Cable Question... Cat5. Which Type.

[danward79]

Hi,

I will shortly be moving into a new flat. I am going to have to take the floor boards up, to sort them out, and while I am down there plan on laying all my Cat 5 wiring.

I am trying to decide which type would be best.

Stranded or Solid core?

Which would you use and why?

Thanks for the help.

Dan

[bmcomp]

Stranded cable is generaly used at the patch panel and solid is used for the runs around the floors and ceilings.

I think the main reason is the flexability of the stranded cable. Alot of movement in the solid Cat5 results in small fractures in the copper which then comprimises quality or can cause a cable to fail.

Long story short use solid under the floor and stranded at your patch!

B

[Otto-Mate]

Yep, stranded is also more expensive and won't punch down correctly into your sockets on the walls or back at your patch panel.

Use solid.

M.

[danward79]

Thanks for the reply Guy's, I thought as much, the solid cracks because it work hardens