From: blockedofcourse@foo.invalid   
      
   On 1/9/2026 8:22 AM, Joe Gwinn wrote:   
   > On Fri, 9 Jan 2026 07:45:49 -0700, Don Y    
   > wrote:   
   >   
   >> A typical installation, for me, requires 100-500 CAT5e drops.   
   >> I'd prefer to have "local talent" do this (licensed electricians on   
   >> a job site) but the consensus is they are woefully underqualified   
   >> for anything more than grunt work:  stringing wire.   Certainly   
   >> not qualified to install, configure and troubleshoot anything   
   >> more advanced than a doorbell!   
   >>   
   >> So, I'll have to find other folks to actually connect the devices   
   >> to PRESTRUNG cable and bring the system up (much easier to do when   
   >> actually connecting the devices as they are still accessible at   
   >> that time so you can interact with them AS you are connecting them!)   
   >>   
   >> But, you'd like to defer this until after the walls are in place.   
   >> Maybe even *after* the sale (so this can be priced as an add-on option,   
   >> treating the cables' prior installation as overhead).   
   >>   
   >> However, you don't want to discover that one or more cables are   
   >> toast as opening the walls to replace them is REALLY costly!   
   >>   
   >> Ideally, I'd like to be able to test/qualify each cable before   
   >> that point.  But, would like to avoid having to attach 8P8C's to   
   >> each end JUST to connect a test set.  The 8P8C's would then have   
   >> to later be removed (cut off) and discarded by the installer.   
   >   
   > This is a classic problem.  The classic solution is conduit, which can   
   > be plastic for low-power signal cables.  (For extra shielding, use   
   > grounded steel conduit.)   
      
   Ignore the extra material and labor cost (for the moment).   
      
   Problem is one of scale.  Walk through YOUR house.  Count the number   
   of duplex receptacles, individual light switches (not the number of   
   BOXES with switches in them but the actual number of switches),   
   light fixtures, other electronic devices (tstats, doorbell   
   annunciators), CATV/phone connections, etc.  Imagine EACH is fed   
   by an individual cable that can be traced back to the main panel   
   (network switch, in my case).   
      
   Chances are, you won't come close to the numbers involved.   
      
   And, you'd have to run a conduit for each of those individual   
   drops.  You end up with a shitload of intermediary pull boxes,   
   often in close proximity to each other.   
      
   You can only get a few (4) cables in a 1/2" EMT (more in larger   
   conduits) and typically can't run a "farther" cable through a   
   "nearer" box due to the locations of those boxes.  This differs   
   from mains wiring where you can "start" the run to the next   
   box from an upstream box.   
      
   It's easier to just add loom to cable "bundles" after the fact   
   (to dress it up and provide increased isolation from other cables)   
      
   And, it still does nothing for TESTING the cables.   
      
   > Grunt labor installs the conduits (including a pull tape) and closes   
   > the walls.  Better grade of grunt labor pulls cables (plus a few   
   > extras) into the conduits.   
   >   
   > Then test and connect the cables, using only cables that work.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)