Running Cables

[NogginBoink]

I'm in a quandry here how I should run cables.

I'm building a 128 channel dimming controller. That's 32 RJ-45 jacks with 4 channels each.

Option 1: I place four-gang outlet boxes with SSR's at locations around the house where the light string plugs are, and run long lengths of CAT5 back to the controller board.

Option2: I locate the four gang outlet boxes with SSR's near the controller board, and run long extension cords to each light string.

Option1 has the advantage of using cheaper cable for the long cable runs. It has the disadvantage that the outlet boxes may be located in environmentally undesireable locations. It also requires me to run some extension cords to strategic places throughout the yard.

Option2 keeps the outlets and SSR's under the porch, which is a relatively dry, safe spot. But the expense of running 128 custom-made extension cords could be significant. I found the relatively inexpensive plugs/sockets at actionlighting, but still those prices are lots more expensive than an RJ45 end!

I was wondering if anyone has some wisdom to shed on this topic and what y'all think. Are there any pros/cons that I'm missing? What are you doing? Are there factors to consider besides the wallet factor?

[IS_IT_X-MAS]

i am planing on running cat5e cable through out my yard. it seems a lot less expensive doing it this way. i bought a 1000ft spool at lowes about a month ago for around $90.00.

Brent

[Mrplow123]

Everyone has their own way of doing it. Personally I put my ssr boxes as close to the lights plugs as possible, and run cat5 from the controler to the ssr boxes. I only need a small amount of extension cords that way, just to supply power to a few strategic places around the yard. It is hard enough running 32 cat 5 cables all to one place. I could not imaging running 128 extension cords to one place.

Both ways of doing it have their ups and downs. I don't think their are enough downs to keep me from running cat everywhere. Most people are worried about water getting in the ssr boxes. My ssr boxes are plastic 4 gange back boxes with outlets. I just connect everything and then wrap a freezer zip lock bag around it and zip tie it around the wires. Out of 10 ssr boxes last year, I only had one get water in it, because the opening of the bag was pointing straight up. And even with the bag half full, the ssr did not fail. It was doing some weird twincling, untill I dumped out the water, but it kept on working for the rest of the season.

I beleive the other majority of people who are against running cat 5 all over the yeard, are just a bit intimidated about crimping an RJ45 onto the cat 5. It is really easy once you have done a few.

[Michael]

I am using the REN16 and have clustered most of my display with their power cords close to a box. I have 6' extension cords from Menards on each channel that reach most of my light strings. The 25' power cord for each 16 channel box will reach one of my power junctions. that leaves just cat5 cable running between each control box.
I picked up ten 100' and ten 10' cat5 cables for under $100 from a link on PlanetChristmas by using the coupon code.
I still have some long extension cords for a few out of the way areas and to power the outer control boxes, but I have greatly reduced the number I need. That does expose the control boxes to weather, animals and vandals, but I think my heavy duty boxes can withstand the weather. The animals I have no defence for. The vandals I have motion lights, trip wires, neighbors, and 'Other' things.
- Michael

[P. Short]

Placing the SSRs under the porch seems like a potential fire hazard to me (thinking of a wooden porch). Triacs can fail from time to time, and I think that it would be a good idea to make sure that a triac burning up doesn't set the porch on fire, cutting off an important exit point from the house.

--

Phil

[NogginBoink]

Placing the SSRs under the porch seems like a potential fire hazard to me (thinking of a wooden porch). Triacs can fail from time to time, and I think that it would be a good idea to make sure that a triac burning up doesn't set the porch on fire, cutting off an important exit point from the house.

--

Phil

Let me rephrase.... I meant "on the (covered) front patio." Clearly I'm braindead today.

[Macrosill]

[quote="Mrplow123"]Everyone has their own way of doing it. Personally I put my ssr boxes as close to the lights plugs as possible, and run cat5 from the controler to the ssr boxes. I only need a small amount of extension cords that way, just to supply power to a few strategic places around the yard. It is hard enough running 32 cat 5 cables all to one place. I could not imaging running 128 extension cords to one place./quote]


I do the same!