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What Ethernet Cable Should I Use?

What type of ethernet cable do I need for outdoor use?

  • I want to run about 100 meters of Ethernet cable out my attic and down a drainpipe. The cable will be exposed to the elements, and attached to a gigabit switch (indoors) at both ends. What kind of cable do I need? Can I get a basic Cat5E bulk cable, or does the length and exposure mean I should opt for Cat6? Or is there some other outdoor-rated specification of wiring that I should be using?

  • Answer:

    You normally want to use outdoor flooded cable (also called gel-filled) as it is designed to weather the elements. I have a few clients who have gone with outdoor flooded & shielded cable as they were worried about interference on the outdoor runs. Also look for UV-resistant cable if it's not going to be buried or otherwise enclosed. As for Cat 5e versus Cat 6, for home use it probably won't matter as you most likely running 100/1000B-T Ethernet and it will run fine on both Cat 5e or Cat 6. If you want to try to future-proof your cable--or the price difference is negligible--you can go for Cat 6.

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100 meters is quite a long way for copper Ethernet (http://www.google.com/search?q=ethernet%20100%20meter%20limit) and if I remember correctly, there might be some problems with potential difference (not to mention lightning). Did you consider fiber optics? I think the equipment is priced quite reasonably and you would get rid of all speed & potential problems at once.

zoul

That length would worry me, but when I was doing infrastructure work we were required to use fiber for runs of the length you indicated for reliability and crosstalk issues. If your switches support add-on cards for a fiber module, that would be your best (albeit probably most expensive as well) solution. Another option would be to go wireless. A wireless bridge with directional high gain antennas (a nice Yagi antenna won't set you back much) on both sides of the "run". This is a great solution for getting networking in a detached garage or workspace. But line of sight could be an issues if you have large dense objects (especially anything metal of course) in your intended path.

SCFlint

You can get proper outdoor network cable in varying lengths. I'd recommend cabling with an outer coating of PE rather than PVC, hence impermeable to water.

John

data cabling doesn't usually come in outdoor rated varieties. the only way you will get outdoor or direct-burial rated cable is bulk stuff like telephone companies use. if you don't have outdoor rated cable, the best thing to do is install outdoor rated plastic conduit. also, as @zoul said, 100 meter is the limit of ethernet over copper (without buying specialized hardware). you should consider fiber instead.

longneck

There is no cable difference between 5E and 6 - only an installation is rated as cat6 - depending on how well the connections are made Any decent cable should survive outside reasonably well. Building code-wise we are supposed to run fiber between buildings in case of lightning strike.

mgb

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