MutecPower 10m CAT6 Outdoor waterproof Direct Burial Ethernet Network Cable - UTP - CCA - 550 Mhz - Black 10 meter with Cable Ties

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As you now know, exterior-grade cable can be safely placed outdoors where it can get wet from the rain, but what about the indoor-rated cables? What happens to them when they get wet? An indoor Ethernet cable is primarily used for connecting devices to a network inside a building. Because of the nature of the cable, it is designed to be used in areas not subjected to harmful outdoor conditions. You also need to ensure that your cable is fast enough for your requirements. If you upgrade your devices and your outdoor ethernet cables are not powerful enough to meet the demand, you will have to pay the cost of digging up your cables and starting again with a more effective cable. Unlike the regular ethernet cables which absolutely should be placed in a conduit, you can get away with not burying the exterior-grade cable and leaving it exposed to the elements if you choose to given how it is designed not to allow any water inside.

A Cat6 patch lead or cable, also known as a straight-through cable, is used for connecting devices of different types, like a computer to a switch or hub. Occasionally, it's necessary to use exterior Ethernet cable (CMX) to run an Ethernet cable outside. These are the common scenarios:Using ordinary ethernet cables outdoors can lead to rapid deterioration due to exposure to the elements. For optimal performance and longevity, consider placing the cables in a conduit, such as PVC or other waterproof plastic pipe. This conduit should then be buried underground at a depth of around 6 to 8 inches and positioned at least a safe distance away from power lines or other potential sources of electrical interference.

If you need to use shielded Ethernet cable then by all means install it but be aware that shielded cable carries penalties with it, such as: A common question we get is “Is it better to use conduit underground”? Since direct burial Ethernet cable is rated for direct burial you may indeed bury it without conduit. In fact, based upon my experience, direct burial is actually superior to putting it into a conduit as conduit will allow water in over time (especially PVC). If you live in an area that has a frost line only 3” down, then simply bury the cable without conduit at least 10” down to avoid mechanical damage from shovels and the like. For areas that have frost lines measured in feet, freeze/thaw cycles can play havoc with PVC conduit. Consider that a conduit full of water will have nowhere to go when it freezes and potentially ruin your underground run. The best bet in this scenario is to directly bury Ethernet cable 18 to 24 inches down bedded on top of a couple inches of pea gravel to help with water drainage. Further, it is a good idea to leave some “lazy” curves in the run to allow for ground movement.If you have an underground rodent problem in your area (moles) your buried Ethernet cable is at risk. It is advisable to use conduit in this circumstance, and preferably metal conduit. The costs are higher, but the benefit is the conduit need not be buried as deeply. Out of these two choices, I would always recommend going for the exterior-grade cable whenever you plan on running an ethernet cable outside, regardless of how far the cable needs to be run. To reiterate, ethernet cables are differentiated according to their different specifications. For instance, shielded and unshielded, bare copper/CCA category, and last but not the least, indoor and outdoor cables. Something else to keep an eye out for is corrosion if the cable has been left wet for a longer period of time. If you see any, replacing the cable is the way to go. Searching for ethernet cables online can often result in lots of different options. To understand the differences, we need to know what the terminology means. Everything from the outer shielding to the internal cable material can be different.