• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Longest CAT5 cable without degration?

P

PremiumG

Platinum Member
I just recently hooked up a home security camera system. The DVR will be in the basement and needs to be hooked up via CAT5 cable to the router on the 2nd floor (enables viewing on monitor or internet).

What's the longest cable I can get? I've only seen 100ft at the store. I might need 500ft or more. Will the quality degrade with the length?
 
You can go 90 meters of solid core cabling with 5 meters of patch cords on each end. You might be able to pick up some fiber optic transceivers for cheap and get 50 or 62.5 (50 is preferred) micron preterminated fiber cable.
 
You can go up to 300ft with solid core. I recommend 250ft. Buy a crimper tool and make your own if you really need this much. Buy a 1,000ft roll of cat 6 cable. Run the wire, hitting an extender every 250ft or so. Another way to cheat is to place a switch at every 250ft interval. This could be a good excuse to get jacks to places in your house by running sub 300ft lengths and connecting/continuing them from simple, cheap 5 port or more switches.
 
I would consider a wireless setup. You can run some cable to get the wireless ap's to the optimal spots. I think it would be the cheapest solution.

Using multiple repeaters sounds excessive, and fiber optic would be a large investment(not just the cables but also the 2 transceivers/converters).
 
If your camera communicates using Ethernet protocol, then the structured cabling limits applay, as mention above.

If the camera is using regular video (baseband, composite) using a balun or matching device, then you can stretch it to over a thousand feet or more. I've seen baluns rated for (MONOCHROME!!) 5000 feet over UTP (Cat3, 4, 5, 5e, 6 ...). The same system can push decent color images up to 1000 feet.

You can buy spools of UTP to 1000 feet (typical) or 5000 feet (go to Anixter, www.anixter.com or Greybar or similar).

Describe your system a little better and we can dial in a better, more specific solution if you need it.

Good Luck

Scott
 
Unless you have a really huge mansion, I doubt you will exceed the 90 meter requirement unless you are planning on going outside the premise to a remote building or location.
That can end very badly if you don't have some sort of circuit protection on the lines.
 
Originally posted by: Modelworks
300ft is usually what I tell people.
You can use longer than that and it will connect but you are going to sacrifice some speed to go that far.
If you really need 500ft then I suggest using an ethernet extender box .
Or if your wiring in the home is fairly decent you might want to try powerline ethernet.
http://www.ecost.com/detail.as...588969&ci_sku=27781652
Click to expand...

More than 300 ft will reek havoc on a DVR and video quality. You definitely do not want to exceed 100 meters. I suggest what spidey07 did for what you want, go with a fiber line and then you can just pick up a media converter cheep.... well, how long of a run?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top