Network cable suitable for running outside

[Zirax]

Due to the electrical wiring in my house being in rather weird places, it looks like it will be best to run network cable outside for a small stretch. Rather than running ducting outside which will look pants, is there any network cable that will cope with being outside in all weather exposed to the elements. Back in my uni house I just had cat5e strung between windows, however would something like cat6 be better?

[Daz]

I've done it over small distances with (black, just because it looked tidier) CAT5 and had no problems.

[Mark]

Yup - any decent cabling should be fine. If it's exposed then it may be worth considering some weather protection. I also agree with the choice of black.

[Daz]

Might be worth considering STP over UTP though I'm not sure if it's worth it really.

[Feek]

Agree, I just use normal CAT5 cabling, I've got a couple of runs that have been outside for years.

[Admiral Huddy]

dodododod... I was going to ask the same thing today Matt as I'm goinf to run some CAT5 out to my shed. I'm going to order some solid core stuff.. How much do you need?

[Burble]

If you use solid try to keep the bend radius' big enough as the solid can degrade very easily if the bend radius is too tight.

[Matblack]

I used to sell the fibre version of this stuff for a living, you could run an industrial sized digger over it and it would laugh it off, expensive though.

http://www.homestead.co.uk/productcategorydetail.aspx?categoryid=54706

I'd just use normal CAT6e tbh though it will last for yonks and you can easily repair it if it does degrade, just make sure the jacket is intact over the whole run.

MB

[Zirax]

dodododod... I was going to ask the same thing today Matt as I'm goinf to run some CAT5 out to my shed. I'm going to order some solid core stuff.. How much do you need?

It will be running from downstairs upto my office, so 5-6m? I'll get a tape measure out tonight to be sure