Buying Guide to Structured Wiring at The Home Depot

Structured Wiring and Networking Panels

on September 24 2013

A Structured Networking Panel (SNP) accepts and distributes signals throughout your home, much like an electrical panel receives and distributes electricity. Cables from outside service providers, such as telephone or cable television, come into the panel. From the panel, signals are distributed in home runs or direct lines to each room in your home. The SNP can also serve as the distribution point for internal signals, such as audio, video or security cameras or in-home computer networking, such as for a shared printer.

From the SNP, you can run different types of cables depending on the signals you plan to distribute.

CAT-5e/CAT-6 Cables

Category 5e cables, also called CAT-5e or generically called Ethernet cables, are the industry standard for connecting telephones, computer networks, home automation networks and audio/video distribution systems. CAT-6 is the emerging standard, offering up to twice the bandwidth of CAT-5e. Either can be used in home networking, and they are installed in the same way. CAT-5e cables consist of 4 pairs of wire (8 total conductors) with an Ethernet capability of up to 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps). They terminate in RJ-46 plugs, which look like wider versions of common telephone plug.

Coaxial Cables

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Buying Guide to Structured Wiring at The Home Depot