Running ethernet wire through duct work

[strep3241]

Is it okay to run Cat6 ethernet cable through the duct work? Would the temperature change cause any problems? In my case, it is so much easier running it through the duct work then trying to fish it down through the walls and floors.

I did this with a coax cable for a while and had no problems.

 

[Crusty]

You need to use Plenum rated cable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plenum_cable

 

[God Mode]

I purchase 100ft of plenum rated cat6 and 100ft regular cheap cat6. After getting the length that I wanted and with the excess, both were the same shit according to my lighter. Be careful who you buy it from.

 

[strep3241]

I purchase 100ft of plenum rated cat6 and 100ft regular cheap cat6. After getting the length that I wanted and with the excess, both were the same shit according to my lighter. Be careful who you buy it from.

Are you saying both cables you bought were regular cat6 cable? What do you mean according to your lighter?

Besides a fire hazard, what are the negatives to doing this? Will the constant temperature eventually render the cable useless?

Where is a good place to buy plenom rated cable?

 

[2canSAM]

I purchase 100ft of plenum rated cat6 and 100ft regular cheap cat6. After getting the length that I wanted and with the excess, both were the same shit according to my lighter. Be careful who you buy it from.

From what I understand they both burn it is just the plenum rated produces less smoke and that smoke is less toxic than that from non-plenum rated. I am not sure that the temperature would really affect much, if anything with the longevity of the cable and I am pretty sure being in the duct work would not be a big deal since the temperatures would still be within the cables operating range.

 

[Emulex]

no man folks do this all the time. the good plenum outdoors cable is what runs up top the world's largest buildings and take the hot, wind, cold, wind, beating and survive.

 

[SirGCal]

I've got a 1k' spool of CAT6 Plenum grade. If you're going to do a lot of home wiring in attic or crawl space, that's what you need to meet the code requirements. As for running it through HVAC ducting, that would seem weird to me, but it shouldn't be a problem per-say.

 

[drebo]

You don't need plenum in your attic or crawlspace unless the crawlspace is for passive air return. If your HVAC system is fully ducted, you don't need plenum in the attic or crawlspace.

Plenum is needed only for air circulation areas.