cablingdata-wiringnoise
The answers to this question clearly state that low voltage and high voltage cables should be kept separate; does this apply to low voltage (9v) power cables and CAT5?
The problem: I would like to extend Wi-Fi coverage in my house by using a range extender, the unit is powered by a low voltage (9v) adapter rated at 0.6A. I would like to run the cable for this unit in parallel to the CAT5 cable over a distance of approx 15m, surface mounted in PVC trunking. Will this cause any problems?
While a shielded Cat5/6 cable is designed to protect itself from outside interferance, it isn't recommended to run them side-by-side to your electrical wiring. Typical is to run electrical down one stud and the Cat5/6 down a different stud. Basically do the same as you would for telco.
If your wall is closed up then you don't have to worry about it. It looks like class 2 wire is rated to go into walls. Only use wire that is rated to be in the walls for uses like what you have. The only things to worry about with class 2 or class 3 wiring is:
If your wall is open then if you can spare the money for ENT or smurf tube (bendable, corrugated, PVC that is usually blue) then that will give your wiring more protection. It is sold in 10ft lengths or 100ft coils. You can run low-voltage class 2/3 or regular house wiring, but not at the same time. It will also give the transmission that is carried on the class 2/3 less interference when around house wiring.
Best Answer
You can run a cable
nextto your CAT cable. You just cant really use the twisted pairs inside the cat cable, unless you are using PoE devices, which deal with the interfierence.The problem is that the
twistedpairs cause an electromagnetic field in the cable which is NOT part of the cable causing issues. Running low voltage, even high voltage with a SEPERATE cable next to it never caused me any issues. I even saw them cable tied to each other.The problem only starts when you running Ethernet cable next to full phase cables, ie power to your house, or 2,3 phase cables for big machines. The electrical feedback caused by heavy machinery causes changes in the electromagnetic field on these cables, which affect Ethernet, WiFi, etc, and that is when it is strongly advised to run these cables far away from these power cables.
Your puny 0.6A modem wont cause any of this because it doesn't use mechanical engines which generate feedback, just simple linear voltage regulators and filters which help reduce this problem.
100 megabit or gigabit, always ran full speed.