If you want a fast and reliable internet connection throughout your house, you might run an ethernet cable through your walls. An ethernet cable is a network cable that can carry data signals between devices such as computers, routers, switches, and TVs. Ethernet cable does not suffer interference, signal loss, or security issues, unlike wireless connection.
However, running cable through your house can be a challenging and time-consuming DIY project that requires some planning and specialized tools. In our guide, you can learn how to run Ethernet through house to save money.
By the end, you’ll be able to skip the additional cost of an installer and do it yourself and have the best solution to install cables for your home network. (Learn How To Turn Off Hard-Wired Smoke Alarm)
Running Ethernet Cable Through House Overview
First, you must decide where to install your ethernet wall jacks and how many of them you need. You also need to choose a central location for your router and network switch, which will distribute the internet service from your internet service provider (ISP) to all the rooms in your house. You may use a patch panel as a distribution point for easier cable management.
Next, you must buy the right type and length of ethernet cable for your project. Different categories of ethernet cable offer different speeds and bandwidths. For most home networks, Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables are sufficient. Buying some wall plates, keystone jacks, RJ45 connectors, and other accessories would be best.
Then, you need to plan your wiring route and mark the locations of your wall jacks on the wall. You may want to use a stud finder to avoid drilling into electrical wiring or plumbing pipes. You must also measure the distance between each wall jack and the router or patch panel.
After that, you need to drill holes where you want to install your wall jacks. For this task, you may need some power tools, such as a drill bit or a hole saw. You must also drill holes in the floor or ceiling to run cables between different floors. Finally, you must run the cables through the holes and connect them to the wall jacks and the router or patch panel.
Can You Install Ethernet Connection Yourself?
Without consulting a pro, you can safely install a wired ethernet connection in your home. It is safe to work with Ethernet wires because they carry a very low voltage current. You can install ethernet cable in your home if you have previous experience with power tools and the perseverance to pick up a few new skills.
Because ethernet cable has a very low voltage and is not hazardous to work with, it is safe to install it yourself. Installing ethernet cable in your home might be straightforward or complex depending on how many rooms you want to run Ethernet to.
You need power tools and other specialist tools for installing ethernet cable and wall jacks to install ethernet cable. Depending on your home and installation plans, installing an Ethernet cable in your home can be tricky.
For instance, putting an ethernet cable through an outside wall to a neighboring room will be less work than running it to the second floor of a two-story home. (Read Ground Wire Size Chart)
7 Steps to Run Ethernet Cables in Your House
Install network cables throughout the house for fast Internet speeds for your home office and gaming room. How can I get a good network?
To give your home office or gaming space a reliable internet connection and higher internet speed, you can run network cable throughout your house.
To plan and install a reliable network, you must follow these steps:
1. Identify and Find Your Ethernet Source.
To start designing your installation, locate the location of your ethernet hardline in your house. This is the location on your property where you can access the line from your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
It might be hidden within your home, in a wall panel, or a box on the outside of your home. Knowing where this is since your wiring plan will start here is essential.
2. Choose a Location for Your Router and Switch
Your WiFi router and ethernet switch should be situated in a central location in your home, elevated, and not in the way of or close to electronic devices. This placement selection is essential to your wiring plan. An excellent place is a central office or living room without a TV or other technology.
To lift your router off the ground and extend the Wi-Fi range, you can even plan to place it on a shelf.
3. Identify the rooms that require Ethernet connectivity.
Do you require hardline ethernet connections in your living room, office, or other space? It is essential to run an ethernet cable wall and install ethernet jacks in rooms that need the fastest, most reliable network. Plan to run ethernet connectivity to any rooms you will require for work, gaming, or streaming video.
4. Select a Type of Ethernet Cable
There are numerous Ethernet cable varieties, some offering quicker connectivity than others. Since it has a bandwidth of 250 MHz and can support rates of up to 10 Gbps, cat 6 cable is the industry standard. Cat 6 might not be sufficient if your house is big. Cat 6 loses speed and dependability if the cable is run at distances of more than 180 feet (55 meters). Upgrade to this Cat 6a cable for consistent speed over extended cable runs and 500 MHz bandwidth.
5. Select the Best Space for Your Ethernet Cable
For a safe and reliable Ethernet installation, running the Ethernet cable through a basement, crawlspace, or attic is best. You shouldn’t run your ethernet cable through your air vents for several reasons, including the possibility of a fire.
You can run your ethernet cable at a safe distance from electrical wires using attic and basement installations, which make maintenance simple. Your internet connection may suffer signal interference if your ethernet cable runs too close to electrical wires. (Read Can You Unplug A Hard Wired Smoke Detector)
6. Ensure That You Run Your Cable Safely
You can follow our comprehensive guide on attic ethernet installations once you’ve decided whether to run your ethernet cable below your rooms (in a crawlspace or basement) or above your rooms.
Drilling through the 2x4s in your wall and fishing the cable inside is essential. Pull your cable through after making a hole in the drywall. By this time, the desired rooms have ethernet connectivity.
7. Device Ethernet Cables Connect Via Wall Jacks
It’s time to install ethernet wall sockets after you’ve made a hole in your wall and pulled your cable through. Your ethernet network will be much more helpful if you have wall jacks with many ports because you can attach several devices.
Installing a wall plate gives your ethernet wiring a professional appearance. You are prepared to plug in your devices after placing your wall jacks.
Plan Which Rooms/Walls Will Have Ethernet Cable
The first important thing is selecting a room that requires an Ethernet cable. This is divided into two different ways. First, it’s possible to connect ethernet cables to your house.
Some areas have ethernet cables, but it’s possible to extend to some other areas. Your house has no electrical wiring for an Ethernet network. You plan on putting in an Ethernet cable installation from scratch. You should also have arranged room numbers and outlets.
How do you run Ethernet cable through walls?
If the existing lines have been installed, dig holes in your walls. Keep away from drilling into electrical, wiring, and plumbing systems. Finally, seal out holes in Ethernet cables to prevent water infiltration.
What is The Cost Of Cat 6 Ethernet Cables At Home?
An Ethernet connection to a single room in your home can be made with this affordable 100-foot Cat 6 cable. The price will rise if you require a longer cable or numerous cables. If you can find cheap cable and wall jacks, you can run Cat 6 ethernet cable to a single room in your home for $35.
Running a Cat 6 Ethernet cable alone will almost always cost less than getting someone else to perform the work. Installing your ethernet connections rather than having someone else do it, you can save hundreds of dollars frequently.
What to Know Before Wiring Ethernet Cables
1. Plan Rooms and Walls to Cable and Ethernet Ports
First, establish which rooms need wired Ethernet rather than a wifi connection.
This can fall into two scenarios:
Your house already has ethernet wiring – expanding the current home network.
Your house has no ethernet wiring – you need a new installation of ethernet wires.
2. Set the Path
The next step is to build a cable path from the distribution point, where you’ll have your internet router, and all the cables converge. At the distribution point, cables from all the rooms terminate, and you can run wires over the shortest path.
3. Choose the Right Cable
Ethernet cables come in a variety of grades. CAT5/5E, CAT6/6A, CAT7, and CAT8 are popular.
The CAT6 cables (CAT6 and CAT6E) support up to 10Gbps transfer speeds. CAT6 can only go 55m in medium size house ranges. CAT6E has no limit and can connect running wires up to 100m and transfer 10Gbps. We propose CAT6 or CAT6E. This will future proof your home network work.
4. How to Run Through Walls To Ethernet Wall Jack?
Let’s examine a full guide on how to run ethernet cable through walls.
A: Wiring Plan
A general plan for the rooms and path will make the job easier. If you have house plans, utilize the dimensions to determine cable length. Ethernet cables are needed in rooms with TV, computers, or game consoles. You may run it through the garage (for smart features)—or other areas of your house to add a Wi-Fi extender or repeater.
Some cable runs through wall gaps. Others explore the attic. Some can go through the crawl space. You can even run some along the same path as your existing mains wiring. (Learn How To Wire A Photocell To Multiple Lights)
B: Distribution Point
All of your Ethernet cables terminate at the Distribution Point. Turning off the power is the first and most crucial step when cutting or drilling walls to run ethernet cable. Even if they have no power, putting holes near a wall socket means there are electrical wires, so it’s better to be safe.
Find two studs with a stud finder. Between these studs is where the network panel goes. A wiring panel at the distribution point to organize cables. To accommodate the panel, cut the drywall. Terminate all the ethernet cables using a network switch. A router/modem controls the network work switch.
You will need your wall outlet close to an AC outlet as you’ll need power to your router and the switch for your wired internet connection.
C: Make Holes For Cables
Once all the holes are made, the cables can be fed through the walls and holes. Cables should be labeled. Label cables as it makes it easier to connect to devices. Use names such as bedroom, office, TV, and PC where you’ll plug in each wire.
D: Terminate Cables
Once all the cables have been run through the openings and walls, you can crimp the cables.
Wire the cables for each ethernet wall jack socket using a punch-down tool. Employ cable ties or Velcro Straps to fasten the cables.
FAQs
How can I get Ethernet to my room without a port?
Plug powerline adapters into an outlet close to your router and plug into an outlet close to the device in the other room.
How do you run wire through ceiling joists?
Using a running board and electrical staples to space the wires correctly is the best way to run them along the ceiling joists.
This is to run cables parallel to or perpendicular to the joists. You can bore holes in very particular spots to run cables through if there is no space.
How to run Ethernet cable through walls?
Drill a hole through an outside wall if no lines are running into your home already. Ensure to avoid digging into electrical lines, HVAC ducts, or pipes.
Run an ethernet cable to the place. Next, seal the hole around the ethernet cable with silicone sealant to prevent water entry.
How do I run a discrete ethernet cable?
Cable concealers are effective ways to manage all the wires. They can hide and control various cables to avoid looking tacky and messy.
