Running Low Voltage in conduit?

[RonRock]

When I built my house I ran a buried conduit between house and pole barn. I used a roll of the black poly water line that I had on hand. At the time I considered it a "back up" water line in case the primary line busted.

I actually used it as a conduit for the telephone cable between the two points. Now I want to pull 2 runs of Cat 5, and an RG-6 coax into the conduit. I figure I will pull the new cables in while pulling the existing telephone cable out.

So my questions. I figure there is likely water in the conduit from years of condensation. Is this a correct assumption? Is there usually water in a buried conduit? Will the water have an effect on the coax, and Cat 5? Do I need a special type of Cat 5 or Coax? I plan to use the Cat 5 for telephone and Ethernet. The coax for TV.

 

[dipper]

I think it's safe to assume that any conduit underground can have water in it.
Be sure that any cable you pull through the conduit is specified for underground or direct burial.

 

[Tech Guy]

If the conduit was done correctlly there should be no water in the pipe except possibly condensation depending on depth, location etc. Over time water will affect the resistance through the jacket of the cables but you should be fine. Since its in conduit go with normal cable jackets and you may want to use some wire lube on the cables when pulling to make it easier to pull, less damage to cables due to friction pulling and it helps if there is some water in there. If you suspect there may be a lot of water in the pipe, you may want to blow it out with an air compressor or shop vac. Being in conduit, save yourself the money and dont use direct burial or underground cable.

 

[Stuart in MN]

There will be water in there. The new wire needs to be rated for use in wet areas.

 

[billsr4]

You can pull cat 6 outside plant cable and use it in place of your telephone and coax cable. There is a connector to go from cat 6 to coax. I can get the name if you can't find it . I run my cameras mounted on the garage the the house with these.

 

[ishiboo]

There will be water in there. The new wire needs to be rated for use in wet areas.

Regular PVC Cat5/5e/6 will last a long time in wet conduit, RG6 quad will last just about forever. I'd run the regular stuff, by the time it fails it will be time for new technology anyway.

You can pull cat 6 outside plant cable and use it in place of your telephone and coax cable. There is a connector to go from cat 6 to coax. I can get the name if you can't find it . I run my cameras mounted on the garage the the house with these.

Telephone yes, "television" as I assume it to be, not really. A security camera is fine with a balun because of the low bandwidth needed, but no reason for a homeowner to attempt to do multi-channel video like TV over it. If this is satellite, cable or free-to-air television, RG6 quad-shield is the best choice. If it's a single HD stream from media in the house, two Cat6 + a HDMI converter will work.

 

[RonRock]

Thanks guys. Will Cat 5 work for telephone?

I'll be using the coax for cable TV. Just to have a TV in the shop. I have no intention of watching it, but it would be nice to have in bad weather. At least until it goes out.

 

[r_olson_06]

yes cat5 can be used for phone. The common standard is to use the blue and blue/white as line 1 and orange and orange/white as line 2. And it is always a good idea to pull 2 cat 5 or 6 to location for Ethernet and phone capiablities. If you have not found cable yet. They do make a direct bury cat5 which has a copper jacket around it and coated in a wax for possible water. Really durable cable.