Riser Cat5e does not get data through it.....?

Question

I think I basically know the answer to this (wrong type of cable for job), but I would like a few details.
We're running wire in our office and the boss purchased "Vertical Riser Cat5e." And I've noticed that basically unless the cable is 10 feet or under and completely straight, it gets no data through it.
I guess my questions are:

1. Is this the wrong wire to be throwing around an office (90 degree angles, etc)?

2. What is the correct Cat5e for general cabling? (About 100 feet between switch and 'pute, but must be able to take corners)

3. What is a vertical riser cable meant to be used for if it is so finnicky?

Thanks a bunch!

Answer 1

Plenum rate riser rate etc are a description of fire retardancy. There are two types of cable though, and this sounds like it is your problem. Solid core wire is for " in the wall" installation. Stranded core wire is for "on the floor" wiring. If you try and use solid core wire for a patch cable you will be very unhappy with the result. Solid core wire is very brittle and will fail in a short period of time laid out on the floor getting kicked and stepped on. Also it has a minimum bend radius ( I seem to recall it is about the same as fiber which is 90 degrees of bend per inch).

So in the wall going between floors or in conduit you would use riser rate. Across the ceiling or through walls horizontally (not in conduit) use plenum rate. On the floor from the wall jack to the device or in a patch panel use stranded .

Answer 2

1. Is this the wrong wire to be throwing around an office (90 degree angles, etc)?

You CAN use it, but usually horizontal cable is used.

2. What is the correct Cat5e for general cabling? (About 100 feet between switch and 'pute, but must be able to take corners)

The general Cat5e cable is utp non-riser type. plenum can be more expensive, but it is against code to use non-plenum in a plemum area.

3. What is a vertical riser cable meant to be used for if it is so finnicky?

Cable which is to be run between floors in non-plenum areas is rated as riser cable. The fire requirements on riser cable are not as strict. Thus, plenum cable can always replace riser cable, but riser cable cannot replace plenum cable in plenum spaces. Twisted-pair and coaxial versions of cable are made in plenum and riser versions.

Answer 3

He bought it because it was cheap, right?

I'm not Larry the cable guy (we contract that out to him), but my understanding is that "vertical riser" cable is designed to run only in the walls (vertically) and not the plenum (horizontally across the ceiling). Ususally nothing wrong with using it to build patch cables, etc. But, if you got some crappy cable... well, you got crappy cable.

Spend the money (it's really not that much more) to get plenum rated cable from a reputable manufacturer. And, if you're going to the trouble to throw cable, why aren't you using Cat6? Much better for a 10/100 network anyway, and when the world goes to gigabit in a few years, you won't have to throw cable all over again.

Answer 4

well i dont think the cable is your problem, this site should give you some more info but i have being using cmr cable (riser) and had no problems upto a hundred feet,
If you are wiring it your self make sure that you follow the B color pattern that is in side the socket as - A pattern is cross-over

Hope this helps

Ps if it works can i have best answer,
Thanks

Sean

Answer 5

Plenum is probably best, there are all different kinds, go to Graybar or Walters, etc. and ask them what they suggest and tell them you want something easy to work with. the cheaper stuff can be very stiff and tends to pinch very easily and get hung up around corners and tight spaces. Which will waste your time if you have a sever pinch in the line that you don't notice and all of a sudden someone's connection becomes intermittant. I suggest if you don't already have one, purchasing one of those fishing/feeder poles to help with your runs.