A question that often comes up is “should I use only shielded cable outside”? The short answer is no. The longer answer is “it depends on the environment”. The purpose of cable shielding is to ward off EMI/RFI or ESD. The shielding, usually in the form of foil referred to as FTP (Foil Twisted Pair), will be accompanied by a ESD ground/drain wire as well. Generally, I recommend using unshielded cabling unless there is a valid need for shielded, such as when burying the cable within 8” of electrical wire on parallel runs. The other primary reason to use shielded is for ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) drain off such as when running outdoor Ethernet cable above ground in structure-to-structure scenarios. ESD build up occurs with dry air movement across cabling, and could ruin your network equipment if not allowed to discharge to ground. Guide: Extending wi-fi to an outbuilding How to get wired internet (ethernet) in a garden building FAQ Those looking to really future proof their network might want to look at the newer Cat 8 standard, which supports speeds of up to 40Gbits/sec at distances of up to 30m using the same RJ45 connectors as Cat 6a. Predictably, though, it’s expensive and mostly used in data centres to hook up the most demanding high-performance network kit. Which category do you need? From protecting your posture to adding style to your setup, it’s important to choose the right chair for your needs. At Maplin we offer a wide range, so read on to find the ideal match for your home or office space. Read more

This article was co-authored by Ricardo Mitchell. Ricardo Mitchell is the CEO of CN Coterie, a fully licensed and insured Lead EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Certified construction company located in Manhattan, New York. CN Coterie specializes in full home renovation, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, cabinetry, furniture restoration, OATH/ECB (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings/Environmental Control Board) violations removal, and DOB (Department of Buildings) violations removal. Ricardo has over 10 years of electrical and construction experience and his partners have over 30 years of relevant experience. The cost differences between both have shrunk in recent years and are small. We recommend choosing Cat6 cables to maximise the potential performance and reduce any degradation of the internet connection.Use a PVC conduit to run certain non-direct burial cables underground. If you do not have a direct burial Ethernet cable, you may still be able to bury it with a conduit. Slide the conduit over the cable before installing it to bolster your cable's protection in underground conditions. [8] X Research source

The kenable brand produces a full range of networking equipment, including all of the accessories required to actually install the ethernet cable. This cable is suitable for direct burial, allowing for a clean installation as the wiring can be run underground until it reaches the garden building. Two lengths are available including a 50m and 100m version. Be sure to measure the total distance required for cabling before purchasing. These days there are lots of easy ways to move files from one PC to another – but for certain jobs, a crossover cable still has its uses, such as sharing your PC’s internet connection without a router. This offering from Belkin is excellent value and comes in a decent range of lengths. It’s Cat5e-rated, which means it will work happily at Gigabit speeds, and the price is very good for a well-known brand. Choose an Ethernet cable that can withstand surges of at least 6 kV. Although you may not be able to control lightning strikes, you can control whether sudden electrical surges damage your cord. To prevent damage during storms or power surges, choose an Ethernet cable and connector that can handle at least 6 kilovolts (kV). [2] X Research source While armoured cabling is essential for electricity supplies, it’s generally not used for ethernet connections at home. The steel wiring can make the cable difficult to work with and hard to terminate at either end. A professional installation is often required when using armoured cabling. Hold your Ethernet cord in place with cable straps. To keep your cable away from water sources or, if desired, direct sunlight, use cable straps to anchor it away. Drill 2 holes on either side of the cable and screw in the cable strap to safely and effectively secure it to a building or other stable structure. [5] X Research source

For installations above ground and between two structures , you will need to use shielded Ethernet cable with a messenger built-in or have a pre-installed messenger. A messenger is a high tensile strength steel wire that has been lashed to two or more points. For more on how to actually install messenger wire cable, or a separate messenger, see Cat6 Shielded Aerial Messenger Cable: Up The Ladder You Go!

Finding the best outdoor ethernet cable for a garden building can be difficult with so many options available. Lots of terminologies can make it hard to compare products. Whether you’re using a laptop with limited ports or you need to connect a device but don’t have the right connection available, USB hubs can solve all your problems! Available in both USB-A and USB-C varieties, USB hubs often feature multiple connectivity options, but which one is right for you? Read moreYou’ve probably heard of power banks – handy portable power units, ideal for keeping your phone, headphones and other electronic devices charged up while you’re on the go. But what exactly is a power station? Read more

We installed a wired outdoor ethernet cable as soon as the summerhouse was installed. We used the kenable outdoor Cat6 cable with gel inside and the connection has been working great for the last several years. The speed is the same as being positioned next to the router inside our house, with little degradation in performance.Kenable Cat 6 UTP Copper Ethernet Network Cable Reel: The best bulk Ethernet cable for DIY projects