Despite advances regarding wireless technologies, there’s the requirement of Ethernet cabling. To make sure you get perfect the first go Ethernet cable installation, this is a short guide to running Ethernet cable across walls.
If you are asking yourself “How to run Ethernet cable through walls?”, this guide has the answers.
The people who prefer wired connections usually face one problem. They have a difficult time trying to wire a connection through walls.
This is the reason we’ve chosen to share this step-by step guide on how to connect Ethernet cable through the walls.
How to Connect Ethernet Cable Through Walls: The Planning Phase
Like any other project, planning is extremely crucial in the case of installing the Ethernet cable in walls. If you are planning to connect the Ethernet cable(s) over walls, it is important to be clear about:
- Which walls you’ll be running the Ethernet cable through. The determination of the walls on which you’ll be running through with the Ethernet cable through is crucial. Do you have brick walls or walls that are finished? The answer comes down to the amount of rooms you’d like to wire. More rooms that you would like to wire, greater are the odds of having to deal with various types of walls.
- The route that you’re going to follow. It’s the most difficult part of running an Ethernet cables through wall. The path you’ll take is likely to differ based on your residence. For instance, if are living in an apartment the way you go about this task is different than someone living in a detached home.
- The speed of network. You’ll require knowing the speed of your network you’re looking for will help you decide on the proper materials or tools that you’ll require. Yes, the preferred speed on the network will determine the tools you’ll require. It is possible that you will need various types of switches depending on the desired speed of connection.
- Tools. If you have the right tools, you’ll not just connect Ethernet cables to walls efficiently, but be able do it efficiently.
How to Run Ethernet Cable Through Walls: Tools Required
The equipment required to connect your Ethernet cables through your walls rely on a variety of factors, including the walls of your home, and the area of coverage. But, there are some devices that you should have and include:
- Drill
- Pointed Hand Saw
- Punch Down Tool
- Paddle Bit
- Drywall Saw
- Ethernet Crimping Tool
- Stud Finder
- Full bare copper cables
- Fish Tape
- Label Marker
- Electrical wires
- Structured wiring panel
- Ethernet jack
- Electrical lines
Alongside the tools mentioned above, you could require the following tools:
- Ethernet Switch
- Ethernet Wall Sockets
- Ethernet Sockets
- Patch Panel
- Plastic Grommet
Which Ethernet Cable Should I Use for My Home Network Wiring?
Alongside knowing what equipment you’ll need while running an Ethernet cable across walls it’s crucial to decide on the best Ethernet cable.
As you’d expect, raises the same question: which Ethernet cable do I select to connect my home network? However, it’s worth noting it is that Ethernet cables are typically classified based on speed and speed at which they transfer data through the cable.
When using Ethernet cables, it is important to choose one that is the absolute top in performance and high-quality. Don’t use Ethernet cables like CCA (aka copper clad Aluminium) at all cost.
They’re known for a variety of problems, like being hot and not delivering enough power. It is recommended to use pure copper cables when running Ethernet cables across walls would be highly recommended.
Ethernet Cable Running Ethernet Cable through Walls
Once everything is in place It is now time to connect the Ethernet cable through your walls. This is the first step.
Step 1: Establish a Distribution Point
Every project that involves the running of Ethernet cable through walls begins with the creation or construction of an Ethernet distribution point. If you’re building or constructing an Ethernet distribution center, it’s ideal to completely shut off your home’s power source.
In this way, you’ll be sure that you’re safe when drilling into walls to make space for the distribution point.
In the process of creating a distribution point you’ll require the correct studs to build your electrical panel. Finding studs is simple, you just use a stud finder to move it across the wall. It is also possible to work without a stud locater, however this isn’t advised particularly if this is the first time you’ve done it.
Once you have your studs set and your studs in place, you’ll need to drill an inspection hole in between. It can be as small as 4” by 4 inch hole. For a perfect cut in the intersection hole, you’ll need to make use of the wall saw included in your tools kit.
The goal of the inspection hole is to make sure there aren’t any obstructions in the wall that you’ve determined to be the perfect location to construct the distribution point.
If you’ve confirmed that there’s nothing hidden between the walls, you are able to cut away the drywall up to the distribution point. You’ll need the wall saw. Make use of the stud points you made to ensure that you cut the right way.
When you’re done, then you’ll require something to ensure that all cables are neatly. It’s available as a wiring panel. Utilize a power drill attach the box onto both studs.
Second Step: Make Holes for Ethernet Cable
After you’ve got the distribution point set making holes to connect the Ethernet cables is next. Depending on the floor that you are working on, you’ll have to drill the ceiling plate on top or the ceiling plate at the bottom. When you’re done then proceed to making a cut through the attic.
Take a walk up the stairs and locate a spot directly above the distribution panel. Once you’ve found the spot then you can begin by making an opening in the plate on your floor. It is important to note that when working with attics it can typically feature double plates which means that you could have to drill more than one piece of wood.
When you’re done in the attic, you’ll need to cut , or make holes on the walls through which will be the place where an Ethernet cable will pass through. This means paying careful attention to the rooms that require cabling.
Important to remember, when making holes, you’ll encounter wall tiles or even finished walls. However, regardless of that it is important to cut into the wall. Make sure you are equipped with the correct tools.
Make use of a ruler. It will help you mark and indicate cutting holes on all walls the cable will be feeding into. After you have cut your holes, it’s time to run wires through walls.
Step 3. Mark Your Ethernet Cables
If you intend to run Ethernet cable across multiple walls, it is essential to mark them according to the rooms in which wall surfaces are. It is possible to label one as “bedroom”, “living room” or “office” in the event that you plan to have an office in your home.
After you’ve labeled correctly the Ethernet cable, begin to run them through the wall and into the space in your attic. If you do it right, the Ethernet cable(s) will appear at the outlet holes you made earlier.
If you are able to identify you have an Ethernet cable(s) you can simply bring them up to your desired length and finish the process of running an Ethernet cables through the walls.
Planning your home network wiring
Like any other project it is important to start with the plan. It is not enough to be aware of where we would like to connect our wired Ethernet connections, but also where they will connect together and how we can achieve them.
I’ve broken down the process into two steps:
- Draw a floorplan that is simple of your home. This can help visualize all connected wires.
- Locate the exact location of Ethernet connections. Remember that children are getting older and might purchase a gaming console for their rooms. Consider a space to install a network printer, and, of course, keep track of the access points.
- What is the best place to put the switch and router? It is possible to put switches on every floor, if it is easier, and you can run all of the cables to a single place. I would prefer to keep all network connections together in one location This way, you can use a larger switch or use switches with greater efficiency.
- What are the best ways to conduct the cable? The attic and the crawl space are great options to run cables around your home.
- What is the number of Ethernet ports per site? Two sockets for ethernet are suggested. The UTP cables aren’t that much and the cost for an additional Ethernet port is very minimal. However, adding one later on could cost you much more effort and possibly cash.
Access points only is one Ethernet socket sufficient obviously.
It is possible to run your cables through the HVAC ducts or the other air flow ducts. Be aware that you might need to utilize Cat 6 cables for plenum to accomplish this.
The best Ethernet Cable for your Home Network Wiring
With our strategy in place and our plan in place, we’ll examine what we require. The most crucial part is the Ethernet cable, of course. Ethernet cables are classified by different categories (Cat). The categories define how fast the cables are and the speed at which it can transfer data through the cable.
When you are choosing the cable to use for your home’s ethernet wiring it is not just the speed that is crucial, but also its quality. Avoid spending cash with CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum) cables. To get the most performance and speed from UTP cables UTP cable is to have a very low resistance. This can only be accomplished using copper cables with bare copper.
When using CCA cables, you should not utilize PoE (Power over Ethernet). Because of the higher resistance these cables become hotter , and with longer lengths, they’ll provide lower power for the devices.
Another issue that comes with CCA cable is the fact that they’re fragile and are not very flexible. This could lead to cables that break within the cable.
Tools That You Will Require to Wire Your Home with Ethernet
We’ve got all our network devices, however, you’ll need special tools to get started with your home’s Ethernet wiring
- Ethernet Crimping tool is required if you intend use it to join RJ45 plugs
- Punch down tool – used to punch the cable inside the keystone jacks as well as patch panel
- Network cable tester (Optional)
- Basic DIY tools – like a drill, screwdriver, etc.
Ethernet Cable Color Order
After you have removed all of the cables, you’re now ready to connect them to RJ45 plugs (if you’re using these plugs) and keystone connectors. On the keystone connectors and patch panel, you’ll likely find two color standards, 568A and (or simply B and A).
568B is by far the most widely used standard in both the USA as well as Europe. 568A is more popular in Pacific countries.
The color order of ethernet cables that 568B uses is
- White/Orange
- Orange
- White/Green
- Blue
- White/Blue
- Green
- White/Brown
- Brown
If you’ve got the RJ45 connector in your hands, you can hold the clip in place, and then the left side is pin 1.
Test Your Home Ethernet Wiring
Once you’ve disconnected and pulled all of the ethernet cables , it’s now time to test the cables.
There are two methods to test a cable: with an instrument to test cables (the most effective method) or using an electronic device for network testing (notebook or switch).
Perhaps the most efficient method is to connect your notebook to one end, and then connect through an outlet. If you are able to connect to the internet, then the cable is sufficient. It’s it’s almost.
The problem with Ethernet cables lies in the fact that they work only if four wires are properly connected.
The brown and blue wires can only be used for network connections of 1Gbit. Therefore, in theory, if the green and orange wires are connected properly you will be able to get the network connection. But only with a speed of 100Mbps.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that wired connections provide advantages, but to reap the benefits you must properly connect all the wires.
One method to accomplish this is to run Ethernet cables through the walls. After having read this article you’ll know how to connect Ethernet cables through the walls without the assistance of an expert!
Congrats! Now you know how to run Ethernet cable through walls.