From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

A typical installation, for me, requires 100-500 CAT5e drops.
I'd prefer to have "local talent" do this (licensed electricians on
a job site) but the consensus is they are woefully underqualified
for anything more than grunt work: stringing wire. Certainly
not qualified to install, configure and troubleshoot anything
more advanced than a doorbell!

So, I'll have to find other folks to actually connect the devices
to PRESTRUNG cable and bring the system up (much easier to do when
actually connecting the devices as they are still accessible at
that time so you can interact with them AS you are connecting them!)

But, you'd like to defer this until after the walls are in place.
Maybe even *after* the sale (so this can be priced as an add-on option, treating the cables' prior installation as overhead).

However, you don't want to discover that one or more cables are
toast as opening the walls to replace them is REALLY costly!

Ideally, I'd like to be able to test/qualify each cable before
that point. But, would like to avoid having to attach 8P8C's to
each end JUST to connect a test set. The 8P8C's would then have
to later be removed (cut off) and discarded by the installer.

[So, you're paying to have them attached to the cable ends SOLELY
for the purpose of ringing out the cable!]

Ideally, I'd like to be able to "connect" to the cables without
attaching a connector.

And obvious solution would be to strip the ends of each conductor
and insert them into a temporary connector (built into test set)
just for the duration of the test. But, stripping 8 conductors
also adds labor (many hundred times over).

So, I'm thinking of an IDC connector (ideally reusable but likely
not practical) so the conductors could be quickly connected for
the test. Then, the connector removed (cut off!) and discarded
after the cable is qualified.

As the connector is disposable, there's no need for it to be pinned "correctly"; the test set could sort out HOW *this* instance is
pinned and adapt itself to that configuration for the duration
of THAT test.

This burdens the tester with that additional capability. But, saves
labor costs by allowing relatively unskilled people to install and
test those cables.

Make sense?

The two questions are:
- is there a "reusable" IDC fixture that could provide this
connection as part of the tester (without having to incur the
cost of consumables)?
- any potential risks in this approach (besides ensuring that
the testing is done after the possibility of any cable damage
has passed)?

Bonus question: any way to check the cable without piercing the
insulation on each end?
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On Fri, 9 Jan 2026 07:45:49 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
wrote:

A typical installation, for me, requires 100-500 CAT5e drops.
I'd prefer to have "local talent" do this (licensed electricians on
a job site) but the consensus is they are woefully underqualified
for anything more than grunt work: stringing wire. Certainly
not qualified to install, configure and troubleshoot anything
more advanced than a doorbell!

So, I'll have to find other folks to actually connect the devices
to PRESTRUNG cable and bring the system up (much easier to do when
actually connecting the devices as they are still accessible at
that time so you can interact with them AS you are connecting them!)

But, you'd like to defer this until after the walls are in place.
Maybe even *after* the sale (so this can be priced as an add-on option, >treating the cables' prior installation as overhead).

However, you don't want to discover that one or more cables are
toast as opening the walls to replace them is REALLY costly!

Ideally, I'd like to be able to test/qualify each cable before
that point. But, would like to avoid having to attach 8P8C's to
each end JUST to connect a test set. The 8P8C's would then have
to later be removed (cut off) and discarded by the installer.

[So, you're paying to have them attached to the cable ends SOLELY
for the purpose of ringing out the cable!]

Ideally, I'd like to be able to "connect" to the cables without
attaching a connector.

And obvious solution would be to strip the ends of each conductor
and insert them into a temporary connector (built into test set)
just for the duration of the test. But, stripping 8 conductors
also adds labor (many hundred times over).

So, I'm thinking of an IDC connector (ideally reusable but likely
not practical) so the conductors could be quickly connected for
the test. Then, the connector removed (cut off!) and discarded
after the cable is qualified.

As the connector is disposable, there's no need for it to be pinned >"correctly"; the test set could sort out HOW *this* instance is
pinned and adapt itself to that configuration for the duration
of THAT test.

This burdens the tester with that additional capability. But, saves
labor costs by allowing relatively unskilled people to install and
test those cables.

Make sense?

The two questions are:
- is there a "reusable" IDC fixture that could provide this
connection as part of the tester (without having to incur the
cost of consumables)?
- any potential risks in this approach (besides ensuring that
the testing is done after the possibility of any cable damage
has passed)?

Bonus question: any way to check the cable without piercing the
insulation on each end?

I can imagine testing the whole thing, or even individual wires, with capacitive coupling through the insulation.

TDR or capacitive measurements would tell you a lot from one end.

But is a cable likely to be damaged somewhere between the ends?

Use wi-fi!


John Larkin
Highland Tech Glen Canyon Design Center
Lunatic Fringe Electronics
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On Fri, 9 Jan 2026 07:45:49 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
wrote:

A typical installation, for me, requires 100-500 CAT5e drops.
I'd prefer to have "local talent" do this (licensed electricians on
a job site) but the consensus is they are woefully underqualified
for anything more than grunt work: stringing wire. Certainly
not qualified to install, configure and troubleshoot anything
more advanced than a doorbell!

So, I'll have to find other folks to actually connect the devices
to PRESTRUNG cable and bring the system up (much easier to do when
actually connecting the devices as they are still accessible at
that time so you can interact with them AS you are connecting them!)

But, you'd like to defer this until after the walls are in place.
Maybe even *after* the sale (so this can be priced as an add-on option, >treating the cables' prior installation as overhead).

However, you don't want to discover that one or more cables are
toast as opening the walls to replace them is REALLY costly!

Ideally, I'd like to be able to test/qualify each cable before
that point. But, would like to avoid having to attach 8P8C's to
each end JUST to connect a test set. The 8P8C's would then have
to later be removed (cut off) and discarded by the installer.

This is a classic problem. The classic solution is conduit, which can
be plastic for low-power signal cables. (For extra shielding, use
grounded steel conduit.)

Grunt labor installs the conduits (including a pull tape) and closes
the walls. Better grade of grunt labor pulls cables (plus a few
extras) into the conduits.

Then test and connect the cables, using only cables that work.

Joe

[So, you're paying to have them attached to the cable ends SOLELY
for the purpose of ringing out the cable!]

Ideally, I'd like to be able to "connect" to the cables without
attaching a connector.

And obvious solution would be to strip the ends of each conductor
and insert them into a temporary connector (built into test set)
just for the duration of the test. But, stripping 8 conductors
also adds labor (many hundred times over).

So, I'm thinking of an IDC connector (ideally reusable but likely
not practical) so the conductors could be quickly connected for
the test. Then, the connector removed (cut off!) and discarded
after the cable is qualified.

As the connector is disposable, there's no need for it to be pinned >"correctly"; the test set could sort out HOW *this* instance is
pinned and adapt itself to that configuration for the duration
of THAT test.

This burdens the tester with that additional capability. But, saves
labor costs by allowing relatively unskilled people to install and
test those cables.

Make sense?

The two questions are:
- is there a "reusable" IDC fixture that could provide this
connection as part of the tester (without having to incur the
cost of consumables)?
- any potential risks in this approach (besides ensuring that
the testing is done after the possibility of any cable damage
has passed)?

Bonus question: any way to check the cable without piercing the
insulation on each end?

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

Make sense?

The two questions are:
- is there a "reusable" IDC fixture that could provide this
connection as part of the tester (without having to incur the
cost of consumables)?
- any potential risks in this approach (besides ensuring that
the testing is done after the possibility of any cable damage
has passed)?

Bonus question: any way to check the cable without piercing the
insulation on each end?

I wonder if there's an IDC fixture for standard cat5e/etc type cables,
without having to untwist the twisted pairs?

ie the installer feeds through the brown pair through the brown slot, blue through blue slot, etc. Then squeeze the two parts together and the IDC
grabs the conductors, making contact and connects to an RJ45 socket.

You end up with something where you potentially have swaps within pairs.
Maybe you don't actually care about that if both ends are swapped (the
signal doesn't care the colour of the insulation), or maybe that's fixable later with jumpers on the PCB.

Then this is both your test fixture and final termination.

I don't think a typical ribbon cable IDC would do it, but perhaps there is another sort of IDC socket which is set up so a twisted pair would get
clamped and pierced correctly?

Theo
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On 1/9/26 16:40, Theo wrote:

Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

Make sense?

The two questions are:
- is there a "reusable" IDC fixture that could provide this
connection as part of the tester (without having to incur the
cost of consumables)?
- any potential risks in this approach (besides ensuring that
the testing is done after the possibility of any cable damage
has passed)?

Bonus question: any way to check the cable without piercing the
insulation on each end?

I wonder if there's an IDC fixture for standard cat5e/etc type cables, without having to untwist the twisted pairs?

ie the installer feeds through the brown pair through the brown slot, blue through blue slot, etc. Then squeeze the two parts together and the IDC grabs the conductors, making contact and connects to an RJ45 socket.

You end up with something where you potentially have swaps within pairs. Maybe you don't actually care about that if both ends are swapped (the
signal doesn't care the colour of the insulation), or maybe that's fixable later with jumpers on the PCB.

Then this is both your test fixture and final termination.

I don't think a typical ribbon cable IDC would do it, but perhaps there is another sort of IDC socket which is set up so a twisted pair would get clamped and pierced correctly?

Theo

There is twisted-pair cable that has ordinary flat sections at
regular intervals.

Jeroen Belleman
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On 09/01/2026 15:40, Theo wrote:

Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

Make sense?

The two questions are:
- is there a "reusable" IDC fixture that could provide this
connection as part of the tester (without having to incur the
cost of consumables)?
- any potential risks in this approach (besides ensuring that
the testing is done after the possibility of any cable damage
has passed)?

Bonus question: any way to check the cable without piercing the
insulation on each end?

I wonder if there's an IDC fixture for standard cat5e/etc type cables, without having to untwist the twisted pairs?

ie the installer feeds through the brown pair through the brown slot, blue through blue slot, etc. Then squeeze the two parts together and the IDC grabs the conductors, making contact and connects to an RJ45 socket.

You end up with something where you potentially have swaps within pairs. Maybe you don't actually care about that if both ends are swapped (the
signal doesn't care the colour of the insulation), or maybe that's fixable later with jumpers on the PCB.

Then this is both your test fixture and final termination.

I don't think a typical ribbon cable IDC would do it, but perhaps there is another sort of IDC socket which is set up so a twisted pair would get clamped and pierced correctly?

These perhaps?
https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/3205044.pdf
John


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On 1/9/2026 8:40 AM, Theo wrote:

Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

Make sense?

The two questions are:
- is there a "reusable" IDC fixture that could provide this
connection as part of the tester (without having to incur the
cost of consumables)?
- any potential risks in this approach (besides ensuring that
the testing is done after the possibility of any cable damage
has passed)?

Bonus question: any way to check the cable without piercing the
insulation on each end?

I wonder if there's an IDC fixture for standard cat5e/etc type cables, without having to untwist the twisted pairs?

I've not seen one. There are some 8P8C's that allow you to push
the (set of) conductors clear through the connector shell, exiting
at the leading edge of the connector shell (where the contacts are
located). After crimping, you trim off the excess with a pair
of side cutters.

<https://www.amazon.com/Connector-Plated-Ethernet-Through-100Pack/dp/B07VZZZWGH>

These are nice in that you aren't trying to keep all of the conductors
firmly engaged in the shell while crimping. Annoying to jam the conductors
in, crimp and then discover one was "too short".

Even nicer if you don't care which conductor ends up where! :>

ie the installer feeds through the brown pair through the brown slot, blue through blue slot, etc. Then squeeze the two parts together and the IDC grabs the conductors, making contact and connects to an RJ45 socket.

Note I wouldn't care if the brown pair ended up in the blue slot...
or, even if the brown pair got *split* and ended up SHARING the
blue slot with the blue pair. The test set could sort out which
wire is where before checking the cable.

And, as the installer is going to cut off that connector, there is
no need for *it* to maintain any "standards compliance".

You end up with something where you potentially have swaps within pairs. Maybe you don't actually care about that if both ends are swapped (the
signal doesn't care the colour of the insulation), or maybe that's fixable later with jumpers on the PCB.

See above.

Then this is both your test fixture and final termination.

I can't use 8P8C's. They are too "massive" (amusing choice of word
for such a tiny part). But, when the only things at the endpoints
are service loops of cable, I can tolerate the presence of the connector;
tuck the end of the tested cable into the jbox and attach cover plate. Installer will, at some future time/date, open box, remove connector and install endpoint device(s).

I don't think a typical ribbon cable IDC would do it, but perhaps there is another sort of IDC socket which is set up so a twisted pair would get clamped and pierced correctly?

If the "wire puller" (grunt) only has to affix a connector without
concern for which wire goes where, he can use a "regular" 8P8C
without taking care to arrange the individual conductors correctly.
He'd have to ensure each actually made contact (hence the sort
of "push through" connector shell mentioned above) and made a
genuine effort not to lose the twists in the pairs.

The downside is you have to discard a pair of connectors for each
cable.

And, *fit* that pair before you can test.

Imagine you can fit and crimp a connector in a minute (remember,
you're on a ladder, in a crawl space, etc. while doing so, not
seated at a bench). That's 10 hours of work for 300 drops;
16 hours for 500 drops.

Not counting the time it takes you to pull or move from point
A to point B.

Hence the (ideal) appeal of just cutting the cable and jamming
the "unprepared" end into a test set; no need to cut, remove
jacket, separate conductors, crimp connector, etc.

Barring that, being able to remove the jacket, splay the individual
conductors unceremoniously into a RUSABLE connector IN the test set
and qualify the cable. Disengage conductors and move on to next cable.

Note that you need to verify each conductor, not just "mechanical
continuity" for the cable itself; a conductor may have been damaged
during the pull (the contractor may have had a *carpenter* pulling
the cables -- it's just a thick string, right? <rolls eyes>)
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On 1/9/2026 8:22 AM, Joe Gwinn wrote:

On Fri, 9 Jan 2026 07:45:49 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
wrote:

A typical installation, for me, requires 100-500 CAT5e drops.
I'd prefer to have "local talent" do this (licensed electricians on
a job site) but the consensus is they are woefully underqualified
for anything more than grunt work: stringing wire. Certainly
not qualified to install, configure and troubleshoot anything
more advanced than a doorbell!

So, I'll have to find other folks to actually connect the devices
to PRESTRUNG cable and bring the system up (much easier to do when
actually connecting the devices as they are still accessible at
that time so you can interact with them AS you are connecting them!)

But, you'd like to defer this until after the walls are in place.
Maybe even *after* the sale (so this can be priced as an add-on option,
treating the cables' prior installation as overhead).

However, you don't want to discover that one or more cables are
toast as opening the walls to replace them is REALLY costly!

Ideally, I'd like to be able to test/qualify each cable before
that point. But, would like to avoid having to attach 8P8C's to
each end JUST to connect a test set. The 8P8C's would then have
to later be removed (cut off) and discarded by the installer.

This is a classic problem. The classic solution is conduit, which can
be plastic for low-power signal cables. (For extra shielding, use
grounded steel conduit.)

Ignore the extra material and labor cost (for the moment).

Problem is one of scale. Walk through YOUR house. Count the number
of duplex receptacles, individual light switches (not the number of
BOXES with switches in them but the actual number of switches),
light fixtures, other electronic devices (tstats, doorbell
annunciators), CATV/phone connections, etc. Imagine EACH is fed
by an individual cable that can be traced back to the main panel
(network switch, in my case).

Chances are, you won't come close to the numbers involved.

And, you'd have to run a conduit for each of those individual
drops. You end up with a shitload of intermediary pull boxes,
often in close proximity to each other.

You can only get a few (4) cables in a 1/2" EMT (more in larger
conduits) and typically can't run a "farther" cable through a
"nearer" box due to the locations of those boxes. This differs
from mains wiring where you can "start" the run to the next
box from an upstream box.

It's easier to just add loom to cable "bundles" after the fact
(to dress it up and provide increased isolation from other cables)

And, it still does nothing for TESTING the cables.

Grunt labor installs the conduits (including a pull tape) and closes
the walls. Better grade of grunt labor pulls cables (plus a few
extras) into the conduits.

Then test and connect the cables, using only cables that work.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On 1/9/2026 10:14 AM, John R Walliker wrote:

On 09/01/2026 15:40, Theo wrote:

Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

Make sense?

The two questions are:
- is there a "reusable" IDC fixture that could provide this
connection as part of the tester (without having to incur the
cost of consumables)?
- any potential risks in this approach (besides ensuring that
the testing is done after the possibility of any cable damage
has passed)?

Bonus question:-a any way to check the cable without piercing the
insulation on each end?

I wonder if there's an IDC fixture for standard cat5e/etc type cables,
without having to untwist the twisted pairs?

ie the installer feeds through the brown pair through the brown slot, blue >> through blue slot, etc.-a Then squeeze the two parts together and the IDC
grabs the conductors, making contact and connects to an RJ45 socket.

You end up with something where you potentially have swaps within pairs.
Maybe you don't actually care about that if both ends are swapped (the
signal doesn't care the colour of the insulation), or maybe that's fixable >> later with jumpers on the PCB.

Then this is both your test fixture and final termination.

I don't think a typical ribbon cable IDC would do it, but perhaps there is >> another sort of IDC socket which is set up so a twisted pair would get
clamped and pierced correctly?

These perhaps?
https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/3205044.pdf

The connector, itself, is HUGE! :<

But, treating the "clamshell" as part of the test set, the "core carrier" (their term, not mine) MIGHT be reusable. It seems to suggest the
insulation is pierced when the clamshell closes on it.

No doubt it (core carrier) can be extracted from the clamshell, later.

But, I'm not sure if the pierced conductors can be removed from the
"core carrier" once it has been engaged.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On 2026-01-09, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

But, you'd like to defer this until after the walls are in place.
Maybe even *after* the sale (so this can be priced as an add-on option, treating the cables' prior installation as overhead).

However, you don't want to discover that one or more cables are
toast as opening the walls to replace them is REALLY costly!

yeah, but if one of the cables is damaged why is that your cost?

Ideally, I'd like to be able to test/qualify each cable before

that point. But, would like to avoid having to attach 8P8C's to
each end JUST to connect a test set. The 8P8C's would then have
to later be removed (cut off) and discarded by the installer.

why can't it stay?

anyway

Perhaps install the cable without cutting it - then you only need to
terminate two ends to test it.
--
Jasen.
Efc|Efca -i-+-#-#-# -u-|-C-#-u-+-u
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On Fri, 9 Jan 2026 15:53:18 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
wrote:

On 1/9/2026 8:22 AM, Joe Gwinn wrote:

On Fri, 9 Jan 2026 07:45:49 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
wrote:

A typical installation, for me, requires 100-500 CAT5e drops.
I'd prefer to have "local talent" do this (licensed electricians on
a job site) but the consensus is they are woefully underqualified
for anything more than grunt work: stringing wire. Certainly
not qualified to install, configure and troubleshoot anything
more advanced than a doorbell!

So, I'll have to find other folks to actually connect the devices
to PRESTRUNG cable and bring the system up (much easier to do when
actually connecting the devices as they are still accessible at
that time so you can interact with them AS you are connecting them!)

But, you'd like to defer this until after the walls are in place.
Maybe even *after* the sale (so this can be priced as an add-on option,
treating the cables' prior installation as overhead).

However, you don't want to discover that one or more cables are
toast as opening the walls to replace them is REALLY costly!

Ideally, I'd like to be able to test/qualify each cable before
that point. But, would like to avoid having to attach 8P8C's to
each end JUST to connect a test set. The 8P8C's would then have
to later be removed (cut off) and discarded by the installer.

This is a classic problem. The classic solution is conduit, which can
be plastic for low-power signal cables. (For extra shielding, use
grounded steel conduit.)

Ignore the extra material and labor cost (for the moment).

Problem is one of scale. Walk through YOUR house. Count the number
of duplex receptacles, individual light switches (not the number of
BOXES with switches in them but the actual number of switches),
light fixtures, other electronic devices (tstats, doorbell
annunciators), CATV/phone connections, etc. Imagine EACH is fed
by an individual cable that can be traced back to the main panel
(network switch, in my case).

Chances are, you won't come close to the numbers involved.

And, you'd have to run a conduit for each of those individual
drops. You end up with a shitload of intermediary pull boxes,
often in close proximity to each other.

You can only get a few (4) cables in a 1/2" EMT (more in larger
conduits) and typically can't run a "farther" cable through a
"nearer" box due to the locations of those boxes. This differs
from mains wiring where you can "start" the run to the next
box from an upstream box.

It's easier to just add loom to cable "bundles" after the fact
(to dress it up and provide increased isolation from other cables)

And, it still does nothing for TESTING the cables.

Grunt labor installs the conduits (including a pull tape) and closes
the walls. Better grade of grunt labor pulls cables (plus a few
extras) into the conduits.

Then test and connect the cables, using only cables that work.

Solved problem. Use larger conduit, and have "data closets" in conveniently-located closets. I'm describing a standard way that
office buildings are wired.

Joe
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On 1/10/2026 4:07 PM, Joe Gwinn wrote:

On Fri, 9 Jan 2026 15:53:18 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
wrote:

On 1/9/2026 8:22 AM, Joe Gwinn wrote:

On Fri, 9 Jan 2026 07:45:49 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
wrote:

A typical installation, for me, requires 100-500 CAT5e drops.
I'd prefer to have "local talent" do this (licensed electricians on
a job site) but the consensus is they are woefully underqualified
for anything more than grunt work: stringing wire. Certainly
not qualified to install, configure and troubleshoot anything
more advanced than a doorbell!

So, I'll have to find other folks to actually connect the devices
to PRESTRUNG cable and bring the system up (much easier to do when
actually connecting the devices as they are still accessible at
that time so you can interact with them AS you are connecting them!)

But, you'd like to defer this until after the walls are in place.
Maybe even *after* the sale (so this can be priced as an add-on option, >>>> treating the cables' prior installation as overhead).

However, you don't want to discover that one or more cables are
toast as opening the walls to replace them is REALLY costly!

Ideally, I'd like to be able to test/qualify each cable before
that point. But, would like to avoid having to attach 8P8C's to
each end JUST to connect a test set. The 8P8C's would then have
to later be removed (cut off) and discarded by the installer.

This is a classic problem. The classic solution is conduit, which can
be plastic for low-power signal cables. (For extra shielding, use
grounded steel conduit.)

Ignore the extra material and labor cost (for the moment).

Problem is one of scale. Walk through YOUR house. Count the number
of duplex receptacles, individual light switches (not the number of
BOXES with switches in them but the actual number of switches),
light fixtures, other electronic devices (tstats, doorbell
annunciators), CATV/phone connections, etc. Imagine EACH is fed
by an individual cable that can be traced back to the main panel
(network switch, in my case).

Chances are, you won't come close to the numbers involved.

And, you'd have to run a conduit for each of those individual
drops. You end up with a shitload of intermediary pull boxes,
often in close proximity to each other.

You can only get a few (4) cables in a 1/2" EMT (more in larger
conduits) and typically can't run a "farther" cable through a
"nearer" box due to the locations of those boxes. This differs
from mains wiring where you can "start" the run to the next
box from an upstream box.

It's easier to just add loom to cable "bundles" after the fact
(to dress it up and provide increased isolation from other cables)

And, it still does nothing for TESTING the cables.

Grunt labor installs the conduits (including a pull tape) and closes
the walls. Better grade of grunt labor pulls cables (plus a few
extras) into the conduits.

Then test and connect the cables, using only cables that work.

Solved problem. Use larger conduit, and have "data closets" in conveniently-located closets. I'm describing a standard way that
office buildings are wired.

Office buildings, plants, etc. have far more places to hide that
sort of thing than most residences. And, are more tolerant
of its presence/appearance.

*Basements* (and attics) would be a possible alternative but many
places have neither. And, people aren't keen on seeing conduit in
homes. SWMBO insists I paint all the conduit and boxes on the front
porch, despite them being up in the rafters, to make them less
noticeable (painted conduit looks as tacky as painted wood trim, IMO)

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