Alternative to cat5 for use with baluns?

[thesillym 0]

Does anyone know if I can use other small gauge wire instead of cat5 between video baluns? Maybe underground sprinkler wire? Would different wire affect video quality and usable distance?

[jeromephone 6]

the baluns are designed to work with twisted pair cat 5-6. It is cheap. If you have to go underground you can get direct bury cat 5 or 6 little more expensive but still cheap.

[thesillym 0]

I already have a bunch of sprinkler wire, twisted pair, and similar, so I was just wanting to know if I can use that up before I go buy cat5?

[foresight 0]

If distance is not too far, you can use it. UTP Balun can used on CAT3 or any twisted cable.

[SectorSecurity 0]

I use what we call security wire, or alarm wire, its a 22AWG with 4 wires in it, has always worked great for me, and I find it to be about 25$ cheaper per 1000FT then CAT5, of course CAT5 always gives you the option to go IP cams later.

 

 

http://www.security.honeywell.com/documents/Cabling.pdf

 

Look under the security wire section.