Cat 5 question

[galen 0]

Is it preferred to run cat 5 cable verses RG59? Or is it only better to run cat 5 on long runs? Thanks

[sajaan458 0]

I recommend that you use RG59U Siamese as much as possible and for really long run go with fiber if the budget permits. With Cat5 it's hard to centralize power as it's not recommended to run power over Cat5 specially more the 300mA and for long run you won't be able to run power on Cat5. Also, you will get much better quality with RG59U and less interference as it’s copper shielded. I would keep Cat5 as the last option.

[galen 0]

Got ya. So cat 5 as last option but if power is already there and does not need to be run through the cat 5, up to 2000 ft. can be achieved? Thanks for the response.

[rory 0]

the distance of cat5 runs will depend on the product used, but dont believe any of the passive balun distances cause even if they do break 1000' the quality deminishes alot anywhere after 150' anyways.

 

Only use Cat5 when you need to and use Active on at least one end of the run. The quality decreases, as it would with Rg59, but at closer distances. Active is Amplified so that fixes that issue. Also, with NVT active gear they have ground loop isolation and other features built in, so sometimes that comes in handy depending on the app.

[ayalas 0]

i dont recomend using power thruw cat 5 if your using it for data anyways.