Future Proofing - CAT 5

LCV · Mar 15, 2015

Hi,

I am planning a house refurb and would like to future proof where possible. What products are worth considering? I was thinking adding CAT 5e cable?

Grateful for your thoughts.

Thanks!

telectrix · Mar 15, 2015

hope it's not for your 10kW shower!.

jacksongroup · Mar 15, 2015

A few thoughts. Just refurbished a flat and did the following.

At every point where I installed a coax for tv I also put in a CAT 5 cable and used modular plates for the coax and data point. Additional conduits and cat5 placed in a few corners And close to sockets. You could of course use powerline data units. I just like to keep things separate.

All data and coax fed back to a hall cupboard which would also then contain power supply, router andbooster. tv distn point.

All cables in conduit in wall big enough to fascilitate swoping out if ever required.

I also installed a couple of electric convectors which also had pilot/ control wires in with the powere supply cables. I had not allowed for this (but prob did not need this facility) . So as regards future proofing I should probably have added a conduit for this controL wire And provided a central point for wires to come back to ? Some heaters have wireless control facilities so that need could be short lived. In fact most things could be wireless.

LankyWill · Mar 15, 2015

cat 5e is good but if you have the change buy cat 6 copper and throw in satellite grade coax. Wire 2 coax to each point(skyplus) back to central point. Look up home integration for future proofing awell.

PEG · Mar 15, 2015

Future proofing? ... never mind the entertainment,LED's,pedal generator,rainwater harvesting and LABC permit for burial plots in the garden...best gifts i ever got for the missus :icon12:

LCV · Mar 18, 2015

Thanks for your replies. I've had a few Electrician's come out to quote for the job, i.e. install downlighters, new sockets, CU etc. but when I ask them about CAT 5, 6 etc, they look at me blankly and just say yes, whatever I want. Is this normal or who should I be contacting to advise me on the right cabling?

telectrix · Mar 18, 2015

first you need to decide what equipment you are likely to want. then , having sourced this, determine ( from suppliers) what cabling is needed.

gavin.sibley · Mar 18, 2015

Hello LCV, the sort of systems you describe are one of the things my company specialise in. Cat 5/6, hdmi/coax distribution are just some of the things we offer. Feel free too pm me and I can discuss with you what I would recommend putting in place.

shanky887614 · Mar 18, 2015

most electricians couldnt tell you the difference between cat5/6/7 etc.

cat6 is more expensive but better in the long run (not important at the moment as cat5e is rated at 1gbps or 250MB/s or the same as some wireless n routers)

dont go for 1gbps cat6 make sure its 6e 10gbps or you might as well put in 5e (same spec)