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Long Ethernet run, patch cable question
Posted on 1/10/21 at 3:00 pm
Posted on 1/10/21 at 3:00 pm
I’m planning for a long run (>100’) to get Ethernet to an external garage. I thought this was as simple as getting a cable or 2 long enough to cover the distance and plug it in at either end (new router in garage, existing router in home). However, I read lots of people discouraging use of such ‘patch cables, which are what I assume is be buying from Monoprice. Instead it seems I should buy unterminated cable and attach the connector ends myself. How is this any different than buying a patch cable of adequate length?
While I’m moderately handy, home networking is not an area I have much experience. Tia.
While I’m moderately handy, home networking is not an area I have much experience. Tia.
9
Posted on 1/10/21 at 3:23 pm to turkish
Usually a "patch" cable will have stranded conductors rather than solid. Generally you want to use cable with solid conductors for long and/or permanent runs because they offer less resistance, and stranded cable for short or very short runs where the cable may be moved occasionally or often and resistance isn't a factor.
The cable you are looking at may be stranded or solid core, don't know without looking at the specs. Another consideration for solid core wire is some are 100% copper while others are copper clad aluminum. Solid copper is preferable.
Whatever you get, if it's a pre-made 100' cable I'm sure that it will suffice for data. If you may use it for PoE in the future, I would recommend making sure it's got solid copper conductors. Actually if it's a permanent installation I would recommend solid copper cat6A at minimum. Given that it's a single link connecting two structures, using cat6A ensures that you can go up to 10gigabit in the future if the need ever arises.
The cable you are looking at may be stranded or solid core, don't know without looking at the specs. Another consideration for solid core wire is some are 100% copper while others are copper clad aluminum. Solid copper is preferable.
Whatever you get, if it's a pre-made 100' cable I'm sure that it will suffice for data. If you may use it for PoE in the future, I would recommend making sure it's got solid copper conductors. Actually if it's a permanent installation I would recommend solid copper cat6A at minimum. Given that it's a single link connecting two structures, using cat6A ensures that you can go up to 10gigabit in the future if the need ever arises.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 3:56 pm to Korkstand
“because they offer less resistance”
No. That is not a thing. Solid cable does not offer less resistance.
No. That is not a thing. Solid cable does not offer less resistance.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 4:03 pm to turkish
A premade cable is fine. Double check your length and make sure you get a cable made for direct burial or an outdoor cable. Are you planning to run a conduit and install the cable in the conduit? That would be the preferred method with it buried at least 18" deep.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 4:19 pm to turkish
I've gone over 100' using premade parts from monoprice.
It was a 100' cable, a coupler, and a 25' cable ran into keystone wall plates that basically had couplers in them. Worked just fine.
It was a 100' cable, a coupler, and a 25' cable ran into keystone wall plates that basically had couplers in them. Worked just fine.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 4:38 pm to VABuckeye
I did describe as “detached,” but there is a connecting roofline, breezeway. I’ll be running it thru there.
So am I understanding correctly that “patch” cable usually implies “stranded” which is why it’s less durable? Makes sense and was what I was hoping to understand. Thanks, all.
So am I understanding correctly that “patch” cable usually implies “stranded” which is why it’s less durable? Makes sense and was what I was hoping to understand. Thanks, all.
This post was edited on 1/10/21 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 1/10/21 at 4:52 pm to turkish
You can go up to 100 meters with Cat5e.
You will be fine.
You will be fine.
This post was edited on 1/10/21 at 4:53 pm
Posted on 1/10/21 at 4:53 pm to td1
quote:Ok let's try to clear this up.
“because they offer less resistance”
No. That is not a thing. Solid cable does not offer less resistance.
Solid vs stranded of the same gauge should have the same resistance. However the stranded will have a larger total diameter due to the space between strands. The total cross-sectional area of copper is what matters. The gauge scale accounts for this.
A solid conductor will have less resistance than a stranded conductor of equal total diameter due to the air gaps and the fact that twisted strands need to be longer to reach a given length.
So you're paying for more copper, and paying for a more costly manufacturing process per foot, and more insulating material due to the increased cable diameter, the bottom line is solid conductor cable is the right choice for long permanent runs, correct?
Posted on 1/10/21 at 4:56 pm to turkish
quote:Stranded is actually more durable than solid if it's going to be flexed often.
So am I understanding correctly that “patch” cable usually implies “stranded” which is why it’s less durable? Makes sense and was what I was hoping to understand. Thanks, all.
But honestly at only 100' just buy whatever, it'll work.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 4:59 pm to turkish
The biggest issue with a premade cable is you might mess up the end while pulling through the wall. Just cover with electrical tape or something to protect it.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 5:02 pm to Brosef Stalin
Ah, makes more sense.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 5:37 pm to turkish
quote:
How is this any different than buying a patch cable of adequate length?
it isn't.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 5:38 pm to Korkstand
quote:
Generally you want to use cable with solid conductors for long and/or permanent runs because they offer less resistance,
stranded conductors have lower resistance due to greater amount of surface area. electrons flow at the "skin" level of a conductor so the more surface area the less resistance.
This post was edited on 1/10/21 at 5:40 pm
Posted on 1/10/21 at 5:39 pm to Korkstand
quote:
A solid conductor will have less resistance than a stranded conductor of equal total diameter due to the air gaps and the fact that twisted strands need to be longer to reach a given length.
incorrect.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 5:47 pm to notsince98
quote:Don't think that's true for DC.
electrons flow at the "skin" level of a conductor so the more surface area the less resistance.
According to the AWG chart, resistance depends on total cross-sectional circular area, not total strand "skin" surface area.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 5:54 pm to notsince98
quote:AWG chart says I'm rightquote:
A solid conductor will have less resistance than a stranded conductor of equal total diameter due to the air gaps and the fact that twisted strands need to be longer to reach a given length.
incorrect.
For example, 24awg like you might find in ethernet cable measures 0.0201" solid and 0.0230" stranded (15% larger) to have equal resistance. The solid wire equates to 404 cmils, and the stranded totals to 397 cmils. The cross sectional area is what determines resistance.
If your surface area theory were correct, the stranded version would have less resistance since the strands total far more surface area than the solid.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 6:57 pm to turkish
You can save so much headache by using a point to point bridging. Seriously it’s so much easier. Lookup a guide to running WiFi to a distanced building with point to point wireless bridge.
Posted on 1/10/21 at 9:11 pm to viv1d
You really only get the skin effect with AC. But with the footage limits of Ethernet any resistance difference is not a factor you have to worry about. The reason solid is used for structured wiring is bc solid is less expensive to manufacture.
I think it’s like one hundredth or one thousandth of an ohm between the two at 1000 feet.
So I will concede on the resistance issue, but only with two conductors of the same diameter. Two conductors of the same gauge (solid or stranded) will be to close in resistance for it to matter.
For 100 feet pick whatever one you can get, it will not matter stranded or solid.
I think it’s like one hundredth or one thousandth of an ohm between the two at 1000 feet.
So I will concede on the resistance issue, but only with two conductors of the same diameter. Two conductors of the same gauge (solid or stranded) will be to close in resistance for it to matter.
For 100 feet pick whatever one you can get, it will not matter stranded or solid.
Posted on 1/11/21 at 7:45 am to td1
What a pissing contest this turned into. 
A pre-made Cat cable will work fine for what the OP has in mind.
A pre-made Cat cable will work fine for what the OP has in mind.
Posted on 1/11/21 at 7:47 am to td1
Dude, just buy the premade 100 foot cable and bury it. You are not running a fortune 500 data center. It will be fine.
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