Do i need to protect Cat 5 when it is run outdoors, say along the house's siding? I.e., protect it from damage and/or the weather? If so, what methods recommended?

Hi Tripp,
I'd put it in some small PVC Conduit, unless the Codes where you are, ask for something heavier.

I'd go with that as well, unless you get a cable which is already intended for outdoor use (e.g. UV protected etc.).

They do make outdoor rated Cat-5, etc. Even hard usage cable for this purpose. Hard to find outside of Graybar and other Tel/data supply houses.

Thanks for the responses, guys.

Now what if the Cat 5 is outside just long enough to get to the demarc? My situation is a remodel in which i am to run a new home-run from the bedroom to the demarc, which as i understand it (haven't been to the site yet) is just outside the bedroom's outside wall. Do i still need to put it in conduit? And if so, could i just use some liquidtight for the flexibility which i'm guessing will be a necessity in this case. More thoughts from anyone?

If the home has vinyl siding I will in alot of cases remove the vinyl siding and install the cat5 cable behind it. They make a siding removal tool that makes removing the siding very easy. You can pull out one section, put in the cable and put the section back. In cooler weather the siding can be a little brittle so you have to be a little carefull.
I have also done this with coax cable. Makes for a clean installation.

Now what if the Cat 5 is outside just long enough to get to the demarc?

DEMARC? Arrrff I thought this was for a network. Wish you guys would stop with the CAT 5 crap and just say what the heck you are doing. It's a friggin telephone POTS line.

As to your question, NO you don't have to protect it. Just staple it and make it look neat.

Geesh!

-Hal

Sometimes I will run the friggin telephone POTS line behind the vinyl siding to conceal it. I'm not sure what I would get from the supply house when I called and ordered some friggin telephone POTS line.

Some supply houses have stopped carrying "Plain Old Telephone Service" wire. i.e. Cat-3 and quad, or 6 conductor can rarely be found these days... Hal, Cat-5(e) has become the default... It's the way of the friggin' future....

I'm not sure what I would get from the supply house when I called and ordered some friggin telephone POTS line.

Well no doubt they need some education too! Reason why they only have CAT5 is because they hand it to you and you walk out without saying anything. If enough guys tell em they don't want friggin CAT5 for voice they might get the message. I won't even go into the huge price difference between CAT3 plenum and CAT5 plenum.

Then too I might ask why you are looking for a telecom product in an electrical supply house. Kind of like looking for electrical materials in a plumbing or HVAC supply house. What the hell would they know?

Still want to know what are you guys going to do in a few years when the norm for data is fiber.

-Hal

[This message has been edited by hbiss (edited 10-30-2005).]

[This message has been edited by hbiss (edited 10-30-2005).]