How to install data cable (aka structured wiring) in an Eichler

I ran Belden 7878s ‘banana peel’ structured cable comprised of 2 coax, 2 cat5, and one fiber optic line.

I ran ‘home run’ lines to every room in the house (including the laundry and garage since I had extra cable).

I bought a Leviton 420 media panel enclosure where all of the home runs will terminate in the garage, but I haven’t had a chance to install it yet.

I just found this site that has a lot of good info for setting up a structured wiring system: www.swhowto.com

I’ll update when I figure how to terminate the cables and other fun stuff..

We’ve been living in the house for over a year now and the data cabling has paid off. We use the coaxial and cat5 in 3 different rooms so far and it’s working great.

Terminating all the lines and setting up a patch bay in the media panel was a little hairy at first, but certainly doable with the right tools and a little practice.

I use both of the cat5 lines in the office since we have two PC’s in there so I don’t have to use a hub for connecting them.

I use the cat5 line in conjunction w/ the TV for accessing media on a network share. Pretty cool.

I also use the cat5 in the family room for internet radio which is nice. I could do wireless, but wired seems more reliable.

Haven’t found a use for the fiber optic line yet.

My only regret is that I mounted the receptacle boxes higher on the wall than the electrical receptacles, and I wish I had put them down at the same level to make them less visible in the rooms.