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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Alarms, Phones, Aerials, CCTV & Datacomms >> cat6 https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1319574942 Message started by scotspark on Oct 25^th, 2011, 9:35pm

Title: cat6
Post by scotspark on Oct 25^th, 2011, 9:35pm

Hi

Have many of you used cat6?

do you use different plugs & modules?

I cabled a job for connection by another contractor and there has been some problems but as far as I can make out they have used cat5E plugs on the cat6 not cat6 plugs,

A quick google shows the different plugs and plates but do you still use the same punch down tool & crimper?

Cheers

SS

Title: Re: cat6
Post by Lectrician on Oct 26^th, 2011, 7:31am

The modules/outlets/fronts/patch panels are different if you want to keep the 'cat6' spec of the installed system. Using cat5e kit with cat6 cable would be fine and would work but you would only be able to declare your system as Cat5e.

Cat6 crimp on plugs (should you want to use them :-/ ) are the same size etc, but usually have an open front at the bottom. The idea being you can pull the conductors through the plug rather than them butting upto the end of the plug, this allows you to pull the conductors through to keep the twists right up until the last minute, and keep the cable sheath tight up into the plug, maintaining the twists is crucial to the cat6 spec.

One time I saw issues was when they installer had run patch cable and not standard UTP or FTP. Patch cable having stranded cores suitable for regular movement (kind of like electrical flexes on appliances). Not designed for being punched down though!

Title: Re: cat6
Post by wozzy on Oct 27^th, 2011, 9:31pm

First installed it about 5 years ago, we didnt do patch end that was done by others, I remember the tray we used was massive with multiple sweeping bends. Bending radius must be massive.

Never installed it while working for myself, if my house was bigger I would have had to use it for TV distribution but as its small cat5 is fine.

Title: Re: cat6
Post by scotspark on Oct 27^th, 2011, 10:09pm

Funnily enough the job I ran it in for was for TV Distibution in a house

Title: Re: cat6
Post by wozzy on Oct 27^th, 2011, 10:28pm

Was it shielded? Some of the baluns I was looking at buying wanted to use shielded.

Title: Re: cat6
Post by Lectrician on Oct 28^th, 2011, 7:11am

If you are using it for TV distribution, you are not using for it's intended purpose (TCP-IP ethernet network).

All you are doing is using the twisted pair carry the signal after using a balun to convert it to a balanced signal, using a second balun to switch it back.

To minimise interference, shielded is often called for (I did some UF heating recently with touch screen wall panels all linked with shielded cat5e).

UTP = UNsheilded Twisted Pair
FTP - FOIL shielded Twisted Pair

UTP is most commonly used, but most suppliers and wholesalers will carry some FTP.

Title: Re: cat6
Post by scotspark on Oct 28^th, 2011, 7:59pm

I know the diference between UTP & FTP

I have previously installed mountains of cat5 networks just never cat6

I just ran in cabling whilst doing some other work the connecting up and tv system was being done by others nothing to do with me.

cable was UTP they supplied.

I have previously ran a couple of tvs in cat5 and they worked fine but these were to be done in cat 6 as it is supposed to give a better picture and allow longer distances.

Title: Re: cat6
Post by Lectrician on Oct 29^th, 2011, 8:36am

I think I actually read wozzy's post as "what is shielded" and not "was it sheilded"!