That does look a bit odd but yes it's likely for weather protection. I just keep my spares open in the box and really have not had any issues. If the connectors are good gold plated contacts it should easily handle normal outdoor humidity and temps. I like the rubber plugs but in high humidity I could also see it trapping some moisture in the enclosures. My outside box is good enough for weather protection even with thunderstorms that drive rain sideways. I installed 2 vents with foam inserts and one is connected to a thermal fan control. Comes on above 85F. Never any problem.
Long outdoors network cable run – Part 2 ... Fiber Optic run working
- Thread starter Virga
- Start date
I was looking at those for an outdoor projector housing I am devising for my Christmas decorations.
The enclosure is IP6X rated, and indeed experience has shown that dirt and/or water have so far not gotten into the enclosure.
The idea of plugging unused ports with crimped RJ45 connectors was suggested in another thread (I could not find it or would have linked to it), as I recall by one of the participants in this thread who I particularly regard for his outdoors installation experience. Key point mentioned was to crimp the RJ45 connectors with conductors, or proper contact would not be made. I just used cut-off the ends of old ethernet cables no longer in use. The short stubs of cable make for convenient “handles” especially for handling greased connectors, as well as color code the ports. My personal practice is using colors for sequencing ports or most anything, with the same color sequence.
The suggestion to use RJ45 connectors crimped with conductors, and dielectric grease to protect open ports outdoors, seems a good practice to me, so I follow it.
Every trade has its own practices as regards conductor colors. The green and white conductors come from the gate controller that has quite a few low voltage conductors, and these two colors are the ones the gate techs use for this purpose. My practice is to not complicate things for service techs by staying consistent with their practice. This way they do find surprises when they have to work on their part of the system. because that could result in not-good outcomes.
Unused ports come in handy for future expansion. In another thread I solicited opinions on where I should place cams at my gate. They add up to seven, including one I added that you guys missed. I now have two of those seven in service with much help from @Ri22o, six more ports to go on the cams switch. Have never regretted provision for future expansion. Who knows what you guys might inspire me to go for, or I might come up with on my own. Seven ports available on the other switch, but who's counting, for additional controls, perhaps an AP, perhaps lighting related etc. You guys got me to pull 400’ of FO through a ¾” conduit, now I might as well have fun with it.
The idea of plugging unused ports with crimped RJ45 connectors was suggested in another thread (I could not find it or would have linked to it), as I recall by one of the participants in this thread who I particularly regard for his outdoors installation experience. Key point mentioned was to crimp the RJ45 connectors with conductors, or proper contact would not be made. I just used cut-off the ends of old ethernet cables no longer in use. The short stubs of cable make for convenient “handles” especially for handling greased connectors, as well as color code the ports. My personal practice is using colors for sequencing ports or most anything, with the same color sequence.
The suggestion to use RJ45 connectors crimped with conductors, and dielectric grease to protect open ports outdoors, seems a good practice to me, so I follow it.
Every trade has its own practices as regards conductor colors. The green and white conductors come from the gate controller that has quite a few low voltage conductors, and these two colors are the ones the gate techs use for this purpose. My practice is to not complicate things for service techs by staying consistent with their practice. This way they do find surprises when they have to work on their part of the system. because that could result in not-good outcomes.
Unused ports come in handy for future expansion. In another thread I solicited opinions on where I should place cams at my gate. They add up to seven, including one I added that you guys missed. I now have two of those seven in service with much help from @Ri22o, six more ports to go on the cams switch. Have never regretted provision for future expansion. Who knows what you guys might inspire me to go for, or I might come up with on my own. Seven ports available on the other switch, but who's counting, for additional controls, perhaps an AP, perhaps lighting related etc. You guys got me to pull 400’ of FO through a ¾” conduit, now I might as well have fun with it.
