Cat 6 in conduit/water

105437

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I'm going to be adding a new camera that will be away from the house. My plan is to lay conduit for me to pull the cable through. I would like to make sure the cable I use will stand up to the elements. If I assume that the conduit could eventually hold water, what Cat 6 cable should I use? Thanks!
 

TonyR

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I'm going to be adding a new camera that will be away from the house. My plan is to lay conduit for me to pull the cable through. I would like to make sure the cable I use will stand up to the elements. If I assume that the conduit could eventually hold water, what Cat 6 cable should I use? Thanks!
Jacket should be rated for direct burial.

Shireen DC-2030 is 23 AWG CAT-6, solid copper, UTP and is direct burial and UV-rated

Also, Monoprice offers Syston Cat6 Ethernet Bulk Cable - Outdoor Gel-filled Direct Burial, STP, Solid, 550MHz, Pure Bare Copper, 23AWG, 1000ft, Black, UV-rated
 

wittaj

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Direct burial CAT cable to be safe.

Although many have used regular cable unexposed to elements for years without a problem. As always YMMV.
 

TonyR

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Thanks for the reply, after doing a little research, I'm seeing some recommendations for flooded gel filled cable. Is that overkill?
I'd say "no" unless it's a lot more expensive, and it really should not be.
It's a booger to mess with, gets all over your hands (and elsewhere if not careful) but if just one run I'd likely use the gel-filled again myself.
 

105437

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I'd say "no" unless it's a lot more expensive, and it really should not be.
It's a booger to mess with, gets all over your hands (and elsewhere if not careful) but if just one run I'd likely use the gel-filled again myself.
Thanks again, I think I will go with gel filled just to have an extra layer of protection against a flooded conduit. One last question, since the cameras only run at 100 Mbps, can I get away with using CAT 5 or CAT 5e?
 

TonyR

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One last question, since the cameras only run at 100 Mbps, can I get away with using CAT 5 or CAT 5e?
Probably but let me ask:
  • Assuming the cam is POE, how long is this new run?
  • Do you know the max power drawn by the cam?
I ask because depending on your answers, the thicker 23 AWG (available with CAT6 if you look for it) might be in order.
Speed-wise Cat-5e is OK for the one cam.
 

105437

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The camera will be a Dahua 5231 and it draws ~8.5 watts. The run is 287' POE+.
 

looney2ns

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Thanks again, I think I will go with gel filled just to have an extra layer of protection against a flooded conduit. One last question, since the cameras only run at 100 Mbps, can I get away with using CAT 5 or CAT 5e?
Plain Cat5 should be avoided completely.
 

cbt20

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Cat5e is the minimum. Cat6a is the standard going forward. There’s no reason to ever use basic CAT5 today.
 
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