I need to run ethernet to my workshop. CAT5e?
 

So, I am currently running 2.4 WiFi to my workshop 70' from my router. I'm using a TP-Link AC1750 in the house and going to an old WRT54G flashed as a repeater in the shop. It sucks and I have lived with it for many years. I would like to run etherrnet out to my shop and I think it is probably around 150'. My networking experience ended years ago, shortly after 10BASE2 went out of style. If you were doing a 150' run, underground, would you use CAT5e, CAT6, gel, shielded, UV, pre-made cables, ??? I think I have a big spool of coax somewhere (RG6?) and have heard there have been major advances in using that to get LAN to distant buildings. I'm not sure it is 150' and adapters are probably $$$. I'd like to do this on the cheap. I think my spool of regular CAT5 is pretty much used up. Suggestions???

Oh, forgot to say that probably 10' of the install will be running in close proximity to future 110V AC and mini-split AC control wires.

Just use regular shielded cat5e. The insulation on Ethernet cable is the same that's on electrical wiring(for the most part).
​​​​​​If you can, crimp on your own ends.

How fast do you want it to go? 1000baseT (gigabit) is spec'd at 100 meters over cat5e, so that's what I'd go with. Note that to meet a particular rating all the components need to be rated for it, including the connectors, patch panels, etc.

Are you digging a new trench for this and laying conduit? Run more wire than you think you need, as well as some pull cords so you can add more later.

--Ian

I probably wouldn't dig a trench to run ethernet if I didn't already have a conduit to an outbuilding. I'd probably just set up a pair of these and be done with it:

While watching videos on the Ubiquiti (thanks for pointing me towards that equipment) I found this gem:

I don't know why but I'm finding it very entertaining. I see it has 1.2million views so others must too...

Ethernet is cheap compared to labor, pay the few bucks extra for cat6.

Cat5e is plenty good enough to deliver gigabit ethernet over 150 feet. If you were going closer to 300 ft I would say use Cat6 or 7 instead but for that distance I would use an external/weatherproof version of Cat5e.

It is. We do this all the time.

Being future-proof is also nice, and the cost difference between Cat5e and Cat6 / 6A is negligible.

I saw shielded cable being recommended earlier. Don't do this.

For one, modern ethernet uses differential signalling, so common-mode noise isn't really a factor. In our studio camera umbillicals, I have approximately 90 feet of unshielded CAT5 running inside the same sleeve as the 120vac power cable.

For two, in order to work, shielded cable needs to be used with shielded RJ45 plugs (which are uncommon and require special tooling to terminate), and virtually no equipment (routers, computers, etc) which is available at the consumer-level has RJ-45 receptacles which accommodate a shield connection. I suppose you could run the drain wire out of the cable and bond it to ground externally, but again, this really just isn't needed in modern ethernet at the performance-levels we're talking about here.

Interesting. I can't believe I would have more noise in the facilities that I work in than you. I was losing signal on POE cameras at about 150' with unshielded Ethernet. Cat 5e or 6 didn't matter. With shielded cable and proper bonding(on one end) I could get 350'. Never any more than 350' regardless of what I did.

Oh, I'm sure you do. No industrial furnaces or welders here.

Figures that someone in this thread would have the edge-case that proves me wrong. :giggle:

But sounds like you did it right, vis-a-vis the bonding of the drain wire. Without that, shielded cable is effectively unshielded cable.

But you are right. An Ethernet line out to a barn probably shouldn't need shielded wire.

Cat5e will be fine. Cat 6 is a bitch to terminate.

If you have a suitable route, you can use exterior grade cable, clip it to walls and directly bury parts of it. No conduit means that's about as cheap as the job can get. You can even buy 50m lengths of exterior Cat5e/Cat6 pre-terminated with RJ45 plugs so you don't even need to mess around with crimping plugs on if you're unfamiliar. Cat 5e termination is a doddle but as mentioned Cat 6 is more fiddly as it's a much more demanding spec on the exact forming of the wires. If I was worried about interference I might run 2 cables; one unscreened and another screened just in case. Though my experience is that screening is not usually helpful and actually makes longer runs less likely to work (probably because of increased capacitance and greater attenuation, IDK).

I casually hit the "new posts" button and the first thread was "I need to run ethanol to my workshop. Cats?"

Breakfast before browsing the forums is a good idea.
The double take was as good as a cup of coffee, tho.

Been a busy month but ready to move forward with it. So, 150' of regular Cat5e ($14) or GEL direct burial ($40)? I haven't used the gel stuff before but I will be putting it directly in the ground. Hype or a necessity?

I'm typing this from the barn now so I'm not exactly sure why the hell I am not sticking with what I have (WiFi). Guess I'm just looking for a project.

Is this supposed to be a cheapest way to get internet to the building (not including sweat equity)? If so, you're on the right path.

If not....it would be far simpler to just get better wifi antennas and beam it to your building.

Yes, everything I do is the cheapest way not including sweat equity. This is how I have fun...