Minimum AWG required for CAT5e

[ymg200 0]

Hi all,

This is my first post in this board.

I am planning to use CAT5e cable with passive baluns on each end to transmit video, audio and power over the distance of 50ft. I am using the onboard camera with Sony Effio-e CCD chip.

I will use double wire for power (two twisted couples in parallel), which leaves me with 1 pair for video and 1 pair for audio.

I've checked CAT5e specs and they say 24AWG. However, the cable that I have just received in the mail turned out to be 28AWG (even though it says CAT5e).

How bad is 28AWG for my purpose? Should I return this cable and look for 24AWG, or 28AWG will work fine?

Thanks all.

[tomcctv 190]

Hi. With a small run of 50ft you should not have a problem.

[ssnapier 0]

That 28AWG stuff is generally TERRIBLE wire! The twists are all wrong and the wire is super low quality. Tomcctv is probably right that a 50 run will be ok, but if it were me I would go find some higher quality stuff that is 24AWG.

[ymg200 0]

>> I would go find some higher quality stuff that is 24AWG

 

I would have too, if I knew that the wire I was gonna get is 28AWG. The listing did not specify AWG, and I assumed that the cable is up to CAT5e standard.

 

Did anyone actually use 28AWG CAT5e for CCTV ?

 

Thank you.

[Securame 0]

Go for 24AWG.

 

If it is not worth it to return the cable you got, well, just use it and try yourself.