diy (DIY Help) Outdoor Ethernet Cabling

[CephDigital]

Hi there! 

So I was watching the outdoor cat 5e cable video and was wanting to do the same. I rather not risk hitting any wires so is there a tool that can detect wires?

 

Incase it helps, the wall I want to put a hole into already has my broadband coming through it and the ethernet cable would be put right next to it. I'm also in the UK so if there is a tool, UK stores please! 

 

I was wanting to do this so that I could give my mesh WiFi a wired backhaul instead of relying on a wireless one AND get my full broadband speed to my bedroom so the devices that'll make the most use of the speed can actually use it. 

[Heliian]

Just hire a local sparky to slap it in for you.  He'll at least know some code requirements and safety.

 

You can die or burn your home down quite easily

 

Having said that, there is no magic device to see through walls, the crap they sell on YouTube and Facebook is the same type of field detector you can get in a cheap stud finder from a builder store.  If you locate electricity then shut the breaker to whatever is powering it before penetrating the wall. 

 

I don't know uk code but wiring usually has to be out of the way enough so you don't get electrocuted when hanging a picture.  

 

Pro tip: try to save money by hiring an AV installer, they usually aren't electricians but know enough not to mess it up. 

[RollyShed]

You need to get someone old who knows what they are doing. Yes, the type of thing I've been doing for 60+ years.

Here is a woman, older than you, in USA doing more than you are proposing and for the same reason -
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=362987

 

And the next project she is on -
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=369902

 

Can you get into the ceiling? If so what holes for cables going down?

Are there any mains sockets near where you are going to be working?

OK, after switching it off at the switchboard, unscrew it off the wall and see which direction the cable goes, up, down, sideways.

 

How do you know if the socket is dead. Obvious, plug something in, a lamp and does it go off?

[CephDigital]

13 hours ago, Heliian said:

Just hire a local sparky to slap it in for you.  He'll at least know some code requirements and safety.

Was the original plan but couldn't find one. Turns out, I was asking the wrong people! Getting someone to do it for me

I don't mind DIYing things as long as I can confirm it's safe to do so hence I asked about the tool. 100% aware drilling into mains would probably kill me. 

[HM-2]

In the UK as a (very)  general rule power cables are laid vertically downwards from the ceiling on ground floor external walls, and vertically upwards from the floor on first floors. As long as you're drilling outside of this area you'll usually be fine. I've drilled loads of holes in my walls and never had issues, though admittedly it's a bit more guess work with internal walls.

 

The safest bet is to drill through something like a window frame or the brickwork immediately surrounding it. You can basically guarantee there's not going to be any cables there. 

[RollyShed]

14 hours ago, CephDigital said:

 100% aware drilling into mains would probably kill me. 

Using a battery power drill it would not be possible to even feel it through the plastic handle.

 

However the logical thing is a reasonably big hole to be covered with a cover with a socket in it. What material is the wall made of? Wood? Plaster?

 

However if you have to ask you it is unlikely you have the skills needed.