How to pull cable thru the walls

[NickelTitanium]

I want to update the wiring in my house. I would like to learn from all of you how to do this without ripping the walls apart. I also heard that there is this new universal cable that has coxial, fiberoptic, 2 cat5, and cat3 all in one line. Where could I get it from in Los Angeles? I live in Rowland Heights. Thanks.

 

[ST4RCUTTER]

You don't need cat3...don't even bother. You'll want cat5 and RG-6 coaxial cable. I have not seen a combined cable, but I would not be surprised if you can find this stuff now. Outlets sporting both RJ-45 and coax cable connectors are everywhere. If I were you I would drop some conduit (flexible plastic tubing) so that you can run cables in the future with less hassle. Some tools you'll need for running new conduit would be: fish tape, keyhole saw, drill, toning wand (handy but not required), flashlight, house plans.

 

[jamarno]

Belden makes some. I don't know the exact composition, but it includes coax (either 72 or 50 ohm), cat 5 twisted pair, and at least 2 plain wires. I doubt that I would bother with it unless I was tight on space or time.

 

[John]

<< I want to update the wiring in my house. I would like to learn from all of you how to do this without ripping the walls apart. >>



Go to Lowes or HD and buy a fishtape.

 

[SemperFi]

Smarthome.com has a couple of different options.

Quick lesson on running wire in your house.

Use a stud finder to find the edge of a stud in the wall where you want the cable to be. Buy plastic electrical switch box roughly $.50 that has 2 nails for fastening to stud. cut them off along with the plastic that holds them on. Hold box up to the wall long side against the the edge of the stud that you located and trace a line around the box. Use keyhole saw to cut out the drywall.

Measure to nearest corner from the hole and go into the attic and drill a hole in the top plate that will line up above the cut out in the drywall. Remember most walls have 14.5 inches between studs. Run fish tape down the wall then go down put your hand in the wall to find it. Simply use electrical tape to attach cable to fish tape or you could pull up a string then attach string to cable and have someone pull from inside.

A couple of things to remember outside and garage walls are usually insulated and can be much more difficult but can be done. Outside walls that roof pitch comes down on can be very difficult to get to.

Now take the electrical box and punch out one of the holes then slide the cable through the hole from the outside to the inside then slide the box into the hole you made in the drywall then take 2 drywall screws and fasten the box to the stud. Fasten the wires to the plate and mount it to the electrical box.

I tried to keep it short. Hope this helps.

Semper Fi

 

[CTho9305]

hire that girl from the x-men who walks through walls. she'll have it done in minutes 😀
(sorry, I had to 😉)

Do you have air ducts you could use? My house has a laundry chute that goes to the basement which could be used for wiring up to the floors, then along the base-boards from there.

 

[jere01]

I used a bent coat hanger... but a fish tape would work too. You can also rent them.

 

[ST4RCUTTER]

That's a damn good website SemperFi, thanks! Forgot all about those stud finders...that's a handy gadget I need to get for Christmas! Just enough time to give my little brother the hint...

 

[SemperFi]

Yea, I have bought all of my stuff from smarthome I can't stand x10.com. It is bad enough getting those popup ads. But I could maneuver through a mine field easier than x10's site.

 

[lilnnjaboy]

Ok....to pull cables through the walls...I live in the rowland heights area. Just PM me and I'll over where to get cables and how to do it...and the things that you will need....

 

[dszd0g]

I would first read the Network Cables HOWTO. There are plenty of wiring HOWTO's online too, like this one.

If you are going to both running network cables, you might as well run the latest technology. I would run CAT5e. There is no need to run both CAT3 and CAT5. CAT5 is a higher rating than CAT3. Roughly (This isn't technically correct, so don't flame me for it. I'm simplifying.) CAT3 is rated at 10Mbit, CAT5 is rated at 100Mbit, and CAT5e is rated at 1000Mbit.