“I’ve seen folks go a little overboard with schedule 80 like they’re burying treasure or something.”
That’s exactly it—sometimes I wonder if people are prepping for the apocalypse with how heavy-duty they go. I’ve used regular schedule 40 for most of my runs and it’s been more than enough, even with the occasional raccoon investigation. Split loom is fine if you’re not worried about shovels or claws, but PVC just feels like insurance. Still, nothing’s totally critter-proof... had a mouse chew through a supposedly “rodent-resistant” cable once.
I hear you on the “rodent-resistant” cable—had a squirrel chew through mine once, right after I’d finished a trench. I usually stick with schedule 40 too, unless I’m running under a driveway or something. It’s a balance between overkill and just enough peace of mind.
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Schedule 40’s been my go-to too, though I’ll admit I once tried the “lightweight” stuff thinking it’d be easier to work with—regretted it after a shovel nicked it during some landscaping. If you’re running under a driveway, I’d even consider schedule 80, just for that extra bit of insurance. One trick I’ve picked up: run a pull string alongside your cable in the conduit. Makes future upgrades or repairs way less of a headache. And yeah, rodents... they always find a way, don’t they? I’ve started wrapping the ends with steel mesh, just in case.
- Schedule 40’s definitely cheaper, but I’m always worried about it getting crushed if I don’t bury it deep enough.
- Steel mesh on the ends is smart, though I wonder if it’s overkill for folks not in heavy rodent areas?
- Pull string is a good tip—never thought of that, and I hate fishing new wire.
- Curious if anyone’s tried just running outdoor-rated ethernet above ground (like stapled along a fence) to save on conduit costs? Seems risky, but maybe worth it for short runs…
- Ran outdoor-rated Cat6 along my fence for about 30 feet last summer. It worked fine, but the squirrels seemed a little too interested—ended up with some chew marks after a few months.
- If you’re in a low-traffic area and don’t mind replacing it every couple years, it’s probably fine for short runs.
- Personally, I’d still go with conduit if you want to set it and forget it. The peace of mind is worth the extra digging, even if it’s a pain.
- Pull string is a lifesaver—wish I’d known that trick before my first attempt.