I found a local guy on craigslist selling 1000' of RG6 and 1000' of Cat 3 (4 pair) for $75 for both he also just mentioned he has 1000' of 22/2 but hasn't given me a price yet. What I'm looking for is wire to run for window sensors and door sensors and motion detectors / glass break sensors. The RG6 would be used for other reasons but which would you recommend i should use for my sensors? The cat 3 or the 22/2? Is $75 a good price for 1000' of RG6 coax AND 1000' of Cat3?
Cat 5 or Cat 3 or 22/2 for home security/automation?
- Thread starter ahreno
- Start date
Steve
Senior Member
I would use 22/2 for the contacts, but you would need 22/4 for the PIR's (anything powered). Cat3 is pretty useless except for straight phones. You could use the Cat3 for all of it but I don't like using it for the same reasons as Cat5 - just too much wire for a sensor. RG6 these days I would only really want quad shield, but I guess it depends on your usage. That price is about half of going rates for Cat5 and RG6, not worth it IMHO. You do wiring once, don't skimp on $40 or $50 and not have what you want or need to futureproof.
BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
Cat3 would work, but you could always just run two 22/2 cables to the motions and glass breaks since you only have a few sensors if you don't want to buy a spool of Cat3.
nightwalker
Active Member
I run 22/4 for almost everything as far as the sensors go. I like having the extra pair at the door and window locations, just in case.
wuench
Senior Member
The problem you run into in using Cat3 or Cat5 for contacts is when you get to the panel you are going to have a lot of bigger wires taking up a lot more space than they need to. 22/2 is a LOT smaller and easier to work with when you get to the panel, plus the 22/2 or 22/4 should be a lot cheaper.
Yeah, you should be able to find 1000' of 22/2 for around $50 or less pretty easily. My local supplier has it listed at $46 for solid and $53 for stranded- and that is the full list price with no discount.
I personally like using stranded cable for my alarm runs. Most cat3 or cat5 bulk wire is going to be solid.
Also, be sure to ask the specs on the RG-6. All coaxial cable is not the same. Is it quad shield or dual shield? Copper tined steel core? etc, etc, etc.
I personally like using stranded cable for my alarm runs. Most cat3 or cat5 bulk wire is going to be solid.
Also, be sure to ask the specs on the RG-6. All coaxial cable is not the same. Is it quad shield or dual shield? Copper tined steel core? etc, etc, etc.
Just curious as I'm still learning the pros and cons of different material choices...
What do you like about using stranded? Is it the added flexibility of the wire (especially at the ends like at the panel)? Do you sometimes run into the strands snagging a bit more as you try to make connections in the panel?
-Chris
Yes, I like the added flexability in the wire. The is especially important when you are trying to get all the wiring to be hidden at the door or window. You have to have enough slack to work on it, but then you have to shove it back into the wall to hide it. You can damage solid wire doing this while the stranded wire is more forgiving.
I haven't run into a problem using stranded wire at the panel, but if it was a real problem, I'd tin the wire with solder to get a "solid" end to terminate at the panel.
I haven't run into a problem using stranded wire at the panel, but if it was a real problem, I'd tin the wire with solder to get a "solid" end to terminate at the panel.
nightwalker
Active Member
One other advantage to stranded wire at the panel is when you start combining wire, like the power leads from PIR's ect., if you're using solid they sometimes don't clamp in the little slots correctly and come loose causing you a go-back. I hate that. 
You can use Cat3 for CCTV over baluns in most cases, it has to be twisted pairs.
Cat5 is just too damn big for door/window contacts.
I too prefer stranded as it's much harder to break it while pulling compared to Cat5.
Commercially I use Cat5 all the time, not for door contacts but as a trunk line bringing several zones back to the panel.
Cat5 is just too damn big for door/window contacts.
I too prefer stranded as it's much harder to break it while pulling compared to Cat5.
Commercially I use Cat5 all the time, not for door contacts but as a trunk line bringing several zones back to the panel.
ha... what a confusion... some say get the 22/2 (i just found out it's solid $30 for 1000ft) and just run two runs for motion sensors and glass break others say just get 22/4 and run for everything and now it sounds like you're saying go with the cat3!
Right now i'm leaning towards just going somewhere and getting a spool of 22/4 and using it for everything. If i do cameras they will be outside so i don't think i'll be running wire for them right now. Just window/door sensors / motion detectors / and glass break sensors... perhaps some hardwired smoke detectors if i can find any that integrate with Elk and are resonable $$
Right now i'm leaning towards just going somewhere and getting a spool of 22/4 and using it for everything. If i do cameras they will be outside so i don't think i'll be running wire for them right now. Just window/door sensors / motion detectors / and glass break sensors... perhaps some hardwired smoke detectors if i can find any that integrate with Elk and are resonable $$
There is nothing wrong with using 22/4 for window contacts, etc. Check and see if your guy can get stranded wire. I'm sure it will be a little higher priced, but $30 for solid is a good price IMHO.
Photon
Active Member
I terminated quite a few of my contacts and sensors on 66-blocks, so I used solid rather than stranded. Some is Cat5, some is Cat5e, and some is 22ga solid. I used solid Cat5e for voice and data without any problem with wires breaking, so I don't see any disadvantage in using it for sensors.
