While most people only see network cables inside their homes or businesses, we can't forget the cables outside. Most internet providers run network cables above or below the ground to connect your house or building. Although burying a network cable sounds easy, it's not that simple. You need to ensure that the network cable is protected from environmental factors such as water, heat, freezing temperatures and storms. Also, you need to know the materials to be used, such as the conduit and the mesh wire itself. If you want to learn how to use your outdoor network cables safely, our experts break down everything you need to know in our comprehensive guide below.
Have a plan before laying network cables outdoors
Before you start laying the network cable, you need to decide whether the network cable is above ground or underground, as each option requires different materials and steps. If you plan to run your network cable on the ground, there are several factors to consider, such as the type of network cable, conduit, and cable placement.
Ideally, an outdoor cable should be used whenever the cable is outside. But if the network cable is above the ground, the situation is different. Also, you will need weather resistant conduit, such as solid copper or at least UV resistant PVC pipe, when the network cable is on the ground. If you choose to put your network cable above the ground, you don't necessarily have to use an outdoor network cable, otherwise the network cable should never be on the ground. Network cables on the ground are vulnerable to storms, disconnections and even other accidents. For best results, wire should always be elevated on the outside of the building with a two-hole galvanized wire tie. Also, if you're near power lines or other surrounding network cables, you'll need to plan which way the cables will run. Never run the network cable parallel to the power cable as this will cause noticeable interference or noise. Instead, the network cables should be as perpendicular to the power cables as possible, which may require some planning on your part.
On the other hand, most internet installers choose to bury the cable because it is a more reliable method. The buried network cable is more reliable, and the environment is almost harmless to the network cable. However, it's not as simple as simply burying a network cable, so read on to learn more.
Use a network cable that can be directly buried in the network cable or installed with conduit
When burying network cables, there are two options: direct burial or traditional burial that requires laying conduit. If you use solid copper conduit or PVC pipe with sealant on every connection point, you can use standard network cable, but there are risks involved. This is because any moisture that gets into the pipes can damage the network cable, so you must replace the network cable. So, for the longest lasting solution, you just need to use an outdoor network cable in all cases. To be honest, it is quite laborious to run network cables underground, so for the least amount of work, we recommend using buried network cables directly. Manufacturers have designed direct buried network cables with an additional layer of protection to allow them to be safely buried without conduit. However, when burying network cables, local regulations must be followed. Do not start digging until you are sure nothing is in the way. When in doubt, call before digging.
Reduce the chance of environmental factors affecting the network cable
Like we mentioned earlier, there are several environmental factors that can damage your network cable. First and foremost, any network cables that are above the ground must be waterproof, otherwise they will be subject to power surges during storms, which can permanently damage the network cables. Also, UV rays can damage the cable if exposed to sunlight. The best way to protect your network cable from sunlight is to run the network cable through a UV-resistant conduit.
Don't forget to keep the cable's connector box outside to protect it from the weather. The electrical charge created by standard network cables attracts lightning, not to mention rain and snow. For weatherproofing, the connector box should avoid the box made of metal, because it will attract lightning strikes, choose PVC material. Also, you should seal each edge of the box with an outdoor sealant such as silicone. That way, you'll keep water, debris, and pests out.
Ultimately, for safe use of outdoor network cables, we recommend that you consider direct burial of outdoor network cables, as this reduces the risk of environmental factors damaging the network cables. It's important that you buy a high-quality cable that will last. You don't want to unplug the network cable you've worked so hard to bury. Not to mention the time, effort and money you waste by not using a high-quality network cable in the first place. Before you order a network cable and start digging, make sure you know which cable is right for you. In most cases, you can use Cat5e or Cat6 cables with excellent connectivity.
If you're ready to order an outdoor Cat6 cable, or you're not sure which cable is right for you, then we're the perfect solution for you. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality cables that are guaranteed to last. Our refusal to sell anything we wouldn't use really sets us apart from the competition. Also, because we believe everyone deserves a high-quality internet connection, we offer free technical assistance to all our customers.
