Unshielded CAT5 cable in EMT conduit outside?

[emptech]

I installed a system a while back where about 100 feet of cat5 cable had to be outside in the weather and in direct sunlight. I ran the cable in EMT, 1/2" metallic conduit, not waterproof. I know that unless one is using PVC conduit, glued together, the conduit will not be waterproof. A few years later we loose video and POE at the camera. I pulled in new cat5 and the customer is back in business. I ran other runs in EMT also, no problems. I finally stripped the outer insulation from the cable and noticed the orange wire (#2) felt a bit rough in the area where my TDR showed an open. I had other conductors open too. Stripping the orange wire I found the copper was falling apart. I didn't see anything obvious where the outer jacket was nicked but water got into the cat5 itself and eventually electrolysis did a job on the copper. As I said, EMT is not waterproof. I did not expect this to happen, it might happen again.

Has anyone else run into this problem? The cable was supplied by the customer, could it be cheap cable?

If this should happen again, what is a good solution? I've heard of PEX being used which can be made waterproof. Rigid conduit would work but is out of the question. I could skip the conduit and use direct burial.
or UV proof cat5?

Jim

 

[TonyR]

I know that unless one is using PVC conduit, glued together, the conduit will not be waterproof. A few years later we loose

If PVC, or any conduit for that matter, is run underground and and any part of it would be above ground, it will accumulate water over time due to thermal differntial cycling and that water will wind up in the low parts where the cable jacket will be in it constantly.

I would install a cable with a jacket rated for flooded-burial or direct burial in any underground conduit.

Lastly, insure the cable CAT-5e or 6 is solid (not stranded) pure copper (not CCA/Copper Clad Aluminum).

 

[samplenhold]

Exactly what @TonyR said.

 

[emptech]

The EMT conduit is on the roof of a building, not underground, but neverless, there was water in the conduit. There were two cat5 cables in the same conduit, so far only one cable had problems, one would think both would have problems, but given more time, it may repeat itself. If there is a problem again, would either consider UV resistant cable or PEX. It's a 200 foot run but only half of it is outdoors.

Thanks for the ideas - Jim

 

[Gimmons]

Also, use Cat6 or better. Even if some corrosion starts, it will take longer to disrupt the signal with thicker wires than with wimpy cat 5.

 

[looney2ns]

Using the proper cable for the job will alleviate most all problems.
The proper cable to be used would be direct burial rated cable.

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[emptech]

It was mentioned that if I had used the proper cable to begin with, wouldn't have had the problem.

According to the specs, the normal wire gage for cat5 is 24awg. For cat6 it's 25awg. Looking at the copper wire table, it takes about three wire gages difference to double the circular mils. True, cat6 wire is thicker than cat5 mainly for POE, but the difference is only slight. Cat6 probably wouldn't have lasted any longer than the cat5.

In this case none of the cable was at or below ground, but rain water would eventually get into the EMT I ran, and did not have sealtite, waterproof fittings. I felt as long as I didn't nick the outer insulation the cable would be waterproof, well, apparently not.

If I have to do the job over again I'll purchase some direct burial cable.

Has anyone else experience this problem with water entering the cable? Jim

 

[looney2ns]

It was mentioned that if I had used the proper cable to begin with, wouldn't have had the problem.

According to the specs, the normal wire gage for cat5 is 24awg. For cat6 it's 25awg. Looking at the copper wire table, it takes about three wire gages difference to double the circular mils. True, cat6 wire is thicker than cat5 mainly for POE, but the difference is only slight. Cat6 probably wouldn't have lasted any longer than the cat5.

In this case none of the cable was at or below ground, but rain water would eventually get into the EMT I ran, and did not have sealtite, waterproof fittings. I felt as long as I didn't nick the outer insulation the cable would be waterproof, well, apparently not.

If I have to do the job over again I'll purchase some direct burial cable.

Has anyone else experience this problem with water entering the cable? Jim

Cat6 is 23 AWG not 25 AWG

 

[samplenhold]

Cat6 probably wouldn't have lasted any longer than the cat5.

If you had run Cat 6, it would have lasted considerably longer. Like 3, maybe 4, more days.

 

[Firefighter]

Just use DB cable.... it's 24 awg with a tougher jacket. $85 for 500ft.

Cat5e direct burial is available at most stores for small price, i got mine at home depot. I just threw some in the ground recently.
I too use to install cctv and still, for a few cameras cat5e is fine. More than fine especially when it's in conduit and can be re ran or upgraded later. Just tell the client if it happens again you'll have to upgrade the wire for the conditions. Or, do it now and not worry about it for a long time.

 

[emptech]

On a previous post I said cat5 was 24awg and cat6 was 25, that was a typo, but the actual circular mils difference is only slight.

The customer supplied the cat5, I've never heard of water penetrating the outer jacket, but it somehow happened. I will do as you suggested, I'll let them know if it happens again they will be paying for some DB cable.

Right now I have to solve the problem with one of the 16 IP cameras not showing up in preview mode but full screen, live mode, shows up just fine. Someone suggested that a setting could have been changed accidentally. I need to pull out the user manual and verify the settings. I don't believe this problem had anything to do with the cable problem.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. BTW, didn't know that HD sold DB cable, not my source for IT stuff.

Jim.

 

[mat200]

Holy smoking Tariffs ..

Just checked Monoprice on Cat5e cable .. man those prices are crazy high compared to the under $100 it used to be

$220 now .. up 120%+



update, here's the cat6 prices ( partial list )

 

[biggen]

Holy smoking Tariffs ..

Just checked Monoprice on Cat5e cable .. man those prices are crazy high compared to the under $100 it used to be

$220 now .. up 120%+

View attachment 221806

That is their in-house Chi brand. You can get USA made Southwire CMR Cat5e 1000' riser at Home Depot for less than half those figures:

Southwire 1,000 ft. 24/4 Solid CU CAT5e CMR (Riser) Data Cable in Gray 56917949 - The Home Depot

Southwire Gauge CAT5e Cable is perfect for use in computer networking and internet service installations. CSA certified product.

www.homedepot.com