Cat 5 Cable

How To Install Cat 5 Cable

This article discusses how to install CAT 5 cable. You must take precautions in how you handle the cable before installation. Here are some steps to follow:

1)     Do not exert too much pulling tension (25 lbs or under).

2)     Don’t pinch or crush bundles or pull the cables around sharp corners that may cause damage to the cable.

3)     Do not step on the cable.

4)     Never use staple guns or metal staples. Use plastic stand-off cable staples to avoid compressing or crushing the cable.

5)     Space your cable ties randomly and apply them loosely..

6)     Use broad cable supports to hold up horizontal cable bundles.

7)     Avoid unwanted signals by using the correct punch down tools for the connector (110 or 66) and only untwist the wire pairs ½ inch.

8)     Leave at least 3 inches of the outer cable jacket on.

9)     Match wire color codes at all outlets, connector blocks, etc.

Here are a few extra pre-installation tips on how to install CAT 5 cable:

1)     The length cable between the outlet and the telecom closet should be within 295 feet.

2)     It there is a damaged cable between the outlets and the telecom closet, do not splice or attempt to repair it. Use a new cable.

3)     Avoid interference by taking care not to cross your CAT 5 cable at a right angle to cross power cables.

4)     Do not put data cables across grids, fixtures, or ceiling tiles. Support them with a cable tray.

5)     Keep the cable 6 inches form HID or florescent lights.

Here is how to actually install CAT 5 cable beginning with the items you will need:

1)     A Belder Datalist (The brand is optional)

2)     350 24 guage solid CAT 5 spool (1000 ft.). This is a durable wire.

3)     Several faceplates with CAT 5 RJ-45’s and CAT 3 RJ-1215

4)     2 75 ohm F-fitting

5)     One or 2 faceplates with 6 CAT 5-RJ-45’s each

6)     A number of plastic outlet boxes (retrofit), measuring tape, fish tape, and a roll of 200 lb. nylon line.

Now that you have your equipment, let’s show you how to install CAT 5 cable:

1)     Cut 2 outlet holes close to a stud in whatever room your computer is in. Cut the outlet at the same height as the electrical outlets.

2)     Figure out where to drill the drop hole in the attic studs so that it is directly over the computer room outlets.

3)     Drill a 1” hole right in the middle of the horizontal 2x4’s just above the computer room outlet. Use a drill that can go through a 4” surface since the 2x4’s will probably be doubled up.

4)     Drop about 8’ of steel fish tape down the wall. (The fish tape should have a 20 ft. piece of the 200 lb. nylon line attached to it. At the 10 ft. midpoint of the 20 ft. nylon line—tie off a loop to make a “shuttle”.

5)     Pull the loop down into the computer room and tape it to the CAT 5 cable end. Go back into the attic and pull the loop or shuttle back up.

6)     Cut a large hole in the back rear section of the outlet box.

Next ,let’s discuss how to install Cat 5 cable concerning the wiring:

1)     Cut back about 3 inches of the outer sheath of the cable wire. Untwist the wires. Match the colors. Put a ¼  radius turn to the wires. Use a clear plastic cap to seat the wires. Leave no more than a ¼ inch gap between the stripped outer sheath and the termination point for the brown and green wire pairs..

2)     Punch in the wires, check the colors again and look closely at the bands on the white wires so as not to mix up the white wires from the different pairs.

3)     Finally, cut off the wire tails with some flush-cutting diagonals. The CAT 5 wire has now been installed.