How To Prevent Water From Entering Your Ethernet Cable

The misconception that the sheathing around ethernet cabling is fireproof and waterproof is a complex farse. The outer shell is nothing more than PVC coating that could not be a more terrible option for weatherproofing and fireproofing these cables.

In fact, PVC is hydroscopic, meaning that it draws in water and holds on to it. This means that if there is the slightest hole or leak anywhere in the line, you can be sure you will have a disturbance in your connection or complete loss of connection altogether.

Here are ways to prevent water from entering your ethernet cable so you can address any problems as they are happening or long before they happen.

The first and most important thing you can do is to keep your wires out of harm’s way. This means that if there is anywhere that water may collect, or be used, then you certainly won’t want to have your cables installed in those spaces.

Examples of these are locations such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and anywhere that water runs or collects. Keep this in mind, and you will be sure that your connection will be protected from the indoor front. Now, let’s discuss the outdoors.

The second thing you will want to do is look at options for your outdoor cabling. If you have any cables that are running outdoors, you will want to be sure that they are weatherproofed.

The current options for this are weatherproofed cables, weatherproofing tape, and gel-filled cables. Now, it is also important to note that with the gel-filled cables, these cannot be used indoors, as they are petroleum-based and could pose a serious risk of fire hazard.

The final measure you can take should be one worth your consideration. If you can manage to do it, you might consider hanging your cables overhead along the crevasses of your ceiling.

You can even put the majority in a hanging basket to prevent water from collecting as woven and mesh baskets have great drainage, and you don’t want to have cable laying around your household.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure that you are preparing to have your cables weatherproofed correctly. This means proactively and strategically thinking about where the cables will be and how they are grounded.

They will need to be away from all moisture, which means that it would be wise to choose weatherproofed cable if you can. How to prevent water from entering your ethernet cable can be a tricky thing to maneuver, but it will be something that you will have to think carefully about.

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