The Best Way To Run Ethernet Cable To Your Pool House

Running an ethernet cable from your house to your pool house is a great way to ensure a stable and quick internet connection. Before you start, you'll need to decide on the best cable type for your installation. For small houses, Cat 6 cable is a great option, while Cat 6a provides more reliable speed for large installations. Once you've selected the right cable, you'll need to plan the route it will take from your house to the pool house. This may involve running the cable through a basement, crawl space, or attic, and then safely drilling through walls to reach the pool house. If your pool house is far from your main house, you may need to bury the cable in a conduit underground. Keep in mind that ethernet cables have a maximum distance of about 100 metres (300 feet), so you'll need to plan accordingly.

Planning your home network wiring

Start with a Plan

Begin by creating a simple floor plan of your house. This will help you visualise where you want your wired ethernet connections to be located. Determine the rooms that need network access, considering future needs such as computers or gaming consoles in kids' rooms, network printers, and access points. Decide on the number of ethernet ports per location, with two ethernet sockets per location being ideal. Additionally, consider whether you want to place a switch on each floor or run all the cables to a central location.

Choose the Cable Route

The next step is to plan how you will run the cables through your house. Attics and crawl spaces are excellent options for running cables quickly and easily. You can also utilise HVAC ducts or any other air circulation ducts, but make sure to use the appropriate type of ethernet cable for these areas, such as plenum cat 6 cables. If you need to run cables through walls, choose the shortest path possible and look for easily accessible voids.

Select the Right Cable Type

When selecting the ethernet cable for your home network, consider both speed and quality. Categories (Cat) determine the speed of the cable, with Cat 6 being the minimal standard for installations. However, keep in mind that Cat 6 has a lower bandwidth than Cat 6a, so the latter may be a better choice if you require higher data transfer rates. For solid and durable wiring, opt for solid UTP cables, which are easier to punch down into wall jacks and patch panels. Stranded UTP cables are more flexible but tend to be used for shorter, patch cables.

Gather the Necessary Tools and Materials

Ensure you have the right tools and materials for the job. Basic tools like a drill, screwdrivers, a ruler, and a tape measure will come in handy. Additionally, you'll need a stud finder, an ethernet cable crimper, and a network cable tester. For the cables themselves, opt for Category 5e (Cat5e) or Category 6 (Cat6) varieties, which offer excellent performance over long distances.

Install the Cables and Connections

Once you've planned the cable route, it's time to install the cables. Measure and cut the cables to the appropriate lengths, allowing for some extra length at each end for routing and connections. Use a drill to make holes in the wall bottom or top plates to access the next wall cavity. Get creative in running the cables, using techniques like peeling back baseboard trim or drilling holes through the wall studs. Label each cable with its destination as you install them.

Test and Finalise

Before finishing the project, test each cable to ensure they are all functioning correctly. You can use a cable tester or connect a notebook and switch to each end of the cable to check for a network connection. Once you've confirmed that the cables are working, finalise the connections by attaching wall plates or patch panels, and securing any loose cables.

Selecting the right materials

Ethernet Cable Type:

The first step is to select the right type of ethernet cable. Cables are categorized into different categories, such as Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, Cat 7, and Cat 8. Each category has different speed and bandwidth specifications. For example, Cat 5 supports speeds up to 100 Mbps and bandwidth up to 100 MHz, while Cat 6 can provide speeds up to 10 Gbps and bandwidth up to 250+ MHz. Choose a cable that matches or exceeds your current maximum internet speed and bandwidth requirements. Keep in mind that higher categories, like Cat 6a, offer faster speeds and greater bandwidth but are also more expensive.

Cable Quality:

When selecting an ethernet cable, it's important to consider the quality. Avoid Copper Clad Aluminium (CCA) cables as they have higher resistance, resulting in reduced performance and flexibility. Instead, opt for full bare copper cables, which offer lower resistance and better speed. This is especially important if you plan to use Power over Ethernet (PoE). CCA cables are also brittle and may result in wire breaks inside the cable.

Cable Length:

Determine the length of cable required to reach from your house to the pool house. Ethernet cables have distance limitations, and longer cables may experience data transfer issues. Measure the distance between the two locations and select a cable of sufficient length, keeping in mind that some cables have maximum pulling tension specifications.

Cable Protection:

If you need to run the cable outdoors or through areas with potential fire hazards, consider using a shielded ethernet cable. Plenum-rated cables, for example, are designed to prevent fire propagation and are often required for ducts or spaces between floors. Check your local fire code to ensure you comply with any special requirements for cable protection.

Connectors and Tools:

You will need connectors, such as RJ45 connectors, to terminate the ends of your cable. If you purchase bulk wire, you will need to install connector ends yourself using a crimping tool. Additionally, you may require tools like a wire cutter, stripper, and an Ethernet switch/splitter. For running the cable through walls, you'll need a drill and a drill bit, such as a spade bit or a ship auger bit, which creates clean and precise holes.

Cable Management:

To organize and manage multiple ethernet cables, consider using a patch panel. This allows you to connect cables to the panel instead of directly to the router or switch, improving cable management. You can choose between wall-mounted and rack-mounted patch panels, depending on your space and the number of connections required.

Wall Sockets and Jacks:

For a neat and secure installation, use ethernet wall sockets and keystone jacks. In the US, look for wall sockets with removable keystone jacks, which make installation easier. Ensure the jacks are punch-down style and compatible with the type of cable you've chosen (solid or stranded).

Testing Equipment:

Before finalizing your installation, it's important to test your cables. You can use a network cable tester or a notebook and switch to check if the cables are working properly. A cable tester will test each individual wire in the ethernet cable, ensuring that all connections are correct and fault-free.

Pulling network cables

Planning the Cable Route:

Before beginning any installation work, it is crucial to plan the cable route carefully. Identify the rooms that need to be connected and choose the shortest path possible from each room to the internet router. Look for easily accessible spaces such as attics and crawl spaces to run the cables quickly and efficiently. If there are obstacles like walls, consider using cable concealer sections or tucking the cables under the baseboard trim.

Choosing the Right Ethernet Cable:

Select an ethernet cable that matches or exceeds your current maximum internet speed and bandwidth. There are different categories of ethernet cables available, including Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat7, each offering varying speeds and frequencies. Consider the distance and environment of the installation, as some cables have distance limits, and outdoor installations require UV-resistant and waterproof jackets.

Selecting the Appropriate Pull Box:

Ethernet cable pull boxes are designed to make the cable-pulling process more efficient. Choose a pull box with a payout hole, which helps reduce kinks and straighten out the cable during pulling. The cable inside the box should be coiled neatly to facilitate a smooth pulling process. This type of pull box is ideal for standard installations and more challenging locations like ceilings or attics.

Pulling the Cable:

When pulling the ethernet cable, ensure you are pulling in the direction of installation. Maintain a steady pull to reduce tension and avoid damaging the cable. Leave enough cable at each end to add connectors and reach the terminating locations. It is recommended to pull the cable with the opening hole of the box in the same direction to prevent twisting.

Useful Tools for Installation:

After pulling the cable, you will need to terminate the cables with copper RJ45 connectors to establish your network. A set of network installation tools will be helpful during this process, including a network cable tester, cable crimping tool, network cable stripper, and pliers. These tools will assist in connecting the cables securely and ensuring proper functionality.

By following these steps and choosing the appropriate cables and tools, you can successfully pull network cables and establish a reliable connection between your house and pool house.

Running cables through walls

Running ethernet cable through walls is a great way to get a stable and quick internet connection from your modem or router. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Planning and Preparation:

Before starting any work, it is important to plan the cable route. Identify the rooms that need to be connected and choose the shortest path possible from each room to the internet router. Look for easily accessible spaces to run the cables, such as attics or crawl spaces. Turn off the electrical power at the service panel by switching off the circuit breakers for the area you will be working in to avoid any accidents.

Tools and Materials:

• 3/4-inch spade drill bit
• Drywall (keyhole) saw
• Wire cutter and stripper (optional)
• J45 crimp and cutter tool (optional)
• Drywall and painting tools (optional)
• Ethernet switch/splitter
• Ethernet sockets and wall plates
• Cable concealer sections (optional)
• Drywall patches
• Painter's tape
• Pencil
• Dust mask
• Trash bag
• Fish stick (fish tape or glow rod)
• Face plates

Cutting and Drilling:

Use a stud finder to locate the wall studs and mark their positions. Choose a location for the new ethernet outlet, ensuring it is not behind a wall stud. Trace the low-voltage electrical box onto the wall and make a small inspection hole with a drywall saw. Repeat this process for each outlet location. Drill holes in the wall bottom or top plates to access the next wall cavity, attic, or crawl space. If you need to drill down from the attic or up from the basement, use a ship auger bit for a clean and precise hole.

Running the Cables:

Use a fish stick (fish tape or glow rod) to pull the cables through the holes. Push the fish stick through the bottom exit hole and out through the top hole, protruding from both ends. Tape the fish stick to the wall temporarily. Hook the data, audio, or video cables to the fish stick and pull them down towards the exit hole. Remove the fish stick once the cables are through.

Finishing Touches:

Attach the face plates to cover the holes and secure the cables in place. Choose a wall plate with a flexible opening to accommodate the cables. Connect the cables to the modem or router, and turn on the electrical power once all work is completed.

Running ethernet cables through walls can be a challenging task, but with careful planning and the right tools, you can achieve a clean and professional installation.

Installing connectors

To install an Ethernet jack in a wall, you'll need to start by cutting the cable to a length of 6–12 inches (15–30 cm). Then, strip the outer sheathing from the last 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the cable—you can use a utility knife or a pair of scissors for this, or a wire stripper if you have one.

Next, separate and untwist the wires inside the cable. You should see four pairs of similarly coloured wires. For a standard 'straight-through' cable, the correct sequence from left to right is: orange/white, orange, green/white, blue, blue/white, green, brown/white, brown. For a crossover cable, the other end will have a different colour order.

Once you've got your wires in the correct order, trim them so they're all the same length, about half an inch (1.3 cm) from the cut sleeve to the end of the wires. Carefully push all eight wires into the connector, making sure they go all the way to the end. Check that the blue plastic sleeve is inside the connector, where it can be locked into place.

Now you're ready to crimp the cable. Place the connector into the Ethernet crimper and squeeze the handles tightly. This will cause the copper splicing tabs on the connector to pierce each of the eight wires, securing the connector in place. Remove the cable from the crimper and check that the wires are all secure. Repeat the process for the other end of the cable.

Finally, test your cable with an inexpensive Ethernet cable tester to make sure it's working before you install it.

Frequently asked questions