Network cabling my new house
Network cabling my new house
Hi everyone, regarding the network setup for my new home, the electrician recommended using Cat6a cables for most ports. I was wondering if a Cat6a cable typically includes an X divider in the middle to reduce interference between pairs? I checked the cables he installed and didn’t see any dividers between the twisted pairs. Could this mean he used Cat5e instead, or are there other differences between Cat5e and Cat6a that I should look for? Since the outer casing doesn’t have markings, it’s hard to confirm. Thanks for your help! - Humbie
The whole cable will display its category, verify it, and confirm it includes Cat6A.
Cat6 typically doesn't require a divider, whereas Cat6a usually does. You can also assess the cable's flexibility—if it bends easily without help, it might be Cat6 or Cat6a. If it feels very flexible, it’s more likely Cat5e, as they use thicker wire and are easier to bend compared to higher-gauge Cat6 and Cat6a.
The main goal is to increase rigidity. The presence of twisted pairs helps reduce interference. There will be some printing on the cable. The print indicates its category along with other details.
Yesterday evening I discovered a cable with visible labeling. It seems it's rated Cat6 at 250MHz instead of the expected Cat6A at 500MHz. The electrician confirmed this and plans to replace all incorrectly installed cables. Since these are U/UTP cables without shielding or foil, the issue depends on proximity to power lines. Many run close together, so interference might be minimal despite being in separate flex tubing. Thanks for the insights!
In everyday home settings, unshielded cables are perfectly acceptable. Shielded cables tend to be excessive for residential use. Still, I’d keep a minimum of a foot distance between networking cables and any electrical wiring to minimize interference. Also, verify that the connectors are genuinely rated for 6A.
Alright, thanks! As stated before, the network cables are placed right next to the electrical wiring. Example in the picture attached, this is our living room/TV corner. In the bottom-middle of the picture you can see all our TV-/mediaconnections - LTR: audiocables, 4 UTP, 4 UTP, 2 electric, 1 coax Will the flex tubing around the UTPs & electrical wiring provide enough "protection" from EMI?
I'd prefer to move it once the floor is still available (concrete will be poured soon). It seems safe, but I'd rather avoid rushing given the open floor. You can run wires at a 90-degree angle to Ethernet cables, though I don't want to risk proximity. The amount of flex tubing used is surprising—I'm not sure about the local electrical codes. Typically we'd use rigid PVC pipes instead, as flex tubing is tough to work with. This looks like a solid house. @Donut417 Any more thoughts? You're great at networking installations.
They don't appear to operate side by side, just intersecting at a 90° angle for the final wall connectors. The challenge is that I can't alter anything directly—I'm working through a construction company that handles planning and subcontractors. If issues arise later, I might handle the replacement myself using S/FTP cables to reduce EMI interference. The next phase involves insulating the floor with PUR, installing floor heating, and finishing with screed (though I’m not sure if that’s the exact term in English). This project feels similar to other new constructions in Belgium and possibly across Europe, where energy-neutral and passive building standards are now very strict.