I hope this is appropriate here. I figured it fits the general theme of things considering if we’re self hosting there’s gotta be some hardware involved.
I’ve got a house built in the 1960s US. I’m working on upgrading my security infrastructure to a PoE system as my previous choice of wireless system was a poor decision on my part. I have all my ‘gear’ if you will in the basement but I don’t have any convenient drops from the attic to my basement. I need to do a total of 8 drops from attic to basement. I’m not too versed in wiring things through a home (ie. minimal damage to walls and such) I’ve done long runs in warehouses but that was essential all open space.
My main questions are:
- is there any specific conduit I should be looking at to pull the runs through the walls?
- Is there any specific tools that I need to know about to make this job easier? I assume one of those line pullers would be handy in this case ( the hell are they actually called?
- Any other tips and tricks from those of you who have done something similar?
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Generally conduit is not required in code for low voltage communications wire. It certainly helps, because you can jam a piece of rigid conduit straight up through a wall easier, and it allows you to seal the hole on either end to prevent any air or pest intrusion. But it’s extra cost and labor. You can use standard grey PVC conduit from a hardware store if you wish.
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It’s called fish tape. Definitely will want some.
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Buy bulk cable and pull it bare then terminate the ends at a patch panel. Pulling preterminated patch cables is a recipe for a bad time. If you use conduit, buy conduit a size or two larger than you think you need.
Depending on the complexity of the runs- don’t br afraid to call an electrician. They have magic ways of getting wires to places.
Will absolutely keep this in mind. I have a buddy in the business I will reach out to him and get some of his thoughts on it.
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My advice. Call a local electrician or small business networking company; get some quotes for what you are looking for. Have 2 cables run from the network interface box to where your router/firewall is in addition to a second location in case you ever need to expand the network setup in you home. The cost is well worth not worrying about pulling cables. Install CAT6 boxes in almost every room you foresee a cable ever being run. Good luck! I recently rewired my home with CAT6 from the fiber interface box and am now enjoying 900/850mb everywhere in my home.
I agree with this. Get some quotes and if you can afford it then have a professional do the runs. Pulling wire through existing walls is a pain and then add in crawling through the attic.
I paid about 1200 to have 10 Ethernet lines ran; 8 poe for security and 2 data lines to my computer work area. I think it was worth it so I didn’t have to crawl though my hot itchy attic lol
