using cat5 to wire sensors

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=103944
Printed Date: May 20, 2024 at 5:42 AM

Topic: using cat5 to wire sensors

Posted By: pepebuho
Subject: using cat5 to wire sensors
Date Posted: April 13, 2008 at 9:52 AM

Hi
I wonder about using CAT 5 wire to hook a sensor to my alarm (Viper 5002). The sensor is a movement sensor, Crimestopper AU94T which I am placing on the roof of a SUV. The wire with the sensor is AWG22, CAT5 is usually AWG24.
I do not think this sensor handles that much of a current.

What do people think of it?

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Illegitimi Non Carborundum

Replies:

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: April 13, 2008 at 10:12 AM

I am not going to say the ONLY problem with using Cat5 or any other non-stranded type of wire is a reliability issue. But that is at least one problem. The wire as you know is a single conductor. In an environment such as an automobile, it is subjected to a lot of vibration and flexing. This is generally not a problem for the wire still inside of the jacket. But once the jacket is stripped off of it the individual wires are allowed to move around a good bit. The solid wire will break over time. Just double up or triple up on the power and ground connections and use the remaining 2 conductors for the trigger wire. This way if 1 wire does break, the other or others will keep you working.

Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: April 13, 2008 at 1:18 PM

If you have it layin around....sure why not. But as idiot said, secure it well. If you need to purchase wire to do the job, don't spend it on CAT5.

Spend it on multistrand wire, the wire that should be used.

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Posted By: pepebuho
Date Posted: April 14, 2008 at 3:33 AM

Thanks!
The problem with multistrand wire is that at least on my country it is hard to come by. Anything with more than two wires becomes quite difficult to find out, specially at such small AWGs like 14+

JP

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Illegitimi Non Carborundum

Posted By: chriswallace187
Date Posted: April 14, 2008 at 4:18 AM

pepebuho,

Parts Express website says they'll ship to Panama with a $50 minimum order - you might want to look at that option.

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C Renner's Auto Electronix
My service is cheap, quick, and good - pick any two