Is the average Cat5 cable waterproof? I need to temporarily, and
possibly permanently, network an upstairs and downstairs computer, and
I think the cheapest, fastest, and best method would be plug in a 50
foot cat5 cable upstairs, throw it out the window, close the window
tight, pinching the cable, go downstairs, and bring the cable in,
pinching that cable against the window as well. I have read that
pinching cat5 cable is not good—but how “not good”? Will I have
deterioration in line quality? If so, I don’t care, because we are
talking about DSL speeds, not a gigabit network. Will the cable become
exposed to the weather? Will it suffer in the possible temperature
range between 15 degrees F and 95 degrees F? If the insulation does
get damaged, and the cable is exposed to rain, what is the worst that
will happen to my computers or house?

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Clarification of Question by alakon-ga on 21 Feb 2003 19:00 PST

Correction: the line "good but how not good?" should be "good-- but how "not good?""

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Clarification of Question by alakon-ga on 22 Feb 2003 06:57 PST

In response to the first comment, I already tried that. The phone line
upstairs goes through the most circuitous route you can think of, and
drilling a hole is out of the option because of how the floor plans of
the top and bottom floor match up. I think my question really is-- how
long will it take for the cable to be destroyed, and what is the worse
collateral damage that can happen to it? And where can I get this
weatherproof Cat5 cable?

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 22 Feb 2003 07:02 PST

Would you be interested in some information on wireless networks as an
answer? This would seem to resolve your problem.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

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Clarification of Question by alakon-ga on 22 Feb 2003 09:51 PST

Ok... so let's drill a hole. So first, I have a 1940's Levitt house on
Long Island. If I drill a hole through the floor, what are the chances
that I hit something? I've never drilled a hole through the floor--
will I hit plumbing, electricity, ...? Or is there some sort of
standard layout and methodology to building a house, like the
electricity goes here, plumbing there? Any safety precautions I should
take?

I am drilling, in case you have some familiarity with my type of
house, from the upstairs room, to the “maid’s quarters” which is now a
home office.

I am also still interested in a dealer for the waterproof cable.

Still another question—the arrangement with the cable outside is only
going to last three weeks. Is it still dangerous?

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Clarification of Question by alakon-ga on 26 Feb 2003 15:50 PST

Thank you everybody for your help! I strung it out the cable naked,
and it is working right now at 212 kbits / sec with the windows closed
and the cable pinched. There are only very minor problems with the
cold leaking in-- however it is about 15 degrees out right now and I
don't expect it to get any worse for the rest of the year. I also
clocked it at about the same with the windows open and the cable not
pinched, so either the cold hurts it or my DSL is slow today (normally
at 550). If I have to do this longer term, I'll follow the advice and
drill the hole, or use the clever "tutuzdad-ga" solution... but for
now I'll go with Waldo's idea, and use the foam weather stripping. I
only need the arrangement for 2 more weeks, but it is great having
internet upstairs.

The quickest, easiest and (from a weatherproofing, etc. view) best
way to what you want is to drill a small (just a bit larger than the
CAT-5 cable) between the floors and run the cable through that hole.

Barring that, find a place where wires already run through the walls
to the outside (such as where your phone lines are) and run the CAT-5
the same route.

You really don't want to do what you are suggesting because the
pinching of the cable will possibly weaken the wires to the point
where one breaks (no signal), possibly will let water, etc. through
the gap where the cable runs, and eventually the casing will rot
from water and sun exposure.

There is CAT-5 that is made to be weather resistant, but that will
not protect it from the wires being weakened from being pinched.

You will save yourself lots of potential problems by running the
cable some other way than what you are suggesting.

as denko said  when u pinch the cables u risk breaking the cable. if
not breaking u will strip the insulation. since u are ready to throw 
it our the window. why not drill a Hole into the wall take it out thru
there? and then seal the hole from the outside useing silicone glue or
something similar... usually thats the way companies that install
cable do it. IF u don't want to do that . u might want to try out
wireless networking . u can pick up some good deals on the  *slower*
standard i,e 11 Mbs . and u don't need to drill anyholes. or worry
about cables .

As per http://www.cabletron.com/support/techtips/tk0021-9.html :
"Minimum bend radius on 4 pair cable is 4 times the diameter. Minimum
bend radius on 25 pair cable is 10 times the diameter. Avoid pinching
the cable with wire ties as the cable can be damaged."

I do not recommend installing the cable the way you have suggested
(through the window). To get the windows closed you will be pinching
the cable way too tight and damaging your windows. In the likely event
that your windows will not properly close with the cable in there
(duh), you will most likely have weather damage done to your house.
Any moisture that accumulates on the cable, while strung through the
windows, will run into the lower of the two windows and cause the
damage, that you are asking for, to your house and computer. By any
moisture, I mean, rain snow, morning dew or even bird pee. Call a
professional electrician, that's what they are for.

Go ahead and do it! 

I'm a licensed electrician and, yes, the comments made are valid, but
for the cost of 50' of cable you can try it out - and worry about the
issues raised while you enjoy the high speed internet connection.

1) Weather damage - this is the best point, so check out the areas
involved when it rains and see if you have a problem.

2) Is the cable weatherproof - yes

3) Pinching the cable - use common sense, the more you pinch the cable
the more likely you will damage it. I would recommend (and this
applies to item 1) that while you're at the store buying the cable,
get some foam weatherstripping and use it to fill the gap created by
the cable. Two birds killed.

This final caveat - if my neighbor chose to do this, and I could see
it from my house, I would ask them to remove it - I don't want to look
at a piece of cable hanging from window to window (remember I'm a
professional and a craftsman). If he didn't agree it might get cut one
night, who knows? But, for the price of the cable its worth testing
the tolerance of your neighbors.

Happy Surfing!

Waldo

If you are dead set on running a length of cable out your window, you
can avoid the pinch, the weather and the irritated neighbors by using
one of these two methods:

You can run your cable through water tight flexible conduit, placing
each end in each window. The conduit can be paited the same color as
your house, will protect the cable from being pinched and since it is
water tight and resistant to lightening, the weather is a non-issue.
http://www.anametcanada.com/liquidtight.htm
FLEXIBLE CONDUIT

Or, you could nail a half inch piece of board to your window seal,
taking care to leave a half-inch space at one end. Move your window
lock to a more appropriate location so the window will secure. Now run
your cable through a length of half-inch plastic or PVC plumbing pipe
(cheap to buy) with an elbow at each end. Place the opening of he
elbow in each window through the half-inch space you allowed for when
you nailed the board in place (this will allow the pipe to come in the
window and still allow you to close the window without damaging the
cable or the pipe) and fasten the PVC pipe flush against the house
with simple harware that you can find at any hardware store for less
than a buck for about a dozen. If you need to, the pipe can be painted
or in some case bought in the same color as your house siding or
paint. Seal the places where the elbows connect to the straight
portion of the pipe with silicone to make it waterproof and place a
rubber grommet over each end. Pierce a small opening through the
middle of the grommets and pull the cable through. Now the exterior
cable is protected from the elements, invisible to the public, and
impossible to pinch in the window – and, you can still close and lock
your windows. Viola!

http://www.screwfastindia.com/grommets.htm
RUBBER GOMMETS

Regards;
Tutuzdad-ga