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Electrical Wiring

Internet/ Security system Pre-wire

6 years ago

I'm in the middle of a new build and looking at installing a
secu

rity system. I have a few questions:

For the internet cable: Should
I run cat6 cable? How much would I need for the floor plan (rough estimate)?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

For the Security system: Should
I run cat6 cables to potential camera locations? What time of cable is needed
for the sensors (window, door, etc...)? Again, any tips are appreciated.

Please see the attached floor plan for reference.

Comments (3)

Ron Natalie
6 years ago
Evem Cat5 cable is worthless for anything other than analog voice if you don't install it properly. Most cameras will work fine at cat5 speeds. You are getting into the really esoteric stuff (10G data) where cat 6 makes a difference (and again it needs to be done right). You won't get the high end speeds cat6 can do if you don't terminate it right.

Cat5 goes for about $40 for 1000'. Cat6 for $150 for 1000'

You can do the math on your plan to figure out how much you're going to need.

Most security stuff (motion detectors, door/window sensors, glass break) don't even need cat5. They just need a couple of thin conductors from the alarm control box out to all the locations.

The question is how many terminations are you gonig to have? How much wifi are you planning to use? Are you going to use cable TV? Satellite? Watch stuff on the internet like a FireStick, Roku, etc....?
freeoscar
6 years ago
I recommend Cat 5e for the cameras - as Ron pointed out, we are quite a ways from need Cat 6 for cameras. And not only is Cat 5e a little cheaper, but more importantly it is a much more flexible wire - so it's easier to run long, twisting lengths (cameras, at least the outside ones, are among the longest runs. They are also much easier to terminate.

You want 22/2 cable for alarm sensors, and 22/4 for powered devices like sirens or motion detectors. For locations where you want the alarm keypads I'd wire 22/4 and Cat 5e. Depending on what type of system you are using and what type of keypad (or touchscreen), you might need one, the other, or both.
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A comment on the debate of wifi vs. wired - we live in a 6,000sqf 1860s home. It's built very solidly, which has proven to be quite the problem with the wifi signal. Not to mention all the interference and channel problems with having 8 security cameras on the network. And everything could be ground to a halt when my sister showed up with her multiple baby video monitors. Regular boosters did nothing to help with the signal. And while there were tweaks one could make to tings like the cameras to get things on different channels and working, it was constant work and trial and error. The final solution, after countless tech people worked on it, was wireless access points in various spots all over the house. But all those access points had to be connected to a switch next to the router. So a tech guy came and ran ethernet cord all over the house, some inside the walls, some outside the house. All to get these various spots wired. All in the pursuit of reliable wireless. I completely agree that wifi is the future. Heck, it's the present. But I would expect a lot more clarity around how this company is planning on delivering "robust" wifi to the entire home - and surrounding the home, since I also expect to be able to use my laptop on my patio. Because as wifi keeps getting better and faster, we are using it more and more and the data keeps getting bigger and bigger. I would want wired protection to ensure that my wifi could keep up with the growing demands placed on it. As for the debate over cat5e or cat6 cables - I am no expert. But I remember being on this board about 15 years ago, and people talking about how cat5 was a nice "future-proof" solution, but not necessary as the less expensive cables could keep up with the workload just fine. I think people always underestimate how quickly technology keeps evolving. I would personally throw the best cord you can afford at it right now. Because, having had a lot of Ethernet wires run outside my house, I can attest that you will regret missing this opportunity while the walls are open.
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Cat 6 is way overkill for a phone line - cat 5 or 5e will suffice on that front. Typical advice is that you should over-wire your current needs now while the walls aren't covered up. I'm going against the grain on that one. First off, running cable is expensive - depending on your area around $100 per cable per termination - so those costs add up quick. Second, every day more and more things become wireless, and fewer are wired - even DirecTV I believe has wireless cable boxes (though I wouldn't necessarily recommend those). I think an RG6 (that's co-axial for cable/satellite/antenna) and a Cat 6 are sufficient for most TV areas - perhaps you'll want another Cat 6 if you heavily use a streaming box and a gaming console. I'm not following the cable situation - you want to have all the various boxes in a central location, and then just have a wire from there to each TV? Problem there is that 1) you'll need some type of IR repeater to get the signal down to the box. 2) carry HD signals over long distances is not optimal. There are ways to do it, but they are expensive. Where is the source for the patio speakers? Do you want some sort of whole house audio system (you indicated as such with the Sonus)? What about alarm system and/or home automation - cause you'll need to pre-wire for that as well.
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Jake The Wonderdog
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
freeoscar has it right: Cat5e is much easier to use and terminate than Cat6 and unless you run a data center out of your house you will never need 10G speeds on any network connection.

Much of your data will end up being wireless, but do run Cat5e to places that would benefit from a wired data connection ( a few runs to the TV / Home Theater area, one to the alarm panel, one to any TV and also a couple in the office.) I also run one to a centrally located wireless access point or two. If you plan on security cameras run the Cat5e for them too.

The 22/2 and 22/4 is correct also for the alarm.

Along those lines, I like for my powered sensors to be wired (CO, motion detectors, smoke detectors, glass breaks) The door and window switches I'm fine with wireless.

Both Cat5e and 22/4 is cheap per 1000'

Make sure you get solid copper Cat5e, not copper covered aluminum.

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