Can You Run Regular Ethernet Cables Outside?

Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

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Cable category terms like Cat5e and Cat6 have that industrial twang, so, understandably, some may assume they're tough enough for outdoor use. And they can do more than just improve home internet, which is especially helpful for security cameras on your porch or in your yard. Sure, you can use standard Ethernet cables outdoors, but you can also run outside in a lightning storm with a ten-foot metal pole above your head — just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. Standard indoor cables have a flexible PVC jacket, which is susceptible to sunlight. Over time it will fade and crack, exposing the internal components and ultimately degrading the connection.

Outside temperatures and rain accelerate the problem. The copper in an Ethernet cable won't have proper protection from lightning strikesand other elements. Use a cable...

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