Home network installations

[chimaera 10]

My wife and I are in the process of buying a house.

 

One of the things I'd like to add to the house before we move in is a structured Cat5E or Cat6 network. Its a semi-detached house with integrated garage and I'd be looking at a couple of cable drops (of two cables each) per room, all of it terminated in the garage.

 

The switch installation and configuration I'll do myself.

 

I have the technical skill to do the work myself but not so much the patience (and certainly not the skill to do it neat enough to satisfy my wife

 

Can anyone recommend a home installer?

 

To pre-empt a couple of likely questions:

 

1) No, I won't use powerline networking, I've hand enough problems with the tech that I refuse to rely on it.

 

2) Yes I will be using WiFi, but I want hardwire points for static stuff that won't be moving around (for example the TV kit and my desktop PC etc)

 

Thanks very much!

[Cyclone 10]

You just need an electrician don't you? They're skilled at pulling cable and putting in wall terminals, which is all you need doing.

[chimaera 10]

Well... its a lot more fiddly than installing power cables (there are a lot more cables inside the main flex, and requires special tools to attach the cable (and for that matter to test and validate the cable run))

[Cyclone 10]

All true, the cable can be quite delicate as well.

Maybe just call electricians and ask if it's something they would/can do, some of them have probably done it before.

[ShefStealth 10]

I actually agree with Cyclone, so long as you can find a sparky that also has networking experience. Electricians have the relevant tools to be able to chase your walls properly (i.e cut the channels for the cablework, then refill/recover). I've seen plenty of electrical contractors do network install, a decent electrician needs to be able to do it these days so they can secure work on larger commercial projects, and it just makes sense to run all wiring at the same time through bulkheads, sometimes before the walls go in than to have multiple 'wiring crews' going through a new build.

 

Modern building regulations dictate that you're not meant to have power and network points installed at low level anymore, they're meant to be something like 12 to 18 inches (I don't know exactly) above skirting board level. This is something to bear in mind for if your current wiring is up to standard, or if you have your wiring re-done before you sell your house again - you'll probably want your network and power points at the same height level in each room. An electrician isn't going to comission a new installation at low level because he can't comission it and still comply with building regs. Something to bear in mind.

[chimaera 10]

Well, I'm certainly willing to use a sparky with prior experience, assuming he has the necessary experience and equipment to validate the work (certify the runs and all that)

 

But can you recommend anyone?

[Guest]

AFAIK, if you want proper Cat6 then you have to follow the proper regs, like 45 degree curves are supposed to be no less than a certain radius etc.

[ShefStealth 10]

AFAIK, if you want proper Cat6 then you have to follow the proper regs, like 45 degree curves are supposed to be no less than a certain radius etc.

 

That's because you can get solid core or stranded for the different network cable standards. Solid core Cat6 is more liable to breakages beyond certain bend radius so why it's in the specifications. You can get around this by using stranded, but it's more expensive and if your cables are going to be static anyway then solid core is the more obvious cable choice. You'll need Cat6a rather than Cat6 if you've got long cable runs in order to future proof yourself for higher speeds.

 

Can't really specifically recommend anyone for networking installs, last I did myself with trunking at a friend's place. On here, WalkerTelecoms I know does networking installs. I don't think he's a full sparky or if he can chase walls though, you'd need to ask him. Aside from that, go down the yellow pages in the electrical installers section. The last electrician I had replaced my consumer unit and installed my cooker, they were great guys, very neat and professional but I can't remember the name of them - will try and hunt out their details and see if they do networking too.

[mattyjd 10]

PM sent many thanks

[fnkysknky 10]

You're average residential sparky is unlikely to have a TDR on hand to certify cable runs unless it's something they specialise in. Certification is usually required for you to be able to get the full warranty from the cabling manufacturer.

 

Not sure if they do home jobs but it's worth dropping Mark an email at MJN Technical Services - http://www.mjntsl.co.uk

 

We use them for commercial stuff, they do a fair bit round Sheffield.

Edited January 31, 2015 by fnkysknky

[donnysp 10]

chimaera: Did you get anywhere with this? I'm looking for the same kind of thing.

[Ghozer 112]

I can do network installations - or recommend an electrician who can also do network installs...