Why won't the neighbors STOP cutting the CAT5 with their snowblowers

[mhammond1]

I just went out for the second time already this season and patched a CAT5 together after being sliced apart from the snowblowers. they know the wire is there!!! They even put the wires in the garages as much as possible to prevent the slice. It's too cold to be working on wire that small without gloves, stripping 16 wires to get them together. And, then the electrical tape is so cold it doesn't peel right, just keeps ripping at an angle too short.

Oh the stuff we do for lights....:shock:

[ItsMeBobO]

you are determined alright. Is the wire going across a sidewalk? I was too afraid to try that and put it up overhead in the trees along with the power to get to the other side of the sidewalk.

[mhammond1]

the two that have been cut go across the driveway. one neighbor put it above the transoms above the garage doors. The 4th and 5th neighbors have not cut it with their blowers (yet).

[Tim Fischer]

I have a couple cables (they're Cat-5, but used to connect MR-16 LED lights to the DC controller, not comm) that need to cross the driveway. I go under the door, up and around the inside, then back out under the door on the other side. Works like a charm-- just have to avoid nicking the cables as they come into and out of the garage.

I'm impressed you're trying to repair the cables, much less in the field. The only way I've ever repaired a Cat-5 (or phone) cable is by crimping on a new end and having a shorter cable...

[mhammond1]

would you believe last year when it happened I actually soldered the wires rather than just twisting them on! If this was the first day of the show I'd be crimping new, but with 3/5th's gone already, I'm a little more lenient in the field repairs...

[Dennis Cherry]

Next year you might want to place the Cat5 cable inside a steel pipe long enough to reach a safe area.

See how a snow blower would like to chew on steel pipe.

[NWSanta]

Or just spring for a set of ELL's...

They're so easy and work well!!!

[mhammond1]

I already have a pair of ELL's to jump across the street. You are right, they do work well. But, to avoid all the driveways, I would have to buy 3 more.

I'd rather invest in channels....

[jeffl]

I had a phone person give me some quick connectors they use on phone wire. They have some kind of grease inside them so all you do is put both wire in them and smash them with a pliers. This keeps them somewhat sealed and connected.

So far I have not had to use them but it would be a quick fix if needed. The only problem is I don' t know where to purchase them.

[Tim Fischer]

jeffl wrote:

I had a phone person give me some quick connectors they use on phone wire.  They have some kind of grease inside them so all you do is put both wire in them and smash them with a pliers.  This keeps them somewhat sealed and connected.

So far I have not had to use them but it would be a quick fix if needed.  The only problem is I don' t know where to purchase them.

Home depot sells them. I've used them fairly extensively-- installing phone, alarm wiring, etc.