Fishing ethernet cable through house - Completely stumped

polo3400

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Apr 13, 2014
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Hey everyone.

Posting this because I'm having trouble putting and ethernet cable through my house; here are the details.

My house has thick walls, so I can't just drill into them, instead they have pre-installed tubing that leads all around the house (supposedly). Currently, I have an ethernet cable going from downstairs to upstairs and into a bedroom for a computer. This is where it gets a bit complicated, stay with me!

Behind each "hub" of tubing, there is a white panel to make everything look nice. There is one upstairs and one downstairs. I followed my existing wire through its tubing and assumed I could put the new cable through the same one and everything would be swell. Well, when I try to fish the wire through, it doesn't appear at the other end - I have no idea why. I've tried from both sides with the cable never emerging.

I'm thinking that there is another hub somewhere that I don't know of, but I've searched the house with no result. Does anyone have any ideas that may help, or perhaps a tip that might help me out? Even if the problem can be identified I'd be grateful, thanks in advance!
 
Solution
If there is existing wiring, what are we trying to do? Fish new/more wire through?

If so...use the existing cable to pull multiple strands of new wire through. Along with a long piece of twine to pull more through the next time.

polo3400

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Apr 13, 2014
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Thanks for the tip. I've tried this surprisingly but nothing seems to come of it. the wire seems to be getting stuck somewhere I'd imagine.
 
unless it is very short you can not just push ethernet cable through conduit. you normally have to pull it. What you need is what is many times called fish tape. It is a reel of very stiff steel wire that is still somewhat flexible. You can push that though most conduit.

If your conduit is sealed well...ie it solid plastic tubes all the way.. you can use a shop vac on one end and suck a string with a small piece of paper on the end. You can then tie the ethernet cable to it and pull it back.
 

polo3400

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Apr 13, 2014
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Yes, both the phoneline and internet line seem to come into the house just where my modem was installed, next to a hub.
 

polo3400

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Apr 13, 2014
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Ah I like that idea; I'll see if I can get hold of any and share the results (getting things in Dubai can be a pain).

 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
If there is existing wiring, what are we trying to do? Fish new/more wire through?

If so...use the existing cable to pull multiple strands of new wire through. Along with a long piece of twine to pull more through the next time.
 
Solution

polo3400

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Apr 13, 2014
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4,530


yep that's what I'm trying to do. Problem being that when I attempt nothing comes out the other end.