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Network Cables Next to Power Cables

olds

olds

Elite Member
We have a room where it's necessary to set up 12 laptops on a table. The table has 2.5" diameter holes in it's top. They are about 3' apart. We have to run the power cords and network cables through those holes to the switch and power outlets. We can't use wireless and there is not enough room on the table for the switch or the power cords/blocks.
Are network cables (Monoprice Cat6 24AWG UTP) shielded for this?
 
UTP is very resistant to 60hz hum. It is the high frequency florescent lights that you have to watch out for. Still running power next to data for a few feet is a complete nonissue. Running it right next to it for a 100meters might cause issues.
 
imagoon said:
If you can, keep the data about 18" above or below the power. If not, I still don't think you will have issues, esp if the power is in metal conduit, flex conduit or metal track.
Click to expand...

He is setting up a bunch of tables, drill hole at the tabletop to let wire through. Just like in a cubicle farm.

He is not bundling power cords and ethernet cables in a bundle and do a long run of that.
 
As a network engineer, this is a non-issue.
If you can get them any distance apart, it can't hurt.
Laptops are generally low power compared to that running overhead in your ceilings cable trays, bypassing 208/240 or higher with high pulse rate current.

I never saw a problem with low voltage even with Cat5/Cat5e, not too mention Cat6.

When I used to do network support, velcro with a cordless drill and some short screws made power and LAN wire management a pretty simple 5 minute job.
 
sdifox said:
He is setting up a bunch of tables, drill hole at the tabletop to let wire through. Just like in a cubicle farm.

He is not bundling power cords and ethernet cables in a bundle and do a long run of that.
Click to expand...

Most tables I use have metal track, if he is just zip tying a bunch of junk together then no, there is no issue.
 
I have a switch and power under the table. The power cords and network cables will route from the laptops through the holes in the table. They will be zip tied together in places under the table.

table.jpg
 
oldsmoboat said:
I have a switch and power under the table. The power cords and network cables will route from the laptops through the holes in the table. They will be zip tied together in places under the table.

table.jpg
Click to expand...

It might be worth your time to find a small piece of basket rack to mount underneath. Purely aesthetics of course. I like stuff like this:

http://bluespotfurniture.com/old_site/html/images/accessories/sto01LL.jpg

Tiny and most brands have brackets that can attach to the table legs. Then things like the permanent laptop adapter or other junk that seems to accumulate on these tables is up off the floor but hidden and still easy to access.
 
imagoon said:
It might be worth your time to find a small piece of basket rack to mount underneath. Purely aesthetics of course. I like stuff like this:

http://bluespotfurniture.com/old_site/html/images/accessories/sto01LL.jpg

Tiny and most brands have brackets that can attach to the table legs. Then things like the permanent laptop adapter or other junk that seems to accumulate on these tables is up off the floor but hidden and still easy to access.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I was looking for something like that.
 
Do NOT tighten those zipties.

And for the love of god, put a circle in that power cord a foot or two away from the switch and zip tie/screw that muther to the underside of the table. The number of meeting I used to have to run to because some kicked a cable under the table and took a switch down? 5, 10, 20 people pissed off at the netops tech who had to troubleshoot a 'network outage' page, multiple times a year.
Because some nimrod could spend the extra 3-4 minutes during initial set-up........
 
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