Routing cable and wire of any kind requires drilling holes through framing members throughout the home. Drill holes no closer than 2 inches from the top or bottom edge of joists. Use nail plates to protect holes in studs within 2 inches of the edge. Always check your local building codes For requirements in your area.
Low-voltage cable can run a maximum of 295 ft. from the distribution center without any significant signal loss. The cable cannot run within 6 inches of electrical wires and can cross only from a 90-degree angle.
To route cables and wires, begin at the outlet bracket or box locations, and feed to the distribution cent er. The maximum allowable pulling tension for UTP cable is 25 pounds. Use electrical tape to hold the tips of all cables and wires together as they are fed, and avoid knots and kinks. Leave at least 12 inches of slack at bracket or box locations for making connections.
If your service connections are outside the home, drill 1-inch holes through to the outside near the service entrance location. Insert a 1-inch PVC conduit, and feed cables and wires through it. Leave 36 inches of slack, and attach notice tags to the ends for utility workers.
At the distribution center, mark each cable and wire according to its routing location. Feed each through the top of the enclosure, and cut the lead ends so they hang even with the bottom of the distribution center. When routing is complete, tuck all cables and wires neatly inside the distribution center and finish wall construction.
Drill 1″ holes through the top plate above the distribution center. Drill holes In floor joists for running cable along the underside of house levels and from the service entrance to the distribution center. When possible, locate the distribution center in the theater room.
Tools & Materials
Drill; Crimp tool; Tape; Cables; RJ45 plugs; F-connectors.
How to Attach RJ45 Plugs to a UTP Cable
Step 1:
Strip 1 to 2″ of outer insulation from the UTP cable. Separate the twisted pairs of individual wires.
Step 2:
Straighten and arrange each of the wires in order, according to the wiring assignment chart. Trim the ends evenly to 1/2″ from the outer insulation. Insert the wires Into the grooves of an RJ45 plug.
Step 3:
Make sure each wire is under the proper IDC (the conductor ends of the RJ45 plug) and that the outer Insulation is 1/2″ Inside the plug. Crimp the plug with a RJ45 crimp tool.
How to Attach F-connectors to Coaxial Cable
Step 1:
Strip the jacket and dielectric 3/8″ from the center conductor. StriP the jacket 1/4″ from the fall and braid.
Step 2:
Slide
the metal F-connector on until the dielectric is flush with the center barrel. The center conductor should extend 1/16″ past the end of the F-connector. Crimp the outer barrel of the connector to the cable Jacket, using an F-connector crimp tool.
