Temperature Range for Wire 1

[Blueline]

I have a request to run some Cat5e through an unheated hallway area of a building. The temperature could reach the lows outside of -10F once or twice a year.

Is there any special cable to run, or anything to do to insulate the wire, or other options/recommendations ?

Thanks.

 

[skip555]

I was curios so I checked the general cable site (the stuff we usually use and found this


* 0º C low temperature handling rating






so it looks like you will need to contact a distributor for some low temp stuff

putting it in cunduit and insulating the conduit might also be something to look into

 

[wires]

Handling rating relates to if the wire is being "handled" i.e. installed, moved, uncoiled. As long as the cables are installed in such a way they don't move -10F should not be a problem.

 

[hbiss]

-10F should not be a problem.

Don't know about that. I did look into this once and I believe I found that the operating temperature range of (at the time) cat5 cable is something like 40 to 100 deg F. That is the range that the manufacturer will guarantee the cable will meet specs and certification. I think if you dig deep enough in the manufacturers site you will find it.

-Hal

 

[franklin97355]

MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Operating Temperature Range -20°C To +80°C
Bulk Cable Weight 15 lbs/1000 ft.
Max. Recommended Pulling Tension 13 lbs.
Min. Bend Radius (Install) 0.8 in.
This is from a Belden catalog for cat5e cable.

 

[Blueline]

-20C = -4F. Pretty close.

Thanks everyone for the info.

 

[orypecos]

As the temperature goes down, the resistance goes down, and for the same reasons, higher resistance in a problem with higher temperatures. So I wouldn't be worried about the wire but more of the insulation breaking down. Especially if there is any movement, such as a rotating walkway at a airport loading ramp. If extreme conditions are going to be run into wire is available. For instance, on aircraft where the temperature range is over 200 degrees in the engine compartment to well below zero when flying at 20,000 feet. But the same wire can be used in many cases.