What are AT LEAST 47 different uses, with clear and precise
descriptions, for cat5 or cat5e cable?

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Request for Question Clarification by haversian-ga on 20 Jan 2004 11:07 PST

Could you set some bounds on the type of uses you're looking for?

I assume, as you mention both cat5 and cat5e, that you're not
interested in responses such as "garrote - for strangulation" where
the signal attenuation and bandwidth and whatnot aren't terribly
important.  On the other extreme there's "hooking things together"
which covers a variety of computer-computer, computer-switch, etc.
circumstances, and would make it quite hard to get to 47.

-Haversian

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Clarification of Question by tritech-ga on 20 Jan 2004 11:46 PST

I would like the "hooking together" items mainly. Such as variations
of networking ideas, video and audio ideas, low voltage ideas etc. 
Maybe even geared more towards (but not limited to) home usage.  Sorry
about leaving that as a broad question.

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Clarification of Question by tritech-ga on 27 Jan 2004 07:05 PST

Since 47 ideas or uses seems too much how about:

Can anyone come up with 25 uses for Category 5 and 5e cable with clear
and precise descriptions i.e. variations of networking ideas, video
and audio ideas, low voltage ideas etc. Maybe even geared more towards
(but not limited to) home, and home automation usage.

tritech-ga:

Thank you for your challenging Question. I hope that the following
list meets your needs. Since I am not familiar with the exact reason
why you have asked this Question, please do not hesitate to ask for
Clarification if you need additional information, or if I have
misunderstood your requirements. Most of the following ideas are ones
gleaned from my own past experience.


25 uses for Cat5 and Cat5e cable:

Network cabling
---------------

01. Network client PC - patch cable
   - connect a single PC to an existing Ethernet network port
   - used with an Ethernet network interface card and a network port
that is connected to a switch or hub

02. Network device (printer, storage) - patch cable
   - connect a single network-enabled device to an existing Ethernet network port

03. In-wall Ethernet cabling
   - connect a wall-mount network port to an active port in an
Ethernet switch or hub

04. Peer-to-peer cross-over cabling
   - used in a crossed-over pin configuration to connect two Ethernet
devices together without a switch or hub

05. Power-over-Ethernet
   - used to transmit DC power (along with data) to remote
network-attached devices such as IP phones

06. Wireless Access Point home-runs
   - used to connect distributed Wireless access point antennae to a
central wireless access controller (Wi-Fi distributed antenna systems,
may or may not be Ethernet)

Telephony cabling
-----------------

07. Terminal device patch cable
   - used in straight-through configuration to connect digital Centrex
handsets to a digital telephone jack

08. In-wall telephony cabling
   - connect individual digital telephone jacks to central telephone
break-out panel

09. Terminal jumper cable
   - used in some PBX breakout panels to provide quick-connect jumper
capabilities to connect specific extension jacks to specific external
ports

10. Multi-line analog telephone cabling
   - provides up to four 'plain-old-telephone system' lines between
the telephone company demarcation point, and an extension jack

11. Single-run, multi-line alarm system cut-off capability
   - allows two phone lines to be through to and from an alarm system
cut-off device through a single cable
   - easier to pull than separate four-wire cables

Low-voltage lighting control
----------------------------

12. Direct lighting control
   - transmit on/off signal for directly-controlled low voltage lighting

13. Automation system control
   - transmits control signals for lighting automation control systems

Home entertainment systems
--------------------------

14. Audio cabling
   - provides four separate audio channels for built-in home audio systems
   - used with central audio systems to power speakers located in
different zones in the home

15. Video cabling
   - provides low-voltage, short-run transmission of video signals for
home entertainment use

Home security systems
---------------------

16. Sensor connections
   - provides home-run connection between a room with up to four
separate contact sensors, and a remote alarm control unit

17. Video surveillance
   - provides low-voltage connection for closed-circuit video cameras
to a central switch

18. Audio surveillance
   - provides up to four separate channels for audio
sensors/microphones located in a remote room

19. Control panel/Key-switch interconnect
   - provides interconnect to an alarm system operator control panel

Home automation systems
-----------------------

20. Wall-mount control panel cabling
   - provides proprietary or Ethernet network connections for built-in
touch screen control panels

21. Signalling between devices
   - allows up to seven discrete control signals (using one ground,
seven separate sensing wires)

22. Digital temperature sensors (for automated temp control)
   - connect remote digital temperature sensors to digital thermostat
for heating system

Other
-----

23. ISDN connections
   - a bit of overkill, but some ISDN data devices use RJ45 connectors
and one pair of a Cat5 cable for interconnect

24. Extreme Keyboard/Video/Mouse (KVM) extension
   - used with specialized hardware to extend KVM beyond reach of
traditional USB or serial connections
     http://www.raritan.com/public/catalog/product_line.aspx?plid=24&bbid=3

25. Extra-long VGA cable
   - best summarized with a link:
http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/vgacable.html
   - also see: http://www.mini-cat.com/Manual-Mini-Cat-2004-web.PDF


----------------------------

Additional links:

Home Automation FAQ
http://www.automationfaq.com/fom-serve/cache/240.html

ISDN - Can I use ordinary CAT5 for ISDN
http://www.tek-tips.com/gviewthread.cfm/lev2/5/lev3/34/pid/589/qid/598751

Other Uses (for Structured Cabling)
http://www.mg.dropbear.id.au/cabling/otheruses.html

----------------------------


Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

Thanks for your research.  You have saved me time and money.

I recently setup a home networking system in my friend's new house. I
used the leftover category 5e cable to setup his intercom and doorbell
system. It worked well.

You can find helpful information on setting up structured wiring for
home networks at http://www.cleverhome.com.au. You can also use
cat5/cat5e cable for Inner Range security system LANs, Clipsal C-Bus,
and Linn audio multi-room connections (though shielded cat5 cable is
better) and patch leads.

Other general home automation links can be found at
http://www.homeautomationaustralia.com