I had an electrician run Cat 6 to all the bedrooms in my older house, and he ran the cable all along the outside of the house (not buried). It’s a blue Southwire cable that I believe is rated for indoor use, and I’m worried it may be an issue come winter here in northern-Illinois. Should I be worried about an impending doom and if so what can I do to protect the cables.
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Lazy electrician or cheap homeowner?
Probably both
It’ll be fine for 10 years or whatever. Put it in a conduit/or cover it with a riser if you’re worried. It’s the UV/SUN damage that will be the long term cause of concern.
Thanks!
Yes, it will be an issue. Eventually.
If you’re not messing with it (as in, trying to move/bend the cable when it’s icy cold), I don’t think winter is the main issue. I think the main problem with having cables like this outdoors is UV (sunlight) breaking them down, causing the cable jacket to crack, and then you get water ingress. Like in the video here: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianGaming/comments/lt3u5v/water_droping_from_my_ethernet_cable_i_noticed/
I would replace the outdoor sections of the cable with one that is actually rated for outdoor use, but it will probably be fine to wait until the spring/summer.
Sun exposure (UV) will be your enemy. In places with lots, like the south facing portions, the cables will start to crack in about 3-5 years. North sides may last longer. Cracks alone are no big deal, but will start to allow moisture in the jacket, which will become an issue.
You can extend the life by painting them, but this won’t last either.
Ultimately, you need to have outdoor rated cables, which will last much longer. You can do this yourself, one cable at a time. Since you have time, you can do this slow and right.
It depends really. I’ve install new WiFi bridge in 2016, and change UTP that goes by the wall in like 2020, as it change color and start to cracks. But other cable, which were installed in 2003 is fine, little bit stiffer than new one, but no cracks and still working well, same side of the house, may have little more shadow, but 20 years and it is regular cat5e cable, not outdoor one :P guess materials were better back in the days.
I agree with just painting those cables. Or to put those in cable conducts, not prettiest solution, but cables hanging loose is neither.
Thanks!