Wiring an alarm with Cat5 cable

[bernardgreen]

The stuff installed in June last year has been plagued with poor connections and appears to be copper alloy and not pure copper.

Update this morning.

The wire is solid "silver coloured metal" ( meaning not yet confirmed as aluminium ) with a "copper coloured coating".

In places the coating is flaking off the "aluminium"

]The cable is not all of the same quality. Some is poor and some is very poor and the rest is SH1T but very well installed.

.

s**t = a four letter word for excrement

 

[Siclark]

Depending on how much space you have can you use a IDC connector like these things: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/2-way-jelly-crimp-connectors-100-pack-n72dv to connect to a cable you can strip?

(you don't strip cables for IDC connectors).

David.

Thanks. Space not an issue so think I will go with these. Will let you know how I get on

 

[bernardgreen]

Jelly crimps will not make reliable connection to stranded alarm wire.

Based on the Scotchlock Jelly Crimp used extensively in the Telecoms industry
• Ideal for BT CW1308 and similar solid core network data cables
• Insert the wires into each whole press down on the top

 

[sparkymarka]

Strip back twist together then jelly crimp !

 

[bernardgreen]

Strip back twist together then jelly crimp !

That will not create a reliable joint if the jelly crimp is the normal IDC ( Insulation Displacement Connector ) jelly crimp.

The best way to join stranded to solid core is to use a twin ferrule crimped on the solid and strands laid together. Then insulate with heat shrink sleeving.

 

[sparkymarka]

Your boring us Bernard ! It works fine !

 

[hardboiled]

Cat5, Cat6, and twisted telephone cable all work a treat. They're not carrying a (much of a ) voltage. Just untwist them, strip them back , and then pick your colour and make a connection. The only thing you have to watch for is what the ends fit it.

 

[bernardgreen]

Almost true, the data is sent by varying very low voltage on the cable,

but 5 years too late

 

[hardboiled]

I'm aware of the date. Just for you I'll change the wording