Magnetic field interference in network cables...

[Jose]

So I bought this Cat5e spec cable and a small tube type of thing to pass it through a wall, and the seller who happens to be a electritian (if that's how you call it in english) was bugging me that the magnetic field of the nearby power cables (220v) will interfere. Is this true ? Well in my case the nearby cable is actually 36v for my satellite dish actuator but I'd still like to know if there will be interference and signal loss (don't think both are the same since signals in the network cable are digital so as long as it's enouph to transfer the info there's no problem...).

This also got me thinking about those POE (power over ethernet) adpters. If there was so much interference these wouldn't be possible as the supplied voltage (12v for the router in most cases I think) would cause interference and even if the voltage is lower the cables are really close in that case.

Was also told I should leave 25cm between cables even if it's just a TV cable cause different frequencies might interfere. Think it's crap cause the voltage and hence magnetic fields in TV cables is probably minimal.

STILL, would like to hear you electronic / network gurus on this one.

:pint:

[mike-]

Yep
But i doubt you'll notice much, especially if the wiring is insulated well.

[clint]

Hi Jose

I am not an eletrician or a electronic/network guru. My wireless router and ethernet cables are very close to my household electricity outlets (240v UK supply)it is about one metre away from my TV, Set Top Box, DVD Player and 5-1 Control Box.I have not had any problems with magnetic fields or any other type of interference.

Regards
clint

[taunusand]

On my desk there are 3 computers, 3 monitors, router, wireless acces point, usb devices, network cables, phone line, speakers, wireless mouse.... No, it works fine here, all the cables are one big mess behind the table :lol:

At the "tv section" of my living room all the wires for CDTV, CD32, VHS video, DVD player, TV, amplifier, reciever, tape recorder, record player and digital TV reciever, again: all the wires are one big mess behind the TV, and still all of it works :lol:

And no, I don't use any expensive high-end cables and/or other equipment, except for my Amiga gear, everything was cheap.

The only thing that can interfer with any of it, is my mobil phone :-P

[ChuckT]

I've only seen the old tolken rings accept interference when heavy equipment with motors were being operated nearby.

If you ever opened your Amiga or Commodore C64, Commodore shielded the computer so they wouldn't get fined by the FCC.  I'm thinking you could use a number of things to dampen any interference like aluminum foil or putting the cables in conduit.  I'm sure you could even place the cables in a lead pipe and it would be fine.  Be creative.

I know that you may be able to get ferrite beads to attach to wires like Satellite and you may even be able to locate the interference and place them so that the impact will be minimal.

[Jose]

Well, I don't think I'll make two holes on the wall just because of that, I've tested it and there seems to be no interference though I don't have any base to compare, but as it is it's enouph for me.

Cheers
:pint:

[LoadWB]

Interference won't be as problematic as induced current by the 220v line.  We're taught not to run network cable parallel to power cables due to this.  Running networking in close proximity to higher frequency generating equipment can interfere, such as fluorescent lighting, etc.

Your TV cable should not interfere, either.  At least here in the states there are very strict "leakage" restrictions.  So long as your cable is in good condition, it should be fine.

Most cases of interference are negligible, anyway.  Ethernet has mechanisms to overcome simple problems.

[ChuckT]

You should be able to buy quarter inch pipe from electrical stores.  I think the metal on them is enough to shield from most outside interference.

[jj]

I have a couple off those plug in the wall throught the power supply netwrok adapters.  Best bit of network kit I have bought.

They even work through extensions leads.  Got 200mb ones.  Can stream video with no dropage.  Must better solution than wirless.  Wirless good for emailing and browsing, usless for everyhting else.

[Homer]

Hi Jose,

The 36V will be DC, and it will ONLY be on when the dish is moving. Depending on the size of your dish, there may be a few amperes there, and I guess it could induce something into the Cat5 if they touched, but you can test that easily enough by moving the dish around at the same time the data cable is in use.

High voltage cables should be kept apart from lower voltage cables in case they accidently short circuit together, but I wouldn't call 0VDC and Cat5 a problem.

Maybe it's Disecq motor time Jose  :-D

[Jose]

@Homer

I looked into Disec stuff and opted for polar mount as the Diseq motors are too weak in general and most sat receivers have a PSU which is not able to run the big ones anyway, without risk of burning if you move the dish around too much like I do sometimes. Besides I want to get a bigger dish later and Diseq won't allow me to do that.

On the other hand, diseq aligns to satellites very well as long as south alignment is ok. Polar mount is living hell! Maybe I'm a perfectionist but I still haven't managed to align it to get the strongest possible signal on all sats.

[Lorraine]

/

[jj]

I always thought that until a few people I know, including thee guy in charge of networking in our company sid they were the real deal.

I have not tested them extensively.  But they are plug and play , with extra set up if you require for security stuff.  They are automatically encrypted.

I have streamed dvd video files to my XBMC,  as in straight vob files, off a NAS, connected to my router.  Through these plug adapters both on extension leads in my house which has very dodgey wiring.

These are the ones.  Really pi55es all over wireless for anything.   In fact They are limited by my network which is 100Mb.

Here is the link. there are loads of different ones you can get

   Linky