Source for 2-pair stranded Cat 5(e) cable? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: octillion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2021, 10:35:39 pm
content: I'm setting up PoE cameras with 100 Mbit ethernet, and want to use cable that is as light and flexible as possible. In some cases I'm just setting them on a window sill or piece of furniture, and don't want the cable to weigh down or torque the camera.Two-pair stranded cable will minimize unnecessary bulk and stiffness. Insulation class is unimportant, so easy flex is desirable. Higher than 24 AWG may be acceptable I'm looking for bulk cable (~100 feet), but so far found only a single supplier. The cost for 2-pair is significantly higher than the equivalent 4-pair. Since I don't need anywhere near 1000 feet, I'm hoping there is a more economical source:https://www.l-com.com/ethernet-category-5e-utp-24-awg-2-pair-stranded-conductor-beige-gray-1kftSolid conductor has been much easier to find, but is significantly stiffer than stranded; I have several examples of pre-made cables with stranded 2-pair Cat 5(e) that came bundled with various equipment over the past decades.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2021, 11:27:50 pm
content: Have you considered using superflat 4 pair cable?Here's an overpriced example (you could do better than this by buying premade patchcords):https://www.amazon.com/CAT5e-Super-Stranded-Ethernet-Unshielded/dp/B008OYAC2K

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2021, 11:32:01 pm
content: Daft side question: have you tested to make sure your PoE works over 2-pair? There are quite a few PoE variants, some do power over data pairs, some do power over non-data pairs and some use all pairs for power + data.

author: octillion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2021, 12:24:35 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on September 12, 2021, 11:27:50 pmGood suggestion, this is likely the next best thing. I'll consider this if stranded 2-pair remains elusive.Quote from: Whales on September 12, 2021, 11:32:01 pmThey are 802.3af type 1, so use 2 pairs for both data and power.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2021, 12:35:39 pm
content: Just looked at tme.eu, it has twenty types from Lapp and Belden.

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2021, 01:05:45 pm
content: As 100MBit/s Ethernet will "work over wet string", you could consider star quad cable instead of 2-pair stranded. Might be easier or cheaper to buy. Just use the correct pairs of the star quad, it'll work, "been there, done that".

author: octillion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2021, 02:01:42 am
content: Thanks for the help everyone. The Belkin and Lapp all have shielding and fillers, so I did some more searching for U/UTP. Under the "wet string" mentality I briefly looked into Cat 3, but didn't find stranded. I did, however, find a second supplier of stranded 2-pair Cat 5e UTP, a bit cheaper than L-com, and in many stylish colors:https://www.quabbin.com/products/commercial-data-cable/patch/cat-5e/5209Minimum order is again 1000 feet, but after talking to one of their suppliers they located a partial spool at the factory. Still not the most economical solution, but I went ahead and ordered that to get this done with.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2021, 02:23:29 am
content: Fairly robust 4 pair 8 wire cable works best for me in terms ofQuote from: octillion on September 17, 2021, 02:01:42 amcolors are useful. I and my wife both make our own patch cables, usually out of E188601 type thick cat 5e wire. They seem to last longer with the cheap RJ-45 plugs we use, than the cheaper, thinner grey 4 pair cat 5 wire sold at our local home depot. But the blue wire is stiff, so a PITA as patch cables go. I would rather have the reliability though..

author: mansaxel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2021, 08:56:06 am
content: Quote from: cdev on October 21, 2021, 02:23:29 amEvery wiring scheme that depended on jacket colour for order in the wiring cabinet I've encountered has failed.Come to think of it; so has every scheme that is not automatic.These days, I use LLDP and grey patch cable.