POE Cameras - Need External Grade Cat cable ?

Stove25 · 04-03-2025 12:09PM #1

Hi all, New build - I've ran cat 6 to the points where I need cameras installed but its still inside the building at this stage. Do I need external grade cable to run to the external location where the camera is going to be installed - even if directly into the back of the camera i.e. no cable exposed to the elements? Same question for the cable to intercom at a gate - should it be external grade ?

If best to connect external grade, what's the best way to connect that inside the house ?

2nd question is : do some of the cameras come with short fixed cables attached and if they do, does it come with an RJ45 on the end already? Thinking that makes it difficult to feed back inside. Thought I had seen in some of the websites / ads what appears to be fixed cabling that comes with the camera - might have been some of the Reolinks maybe.

Thanks in advance.

_ptashek_ · 09-03-2025 06:48PM

If it's internal only, and the cable is not exposed to the elements, or has a longer run along other power cables (50+ meters) a standard UTP Cat 6A cable will do just fine.

Outdoor rated cable usually is an STP, with additional shielding, thicker UV resistant outer skin and solid core, making hard to lay and terminate.

All Hikvision PoE cameras I have came with a short pigtail cable, terminated with an RJ45 socket

Stove25 · 10-03-2025 04:23PM

Hi, ok so would need hole big enough to feed the RJ45 camera end back out from inside to outside. Sounds like until I decide which cameras I'll have, I won't know what is needed for sure.

Thanks.

WildCardDoW · 10-03-2025 04:32PM

You should run the internal cables underground in ducting if you can, otherwise use outdoor cables. And ducting if it needs to run up a wall. Basically they need to be shielded from the sun.

Run the cables from a central point inside the house to the locations outside, and then run extra ones to additional locations for future proofing.

This central point is where your switch will go and you terminate an outdoor cable the same way as an indoor.

Similarly run power from the fuse board to outside to power lights.

Electrician can do this if you ask (and pay) for it.

Stove25 · 10-03-2025 08:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123251303#Comment_123251303

Thanks for the response. I have all the R45's ran back to the utility at the moment - all camera and TV points. The cables to gate etc will be in duct ok. Just trying to figure out if I need to protect from UV / the elements even if the cable goes direct into the back of the camera housing with nothing exposed. Obviously its easier if I can just feed out the cable without connector on the end and terminate it once outside or is it better or have the pre-made sealed pigtails outside. Doing that though introduces an extra connector and another fail point.

WildCardDoW · 10-03-2025 08:58PM

It takes a fair bit of direct sunlight IMO to do it. You could find other ways to protect the cable.

However it offers a bit of certainty to have the correct table.

I've (DIYed) non outdoor electric cable where I know it's no or minimal sun but it was a risk I was happy to take.

_ptashek_ · 11-03-2025 12:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123251303#Comment_123251303

I have about 600m of STP Cat 6A laid on my property, and the one thing I can safely say is that an outdoor cable certainly doesn't terminate the same as an indoor cable. It's a hassle, but only once if done right. Three reasons - thicker gauge wire, 23 AWG solid vs 24 AWG stranded, much thicker cable ~9mm vs ~6mm, a lot more restrictive minimum bending radius due to internal plastic pair spacer + additional shielding.

It won't fit into a regular RJ45 plug with the sheath on. Best way to terminate is into a patch panel, and then standard UTP patch leads to switch.

Some of my runs have been out in the elements for 10+ years with no sign of deterioration, or any degradation of link quality.

WildCardDoW · 11-03-2025 06:16PM

One of those things where I didn't even think to say! A patch panel is a must although I can't articulate why if using only internal cables.

Stove25 · 14-03-2025 10:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123254714#Comment_123254714

So at the switch end where all the cables come together, you would recommend a patch panel. All my cables from the various locations around the house (internally) are standard internal grade UTP.

WildCardDoW · 14-03-2025 06:32PM

A patch panel is easier to wire than sticking on the connection IMO

POE Cameras - Need External Grade Cat cable ?

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