More networking queries sorry! Patch panel question and solid vs stranded Cat 6

[FatalSaviour]

Hey guys,
I'm just planning on running 20 Cat 6 cables around the new office that we should be moving into shortly.
In the past, we've just had cat 6 cables running into the nearest switch, and then daisy-chaining the switches throughout (not ideal, granted, but for a small office with lots of desks spread far apart, it was the easiest solution at the time!).

Now however, I'd like to do this properly...I'd just like to find out what 'properly' will really consist of, as I'm quite new to running cabling properly!

I've just got a Belkin Cat6 24 port patch panel , and there should be a Dell 24 port switch coming along shortly.

My questions really revolve around the best way of cabling between the patch panel and any RJ45 faceplates that I install.

I currently have a hundred metres of stranded cable left from previous oddjobs. Now the patch panel (apparently) can take stranded cable, but looking at most of the RJ45 modules I've seen, these seem to be more geared towards solid cable.
This in itself isn't a problem, however I have a few questions re: this:

1. How fragile is solid cable? Having never worked with this before, is it possible to manipulate it around wall corners etc under trunking?

2. Is this an acceptable way of wiring a patch panel (I'll need the punchdown tool to push and terminate the connections of course). I'm not used to seeing this much bare wiring, so just want to make sure that it won't cause any problems with Cat6!
This picture in the Belkin Manual seems to complete contradict the wiring diagram on the panel itself, so I just want to make sure I'm not being an idiot here too!

3. Finally, does anyone have any recommendations of where to get some backplates, faceplates and RJ45 modules from as well as Solid Cat 6? I'm currently just thinking of buying somethings like this from Maplin?

Apologies for the insanely long post!
Thanks once again for all your help everyone!

[peterb]

Solid cable is better for punch down idc connectors, such as RJ45 socket modules. It isn't as felxible as stranded, but then once installed it is pretty much left undisturbed. It is also cheaper which is important for lengthy runs.

Why are you using Cat6? Unless you have a very demanding requirement, Cat5e is as good, more flexible and again less expensive.

patcg panels do tend to be a maze of wires, you can tie wrap bundles together to make them neater, particularly when the final office layout is sorted and the core positions defined and sockets used.

[Funkstar]

A proper punch down tool will snip off the excess wire from the connector. You should be able to get these anywhere that sells the face plates or CATx cable.

As for best places to get, price everything up on the likes of Maplin, RS (http://rswww.com/) or CPC (http://www.cpc.co.uk). There are loads of sites out there that specialise in networking cables and accessories too.

Have a search on here for Cat6, I'm sure there has been discussions about how there are some serious drawbacks from using it. To be in spec, there are some pretty tight restrictions on what you can and can't do with it. You have to take notice of bend radius's, how hard you pull cables when laying them etc.

[FatalSaviour]

Solid cable is better for punch down idc connectors, such as RJ45 socket modules. It isn't as felxible as stranded, but then once installed it is pretty much left undisturbed. It is also cheaper which is important for lengthy runs.

Thanks. Cost isn't really an issue fortunately in this case, but as you say, the cabling will be left undisturbed under trunking after installation so I may as well go with this.

Why are you using Cat6? Unless you have a very demanding requirement, Cat5e is as good, more flexible and again less expensive.

The entire office runs on a GbE network. I know that Cat5e is well up to the task of this, but again, cost isn't really so much of an issue, so it's really just making use of whatever's best or nearly best at the time of installation.

Thanks v much peterb

[Jay]

If you have already have it and are going to be running it behind walls its well worth running CAT6, just be aware that it does not bend very well and can be a real nightmare to work with. Also solid is best for structured cabling solutions like this as it’s more resilient.

[badass]

Thanks. Cost isn't really an issue fortunately in this case, but as you say, the cabling will be left undisturbed under trunking after installation so I may as well go with this.


The entire office runs on a GbE network. I know that Cat5e is well up to the task of this, but again, cost isn't really so much of an issue, so it's really just making use of whatever's best or nearly best at the time of installation.

Thanks v much peterb

You've mentioned cost not being an issue twice. On that basis I'd make it an SEP (somebody elses problem)
Pay someone else to do it. Why waste your time? Also, do you want to be the one that gets blamed if there are any issues with the cables.

For reference, you should always use solid cables between sockets and patch panels. Stranded cable is only for patch leads.

[FatalSaviour]

You've mentioned cost not being an issue twice. On that basis I'd make it an SEP (somebody elses problem)
Pay someone else to do it. Why waste your time? Also, do you want to be the one that gets blamed if there are any issues with the cables.

It's a valid point! First of all, I don't really mind doing it all that much (although obviously a home project would perhaps be more suitable first! . Secondly, and much more importantly - after being given 1 days notice of a new office being bought, I've been asked if it's at all possible to get everything ready in under a week...

[badass]

It's a valid point! First of all, I don't really mind doing it all that much (although obviously a home project would perhaps be more suitable first! . Secondly, and much more importantly - after being given 1 days notice of a new office being bought, I've been asked if it's at all possible to get everything ready in under a week...

I work for a company that does not do forward planning very well at all and I can say that you should be able to find someone that can have the cabling done for you.
Also remember that a lack of planning on their part is their problem. Do what you can, do not do that which you are unqualified to do and possibly risk breaking the law.
Did you know it is illegal to run data and power cables in the same trunking for example? Guess who will be the one facing the fines etc if it all goes wrong?
If it can't get done by someone else in a week, make them wait. Long term it's always better to occasionally say no.

[Funkstar]

Did you know it is illegal to run data and power cables in the same trunking for example? Guess who will be the one facing the fines etc if it all goes wrong?

This I didn't know. I guess it is a fire regulation?

Ignoring that, it is also a very bad idea as you get interference from the mains in the network cable

[peterb]

Duplicate post

[peterb]

I work for a company that does not do forward planning very well at all and I can say that you should be able to find someone that can have the cabling done for you.
Also remember that a lack of planning on their part is their problem. Do what you can, do not do that which you are unqualified to do and possibly risk breaking the law.
Did you know it is illegal to run data and power cables in the same trunking for example? Guess who will be the one facing the fines etc if it all goes wrong?
If it can't get done by someone else in a week, make them wait. Long term it's always better to occasionally say no.

AFAIK it isn't actually illegal, however there is advice given in BS EN 50174-2. Ihave also had a look in the IEE (now IET) wiring regs and their concern is with EMC, rather than electrical safety - however it was only a quick look, and you may wish to examine them further. It is worth stating that you should NOT tamper with any high energy circuits unless you are suitably qualified.

http://www.telephone-systems.co.uk/c...on-advice.html

However you do need to consider fire regulations and the provision of low fume hazard cables.

If you are installing new cables, you could either install conduit (plastic for physical protection) or conduit (plastic for same considerations) or metal to reduce the minimum separation distances.

If the installation is in existing ducting, then you should observe the separation distances in the BS.

[Jay]

There may also be issues with your insurance.

[badass]

This I didn't know. I guess it is a fire regulation?

Ignoring that, it is also a very bad idea as you get interference from the mains in the network cable

AFAIK it isn't actually illegal, however there is advice given in BS EN 50174-2. Ihave also had a look in the IEE (now IET) wiring regs and their concern is with EMC, rather than electrical safety - however it was only a quick look, and you may wish to examine them further. It is worth stating that you should NOT tamper with any high energy circuits unless you are suitably qualified.

http://www.telephone-systems.co.uk/c...on-advice.html

However you do need to consider fire regulations and the provision of low fume hazard cables.

This may well be the case but in a way it further reinforces that the OP should get someone else to do it. I don't know all of the electrical regs but can easily wire up a CAT 6 network. Whether that network is done properly is another matter.

If you are installing new cables, you could either install conduit (plastic for physical protection) or conduit (plastic for same considerations) or metal to reduce the minimum separation distances.

If the installation is in existing ducting, then you should observe the separation distances in the BS.

There may also be issues with your insurance.

All of these points raised above strongly suggest you should not do it yourself. If your employers insist you do, I'd get them to sign a dispensation, in effect making your mistakes their fault. If they are unwilling to do that, you have to ask yourself why they are willing to put you on the line to save money, but won't risk it themselves.

[peterb]

This may well be the case but in a way it further reinforces that the OP should get someone else to do it. I don't know all of the electrical regs but can easily wire up a CAT 6 network. Whether that network is done properly is another matter.




All of these points raised above strongly suggest you should not do it yourself. If your employers insist you do, I'd get them to sign a dispensation, in effect making your mistakes their fault. If they are unwilling to do that, you have to ask yourself why they are willing to put you on the line to save money, but won't risk it themselves.

Can't disagree with any of that - and of course if you have problems with the network afterwards, you call in the contractor who did it to fix - otherwise it comes back to you...