Maximum Ethernet Cable Length

[Amie]

Does anyone know what the maximum distance length of cable that I can run between boxes? My neighbor, about 150'-200' away, wants to link in with our lights next year and I don't know if we should have them get a wireless connection or if we can run an ethernet line through the middle neighbors yard.

Another question...we might be able to convince the middle neighbor to join in. If we did this, there would be a box in the middle of the two houses, so the distance would never be over 50'-75' between boxes.

[Tim Fischer]

You can go several thousand feet perhaps with Cat-5. So only go Wireless if you think it would be more convenient.

Distance between boxes vs. total distance doesn't matter. The only exception is if you're using the original serial RS485 connector, which has rather small maximum cable length to the first controller (after that, no restrictions), but this is largely irrelevant since most people use USB485 interfaces these days.

[-klb-]

+1, you should be fine...

There are places where I go a couple hundred feet between controllers, and over 600 feet on a single network. The LOR published limit is 2,000 total feet in one network, but the underlying communication standard supports 4,000 feet if the stars are correctly aligned...

[cmoore60]

According to this document on the LOR support page.

http://www.lightorama.com/Documents/RS485_Adapters_Man_Web.pdf

ON page 7 says depending on the adapter to the first controller to be 4000 feet. Personally I would never go that far on a single network. But LOR does publish a distance that fully encompasses your length.

You should be fine.

Chuck

[Amie]

excellent, thanks everyone!

[J_Plak]

Amie,
be sure to ask the middle neighbor, if you can a line through there yard.

[Amie]

J_Plak wrote:

Amie,
be sure to ask the middle neighbor, if you can a line through there yard.

Yes, of course, I should have said that we have already talked to them about that and they are fine with it. We are actually going to go over their roof so they don't have the cord going through their yard...and they are okay with that. But thanks for checking, that would definitely be an issue if it bothered them. I just hope that we can convince them to get a box of their own, it would look better if the 3 houses were all linked together. They just may not want to invest in a box.

[JBullard]

While the others have stated that the distance is OK, there can be another very important consideration.

LIABILITY !

Once wire leaves your yard, you lose control, and if someone trips (non-participating middle house ? even with permission) you could very well be liabal for any injuries.

As someone that works in the property and casualty insurance business, I would never consider stringing a wire off of my own property onto someone elses property.

The liability risk is too great, no matter how good of friends you may be.

I would use the ELL's

Many people on here that have never used ELLs will poopoo any thoughts about using them. I do use them, and think they are the best thing since sliced bread, for ease of set up and for providing a measure of comm line isolation between controllers.

[Tim Fischer]

JBullard wrote:

While the others have stated that the distance is OK, there can be another very important consideration.

LIABILITY !



Many people on here that have never used ELLs will poopoo any thoughts about using them.   I do use them, and think they are the best thing since sliced bread, for ease of set up and for providing a measure of comm line isolation between controllers.

Very good point.

I definitely don't poopoo the ELLs, I'd just personally rather spend the money elsewhere in the display if running a wire is feasible. But as you've noted, they definitely add a lot of flexibility if you need them or choose to use them...

[Amie]

JBullard wrote:

While the others have stated that the distance is OK, there can be another very important consideration.

LIABILITY !

Once wire leaves your yard, you lose control, and if someone trips (non-participating middle house ? even with permission) you could very well be liabal for any injuries.

As someone that works in the property and casualty insurance business, I would never consider stringing a wire off of my own property onto someone elses property.

The liability risk is too great, no matter how good of friends you may be.

I would use the ELL's

Many people on here that have never used ELLs will poopoo any thoughts about using them. I do use them, and think they are the best thing since sliced bread, for ease of set up and for providing a measure of comm line isolation between controllers.

Thank you for your input...I will take it into consideration. I just wish they weren't so dang expensive!

[toddmoon]

What is the transmit distance for the radio's? Compared to the radios that I use at work these radio's are inexpensive.

The radios I use at my work can transmit up to 25 miles depending on terrain. These are Campbell scientific radios using digital narrow band frequency that require a license to use the radio frequency.

[toddmoon]

I am also curious about what is the max distance for the first LOR controller box with Ethernet?

[Amie]

toddmoon wrote:

What is the transmit distance for the radio's? Compared to the radios that I use at work these radio's are inexpensive.

The radios I use at my work can transmit up to 25 miles depending on terrain. These are Campbell scientific radios using digital narrow band frequency that require a license to use the radio frequency.

Wow, that's awesome. The only problem with that is that the music would have to be really, really loud if you wanted to hear it 25 miles away and be synched with the lights that were flashing.

[toddmoon]

I think some of these new metal bands have concerts that loud. :dude:

[-klb-]

toddmoon wrote:

I am also curious about what is the max distance for the first LOR controller box with Ethernet?

No ethernet, just the same type of cable.. With the SC495 adapter it is 100 feet. With one of the USB adapters, it is 2,000, or 4,000 feet depending on where you see the spec...

As for these radios, I think it is highly dependent on conditions. I think I have heard that 1,000 feet is possible in optimal conditions, but that sometimes a couple hundred is a challenge..

[Terry Hurrle]

Ok just to get clarity on cable length. I can replace the cable that came with my adapter and use a much longer one to go from the computer to the location of my first controller, correct? I am sure this is what is being said but I just want to be sure I am not reading something into this that is not true. Am new an want to make sure my first show goes off with out problems or am I dreaming.

[rwertz]

Terry Hurrle wrote:

Ok just to get clarity on cable length. I can replace the cable that came with my adapter and use a much longer one to go from the computer to the location of my first controller, correct?

What adapter are you using, and what length are you talking about?

In the post prior to yours Kevin points out that if you have the SC495 adapter the limit is 100 feet to the first controller. The SC495 is the adapter that connects to the serial port (com port) of your PC.

If you use an adapter that connects to the USB port of your PC the limit is 2,000 - 4,000 feet.

[cmoore60]

As stated earlier. Depending on which adapter you are using mandates the length of the first link. The SC485 adapter is limited to approx 100 feet between the adapter and the first controller, because this adapter is powered from the controller network. The USB adapters the electronics of the adapter are powered by the USB port.

Chuck