Running Ethernet (CAT6) for Access Point, Coax (RG6), and Electric (110V)

[bbdude]

Hi All - We were planning to have a pavilion as part of our pool build, but it's become cost prohibitive. Instead, we going to include extra decking to accommodate a pavilion in the future. However, we need to run Ethernet (CAT6), Coax (RG6), and Electric (110V) out to the area so it's there if we ever need it.

Has anyone done this before and, if so, where did you put all the connections in the meantime? I'm thinking maybe an external enclosure mounted on a 4x4 close to the ground (or something similar)? I suspect, in the near-term, we'll use the Ethernet (CAT6) for an Access Point and then Electric as needed for parties. Where to mount the Access Point is also a question.

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[ajw22]

I suggest you run large separate conduit for high voltage and low voltage wiring to the areas you may need it with pull strings in it. Then when you figure out where you are putting your pavilion you can connect to that conduit and pull whatever wires you need at that time.

Conduit is inexpensive. Put a few in the ground for future use.

Note...

Allowable Bends in Electrical Conduit per NEC code | Construction Yeti

It seems that many electrical apprentices learn this lesson the hard way. They get started running their first EMT conduit masterpiece and end up with…

www.constructionyeti.com

 

[jark87]

I suggest you run large separate conduit for high voltage and low voltage wiring to the areas you may need it with pull strings in it.

X2. With all of the wireless options, you may find that you won’t need as much wiring as you think. We only needed electrical in our recently built outdoor kitchen. I added a mesh network access point near the back door that provides great connectivity to the back yard. We stream TV (YouTube TV), so no need for cable.

 

[SunnyP2000]

As a network engineer by trade and being a enterprise wireless expert I'll give my two cents. I strongly suggest running min one cat 6 or two . Even if you end up using mesh based wireless units atleast you have the option to have hardwire access point with cat6. Hardwire access points can be mounted in waterproof outdoor enclosure or you can get made for outdoor. Good Luck

 

[4xWTub]

Where to mount the Access Point is also a question.

I agree that running separate conduits, including for ethernet is a good idea, even if they just get capped off until you need them. As far as mounting an access point, you may find it useful to use POE (Power Over Ethernet) capability. That way there is no AC power adapter 'outside' in the weather and that means easier mounting options as you only need Cat6 at the mount point. Access point are likely to work better the higher up you can mount them. Putting them at the top of a 4x4 is one option. But if a tall 4x4 interrupts your 'viewscape', an alternative might be to mount a directional access point on the wall/roof of your house (or other nearby structure). That way the access point is relatively obscure.

For instance:

2.4GHz 300Mbps 9dBi Outdoor CPE

2.4GHz 300Mbps 9dBi Outdoor CPE

www.tp-link.com

You should consider the 'pie' shaped transmission area when evaluating a location to mount a directional access point.

And note that even the Google Chromecast TV dongles [wifi as shipped] offer wired ethernet capability as an option:

https://store.google.com/us/product/chromecast_ethernet_adapter_gen_2?hl=en-US

Use ethernet where you can (easily), and wifi where ethernet is not practical.

 

[Katodude]

Rule #1, You never have too many outlets. Run as much power as you can.

I also like the idea of running Cat6. It will keep your options going.

I would ditch the RG6. Less and less things require it. Even cable boxes these days use wireless or ethernet.

 

[BMerrill]

Second, third, fourth ..... all of the above suggestions.
Unless you plan to run more than lights, fan, pool vac, TV, microwave for the Pavilion; then 12/2 with ground wire will work for 20 amps. For comparison, a 20 amp circuit is typically run to serve a residential kitchen. A 3/4" SCH 40 PVC Conduit max fill is 15 #12 THHN conductors. Suggest running 2 or 3 pairs (Hot, Neutral, Green). The wires have to be rated for this type of installation like the Southwire SIMpull CoilPAK 350-ft 12-AWG Black/White/Green Copper.

For now you can terminate the wires in something like the Arlington Gard-N-Post GP19. Link to more info and mount a GFIC receptacle there. This is what I'm doing. This post has low voltage side, where you can run a seperate conduit for future landscape lights.​

 

[gingrbredman]

Before we built our pavilion, we ran two separate conduits under ground and stubbed them up right around where one of the legs was going to sit. One for the high voltage, another one for the low voltage. For the power, we had an outlet inline of the conduit to act as a junction, and it was a good spot for power anyway. In this pic, you can see the outlet on the wall, with one of the conduit runs coming up. The low voltage goes all the way to the pavilion.



I ran four Cat6 cables through the low voltage conduit when it was all finished. One goes to a camera that points at the pool, another one is used to transmit video for my TVs, one for an ethernet jack that provides internet to the TV under the roof, and another one for a spare. Yes, wireless does work in a lot of situations, but I'm a hardwire kind of guy if I can do it. While under construction, its easy to do, and ethernet cable isn't cost prohibitive.

I would ditch the RG6. Less and less things require it. Even cable boxes these days use wireless or ethernet.

I agree with this, we did not run any RG6 for outside. But I also do not have a cable box out there, my video gets distributed through ethernet cable, but he is right, that wire is just about dead. You can transmit video, data, ethernet etc. over Cat6, so many more options. When we built our house, we ran a ton of RG6 to every room, multiple locations, and in the end, we use exactly one of those wires. If the conduit is large enough, and you have the wire, I guess I may do it, but Cat6 should be the priority, and if you run one, at least run two.

For the power, one we had an outlet for a junction, we added another outlet at the bottom of the pavilion and through it. We have a celling fan in there, and other outlets. As others said, you cant have too many of those. My pavilion is a little ways away from the pool so I don't have to worry so much about being too close to the water, but it is outside so we did run those with that in mind.

On the other side of the pavilion, we also ran landscape wiring out there to connect my Pentair lighting to new landscape lighting. We have a few Pentair landscape lights that I'll connect up soon.

Can't find a lot of finished pics yet, but here is one under construction as we get closer to the end.

 

[bbdude]

All these posts and photos are fantastic. I appreciate all the input and ideas!