Running Ethernet cabling through a finished home can be a challenge but is not beyond the abilities of almost any do-it-yourself enthusiast. This article gives a list of needed tools as well as a game plan for how to get the job done.
Tools Needed To Run Ethernet Cabling In The Home
Anyone who is contemplating running Ethernet cable through a home should have a few basic tools of the trade before they begin:
- Drywall knife (a serrated thick blade knife for cutting into the walls)
- Fish Tape (a long, spooled flat metal line that is used to pull cable from one place to the next inside the wall)
- Measuring Tape
- Wire Cutters
- Ethernet Cable Crimping Tool (a tool that terminates the ends of a piece of Ethernet cable to a standard Ethernet connector)
- Box of Ethernet Cable
- Electric drill with 1 inch spade bit
Planning An Ethernet Wiring Installation
Planning the route of an Ethernet cable installation is very important and must be undertaking long before the first hole is cut into a wall. The first step is determine the ideal place for ethernet ports to be placed in the room. An ideal location is near existing electrical outlets as in most cases anything hooked up to the network will also require electricity from this nearby source. Special boxes are available at home improvement centers that allow a person to easily add a box alongside an existing one. In this case it is then only necessary to cut a hole next to the existing box rather than having to guess where studs or other obstructions might be hidden inside the walls.
The second step to wiring a home is to pull the cable and secure it in a safe manner to the substructure. In most places code requirements may insist that cables be run through holes cut into floor joists or ceiling rafters. Use the fish tape to get the Ethernet cable from the attic or basement to the hole in the wall that the connection will be located at. Once the wiring is in place the ends must be crimped on to connectors and secured onto the wall plates.
The final step in creating a wired home network is to connect the network together using a router or network hub. Ideally the router should be located close to the point at which Internet access enters the home (such as a cable connection or telephone DSL connection). Once everything is connected properly the network should allow anyone to connect to the Internet or to other computers in the home at incredibly fast speeds, opening up many new opportunities for home automation and convenience.
