alternatives to metal/pvc conduite for outside cat5 cables?

[gencom 0]

ok I'm planning on running 4 PoE IP cams outside my house. I'm not really concern about vandals as the wires and cams will be placed high.

 

the house side takes turns and have other obstruction so putting straight conduit is a PITA. is there anything like "outdoor" rated cat5e cables or some kind of cheaper (and flexible) outer sheath that I can put my cables through that protects it from the environment? something like outdoor rated carflex (if theres such a thing)

[SectorSecurity 0]

I have been using flex conduit, it goes for 80$ for 100FT so not the cheapest but easy to get around bends.

[andrewgroup 0]

When you say "outside your house" do you really mean on the side of your house.?

 

If so, then standard PVC cat5e cabling will suffice. assuming the camera mounts come through the camera base, and the cameras have the necessary rating to prevent leakage. Please place a drip loop in the cable as it leave the camera to prevent water from running back into the camera through the rubber cross cut seal.

 

For the DYI, I recommend you go online and buy premade LAN patch cords, and don't try and use solid core structured wiring and crimp ends. You can find 100' CAT5E premade and tested cords for $10 buck each or not much more..

 

I will tell you, after 1,000's of POE camera installations, cheap POE switches are very sensitive to nearby lightning strikes. For a few cameras, I prefer and recommend POE injectors and use your existing switch.

 

cheers