Telecom wiring contractors using Cat 3 wiring for 100mbps and gigabit ethernet application. Is this typical?

[thirdlegstump]

Building a new office and noticed that the ethernet cables were pretty thin and marked Cat 3. They've assured me that it'll function properly even with gigabit networking as they've been installing these forever but I'm beginning to worry a bit since these runs can get pretty long, 150' or more. They're solid wire and terminated to keystone RJ45 jacks and are connected to a fairly large patchpanel which will then be hooked up to gigabit switches. I'd figure they should be using Cat 5 instead for this particular installation. What does you think?

 

[spidey07]

no way, no how.

The contractor should come back and replace all wiring and supply certification results that all cables meet the required rating.

Now if the statement of work just said "wire the building" then you may be hosed.

Cat3 supports 10 Base-T only (ethernet wise).

They are trying to pull a fast one on you and are flat out lying. If you are using gigabit ethernet then do cat5e or cat6 (jacks have to be cat5e or 6 as well including patch cables). Make sure you demand link and channel test results for all drops.

-edit- to answer your question, no it is not typical and if anybody did that they would soon be out of business from their reputation. This is flat out fraudulent behavior.

 

[ScottMac]

I'll second the information provided by Spidey.

As long as the contract has a cabling specification for 100 / 1000 base-T, make 'em rip it out and put in 5e (at the least) or Cat6.

You're being screwed.

BTW: Don't ask for *any* spec that supports 100 Meg Ethernet, there are some for 100 Meg over Cat3 (or worse). You must specify 100Base-T or 1000BASE-TX.

Cisco LRE can do "Ethernet" over (literally) barbed wire (not 100 or Gig).

Good Luck

Scott

 

[thirdlegstump]

Yea I knew it! Thanks a bunch. I originally asked that the office be wired for copper gigabit for video production use. I'm going to have a chat with the company later. Good thing they haven't done much real work yet.

 

[spidey07]

Good that you caught it.

In the future its nice to have a Statement of Work (SOW) that outlines exactly what is to be done and what standards/codes they should follow. Both parties sign this and agree to the terms/specifications.

 

[kwo]

Yikes! That's a ripoff!

Let us know what happens...we're always desperate for a good story!

Glad you thought to ask........and I'm so glad the Anander's here were able to give you the *right* advice!