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Can I use a long ethernet cable to a shed to get WiFi there?

Mike2021 — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 18:18:59 GMT

We have optic fibre, with about 50mb download and 15 upload, which is great. We have 1 black WiFi boosting disc in the house which does the job really well.

We have a long old fashioned garden. I have my shed there at the far end which I want to convert for work but it's about 40 meters from the house. Wifi won't reach.

Can I connect an ethernet cable to our WiFi router, eg cat5, and run it to the shed and plug it into a disc WiFi booster? I've got my phone, laptop, WiFi security video receiver too so WiFi is essential for my shed plan to work.

Thanks in advance for help

Re: Can I use a long ethernet cable to a shed to get WiFi there?

WSH — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 18:58:48 GMT

Cat 5, 5e and 6 are all rated to carry an Ethernet signal reliably out to 100m. Cat 5 is only rated to 100mb/s. 5e is rated to 1000Mb/s (i.e. Gigabit) but it has to be good quality cable and a good install at distance. Cat 6 will do Gigabit easy. If you are running it down the garden make sure you use exterior grade cable.

Re: Can I use a long ethernet cable to a shed to get WiFi there?

supertedster — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 22:22:15 GMT

A 50m roll of cat 6 outdoor cable is inexpensive on Amazon, or on similar outlets.

Check continuity of the cable with a multi-meter BEFORE you bury it, or suspend it!

Put a 5 or 8 port switch in the shed, plug your disk into that for wifi and you'll have free ports to hardwire other devices.

Re: Can I use a long ethernet cable to a shed to get WiFi there?

Mike2021 — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 06:02:15 GMT

Good idea about the exterior grade. Thanks

Re: Can I use a long ethernet cable to a shed to get WiFi there?

Mike2021 — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 06:03:18 GMT

Both helpful suggestions, I'll action both of these as well

Re: Can I use a long ethernet cable to a shed to get WiFi there?

spile — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 06:52:04 GMT

An alternative would be to use plastic trunking / conduit. It may work out cheaper and be easier to route and bury than cable.

Re: Can I use a long ethernet cable to a shed to get WiFi there?

Mike2021 — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 08:39:50 GMT

Interesting idea. I've looked on eBay and insulated cat 6 looks overall still affordable. It'll be buried with the power cable so I'll be sure to get shielded cat 6.