In reply to a post by MHC:

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

That is a screened cable, hard to bend and not compatible with many RJ45 plugs. (See reviews on Screwfix)

Who puts plugs on infrastructure cabling? Cowboys!

I�ve used kenable cable (cheaper direct on their UK website than from amazon).

They do 50/100 & 305m lengths of all variations.

In reply to a post by ian72:

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.

Beware of copper fatigue - I hope you don't let them wobble about too much when plugging in and unplugging leads or perhaps when you are using a vacuum cleaner

Don't worry - my use of past tense was deliberate, I moved out last year...

In reply to a post by ian72:

Don't worry - my use of past tense was deliberate, I moved out last year...

Sorry I just pictured it in the present tense - I bet the use of sockets was infinitely preferable to using rj45 plugs though.

No one easily!

In reply to a post by MHC:

Who puts plugs on infrastructure cabling? Cowboys!

The French electricians I work with for starters. They use really stiff Cat6 F/UTP, put a bulky tool-free metal bodied RJ45 plug (a cheap unbranded one) on the end, and then stick it directly into the back of devices like the ONT, router and televisions. It really doesn't do the PCB mounted ethernet sockets any good.

If they use a socket they don't always bother to connect the screen and they either don't possess, or don't know how to use a cable tester to verify correct connections.

My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to redo it all properly with sockets and nice flexible stranded patch cables going into the devices.

In reply to a post by Nickyboy:

Which sites would people recommend for cables?

Have a search for excel cable. Excel have their own website but also sell on Amazon.
Shielded RJ45 plugs need to be grounded. As the RJ45 sockets on normal routers are not grounded they are useless.
There's loads of information on google and youtube on how to terminate the RJ45's on cat6 cable.

In reply to a post by dect:

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

I'd recommend the toolless sockets - much easier to work with