Running ethernet to a detached garage

[steinikekevin]

In my seemingly never-ending quest to run ethernet to many rooms of my house, I decided it would be nice to have a hard line run out to my garage. Ideally I would run 2 lines, but that's not really the point. Does any have any personal experience running CAT6 underground? my garage is roughly 100ft away from my house, and I would rather put in the effort to have an ethernet port or 2 in my shop out there. I have found direct burial CAT6 cabling, but I was thinking I might run conduit from my house to the garage, in case I ever want/need to run another line.

 

Any tips or suggestions, or any feedback would be welcomed!

[GDRRiley]

I would say run them in a PVC pipe to stop them from getting cut if you start digging in that area 

[steinikekevin]

Just now, GDRRiley said:

I would say run them in a PVC pipe to stop them from getting cut if you start digging in that area 

Thanks! I wonder how deep I should dig down?

[Digital]

Just now, GDRRiley said:

run them in a PVC pipe

Also I'd suggest to try and make it water/moisure-proof. Do you already have any cables running there in such tubes which you could use?

[GDRRiley]

Just now, steinikekevin said:

Thanks! I wonder how deep I should dig down?

I would say maybe 3-4. there are water bore heads that use water to go threw soil and work well

[Digital]

13 minutes ago, steinikekevin said:

Ideally I would run 2 lines, but that's not really the point.

As you make the pipe you can run as many cables there as you want.

[tt2468]

2 hours ago, GDRRiley said:

I would say maybe 3-4. there are water bore heads that use water to go threw soil and work well

Code states (at least in california) that conduit must be buried at least 6" deep. Direct burial requires at least 12" depth.

[GDRRiley]

2 hours ago, tt2468 said:

Code states (at least in california) that conduit must be buried at least 6" deep. Direct burial requires at least 12" depth.

I meant feet not inch

[brwainer]

Depending on the likelihood of your area for lightning strikes, I would recommend getting ethernet surge protectors for each end (and make sure they are grounded!)

[Scheer]

PVC is the best way to go, its cheap and gives you the ability to pull new cable through later.

 

I did mine at 18" deep as it wasn't too hard to dig (going 3-4' deep gets to be a PITA) but will still be below typical underground sprinkler lines so if you ever have them worked on the conduit will be safe from a contractor trenching into it. At only 18" you could get away without expansion joints, but they are cheap... so I still put them on all verticals. I'd also recommend using schedule 80 PVC for the verticals out of the ground, its thicker walled and will take more abuse before breaking. If you are going to come out of the ground outside, then up the side of the house and thru the wall, use an LB to make pulling the cable easier.

 

A few days before you dig, call 811 (the diggers hotline) and they will come mark your yard for existing lines, don't go within two feet of their marked lines. AFAIK, this is required by law for all states, even if it isn't you should still do it. Its free, and can save you money and possibly your life.