Re: Advice please on running cat5

["JonS" <semi.jon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Jon Wilkins"
<jonpdwilkins@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks Karam,
>
> I'd not thought of the idea of adding some mains-rated sleeving to
the cat5
> in the specific areas - in the main the runs will be away from
mains (a past
> electrician seems to have drilled some spare holes in a few joists)
but
> there are 4 joists where accessibility is via mains or with hot
pipes with
> too much old spagetting piping to drill new holes.
>
> ... I'm trying to avoid having to do the full run in mains rated
cable as
> only 10% of the runs (if that) require it.
>
> I suppose the kind of sleeving over the exposed CPC core of T&E in
an outlet
> is going to mains rated... so I just need to find a suitable (non
confusing)
> colour big enough to slide over the cat5. (cue checking screwfix
catalogue).
>
I've got some heat shrink from screwfix but if you look at the
Papidonline.com site they have the spec sheets for their sheathing
which gives the dielectric constant and resistance in KV/mm.  I never
did work out how to translate this to "mains rated".  From my
experience no-one will ever check your runs so it probably for your
peace of mind more than anything.


> The extra size might reduce the number of cables I can run through
the
> problematic joists
Heat shrink is no more than 1mm, and standard UTP ~ 4-5mm IMO.  You
could always nibble a but more joist out.  The joists in my Edardian
place are like swiss cheese in some places from previous works.

but next year we plan to refurb the kitchen (below this
> void) which will mean taking out the failing ceiling - happy side
affect is
> giving great access to run more / re-run if necessary.

I have used a false ceiling in my kitchen for cable and pipe runs.
As the ceilings are high it isn't noticeable and running the cables
from below was remarkably easy compared with running through joists
or even through conduit.  If you want to keep SWMBO happy I'd avoid
re-running cables, or at least admitting its a re-run ;-)
If you are working room by room then will you store cut cables
between the joists until a room is ready to recieve them or keep open
access to your central node(s) throughout the work?

HTH
JonS