How do you terminate SWA Cat 6 Armoured cable

[JT101]

Hi guys

I'm replacing some external grade Cat5e cable with SWA Cat 6 armoured that connects a summer house to the router in the main house, 30m apart (see diagram).

Currently, the cable comes up through the base plate in the timber frame stud wall, and then pops out half way up the wall and punched down into the back of an RJ45 socket in the summer house.
On the house end it comes through the brick wall and travels a few metres before being terminated with an RJ45 connector, which plugs into the back of the router.

Few questions:

Do you need to ground the metal strands? On the summer house end, I can either run the cable into a Wiska box and gland on the outside, then strip back enough data cable and just pass it through the wall to the RJ45 socket (as per attached image) on the inside of the wall, and that way it is safe.

OR, do I run it up through the studwork like the original cable, strip back, run data into socket, and simply wrap electrical insulating tape over the top of any exposed strands?

On the house end, I'm a bit clueless. Bit ugly having a wiska box inside, and how would you add a faceplate anyway?

I've installed a fair bit of ethernet cable but not armoured, so please explain clearly as I'm no expert. Thanks

 

[mattylad]

For power SWA yes you would normally ground the steel strands using an SWA connector, a banjo and a wire link to the earth bar etc.
Not sure about data swa but I would suggest yes you need to ground that too, not because it is carrying power but it will give a slight shielding effect and it's best being grounded at the source end.

 

[securespark]

Where would you connect the SWA to?

 

[JT101]

Where would you connect the SWA to?

Not sure what you mean. The SWA Cat 6 cable is connected to the main router in the house at one end, and a socket int he summer house at the other

 

[opps]

https://connectec.uk/networking/network-infrastructure/data-cable/copper-data-cable/cat-6-utp-solid-armoured-swa-per-metre?srsltid=AfmBOopUwSE945A0rkwFJIb_I4isFAaacsUgfrXQhrUGKqqGWEXIatDO

In the questions section it says that as it is only carrying low voltage and is not shielded, you do not need to earth it.

I am not an electrician...

 

[securespark]

Not sure what you mean. The SWA Cat 6 cable is connected to the main router in the house at one end, and a socket int he summer house at the other

I meant the steel wire armour. I can't see the need.

 

[JT101]

I meant the steel wire armour. I can't see the need.

I see. Foxes keep chewing through it

 

[JT101]

Any suggestions on how I terminate on the house end? Straight into the back of the router with an RJ45, and insulating tape over the metal strands, or terminate in some sort of internal box, then use a patch lead? If so what type of box? Thanks

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

For power SWA yes you would normally ground the steel strands using an SWA connector, a banjo and a wire link to the earth bar etc.
Not sure about data swa but I would suggest yes you need to ground that too, not because it is carrying power but it will give a slight shielding effect and it's best being grounded at the source end.

I agree. Just ground the one end, it will provide some screening too. If both ends are grounded, you can get ground loops, and it can cause interference.

 

[mattylad]

Any suggestions on how I terminate on the house end? Straight into the back of the router with an RJ45, and insulating tape over the metal strands, or terminate in some sort of internal box, then use a patch lead? If so what type of box? Thanks

Use a simple metal box and a SWA gland, then a banjo on the inside to give you a connection point for the earth.
This should then go to your nearest earth point, the router will not provide one.

Failing to earth the outer wires can cause some issues, however you may be able to get away without earthing it.
In that case you will not have any EMI protection around the inner cables.

 

[JT101]

Use a simple metal box and a SWA gland, then a banjo on the inside to give you a connection point for the earth.
This should then go to your nearest earth point, the router will not provide one.

Failing to earth the outer wires can cause some issues, however you may be able to get away without earthing it.
In that case you will not have any EMI protection around the inner cables.

Thank you Mattylad

From a practical point of view this will be difficult as the router is in a ground floor bedroom, about 3m from the consumer unit (which is under the staircase). Few possible options I could envisage:
1) Chase into the wall immediately behind the router and run an earth wire to a grounded backbox of a socket or light switch
2) Chase into wall immediately behind router and run an earth wire under the floor to the consumer unit
3) Move the router to just outside the staircase cupboard and do something similar

Do those sound like reasonable suggestions?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Do those sound like reasonable suggestions?

Any of those, or even connecting to a copper water-pipe, radiator copper pipe. If the ground under the floor is soft earth, you could even hammer a length of steel, or copper pipe in the ground, to provide an earth.

 

[opps]

Use a simple metal box and a SWA gland, then a banjo on the inside to give you a connection point for the earth.
This should then go to your nearest earth point, the router will not provide one.

Failing to earth the outer wires can cause some issues, however you may be able to get away without earthing it.
In that case you will not have any EMI protection around the inner cables.

From what I have read, if it is unshielded cable and therefore does not need to be earthed.

I did a reverse image search and got the answer from the Q/A section

https://connectec.uk/networking/network-infrastructure/data-cable/copper-data-cable/cat-6-utp-solid-armoured-swa-per-metre?srsltid=AfmBOopUwSE945A0rkwFJIb_I4isFAaacsUgfrXQhrUGKqqGWEXIatDO

Personally, I would just cut the SWA back so that it ends inside the exterior wall. The part entering the house will become flexible and can be treated as normal.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

From what I have read, if it is unshielded cable and therefore does not need to be earthed.

There is no actual need, it's just belt and braces. Inside, they are twisted pairs, which naturally reject external noise, but the screen will help even more to prevent noise being picked up.

 

[opps]

Use a simple metal box and a SWA gland, then a banjo on the inside to give you a connection point for the earth.
This should then go to your nearest earth point, the router will not provide one.

Failing to earth the outer wires can cause some issues, however you may be able to get away without earthing it.
In that case you will not have any EMI protection around the inner cables.

Given that this is a domestic set up and a relatively short run, wouldn't the twisted pairs deal with any EMI/crosstalk issues?

Edit- sorry @Harry Bloomfield , I was writing when you posted.