purchasing CAT-5 cable?


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Old 01-16-08, 09:52 PM
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purchasing CAT-5 cable?

So...I decided to install a new phone jack in my home which is wired with CAT-5 cable using a 66-block as the central hub. I only need to purchase about 10-15 feet of cable since the room is right next to the unfinished utility room containing the hub. I see a lot of websites selling bulk cable which is overkill. Is this something I can purchase at Home Depot, Radio Shack, etc. in pre-cut lengths? I checked their websites but didn't see anything...
 
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Old 01-17-08, 02:08 AM
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I bought a piece at a big box store a few years ago. I seem to remember it coming in 25, 50 & 100' lengths.
 
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Old 01-17-08, 07:44 AM
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Just go to a local electrical supply store and they will sell you any length you need. Always buy a little more than you think you need, it's easier to cut some off than try to add more.
 
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Old 01-17-08, 07:56 AM
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no reason for or advantage in using cat5 for phone line

I would use cat3

home depot and lowes sell both cat 3 and cat 5 by the foot in the electrical dept
 
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Old 01-17-08, 09:47 AM
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Yeah, I realize CAT-5 is probably overkill but I thought I'd be consistent since that is what the rest of my house is wired in and I don't need a whole lot so the cost difference shouldn't be much.

I'll primarily be using this phone jack to connect to my DSL modem...any disadvantage to using CAT-3 vs. CAT-5 just for that?
 
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Old 01-17-08, 08:17 PM
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For phone, there is no disadvantage to Cat3.

You probably want to buy cut to order bulk cable. RS and the big box stores will have that.
 
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Old 01-18-08, 05:36 AM
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keep in mind the DSL signal has traveled miles over cable thats cat nothing

running the last 100'over cat 5 will add nothing to the performance .
 
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Old 01-18-08, 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by mango man
cat nothing
Thanks for the laugh of the day. I just dribbled beer all over my keyboard.

You're right, of course.

However (and you had to know a "however" was coming), the OP wants to use Cat 5 because that's what's in his house. In the future, if he wants to use that run for ethernet, it will already be in place.

Unlike my own ethernet, which is connected to a patch panel (actually a 2x4 with wire staples) via exposed pairs of cross-connect jumpered with alligator-clip test leads.
 
 

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