OK so since I "sorta" retired I haven't bought much in the way of supplies. I'm about out of CAT3 and can't find any, the distributors I usually use say they no longer carry it as it's the same price as CAT5, well that may be, but it's still easier to work with than CAT5 for voice. So do any of you still use CAT3 and if so where do you get it?

Thanks,
Bill

Home Depot sells it near me for slightly less than Cat5e. It comes in 500 and 1000 foot boxes. I can buy it there "retail" for less than my electrical supplier's "wholesale" price.

Thanks Arthur, next time I take the trip I'll check them out.

I still get it at Graybar, although I haven't bought any in quite a long while.

Graybar told me they no longer carry it in the 1000ft payout boxes.

ADI (ADI-DIST.COM) sells 2, 3, 4, 25 and 50 pair Cat3 cable. Their prices are high compared to other sources, though.

If you don't have an on-line account, you can't see the pricing. If you want to sign in with my account info, send me a private message.

Thanks for the offer Arthur. I'll let you know if I need it.

PM sent.

Thanks Paul.

The last several boxes of cable I got (Cat5e PVC) was all from ADI. Price was about half of Graybar.

Thanks for all the help. I'm going to try Jenne and ADI Monday to see what I can come up with. If no luck there I have an offer to help me out. Again, thanks everyone for your help.

like arthur said home depot they even offer free shipping

or ebay

Shoot Skip, I don't see where I can beat that HD offer with free shipping. Never used that brand, but hey it can't be any worse than some I've tried. I'll go ahead and call Jenne, but I doubt they can do any better even if they have it. Thanks

Comtran wire is decent. Southwire is not really known for datacom, though.

how much Cat3 Southwire have you used and what problems have you encountered using it for voice applications (I think its safe to leave the data out of datacom for Cat3 applications)

We have used the Southwire cable from Home Depot a few times and I thought that it was pretty good and priced well.

I usually get our cable from Teledata Express since they include shipping in all of their pricing. CAT3 cable is significantly cheaper than their CAT5e and they stock it regularly.

Thanks for the added info, Teledata Express gives me another avenue. With what y'all have given me I should be able to find some tomorrow. Going to check the two distributors and if nothing there go to HD.

Skip,
All I meant was that Southwire is not really known for voice or data cable...the only place I have ever seen it sold is at Home Depot.
I've never purchased any there because I buy my cable through distribution.

Ed thanks for the suggestion. Nice people, decent prices and shipping is included. Looking at their online catalog they have about everything a guy could need for structured wiring.

Commscope Cable, 24 AWG, 4 Pair, Unshielded Twisted Pair Communications Riser Cable Solid bare copper conductors CAT 3 PVC, PVC Gray Jacket Comes In Box SYSTIMAX

Manufacturer #1010A SL 4/24 W1000
Anixter #CM-00424MAX-3U

Rcaman

They really do, Bill. We just did a fairly complex fiber job and they had every single item that we needed in stock and at the job site in three days. I really like not having surprise shipping charges show up on the invoice after the fact.