201049688-Avoiding-the-most-common-problems-with-your-new-outdoor-installation

Thanks to both. Since this is not my main electrical supply (that's overhead) I think I am good to go if the low volt conduit is 6 inches away and in conduit throughout.

 

[kanewolf]

I want to provide ethernet and telephone land line wires to my shed in the back yard about 100 ft run and 70 ft of that will be in conduit underground. What wires should I use for this?

You may or may not have done underground cable before ... But for anybody that hasn't -- remember to leave a pull string in the conduit when you fish your wires through. Just in case ...

 

[joebonici]

I want to provide ethernet and telephone land line wires to my shed in the back yard about 100 ft run and 70 ft of that will be in conduit underground. What wires should I use for this?

You may or may not have done underground cable before ... But for anybody that hasn't -- remember to leave a pull string in the conduit when you fish your wires through. Just in case ...

Just in case what? I do have a fish tape.

 

[kanewolf]

I want to provide ethernet and telephone land line wires to my shed in the back yard about 100 ft run and 70 ft of that will be in conduit underground. What wires should I use for this?

You may or may not have done underground cable before ... But for anybody that hasn't -- remember to leave a pull string in the conduit when you fish your wires through. Just in case ...

Just in case what? I do have a fish tape.

It is always easier just to leave a pull string in the conduit than having to push a fish tape. It doesn't cost anything to leave a mason's line in the conduit... Just my experience.

 

[joebonici]

OK got it. Thanks everyone.

Hmmmm one other thought:
I know it is best to have uninterrupted cable but if I ran a pre-configured 100 ft CAT5a and then added another 50 ft via a coupler of some sort would I be losing that much data that internet would be a problem?

 

[bill001g]

A coupler will not have much effect. This is pretty much how a patch panel would work. If you were very close to the 100 meter limit on the cable then it might be a concern but you are well under that.

 

[kanewolf]

OK got it. Thanks everyone.

Hmmmm one other thought:
I know it is best to have uninterrupted cable but if I ran a pre-configured 100 ft CAT5a and then added another 50 ft via a coupler of some sort would I be losing that much data that internet would be a problem?

I wouldn't want a coupler in the conduit, but if it is in a dry area, there shouldn't be any problem. A terminated cable will be a little harder to pull since the RJ45 is larger than bare cable.