how do you calculate how much cable is needed for a run?

[Marzipan]

I have to run a cable along the corner of the ceiling in my basement, which has to bass through 3 doorways. I estimate there's at least a 10" drop from the ceiling, 5 or 6" of actual jam and then back up 10" to the ceiling. I know from previous experience that I will need more than 26" of length because the bends made have to be calculated for, however I don't want to end up with too much extra cable at either end of the run.

yes, yes, make your own...but I don't want to. I don't have the tools, don't know anyone with the tools that is local and I so rarely have to do anyting like this that buying a crimping kt, etc, is a total waste.

 

[clshades]

Buy some string from home Depot and figure it out fatass!

 

[Izerous]

Buy some string from home Depot and figure it out fatass!

I do this to estimate how much tubing a computer needs too and add 10% or buy a spool that I know is excessively longer than I need so I can use it for other things.

 

[JD]

Not quite sure I'm understanding correctly, but if you are wrapping a CAT6 cable through a doorway, the door is not going to close anymore... You'd have to run to the floor and then back up the wall.

Do you have a drop ceiling? Would be easier to pop out the tiles and run the cable through the joist cavities. More direct too in most cases.

 

[crazyea]

Buy some string from home Depot and figure it out fatass!

booooo!

 

[Marzipan]

string... didn't even occur to me!

@JD I have no idea why there are 3 doorways so close together...but they never had doors in them.

 

[lcdguy]

just buy a 1000ft of cable and run the cable j/k. string/pulling twine is your best bet.