Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

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Gannicus
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Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:56 am

Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

Post by Gannicus »

Hey guys, just wondering, is there any reason not to use cat 5 wiring for electronics over IDE cabling?
I don't have any IDE cables, but tons of spools of cat 5 wire.

Thanks
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bootyhuntah
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Location: USA

Re: Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

Post by bootyhuntah »

Most CAT 5 cables are unshielded, so if noise could be an issue you have better options.

Cat 5e
Operating Voltages up to 125V DC
Maximum Current per Conductor: 577 mA or .577A
DSC
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:59 pm

Re: Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

Post by DSC »

Cat5 is solid core copper and will break easily with repetitive movement. Old IDE cables are stranded. Easily
moved and can handle more abuse. Cat5 is twisted pair, and as long as you leave it twisted, you should be
fine as far as noise and interference. IDE is not shielded so I believe Cat5 would have the edge here over longer
runs IF distance is the issue.
Gannicus
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Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:56 am

Re: Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

Post by Gannicus »

Very good. Thanks guys. The cat5 I have is all stranded. So this should be fine then?
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bootyhuntah
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Location: USA

Re: Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

Post by bootyhuntah »

DSC wrote:Cat5 would have the edge here over longer
runs IF distance is the issue.
100 feet max.

@Grannicus Yes, if your installation requirements do not exceed the Cat 5 cable characteristics. :wink:
Gannicus
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Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:56 am

Re: Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

Post by Gannicus »

Thanks bro. It's just for a Nintoaster 72 pin connection, so I just wanted to double check. Max 6 inches.
DSC
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:59 pm

Re: Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

Post by DSC »

Stranded Cat5? Wow where did you get that stuff?
Sounds cool!
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mikejmoffitt
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Re: Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

Post by mikejmoffitt »

Cat5 for normal patch cables is often stranded.
Cat5 intended to be installed behind the wall and between nodes is solid core.
Gannicus
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Re: Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

Post by Gannicus »

mikejmoffitt wrote:Cat5 for normal patch cables is often stranded.
Cat5 intended to be installed behind the wall and between nodes is solid core.
Yes sir, you are correct.
DSC
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:59 pm

Re: Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

Post by DSC »

Yep, just checked a couple of pre-made Cat5 patch cable jumpers and what would you know.
Very cool.
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Super-Hampster
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Re: Cat 5 wire instead of IDE cables for wiring?

Post by Super-Hampster »

I use cat5 all the time. I have an abundance of it. Works fine.
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