Hello,
I've recently taken on the daunting task of building out a make shift Data Closet on the second floor of my 120yr old home in an effort to better organize and accommodate my needs. Being an IT guy by trade does help in this effort in terms of how to hook up everything and make it work but there is one aspect of this project that has left me scratching my head no matter how much research I do on the topic due to so much conflicting information on the Internet.
The topic of this thread is meant to focus on how to deal with the shields of an Ethernet cable. Some will say that this kind of cable isnt really needed in a home environment while others disagree. I myself thought using a shielded cable made sense, at the time, but the more I read the more I find myself on the fence.
A couple of points to mention up front. This will be in a home environment that has X 1 primary electrical feed to a 200a breaker box in the basement. There is also X 1 main ground point involved from the breaker box to a ground rod in the earth. All AC receptacles involved are of the 3 Prong type.
So with that information out of the way I will mention what information I have gathered thus far and hopefully the folks here can chime in on what they know of this subject and why one method would be better than another.
So lets start with the hardware involved:
Ethernet switches = Ubiquiti US‑8‑150W POE ( 8 Port, 1GB, 150w POE Power, 2 SFP Slots for Fiber). These switches use a 3 Prong Mains cable. These switches use shielded ETH Ports.
Ethernet Cable = Ubiquiti "Tough Cable" Pro CAT5e Outdoor rated, Foil Shielded
Ethernet Connectors = Ubiquiti Shielded TOUGHCable Connectors
1 X Possible 12 Port Patch Panel (Shielded or Not)
Starting on the second floor and working our way down to the basement lets assume there are X 6 runs of the ETH cable already in place but without any terminations connected to the wire yet. The cable itself runs within 6-8 inches of several lengths of romex that feed various outlets on the first floor. Once the cable length reaches the basement it will then need to traverse other runs of Romex that feed various other items of the house that require electric.
From what I have gathered thus far about possible ways to handle the shields of this Ethernet cable run are as follows:
Switch to Switch or Switch to Device "Home Run" connection
1. Connect the shield at the source switch end of the cable only. Leave the destination end of the cable shield unterminated/unconnected. The theory here is that the source switches 3rd Prong will supply the ground for the shield of the ETH cable and by not connecting both ends of the shield potential ground loops should be eliminated.
Switch to Shielded Patch Panel
1. Connect the shield at the source switch end of the cable only. Leave the destination end of the cable shield unterminated/unconnected.
2. Ground the Patch Panel itself to earth ground
3. For the ETH cable leaving the Patch Panel, connect the shield at the Patch Panel End and leave the destination end shield unterminated/unconnected.
Switch to UN-Shielded Patch Panel
1. Connect the shield at the source switch end of the cable only. Leave the destination end of the cable shield unterminated/unconnected where it is punched down at the Patch Panel
2. Use an unshielded ETH cable for all destinations after the Patch Panel OR use the same cable with no shields connected at both ends.
In addition to the above there is also talk about how a shielded ETH cable could act as an antenna if it is not connected properly. Another thing I am not clear on about this is part is if you do not connect/terminate the shield at either end of a shielded cable (ie..remove it, cut it back, don't use it at all) and pretend it didn't exist could that shield be a potential antenna still or does this theory only apply if there is a physical connection to the shield itself?
Please discuss..Thanks
I've recently taken on the daunting task of building out a make shift Data Closet on the second floor of my 120yr old home in an effort to better organize and accommodate my needs. Being an IT guy by trade does help in this effort in terms of how to hook up everything and make it work but there is one aspect of this project that has left me scratching my head no matter how much research I do on the topic due to so much conflicting information on the Internet.
The topic of this thread is meant to focus on how to deal with the shields of an Ethernet cable. Some will say that this kind of cable isnt really needed in a home environment while others disagree. I myself thought using a shielded cable made sense, at the time, but the more I read the more I find myself on the fence.
A couple of points to mention up front. This will be in a home environment that has X 1 primary electrical feed to a 200a breaker box in the basement. There is also X 1 main ground point involved from the breaker box to a ground rod in the earth. All AC receptacles involved are of the 3 Prong type.
So with that information out of the way I will mention what information I have gathered thus far and hopefully the folks here can chime in on what they know of this subject and why one method would be better than another.
So lets start with the hardware involved:
Ethernet switches = Ubiquiti US‑8‑150W POE ( 8 Port, 1GB, 150w POE Power, 2 SFP Slots for Fiber). These switches use a 3 Prong Mains cable. These switches use shielded ETH Ports.
Ethernet Cable = Ubiquiti "Tough Cable" Pro CAT5e Outdoor rated, Foil Shielded
Ethernet Connectors = Ubiquiti Shielded TOUGHCable Connectors
1 X Possible 12 Port Patch Panel (Shielded or Not)
Starting on the second floor and working our way down to the basement lets assume there are X 6 runs of the ETH cable already in place but without any terminations connected to the wire yet. The cable itself runs within 6-8 inches of several lengths of romex that feed various outlets on the first floor. Once the cable length reaches the basement it will then need to traverse other runs of Romex that feed various other items of the house that require electric.
From what I have gathered thus far about possible ways to handle the shields of this Ethernet cable run are as follows:
Switch to Switch or Switch to Device "Home Run" connection
1. Connect the shield at the source switch end of the cable only. Leave the destination end of the cable shield unterminated/unconnected. The theory here is that the source switches 3rd Prong will supply the ground for the shield of the ETH cable and by not connecting both ends of the shield potential ground loops should be eliminated.
Switch to Shielded Patch Panel
1. Connect the shield at the source switch end of the cable only. Leave the destination end of the cable shield unterminated/unconnected.
2. Ground the Patch Panel itself to earth ground
3. For the ETH cable leaving the Patch Panel, connect the shield at the Patch Panel End and leave the destination end shield unterminated/unconnected.
Switch to UN-Shielded Patch Panel
1. Connect the shield at the source switch end of the cable only. Leave the destination end of the cable shield unterminated/unconnected where it is punched down at the Patch Panel
2. Use an unshielded ETH cable for all destinations after the Patch Panel OR use the same cable with no shields connected at both ends.
In addition to the above there is also talk about how a shielded ETH cable could act as an antenna if it is not connected properly. Another thing I am not clear on about this is part is if you do not connect/terminate the shield at either end of a shielded cable (ie..remove it, cut it back, don't use it at all) and pretend it didn't exist could that shield be a potential antenna still or does this theory only apply if there is a physical connection to the shield itself?
Please discuss..Thanks