In reply to a post by John_Gray:

I'm struggling to think why the average domestic user would ever need 10Gbps and rarely use as much as 1Gbps - other than for speed test purposes

I've always thought that this was useful/necessary to be able to run Windows updates faster...

In my experience, Windows updates updates better when there's no internet access whatsoever

T.V. aerial installers are very conversant with running cables both exterior and interior.

Thanks for replying,

Yeah I mean outside and was thinking unterminated if crimping is fairly easy to do.The only thing I�d read regarding the type of cable was to avoid CCA??
I live in 100yr,2 storey semi so has thick walls but I�ve got a plumber friend who will hopefully do any drilling for me so mainly just the type of cable and how to crimp etc is what I�m looking into.

I'm not an expert. I was looking at making patch cables and did more research regarding internal cable but read up a bit on external stuff.
As others have said use waterproof and UV resistant external cable.
As you have mentioned steer clear of CCA. Copper clad aluminium for those wondering what CCA means.100% copper is the industry standard.
Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) is cable without any shielding to guard against electromagnetic interference.
Shielded twisted pair (STP) or Foiled twisted pair (FTP) has an extra internal foil or mesh layer between the twisted pairs and the outer sheath to add an extra guard against electromagnetic interference..
Next we come to Stranded and Solid Core. Solid core has one single thicker strand of copper whereas stranded has multiple strands of copper. Solid core is mostly used in runsouts. Stranded core is typically used for patch cables.
Stranded has a higher tolerance to bend around corners where as solid core is not as flexible to being bent. If you bend single core past it's tolerance the copper core will snap rendering the cable useless. That being said you should not bend either through 90 degree turns. It's best to curve it like you see in plumbing pipes.
Try not to run it near sources of electromagnetic interference. Infact if you can, keep it away from anything electrical.
Add drip bends to where the cable exits or enters cavities on the external wall. A drip bend is just making a U shape so any rain water runs down the cable and drips off rather than rain water creeping along the cable and entering the wall cavity.
Hope all that helps.

In reply to a post by funkydan:

Add drip bends to where the cable exits or enters cavities on the external wall. A drip bend is just making a U shape so any rain water runs down the cable and drips off rather than rain water creeping along the cable and entering the wall cavity.

Excellent advice - often ignored by installers

Rather than crimping an end on to it terminate it with a RJ45 socket. Then you can use a patch lead from the socket to the device. Sockets generally use standard punch down connections and good punch tools are quite cheap (less than £10). When I did mine I bought the sockets and back boxes from screwfix direct, I think I got the punch tool from Amazon. As it was just me living in the house I didn't even bother screwing the back boxes to the wall, just left them on the floor.

You might find a simple kit like this would do for you, although there are many options to buy the bits individually as well. This is the punch tool I used. You can also buy the modules separately and the mounting boxes/plates.

There are several toolless sockets made by companies like Excel that are worth looking at they are high quality but you won't get them from Screwfix or Toolstation

Do yourself a favour and get a cheap Chinese punch down tool from eBay for £2 delivered, dispatched from the UK. Sure if you are a professional get something better, but for a bit of domestic DIY they are perfectly fine. The only downside of them is they always cut, which sometimes you don't want. You can spend more and get ones that don't cut too. I have one of each as the selective ones are more like £20 so it was cheaper to get one of each.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221711551803

Note that if you have solid core cable you need specialist RJ45 plugs to get a reliable crimp as the normal ones are designed for stranded cable. Buy the time you have messed about with that you might as well have put in a socket. Again really cheap on eBay. I would note I would consider using Cat5e rated sockets even if I used Cat6 or better cable as they are quite a bit cheaper. The expense and hassle is running the cable and if you do need better in the future it is easy to swap out the faceplates compared to running new cable. I have only done it for runs to ceiling mounted WiFi access points. that are on structured cabling.

I would further note that the difference between a box of 305m Cat5e and Cat6 seems to be about £20. You need to be on a really tight budget to install Cat5e structured cabling in 2020.

after having a closer look outside I've decided "Fck that!" and I'll get someone to run the cable for me but I'd still prefer to buy the cable myself.

Which sites would people recommend for cables?

For internal cables:
Check your local Screwfix branch - they have Cat6 on clearance, 100m drums for £14 https://www.screwfix.com/p/nexans-cat-6-f-utp-lszh-e... Not incredibly cheap, but if you only need a shorter length then probably good value


For external: FS cables https://www.fscables.com/products/cat-6-external.htm... they will do it in lengths rather than full drums