Why should I Inspect Cat5 Cables?
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Why should I Inspect Cat5 Cables?

August 6, 2024
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Why should I Inspect Cat5 Cables?

As we will explain in this article a $50 cable cat5 cable could cost you $1100.
What is a cat5 cable? It's the cables for your camera system.
Cat5 cables are essential for your cameras and antennas to work properly. The problem is that Cat5 cables can be easily damaged or degraded over time, especially in the weather we put them in. This can lead to a variety of expensive problems. This article will discuss this in further detail.

  • Why should I inspect them?
    Damaged Cat5 cables can cause a variety of problems. By inspecting your cables regularly, you can identify and repair any problems before they cause a major issue. 
    1. Slow camera and antenna speeds.
    2. Cameras to work one day and not work the next.
    3. Camera End Corrosion. 
    4. Camera and Antenna Electrical Damage
       
  • What should I look for?
    • Cat5 cables can be damaged by a variety of factors, such as being crushed by a door, chewed by rodents, tugged on by cows, and damaged by hail. Environmental factors also degrade cables over time. Sunlight,  moisture, and heat can cause the cable to become brittle and crack, or the insulation to break down. So look for any cracks or cuts in the cable. Also, another thing to look for is blue, white, or gray cat5 wires and most likely these are not UV rated cables.


  • Why should I replace a damaged cable?
    Some say “If it still works why fix it”. One major issue we have seen over the years is something we will call moisture wicking otherwise known as capillary action. What happens is moisture can get into the jacket on the outside of the cable and as the weather changes and it gets hot and cold moisture travels up the jacket into the ends of the camera or antenna or the power supplies for these devices, which causes these expensive devices to fail. So a $50 Cable can kill $1100 32x PTZ.

  • Is there a better solution? Yes, there is. The great thing about it is the cables are even better today. Now we only sell Gel-Filled Cat5 cable. That means the entire cable is filled with Gel around the jacket so water can’t travel up and down. This means that even if there is a crack or break in the jacket it won't ruin the camera or antenna. Also, the jacket of the cable is UV-resistant. So it will last much longer in the sun. 

    • By inspecting your Cat5 cables and replacing them with Gel you can help to ensure that your cameras and antennas run smoothly and efficiently.