Pass-Through Network Jack Wall Wiring?

[mbressman]

I'm not really a wiring guy, but I have a client that needs me to basically help with putting in a few pass-through network jacks in walls that are being put up currently. So that you can plug a network cable into each side of the wall (in the jack) and it allows the network signal to pass through - there's probably a better name for this but I'm not sure what it is. The wall is open right now (at least one side of it is I believe) and so there are just metal studs there right now (again, I think that's what they are called).

When I was last there I saw them attaching some sort of small boxes to the metal studs near the bottom and presumably this is where they are going to create electrical outlets.

The issue I'm having is that since the only thing that's going to be holding up the very small amount of network cable (that is going in between the wall) is the jack itself (and faceplate), I presumably need something like those small boxes they are attaching for the electrical outlets so that I have something to screw the faceplate (and attached jack and network cable inside the wall) into.

Otherwise, I'd probably have to wait for them to finish putting up both sides of the wall, drill a hole on either side, and then thread in the network cable, attach it to the jack and faceplate, and then screw the faceplate into the drywall itself - seems like there must be some easier way to do this when the wall is open (or partially open) - just like with the electrical outlets.

Any help/ideas? Or is this the kind of thing you have to just do when the wall is closed up so you can screw into the drywall?

Thanks!

 

[mnewsham]

Are you talking about two walls with two wall plates that are opposite each other directly through the wall and just having them pass the Ethernet connection through the wall? If that's the case just use two wall plates and a patch cable in between. If you're talking about longer distance, just use a longer patch cable and run your cable to wherever you need it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Port-Whit...le-Inline-Coupler-Ethernet-Jack-/252866046580

RJ45 Double Female Inline Coupler with an Ethernet wall plate.


Unless i'm misunderstanding what you want to do. It's pretty simple.


Run your cable mount your wall box, run the cable into the box, attach your cable to your face plate, then mount the face plate to the wall box.
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Electric...-Boxes-Brackets/Wall-box/N-5yc1vZbohnZ1z115vz


For longer runs you'll want to have the cable in place before the wall is finished, you can cut holes in the drywall for the wall boxes before putting up, or after.

 

[razel]

That would be awesome if you could get it done before the wall gets painted. I assume those metal boxes are the electrical lines and I'm pretty sure it won't pass code if you try to snake into the same box DIY style. I suppose after the wall goes up, but before painting you can then cut in your own boxes. You'll see these being sold at your hardware store. When you snake the cable through, if that part of the wall is empty (no insulation) you can just snake more cable so that it touches the ground.

 

[aigomorla]

Just use a electrical Blue box, if you have those..

You can then use a keystone jack + wall plate, to finish it after the drywall is up.

However you probably want to test all your cables before you drywall it up, incase the wire needs replacing.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Just use a electrical Blue box, if you have those..

You can then use a keystone jack + wall plate, to finish it after the drywall is up.

However you probably want to test all your cables before you drywall it up, incase the wire needs replacing.

In the realm of "things can happen" I'd also suggest getting 2-plex outlets and doubling up on cables, in case one fails or gets eaten by rodents or something.