Set up a reliable Ethernet connection outside.
Set up a reliable Ethernet connection outside.
Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice on setting up an outdoor run for a UniFi access point on my deck. The plan involves burying an Ethernet cable 18 inches below ground, parallel to the hot tub’s power line inside a PVC conduit. There’s a PoE switch on the house side that powers cameras. My main concern is lightning risk—though there aren’t many trees nearby, the hot tub contains water and could be a hazard. I’m considering running fiber directly to the access point, but that would require an extra outlet on the deck, which seems impractical given the distance and current wiring costs. An alternative idea is using a fiber-to-ethernet converter placed behind the PoE switch. This setup would keep outdoor gear isolated from indoor devices, reducing damage risk during storms. The only challenge is connecting the converters to the same UPS as the outdoor switch. I’m unsure if this affects safety or efficiency. The run length is roughly 125 feet from the orange to the purple on the map. Any suggestions or clarification would be super helpful. Thanks!
A more practical solution might be adding an AP near the deck. Ubiquiti offers compact flat APs for this task; I’ve seen a contractor use one that delivers strong signals even at 1/4 mile. It’s not cheap right now and is out of stock, but it could save money compared to cabling.
Ubiquiti offers a surge suppressor designed to be connected to ground, safeguarding your gear. The suggested price is around fifteen dollars. They advise using these with their PTP devices.