Am I looking for problems by doing this?

[senior guy]

I want to connect another PC to my Wired Router (separated by 3 adjoining rooms in my house). I need to route & tack the cable along the floor-molding of the walls (turning lots of corners). According to my measurements, the total run would be 85', so I'm thinking about getting a pre-assembled 100' CAT 5E patch-cable (UTP). I am currently running a 100mb/s home-network (3 PCs) and was wondering if that 100' patch-cable will introduce noticeable problems.

 

[JackMDS]

Do not worry, your plan is good.

CAT5 can go up to 300'. Just be carefull at the corners. NO sharp twisting.

 

[MichaelD]

Just one thing to add to JackMDS's post (if I may be so bold *bows*)

When you staple, be sure to use wire staples with the "hump" on top for the wire to fit into. The individual wires inside a piece of UTP are very thin and easily broken or punctured. You don't want to accidently pierce the jacket w/a staple or nail, nor do you want to crush the outside of the wire to the point that the wires inside might get comprimised.

Other than that, up to 300 feet, you're fine. Good luck!

 

[senior guy]

Thanks guys - for the assurance. I was concerned about using 100' UTP Cat5E cable as I had once read that solid-core (backbone) cable is recommended for runs over 50'.

Now that I know I'm good to go (with a 100' UTP cable), are there any differences in cable-quality that I should be aware of? The reason I ask is that I've seen 100' patch-cables (Cat5E) complete with boots advertized for as low as $10 and as high as $50.

 

[MichaelD]

Heh, BestBuy sells premade Cat5e patch cables with the nice, molded ends. You can get a 6-footer for only $19.99!

Or you can find it online for $2 or make your own for practically nada.

Just make sure that it's a piece of CAT5e cable. The molded ends are nice and usually come on a machine-made cable.

I bought some cables from here and they are just fine.

 

[JackMDS]

In theory Solid Core CAT5e is a better RF conductor.

However commercially made stranded patch will easily beat any solid core CAT5 made by the inexperienced.

If you have Microcenter in your area they have a sale of 100? CAT5e for $9.58.

 

[senior guy]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Heh, BestBuy sells premade Cat5e patch cables with the nice, molded ends. You can get a 6-footer for only $19.99!

Or you can find it online for $2 or make your own for practically nada.

Just make sure that it's a piece of CAT5e cable. The molded ends are nice and usually come on a machine-made cable.

I bought some cables from here and they are just fine.

As I stated, I need 100', not 6'.

 

[senior guy]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
In theory Solid Core CAT5e is a better RF conductor.

However commercially made stranded patch will easily beat any solid core CAT5 made by the inexperienced.

If you have Microcenter in your area they have a sale of 100? CAT5e for $9.58.

Jack, are you saying that most (if not all) commercially made patch-cables are pretty much comparable in quality, regardless of price???

 

[skyking]

For that 100' run, you might want to consider keystone jacks and solid wire, with jumpers on each end. you can get the jacks and surface mount boxes for them at home depot for about 12$ total, and the solid wire, well, almost anywhere. now you are running a bare wire with no bulky end on it, very easy to pass through tight spots, etc. If you use a 100' commercially made stranded cable, and somehow an end gets trashed, you are kinda stuck.

 

[spidey07]

yeah, code says 10 meters max for stranded wire. Jacks and cable would be great.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: senior guy

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Heh, BestBuy sells premade Cat5e patch cables with the nice, molded ends. You can get a 6-footer for only $19.99!

Or you can find it online for $2 or make your own for practically nada.

Just make sure that it's a piece of CAT5e cable. The molded ends are nice and usually come on a machine-made cable.

I bought some cables from here and they are just fine.

As I stated, I need 100', not 6'.

I was giving you an example of the wide range of costs out there. You are welcome.

 

[JackMDS]

LOL when this thread is over senior guy will be sorry for starting it. (And this is before Scott joined ).

Every time a Cable thread comes up, I have the feeling that my dissertation was an easy affair as compare to the CAT. :Q

In any case, there must be a differences between commercial cables, but I am not aware of an organized review of such.

The 100? I mentioned (at Mcrocenter) has molded ends (a way to avoid RJ-45 disengagement).

Using Keystone is usually preferred. If you want to learn how to do it for one cable run, be my guest.

How To Terminate & Assemble Keystone Jacks.

 

[senior guy]

My thanks to everyone (including Michael) for your very informative inputs... Most appreciated.

Cheers! :wine: