Expanding Connectivity to Additional Structures
Expanding Connectivity to Additional Structures
I’m exploring ways to connect your home to the internet while sharing the same bill. You can run cables from the pole or router to the back of your building, but visibility is limited by trees and the 200-foot distance. You’re considering MoCA or Ethernet as potential solutions.
What connection speeds are you aiming for inside the home? And what bandwidth are you experiencing on the primary property where the internet is currently available?
I currently handle 200 Mbps downloads and 40 Mbps uploads. Thanks to Comcast, I receive roughly half of that. I aim for faster speeds and act as the main internet user.
Ethernet functions properly over distances up to 100 meters. For concerns about interference or other problems, use burial-grade fiber; otherwise, standard burial-grade Cat5e or Cat6 cables should suffice.
I consider 48V PoE combined with Cat.6 cabling. Shielded cables are recommended to handle interference issues and for underground installation. The wiring needs to be robust—thick and include a flexible solid core inside.
Ignore the advice from others here. Avoid using standard Ethernet cables. Building-to-building cabling shouldn't use copper because the ground in each building differs, causing unwanted current flow on the cable! This is problematic. Use a trenching tool, install optical fiber between buildings, and employ a media converter or switch with SFP ports.
I overlooked uncommon reasons. Problems occur in audio systems. Fiber should support running it close to power.
You mention several key points about electrical systems. The main issue is handling copper runs between buildings during lightning strikes, which often causes failures. Grounding through equipment is another factor. Power over Ethernet can deliver large power outputs—thousands of watts. If ground potential becomes excessively high, it may damage components before the cable itself. I haven’t seen your reasoning before, but fiber optics seem to be the preferred choice now.