Tips on running network cable outside house?

QuackQuack

Senior member
Jul 10, 2001
336
0
0
Hello,

Currently I have a WiFi network setup in my 2-story house with mixed results. Sometimes it runs great, sometimes it won't run at all. I'm thinking of just running cat5 cable from my router upstairs to the 2 computers downstairs and other end of house.

Can anyone post recommendations or websites that has tips on this type of project? Do I need special outdoor cable? Tips on drilling through walls? I'm a bit "Home Depot impaired" so any help would be appreciated.
 

narzy

Elite Member
Feb 26, 2000
7,006
1
81
running wire outside has been covered extensivly in past threads, but I'll give you the quick and dirty.

its a bad idea, its out of code, its possibly dangerous (lightning can be attracted to said wires) but if your going to do it, do it right, get enterence protection on both ends of the wire when it leave the house and when it enters, avaya has a product that takes care of this. I will see if I can find my thread where scottmac helped me out. it has the part numbers. your best bet is to get a long bit and drill up its alot easier then you would think and there are bits spacificly designed for this. Lowes has the long bit you will need (they also have the wiring and such but I don't like the company they use so I go elsewere)

tho wireing between floors via outside sounds like a good idea, its not and with a little extra work you can make your results much more professional.

I know I'm rabling, I apologize, here is what your going to need, and want to do.

a 10' bit (10 to 20 bucks at your local home improvement store) just make sure the diamiter of the bit is larger then your wire, your going to drill from the bottem up, your going to cut a 1.5 inch hole in your drywall upstairs in the same stud cavity as your drilling downstairs, (this will take some measuring) then your going to tie the wire around the bit and pull it back through, bingo your wire is run, then 2 electrical conduate boxes finish the job.
 

QuackQuack

Senior member
Jul 10, 2001
336
0
0
I would appreciate links to any previous threads. Before I posted I went back to the beginning (3 pages) and couldn't find anything.

Hmm, I didn't know running cable outdoors was such a bad idea...
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,786
5,941
146
Running a wire up an outside wall within a dielectric(plastic) conduit will work fine. This will protect the cabling from the elements, and bypasses the occaisional really nasty problems found drilling inside a multistory home, like drilling through unknown plumbing, phonelines, electrical lines.
The average house is not a faraday cage. A wire run up the outside wall within a dielectric conduit is offered the same protection as one that is run 3 inches away, behind the sheeting.
The problem occurs when trying to run between two diversely grounded locations, such as two different buildings. Avoid that one at all costs.
 

Soybomb

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
9,506
2
81
Dont? :D
How about pulling the wire through the air ducts in the house? No exposure and no fishing through walls. Shouldn't be too hard to do with a fish tape.