atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Outside Plant OSP Construction outside Cat 5

When run on the exterior of a building, do i need to protect Cat 5 from damage or from weather? If so, what is recommended method? Thanks.

Recommended method is to rerun the wire on the inside of building there is no good way of protecting Cat 5 outdoors

Merritt is right, but if you have to, consider using conduit rated for the application. Feel free to post back if you have any issues. We're always glad to help. Noticed this is your first post.

Actually, you can purchase type CMX CAT5 cable that is sunlight (UV) resistant. Most direct burial CAT5 cable meets this criteria, but you can't run it indoors since it is flamable.

Anything that's already installed is likely shot since it's not likely that CMR or CMP cable can sustain being exposed to the weather very long.

Use a gel filled cat 5.
If you need some extra protection put it in conduit or innerduct. It works great and we have some that has been out there for years.
Now if you are going from building to building in a matter that will expose you to possible lightning etc...use cat 5 protectors. They are readily available at most distributers.

Thanks y'all for your replies. I found this forum on a thread at the ECN Forum.

Merritt- as for your statement that there is no good way to protect Cat 5 outdoors, what about when you all run your home runs to the outside for the phone company to land in the demarc? This is basically what i will be doing: in a remodel, adding a home run from a bedroom to the demarc, which as i understand it (haven't been to the site yet) is located right outside the bedroom wall. So if the Cat 5 is exposed for such a short lenght is that considered okay? or is your answer still the same? Thanks.

Well, if you want to follow the NEC, all wiring that is exposed less than eight feet above ground is supposed to be protected by "some adequate means". Even low voltage wiring since this requirement falls under "wiring methods" in the code. I interpret this as cable guard or conduit.

Does anybody do it for low-voltage? Of course not! Would an electrical inspector bust you for not protecting it? I seriously doubt it. I would't worry about a short exposed length, just do the best you can to keep it out of harm's way and out of direct sunlight and it should be fine. If you need a short length of CAT5 cable that's outdoor rated, just let me know in a PM and I will send you some.

Well I guess you didn't like what I had to say over at the ECN forum. You drove me nuts with CAT5, CAT5, CAT5 making me think you were running a data network drop. :bang:

Don't know why you are making a big deal over this though I suspect it is because of your lack of understanding. Sorry but I find that IBEW guys are the worst at this.

what about when you all run your home runs to the outside for the phone company to land in the demarc?

That's probably the worst thing you can do, running all the 4 pair home runs outside then expecting them to be connected to a demarc that is designed for a few pair at most.

What you should do is choose a location inside to run all your home runs to. Punch them all down on a 66 block so that they can be cross connected as necessary to the CO lines. Then do only one run from there out to the demarc for those CO lines.

As far as protection on the outside- again it's not necessary. As I've said to you before if stop using CAT 5 cables for voice you will find that there are many CAT 3 cables dual listed for indoor/outdoor use.

-Hal

OK, now I'm confused. Why is Cat V cable being ran to a telco Demarc? I must have missed something. :shrug:

Oh, so right, hbiss. But --- around here SBC demands Cat 5 from the demarc or they won't hook up for us in residential (DSL?). Smart house and all else need an internal distribution system and a feeder from the demarc --- NOT EVERYTHING to the SNI.

I'm glad I don't do residential.

KLD