Install a wired home network in five easy steps

Is truth that the use of WiFi connection is the most popular option among the general public, but when we talk about efficiency wired connection are more recommendable.

A direct connection made with cables provide a faster and more secure network, if well you can’t connect wireless gadgets like tablets and cellphone to this type of circuit the rest of your devices will function better with this modality.

Of course, set up a wired network is more complicated that just install a router but we have a step by step guide that will provide you with all the necessary knowledge to reach this goal.

Decide the coverage area of the wires

The first move is to think about what you want from the connection.

Some of the decisions that you must make are how many devices will be connected to the network, where located them and in which place set the wires.

Remember that this type of interconnection between the devices will require a lot of cables, so if you don’t want to make a mess is really important to consider how the wires will be distributed.

In our experience, we can tell that planning the design of your home network is the best way to anticipate to possible problems that may surge during the installation.

If you want to connect three devices or more through wires we recommend you to select a discreet and accessible point for the router, because the cables will meet there.

A closet or the back part of a desk or a table are some of the best options to place the connection point.

By the way,

don’t forget that is also important that the router’s spot be a central point that can reach a good signal, this is an essential consideration if you are planning to combine the wire connection with WiFi.

Also, think about the way you prefer this distribution be made, thinks like how the cables will be placed in the path to the devices if you are going to stick them to the floor or the walls.

And of course...

Don’t forget to consider how many Ethernet ports you need and want for each room. You can shop jack ports of one, two, four, six or even twelve connections, so keep in mind which one is best for your network needs.

Remember to avoid place the cables close to devices like microwaves or TVs when you design the network, the electromagnetic interference could affect the efficiency of the wired network.

Select the type of cable you want to use

It turns out that the cable that you choose to use has a significant influence on the network speed.

The wires used for internet connections are Ethernet cables, and they have several categories between you can choose.

We recommend you to decide between two categories, Cat5e and Cat6 both cables are some of the best options bases in a cost-efficiency relation.

Cat5e is currently the most used version of Ethernet cables, but cat6 is the future of the connections.

There are some subtle differences between the two categories, so make sure to know which of this types adapts better to your network needs.

Calculate the budget

This step will help you to have an estimated of how much money will be necessary to invest in the network.

Once you have decided where and how the wires distribution will be made and which cable category you will choose is time to measure the distances.

Calculate the lengths of cable that you will need, that way you wouldn’t buy less material of what you will use but, keep in mind that always is a good idea to acquire at least two more lengths of the planned just in case.

Also consider the rest of the materials you need to use wall plates, jack ports, drywall cutters, cable clips, etc.

Before to start to make the installation remember to check that you have all the necessary equipment to do the job, that way you wouldn’t have to stop in the middle of the process because something is missing.

Set up the cables

Ok, so once you have decided how the installation will be made and which materials you will use for your wired network is time to start to place the cables and connectors.

Here is the thing, you need to be clear that this part of the process is going to be complicated if you don’t have a basic knowledge in electrical installation so maybe you should consult an electrician before rummage with high voltages cables.

All houses are different so the step by step could vary for you from now on…

You already know the path that the cables will take so, the start by selecting where the router will be.

From that spot, you must start to put the cables in the direction of the devices that will be interconnected.

To pass the cables from one room to other some people make holes on their home’s walls but is necessary to use tools like a pointed hand saw to do it appropriately.

If you bet for this option get sure to measure correctly the diameter of the holes that you will make and try that the perforation be in a discrete place, that way the cables will not look messy.

To follow this method you need to considered the wall material.

If the walls of your home are made of drywall make the hole will be a simple process, but if are bricks walls this choice is unpractical.

But don’t worry,

There are other options to install the wired network less invasive and even easier to executed.

Stick the cables to the floor or the walls using glue or cables clips that are specially designed for this task is a great alternative.

You can find the glue and clips in a hardware store, and they aren’t expensive are all.

The method of the adhesive and clips also allow you to change the cables distribution easily, without the need to make another wall hole or have to cover the last one.

However, the installations don’t end just with the cables…

Install wall jack plates

So far so good, now that you already have set up the cables, you can proceed to install the wall jack plates.

This step is probably the most complicated of the process to build a wired home network.

The wall plates allow you to have multiples ports for different devices in the same place.

According to the jacks that you select the wall plate can have a combination of keystone jacks for Ethernet cables, USB, HDMI, BNC, etc. which made this article very useful.

To make the installation of the wall jacks plates is necessary to locate the internal cables in the wall and you need some tools to make the installation.

Is recommendable to use a stud finder to get sure that aren’t any objects behind the wall blocking the space in where you will make the installation.

Once you get sure that the wall is free of obstacles is time to make the hole for the plate, to do it you just need a drywall saw or a pointed hand saw.

Make the marks according to the plate size, but remember that they need to be at least two or three centimeters smaller.

Then cut the drywall with the shape of the marks, and start to pull the cables that are inside of the wall to the outside, is possible that you will need a hook if the cables are too far away from the hole.

Make sure that the length of the cables is long enough to pull them out.

The next step is to connect the terminal points of the cables with the back part of the ports of the wall plate then you are ready to connect the plate screwing in to the wall.

From that moment you will be free to connect all the external cables to the corresponding jack port.

If you want a clean finish you can install a faceplate to give a professional aspect to the installation.

Once you complete this guide you will have a wired home network that will offer you a better a faster internet connection.