Home Automation FAQ
Sponsored by Creative Control Concepts
Prev 5 | Prev | List | Next | Next 5
[Search] [Appearance] [Show Expert Edit Commands]
(Answer) (Category) Home Automation FAQ : (Category) Wiring :
Can I use CAT5 wire for audio, temp sensing, etc. ?
From a recent comp.home.automation posting:

I'm hoping to build a home this year and needed some information.

  1. I heard that cable TV and DSS is RG6, but my cable modem should use 58. Is this correct?
  2. Can I use CAT 5 to run speakers and mics for voice control and response? Or would I be better runing something different?
  3. Would I use CAT 5 for my LAN?
  4. Can I use CAT 5 for low voltage accent lights?
  5. Can I use CAT 5 to connect smoke detectors?
  6. Can I use CAT 5 for thermostats? for aux. temperature sensors?
  7. Are there limits to length of CAT 5 for these uses?

Any help would be appreciated!

RG6 for the Cable & DSS is a great thing. Use Quad-Shield if you can. Had not heard about RG-58 only for a cable modem, but I have DSL ;)

I would not use CAT5 for speakers - too thin if you turn the volume up. Use 14 gauge or 16 gauge zip cord. As for mics, you really should use shielded wire for mics to prevent interference.

CAT5 for a LAN is a must. 'Cat 6' ready or higher is probably not worth it. Once you need more than 100MB/s, nobody can say if the preferred media will be copper, fibre, or whatever.

CAT5 for low voltage lights - bad idea. They can draw decent amounts of current at low voltages, overheating the wire. Check the manufacturer to see what gauge wire they recommend sine lights draw all sort of current based on their power/intensity.

Smoke detectors should never be connected with normal cable. Always use the red 18 gauge UL listed fire resistant cable designed for smoke detector control. Most building codes require this.

You should use 18 gauge wire for thermostats. CAT5 for temp sensors and such? It will work, especially if they are the digital type. I plan to use CAT5 for most of my remote sensor communciation. If you are using analog temp sensors, this is where the length issue will most affect you since you are working with very low votlage readings anyway and losses in small wire (22-24 gauge) is high at low voltage levels.

Also, the limit for LAN wiring with CAT 5 is about 100 meters

I read recently that 3Com has a gigabit ethernet switch that supports standard CAT-5 wire. So even the next generation 1000 Mbps would be supported beyond the current 10/100 Mbps in mainstream today by plain old CAT-5. I have to agree that CAT-6 is probably over-kill. I'm sure Cisco and other competitors have similar products to choose from. For information on 3COM's gigabit ethernet switch go to the following URL: http://www.3com.com/products/en_US/detail.jsp?tab=features&sku=3C17700-US&pathtype=support
RG58 is not recommended for any type of digital service because of its signal loss per foot. while standard cable (which is in lower and more redundent frequencies) would not be impacted by RG58, its loss tends to be 3-5 times worse than RG6Q. Depending on the signal strength comming into your home, RG58 could drop the signal enough that your cable modems and digital boxes can no longer detect the multiplexed frequencies that they use.
ans-ins-part
Append to This Answer
Previous: (Answer) In your opinion, what is the best structured wiring system out there.
Next: (Answer) Can I use CAT5 to run 12VDC power to a [insert any 12VDC HA device here]
This document is: http://www.automationfaq.com/cgi-bin/fom?file=240
[Search] [Appearance] [Show Expert Edit Commands]
This is a Faq-O-Matic 2.721.
This FAQ administered by Mike Baptiste