What is this socket for?

digitalsystem

IMG_20220107_195545.jpg

Hi, can anyone explain what the two black cable coming out of the tv aerial socket are for? We have saorview + freeview but don't know what these are for...

Also, what would the socket on the right of the picture be for? It's a much smaller white cable but no idea what it would be used for

Thanks

Driving gloves

Coaxial for the telly

colm_mcm

I’d say the 2 black ones are a defunct Sky setup?

newirishman

The white one could be a network cable (cat5) or some such.

digitalsystem

Thanks all, those suggestions make sense.

The cat 5 cable is good news with the broadband roll out next year

newirishman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118436080#Comment_118436080

I wouldn't bank on it! Can't really say from the picture. Network cables usually have their type printed on it, so have a closer look.

Or remove some of the outer shell isolation to check what the strands are like inside.

banie01

The 2 black cables are hanging from behind an F-Type wall connector. I'd bet they are satellite. The white cable, is likely plain co-ax for terrestrial TV and is missing the belling connector wall plate.

The two coaxial cables are for Sky / FreeSat box that needs two feeds for simultaneous recording of multiple channels. The installers often won’t use sockets as some of them are the wrong spec and leak RF, screwing up the signal.

The network cable could be for Ethernet, but it’s also commonly used for old PSTN (phone) lines. If it’s CAT5 you might be able to repurpose it for Ethernet, or if it’s unsuitable, you might be able to use it as a draw line to pull suitable Ethernet though.

Make sure you watch some YouTube videos of how to do this this though, because it can be a waste of time if the joint breaks while pulling the cable.

digitalsystem

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118438862#Comment_118438862

IMG_20220108_152959.jpg

I know nothing about these things so forgive my ignorance...

The white cable has '.... category 5e u/utp 4p 3p...' printed in it (might be hard to read on attached picture). It's that a Cat 5 cable?

wiz569

Yep that's cat5e cable for broadband.

Just be careful about assuming CAT5 is for broadband. It's frequently used for PSTN and has been for a long time - going back into the 1990s. The landline phone network can carry a fair punch up to 48V DC and up to about 75V AC if it rings. Generally not a great idea to plug it into an Ethernet port by accident.

newirishman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118439498#Comment_118439498

Indeed. But I guess the OP needs to find out where the other end goes which should clear it up. I would be surprised to see Cat5 being used by PSTN in a private household ever though. Good old 4 core telephone cable would surely been the choice usually.

All the extensions in this house are CAT5.

It turned out to be quite handy as they were done in a star configuration so I was able to repurpose them for Ethernet by putting a switch in the attic.

There were various loop in and outs using spare pairs for the alarm system too.

digitalsystem

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118439544#Comment_118439544

Is there an easy way to do this? There is a dropped ceiling in the house if that makes any difference..