It’s just not worth the headache. Shielded cable is one of those things you don’t really appreciate until you’re streaming a movie or running a Zoom call in the shed without a hitch.
Couldn’t have said it better. I always tell folks: treat your wiring like the foundation of the house. You don’t notice it when it’s done right, but you sure will if it’s not. One thing I’ve run into—sometimes people forget about grounding the shielded cable, especially with all that metal siding. That can make or break the whole setup. Curious, did you run your cable underground or overhead? Each one’s got its quirks, especially if you’re dodging tree roots or trying to keep it out of the way of lawn mowers...
I get the whole “wired is best” thing, but honestly, I went with a mesh wifi system and it’s been solid for my shed. Didn’t want to deal with trenching or worrying about grounding at all. Maybe not as bulletproof as cable, but for streaming and calls, it’s worked out fine so far. Guess it depends how much hassle you’re willing to take on.
Didn’t want to deal with trenching or worrying about grounding at all.
Totally get that. I ran ethernet out to my detached garage a few years back, and honestly, digging that trench was way more work than I expected. Had to double-check local codes for burial depth, then deal with rocky soil the whole way. Mesh wifi probably would’ve saved me a weekend and a sore back. Wired’s great if you need rock-solid speed for big file transfers, but for most stuff, mesh seems plenty reliable these days.
digging that trench was way more work than I expected. Had to double-check local codes for burial depth, then deal with rocky soil the whole way.
That’s the part nobody tells you about—by the time you’re done, you’ve basically done half a landscaping project just to run a cable. I get the appeal of mesh, especially now that it’s actually reliable. Still, there’s something satisfying about knowing your connection won’t drop if someone microwaves a burrito next door. But yeah, unless you’re editing video out there or something... mesh is a lot less sweat and paperwork.
- Trenching is a pain, but I get why you did it—hardwired is just rock solid.
- For anyone going that route, consider using conduit with a pull string for future upgrades.
- If you’re worried about environmental impact, low-voltage direct burial cable is less disruptive and easier to install.
- Mesh is getting better, but I still see interference issues in dense neighborhoods... sometimes it’s just not worth the gamble.
- Either way, hats off for tackling the trench. That’s commitment most folks underestimate.
