Separating Electrical/Phone/Cable

We live in a 27 year old house. The phone lines from the network interface and the cable TV lines from the utility's box are both run into the house through the same hole as the main feed for the electrical breaker box (100 AMP). The hole is directly above the breaker box. We've had periodic problems with the cable/Digital TV reception, as well as periodic problems with our broadband internet service. Through process of elimination, I've concluded that the electrical is causing the problems on the phone line (which by the way, is daisy-chained through the house numerous times before reaching the computer jack.) I asume the same is true for the cable. I've run a new "home run" Cat 5 line for the computer from the jack to the garage, but don't want to put it through the existing hole. Three questions:

1. Is is likely that the access arrangement described above is the cause of our problems on both the DSL line and the cable TV lines, and is making a new access hole the best solution?

2. If I make a new access hole to take the Cat 5 line out to the network interface, how far away from the breaker box should it be?

3. Can I run the cable TV through the same new access hole as the Cat 5 line?

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

It is possible the present arrangement is causing noise through your lines, Not the most likely thing but many contributing factors could add up to your problem. you could trying to wrap a shield around the cable and phone line where they enter the house and see if that reduces or eliminates your problem. The problem may not be at the panel its self it may be how far away they are from the incoming power from your meter. Normally 6" from the power lines is what the standard is but if you are having a harmonics problem then if you can't move them farther then sheilding them is the next best thing.

It is best when it come to making a new hole to get it as far from the panel as possible. The cable and the phone jack going through the same hole should not be any kind of problem, providing you can sort out the rest of your problems.

 

It's possibly, but unlikely that the proximity of your electric feed is causing problems with cable and phone. Regardless, this type of an installation does not meet electrical code. Try relocating both lines. I'd suggest using seperate access holes.