Burying ethernet line to accessory dwelling

[Anonymous]

Prior owner of our home did this about 10 years ago (CAT 5 cable). It has worked well to extend our eero mesh network to the accessory dwelling with a hardwire connection. Things stoped working recently. Through various troubleshooting efforts, we have determined the most likely cause is a faulty buried cable or connector. Worst case scenario, we will need to dig up the old line and run a new line, in which case we would take the opportunity to upgrade to CAT 6 or something.

Been there some that? Who would you use for this sort of work? Electrician? Are there networking/cabling specialists? We are in DC and the line has to run about 75 ft underground. Thanks

[Anonymous]

If it's only Ethernet and not AC power, you don't need an electrician.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prior owner of our home did this about 10 years ago (CAT 5 cable). It has worked well to extend our eero mesh network to the accessory dwelling with a hardwire connection. Things stoped working recently. Through various troubleshooting efforts, we have determined the most likely cause is a faulty buried cable or connector. Worst case scenario, we will need to dig up the old line and run a new line, in which case we would take the opportunity to upgrade to CAT 6 or something.

Been there some that? Who would you use for this sort of work? Electrician? Are there networking/cabling specialists? We are in DC and the line has to run about 75 ft underground. Thanks

Why would you need to dig it up? Just pull the line

[Anonymous]

Just to add, the 75 feet isn't a big deal. You can get outdoor spec cat 6 twice that length already crimped for less than $50. Just unplug one end, fasten the new cable to it very securely and then pull it through the other end

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks, this is really helpful. The old cable is encased in PVC pipe or something underground and it is a straight shot so I had not considered securing a new cable to the old one and pulling it though. I wonder why the old one died, I wasn’t sure if water leaked into the PVC pipe or what, I guess we’ll see when we try. I am not very handy so would like to outsource this but sounds like an electrician may not be required. Maybe a competent handyman. But advice on CAT 6 or whatever is best would help. Appreciate all the responses.

[Anonymous]

ABE Networks in Rockville can do this, but DIY would be lower cost. They are very good with Ethernet. I’d use outdoor-rated shielded Cat-6 for the replacement cable, and I’d probably pull 2 cables in the pipe, since the labor (not cable) is the expensive part of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks, this is really helpful. The old cable is encased in PVC pipe or something underground and it is a straight shot so I had not considered securing a new cable to the old one and pulling it though. I wonder why the old one died, I wasn’t sure if water leaked into the PVC pipe or what, I guess we’ll see when we try. I am not very handy so would like to outsource this but sounds like an electrician may not be required. Maybe a competent handyman. But advice on CAT 6 or whatever is best would help. Appreciate all the responses.

If you don't DIY, an electrician will do it very fast. Fishing cable is a lot of what they do. I'd just do it myself and look at the old line when it comes out- is it wet or dirty? If so then you may have to bury a new pipe, if not then something else failed.

[Anonymous]

It’s also worth considering if a wireless router can cover that distance. Try a wifi 6 router (not 6e). This newer technology is much better that what existed 10 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Get a networking guy. Usually cables fail at the ends, he'll have the tools to check it and replace the ends if necessary. He'll also be cheaper than an electrician.

If the cable is in conduit replacing the cable should be easy for him. Be warned that it's not uncommon for there to be three feet of conduit at each end and then just the cable in dirt the rest of the way. In which case somebody's getting out a shovel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to add, the 75 feet isn't a big deal. You can get outdoor spec cat 6 twice that length already crimped for less than $50. Just unplug one end, fasten the new cable to it very securely and then pull it through the other end

Smart!