Setting up Ethernet in a 60-year-old home wiring requires careful planning.
Setting up Ethernet in a 60-year-old home wiring requires careful planning.
I understand Jarsky's experience. I completed the wiring of my entire home in a single night. The attic was challenging, but I managed to find the best spots for access points despite wanting to be close to a joist. My skills and equipment were sufficient—over ten years in construction helped. The complexity varies with cable placement; interior walls are simpler than exterior ones because of insulation. I used a drill, spade bits, fishing tape, electrical tape, and zip ties. I’d prefer c-clips for better holding, but I got by with what I had. This project is only economical if you already own the tools for termination and routing.
Thanks for the detailed feedback! This house has a unique setup with no sheds or extra power sources, which suggests it’s been customized over time. I’m not surprised to see a mix of old and new improvements—this could indicate a family of self-improvers passing down ideas. I didn’t realize the wiring rules changed, but I’ll keep an eye on compliance.
The main challenge seems to be the fuse box—it’s a real headache. I’ve dealt with similar setups before, and I’m confident I can handle the wiring myself if needed. For standard household wiring, Cat6a is the recommended choice these days. I won’t be pushing for 10Gbps unless absolutely necessary, but having it ready will help with future upgrades.
Regarding cable choices: unshielded cable should work for wall runs, especially if you’re confident in your installation skills. For the attic wiring, plenum cable is usually a safer bet compared to riser cables. Just make sure you follow proper routing and grounding practices.
Code differs depending on location and timing. I discovered a few examples. The soldered joints are really good quality. This approach is superior, though it’s costly. Understanding the historical code of a region can help you estimate when a connection was made based on the wiring, enclosure, and type of connector.
I’d definitely choose cat6a these days, as opposed to cat6/cat5e which includes a plastic divider to prevent signal tangling. It offers much better reliability for 10Gbps connections if you ever opt for it. Remember, to support 10Gbps you must use the correct cat6a connectors—they’re designed differently, running through the center of the keystone instead of from the side, ensuring proper separation at the end. Cat6a is typically unshielded (UTP) and works perfectly fine. Plenum wiring is mainly for HVAC applications, but for home use just use a standard cat6a UTP riser.