new construction house wiring for cat5e

[Sean8]

any advice from someone that has done it, run conduit for the future?

figured i would ask for someone that has done it and wish they did it different maybe

 

[Frick]

Cat6, or even higher.

 

[Nosada]

Are you wiring cat5e simply to provide internet access to all parts of the home, or do you have bigger plans, like home servers (PLEX) or streaming devices to other locations (Steam In-Home Streaming/Remotr)?

Also, this:

Cat6, or even higher.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I agree to run Cat 6. Cat 5e will work but I promise you, you only want to pull cable through your house once. So to ensure the best performance for as long into the future as possible, put in at least top quality Cat 6. You do not need conduit. Network cables uses "twisted" pairs to cancel out any affects of interference.

Do "invest" in a top quality crimper and use only top quality connectors. Practice crimping on scrap pieces of wires. Be ready to waste several connectors. I wasted $40 on two cheap crimpers before buying the quality $40 crimper I should have bought in the first place.

"Invest" also in a decent network cable tester. The $10 testers that look identical to the $40 testers are not identical, or equal.

You are only as good as your tools. Remember, you want this wiring job to last a lifetime. It will cost you to do it right, but you will still save $100s by doing it yourself.

Leave at least a couple feet of slack at every outlet.

At least two outlets in every room. You may think one is enough, and it most likely is (since you can always put a switch in the room). But Murphey's Law will always put the outlet on the wrong side of the room from the computer. Plus, remember TVs, Roku streamers, Blu-Ray players and other devices often are able to connect via Ethernet too - always better than wireless (in terms of security).

Make sure all bends around corners are gentle curves. Do not actually bend and never allow any kinks in the cables.

Do not yank or stretch cables. If it gets hung up while pulling, crawl in or punch a hole in the wall to carefully free the hang up. If not possible, abandon the cable in place and start a new run. Do not yank or stretch the cable (worth repeating).

No splices.

Use a good router.

 

[Kursah]

Yep use CAT6 or CAT6A (iirc this is the really heavy duty stuff..pain to work with, but meant for long term).

Use a good router, get something more business-grade like an Ubiquity EdgeRouter Lite or X also look at PFSense whether you buy one of theirs or build something, there's a lot of good options that will treat you very well...don't rely on a router to be your wireless AP, firewall and switch. Use it as a router/firewall, have a dedicated switch and have dedicated wireless access points. Have a networking closet with ventilation abilities.

Have a patch panel that you can label where each run goes to...this is so helpful later on after years of not having to worry about your wire runs...a day will come and this will save you having to tone/trace. Then use short CAT6 patch cables to connect from patch panel to your switch.

Label or number your ports on the wall to match the patch panel, again this makes referencing easier later on if you're doing a lot of runs.

Use a decent quality switch, something that has a good warrant...there are Netgear switches starting around $100 with lifetime warranties iirc, and they're solid performers and work great for SoHo setups. Also decide if you need a managed switch or if a standard L2 switch will do the job. Also decide on if you want to go POE (Power Over Ethernet) now or later. This allows power and data over an Ethernet cable for devices like Wireless Access Points, Phones, paging amps, cameras, etc.

It won't be cheap to get into, but if spend wisely now, you'll actually save yourself in the long run.

Add that to @Bill_Bright 's suggestions and you'll have a very solid setup!

 

[Solaris17]

Cat6A and run conduit. Im still working a few rooms at my place. had to stop for the sake of repairing my roof. but..

run 6A
use PVC or other conduit
Atleast 2 keystones (1 panel) in each room.
Bonus points if you drop 4+ on the wall for your TV etc in the living room.
terminate all to a patch panel.

run your equipment behind patch panel.

home value goes up.

 

[JacobVR]

For permanent installs, use solid CAT5/6 wire. Stranded wire should only be used for patch cables.

 

[Sean8]

looks like itll be some sort of cat6 and conduit for the future

 

[Ahhzz]

I agree to run Cat 6. Cat 5e will work but I promise you, you only want to pull cable through your house once. So to ensure the best performance for as long into the future as possible, put in at least top quality Cat 6. You do not need conduit. Network cables uses "twisted" pairs to cancel out any affects of interference.

Do "invest" in a top quality crimper and use only top quality connectors. Practice crimping on scrap pieces of wires. Be ready to waste several connectors. I wasted $40 on two cheap crimpers before buying the quality $40 crimper I should have bought in the first place.

"Invest" also in a decent network cable tester. The $10 testers that look identical to the $40 testers are not identical, or equal.

You are only as good as your tools. Remember, you want this wiring job to last a lifetime. It will cost you to do it right, but you will still save $100s by doing it yourself.

Leave at least a couple feet of slack at every outlet.

At least two outlets in every room. You may think one is enough, and it most likely is (since you can always put a switch in the room). But Murphey's Law will always put the outlet on the wrong side of the room from the computer. Plus, remember TVs, Roku streamers, Blu-Ray players and other devices often are able to connect via Ethernet too - always better than wireless (in terms of security).

Make sure all bends around corners are gentle curves. Do not actually bend and never allow any kinks in the cables.

Do not yank or stretch cables. If it gets hung up while pulling, crawl in or punch a hole in the wall to carefully free the hang up. If not possible, abandon the cable in place and start a new run. Do not yank or stretch the cable (worth repeating).

No splices.

Use a good router.

I agree with Kursah. Been doing this for years now, and your best friend is KNOWLEDGE. Knowing where the hell the connection is for that outlet is worth gold. Mark up both ends, behind the faceplate if you need to.
Always pull more than you think you need. You never know. At least an extra foot. Nothing like making a 250' pull around corners, through overheads, and between stuff, and coming up 5 feet short. Trust me on that one It was over 300, security camera, in a Cherry Picker, and 5 foot short... that's a long trek to pull 5 more feet out.
Conduit is not just for cancelling out interference, it's for convenience. Getting a line down inside a wall, especially an insulated wall, is dramatically easier, instead of traumatically nightmarish, with conduit. And when you pull that cable down the conduit, pull a lead string with it. Use heavy grade twine, and tie it off at top and bottom, for when you need another line.
On that note, pull two. Double it up again for the major areas, like behind the TV. Cable is cheap. Shop around. I bought 1000 feet cat 6 last year for $35 discontinued at Home Depot. Always swing thru Otherwise, check around.
For the network tester, I do have to mildly disagree. I just purchased a replacement of the Chinese model I've had for 12 years (yup). I can't guarantee that this one for $7 will last as long as a $90 fluke, but for <$10, I'll take the chance once, maybe even twice. Just bought it, I'll let you know
However, Don't skimp on the crimper. And if you're doing a patch panel (come on, all the cool kids are doing it!!), get a quality punch tool. I prefer the Klein padded handle, but I got mine for a steal.
I doubt you need a fish pole for a new install, or a fish tape, but it you need the pole, this is a life saver.
In case you missed it, pull two.
Good luck!

 

[FR@NK]

Make sure you run afew lines for outdoor security cameras. I wish I would have done this as with power over ethernet its really easy to setup a camera system.

 

[Arctucas]

Install the conduit, EMT preferably. Do not forget the bushings on the ends.

Install an addition pull string with the cable.