How about Cat-5 Armored?

[jlshelton]

While wandering around UCSF Hospital (as a patient), I was inspecting the visible wiring. We all know that Cat-5 and friends must be run carefully, to avoid messing up the signal quality. It isn't enough to use the right wire; we have to avoid tight bends, tight straps, staples, etc.

How about using a new kind of "armored" cable, one that protects its signal carrying qualities even under duress? Much like "BX" armored electrical wire (but cheaper/thinner), Cat-5A cable would be useful in retrofits, emergency situations, quick hacks, etc., yet would perform well due to cable integrity. I imagine that it would be thicker than normal, with internal inert material (paper, plastic) to preserve pair integrity, and external strength (thicker PVC, spiral-wrap aluminum, teflon, whatever) to resist sharp bends and crushing.

Yes, even Cat-5A could be defeated by gorilla mentality. But so can BX electrical. Under normal circumstances, this cable would work very well.

 

[ISDNman]

There are certainly products along these lines. I saw one advertised in Cabling Business Magazine in the most recent issue.

If they run the ad again next issue I'll try to remember to post the company.

It caught my attention because many of the wireless T1 or T3 systems require running cat 5e up the tower to the transmitter and vibration and water proof properties are major requirements for durability under such circumstances.

Good luck