Running an Ethernet cable at home through your attic seems like an excellent idea. To facilitate this, we suggest that you purchase a strong and sturdy cable and cable loops that will help you secure it in place. In this article, we will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, so that you take it up as a DIY task.
Is It Safe To Run An Ethernet Cable Through The Attic?
Having safety concerns is understandable. It is always good to clear your doubts before taking the necessary steps.
We are happy to inform you that running an Ethernet cable through the attic is perfectly safe. It is also quite easy. This is because these cables are low voltage. They do not pose a lot of risk. That is why even building codes are lenient.
Also, in the attic, your Ethernet cable will be safe and protected from the weather. This will ensure seamless connectivity at all times.
The only thing you should remember is that cables do not belong in vents. You should never run your cable through a vent because it is dangerous and can lead to damages. Such steps will also void your insurance.
How To Run An Ethernet Cable Through The Attic – Simple Guide
Our experts have penned down the process elaborately but in simple steps for you.
- Choose the right Ethernet cable with proper signal and excellent electric conductor. The right one for you will depend on the Internet speed
- For 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, you will need a Cat5 or Cat6 cable
- If the Internet speed is 10 to 40 Gbps, you will need a stronger cable. We recommend either Cat7 or Cat8.
- Choose an interior wall to run the cable from the attic to the location you want to connect it in. Interior walls are not insulated and that makes the job easier.
- Use cable loops to staple the cable along the way so that it stays in place.
- Make sure that there are no electric wires along the length of the cable. Otherwise, interference can disrupt the signal.
- Find the wall header by measuring the path of the cable and then heading to the attic and finding the top of the wall you should focus on.
- Now, drill a hole into the header. An electric drill will make the job easy for you.
- Make sure you drill it straight down and only through a beam.
- Now send your cable down through the drilled hole as far as possible.
- Go to the room you want to set it up in, cut a small hole, and pull the cable out. To make sure you cut in the right place, cross an X here while taking measurements.
- Terminate the cable by installing an ..
- Go ahead and plug it in to see if it is working fine.
Conclusion
If drilling holes is not your thing, you can always hire a professional to do the job. But, it is simple enough for you to do it yourself too. If you are confused at any step, feel free to reach out to us.