Running external Ethernet cable

[Martyn]

I'm in the uk. Are there any rules and regulations regarding running exterior grade Ethernet cable to another building? I'm thinking of some one who wants networking for a computer in a rear garden office about 30m away from the house. The router is at the front of he house. I know there are rules for laying mains cable.

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

I think they have to be physically separated from any mains cables. But apart from that you should be OK.

 

[Kitten Kong]

+1 for what Kev said. Afaik, as long as it is separated, you will be fine. My mains cable, is inside armoured cable, which is dug 12-18" under the ground.

Irrespective of it being buried, or loose, ie shown, between the 2 buildings at the top, I would personally thread the cable, through a hosepipe. Especially in the garden. You never know, when someone may put a fork, or spade through it, or the cable degrades due to the elements. Digging up the garden again to recover and relay the cable would be a pita.

If it was inside a hosepipe, it would be a simple matter, or tying a piece of string to the new cable, attached to the existing cable, and then pull them both through.

Saying that, if it was loose in the air, again I would personally thread it through a hosepipe again. Especially with the elements, frost, snow etc. My cable is approx 30m from the front of the house too, where the router is, and is strung from the house to the workshop. It is a little unsightly, as I have 2 cables run down here, one for the telephone, and the other for the network. I used Cat 5e, for both. When my phone cable needed replacing, it was a bit of a pain, to replace, as they are both cable tied to each other. So ended up replacing both at the same, time.

 

[Martyn]

Thanks for that chaps, rep added.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

You'll want exterior grade cable...not just for protection against UV, but even if you sheath it in hose or conduit...you still get water collecting in there, which can freeze...and pinch/squeeze in the low spots. Which over time will mess with the twists of the ethernet.

If they have an AC feed to the shed....how about a pair of ethernet over powerline bridges?

Another possibility...something like a Ubiquiti Picostation.

 

[Martyn]

If they have an AC feed to the shed....how about a pair of ethernet over powerline .

Yes it's one of the options I'm looking at. Thanks for the input. I'm going back when she gets a new pc in the near future so I will know more then.

 

[SilverLeaf]

Not sure if this is an issue in your situation, but I would recommend not leaving the cable exposed. Around here, the mutant squirrels and mice have developed a taste, no make that an appetite, for any sort of cable jacketing or wire insulation. Currently, they are the bane of my existence, as they like to chew on the wiring harnesses under both of my vehicles, as well as the wiring running to my outside HVAC unit. .....and the repellants I've tried so far don't phase them. Next step is armed conflict.

 

[frederick]

Not sure if this is an issue in your situation, but I would recommend not leaving the cable exposed. Around here, the mutant squirrels and mice have developed a taste, no make that an appetite, for any sort of cable jacketing or wire insulation. Currently, they are the bane of my existence, as they like to chew on the wiring harnesses under both of my vehicles, as well as the wiring running to my outside HVAC unit. .....and the repellants I've tried so far don't phase them. Next step is armed conflict.

You are in kentuky, I figured by now the squirell population around your house would be placed on the endangered species list...had a buddy from there, every weekend was squirell hunting season

Agreed, run it about 12" under ground at least, exterior grade cable, through pvc pipe, about a 1/4 inch should handle 3 or 4 runs nicely, depending on what you need. Dont forget to cap or seal both ends of the pipe to keep the bug population under control. Simple silicon caulking can get this done.

Are you wiring thos straight in to the office or a junctiong box just outside?

 

[Martyn]

Are you wiring thos straight in to the office or a junctiong box just outside?

Not sure yet. I was in looking at a computer problem and the question came up. I said I would look into it and when she gets the new computer that I would go back on site to transfer her data and look further at the office issue.

 

[AndyM]

How about using an external directional wireless transmitter?

Andy

 

[frederick]

Not sure yet. I was in looking at a computer problem and the question came up. I said I would look into it and when she gets the new computer that I would go back on site to transfer her data and look further at the office issue.

I only bring up the JB cause I don't know UK laws, obviously, but a JB by an inspectors perception might be considered a low voltage wiring of the building, and that's when permits get involved, and inspections, etc, if applicable in your area.

I did an outside the wall installation of network cable a while back, used wire cobers the length of the wall, etc, to hide them. Its what the client wanted, but I had to place plastic, small junction boxes for when several wires came together and then split directions. The client had an inspector come in for her roof and asked if she had a permit for the junction boxes. Took me 3 hours to explain to this inspector that these were installed IAW the law, and that because nothing was drilled, cut, etc no permit was needed or required