The demand for outdoor networking has increased significantly as lifestyles and technologies expand beyond a home’s four walls. With property values increasingly at a premium, more people are converting outdoor spaces into functional areas, integrating outdoor entertainment, workspaces and smart infrastructure. Now with so many new devices available, including outdoor Wi-Fi, surveillance systems, security devices, IoT applications and landscape lighting, all of which require stable, high-performance connectivity, reliable outdoor-rated network cables have become a new essential.

Commercial environments are also driving demand. Hospitality venues, retail spaces and corporate campuses require robust outdoor networking to support guest Wi-Fi, security systems, and business-critical IoT applications. These installations often face higher bandwidth demands and require reliable, long-term connectivity.

Unlike indoor cables, outdoor-rated cables must be tough enough to withstand a wide array of harsh conditions. Exposure to moisture, UV radiation, extreme temperatures and other physical stresses can degrade performance and shorten an inadequate cable’s lifespan significantly. The right cable selection therefore becomes crucial to maximizing overall system performance and longevity and to reducing maintenance and service calls.

A new article from our partners at Kordz explores the key challenges, best practices, and innovations in outdoor network cabling, helping integrators make informed choices that enhance performance, durability, and installation efficiency.

Outdoor Installation Challenges

Outdoor network installations introduce a range of challenges that can impact performance and longevity. Extreme weather conditions, moisture and physical wear are some of the biggest threats that outdoor cables face. Without the right cable selection and installation techniques, degradation and failure become unavoidable.

Mother nature puts outdoor cables through their paces. For example, moisture from rain, humidity or soil contact can cause corrosion and signal loss. UV radiation from sunlight degrades cable jackets over time, leading to cracking and brittleness. Temperature fluctuations can cause materials to expand, contract and weaken. Rodents and vermin can also damage cable insulation, exposing conductors and leading to connectivity failures.

Common installation mistakes can further compromise outdoor cable performance. Improper conduit use, poor terminations and failure to protect against water ingress can cause failures that require corrective maintenance. Water entering a cable through an unsealed termination or a damaged jacket can travel significant distances within the insulation. In extreme cases, the network cable can act as a pipeline, channelling water directly into connected electronics, resulting in water damage that can entail costly repairs or complete device failure.

Some manufacturers compensate for outdoor environmental challenges by increasing the cable thickness; however, this approach leads to stiffer cables, which can then make installation harder. Stiff cables can be difficult to route around corners, through conduit, or in tight spaces, especially in cold conditions, which further reduces their flexibility. In contrast, slim and flexible cables improve installation efficiency while maintaining durability and therefore, they reduce stress on connection points.

By adopting the suggested best practices to follow in this article, integrators can mitigate these challenges and extend the lifespan of their installations.

Choosing the Right Outdoor Network Cable

Selecting the right cable type is critical for reliable outdoor connectivity. In the AV integration space, the terminology used to describe outdoor cables varies significantly across different regions and brands, making selection difficult. Some may refer to them as ‘exterior grade,’ ‘duct grade,’ ‘weatherproof’ or ‘direct burial’, but there is no universal standard. This can make it confusing when it comes to choosing the right cables. So, firstly, it is important to understand whether your cable will be installed above or below ground, and if below ground – with or without conduit.

Above Ground Installation. Kordz “outdoor” cables all feature a UV-stabilized jacket designed to resist degradation from sunlight exposure. This makes them suitable for external environments above ground, in which they may be exposed to the elements, or below ground inside conduit.

Below Ground Installation. Below ground, also known as direct burial, denotes a cable that includes both a UV-stabilized jacket and gel-filling or water-blocking elements to waterproof the terminations by preventing water ingress and propagation. These cables are specifically engineered for below ground installation without the need for additional conduit. They can withstand underground moisture, shifting soil and mechanical stress, while maintaining reliable connectivity. The Kordz ONE Direct Burial Network Cable system features a true direct-burial construction for underground installation.

Discreet, Tight and Hard-to-Reach Installations. It is also important to identify if a regular or slim outdoor cable must be used. For installations that require discretion to maintain an aesthetic, or routing in hard-to-reach places such as tight pathways, a slim outdoor cable will make the installation immeasurably easier. The Kordz PRO SlimCat Outdoor Network Cable system specifically addresses many of these challenges. With all the power of regular Cat6 cable in half the physical size, it is designed for easier routing in obvious, tight and hard-to-reach spaces while maintaining the durability required for long-term outdoor performance.

Other Outdoor Considerations. While not always required, installations such as heavy industrial or high-traffic areas may necessitate additional outdoor cable features to ensure installation longevity in harsher environments. In these situations, ‘armored’ (which describes the inclusion of metallic armoring that prevents damage from mechanical impact or fauna interaction) or ‘ruggedized’ (denoting additional jacketing layers to increase core protection or similar qualifiers to denote the products’ additional features) may be necessary.

The below chart shows popular outdoor network cables from Kordz.

Best Practices in Outdoor Connectivity

Ensuring reliable connectivity in outdoor environments requires careful planning and the right materials. Unlike indoor installations, outdoor networks must account for environmental factors that can degrade performance over time. Selecting the correct cable type, using proper installation methods, and applying protective measures will ensure reliable, long-lasting connectivity in demanding outdoor environments and reduce the risk of failures.

1. Ensure appropriate distance from high voltage cables. An important consideration is installation near high-voltage power cables, where local electrical codes and overall industry guidelines dictate minimum separation distances to prevent interference and electrical hazards. Following theses standards is essential for both safety and performance.

2. Use conduit wherever possible. Conduit, shielding and gel-filled cables all play a role in protecting outdoor network connections. Conduit provides an extra layer of mechanical protection against physical damage, UV exposure and moisture ingress. Conduit also provides an easier path for cable replacements, additions and upgrades. It should be utilized in outdoor installations wherever possible.

3. Avoid installing cable tension points. When installing cable, avoid sharp bends or tension points that may over stress the cable and cause mechanical strain. These tight paths may be future failure points.

4. Waterproof your termination. Where flowing water is a potential hazard, waterproofing terminations and the use of gel-filled cables is advised to prevent propagation of water into equipment.

5. Consider surge protection and grounding. In outdoor environments, one of the most overlooked yet critical factors is surge protection. Electrical surges caused by lightning strikes—either direct or induced through nearby strikes—can cause severe damage to network infrastructure. Overvoltage can travel along copper conductors, potentially damaging or destroying connected devices. Integrators should account for these risks by incorporating surge protection devices where outdoor cabling enters a building or connects to sensitive equipment. These devices help to dissipate excess voltage safely, preserving both equipment and cable integrity.

Furthermore, grounding is essential in outdoor installations. Proper earthing of connected hardware ensures that any stray voltage is safely discharged. This not only protects connected devices but also contributes to overall system reliability.

While no cable can prevent a direct lightning strike from causing damage, taking a proactive approach to surge and overvoltage protection significantly reduces the chance of failure. As outdoor networks become more critical to both residential and commercial operations, protecting them against unpredictable electrical events is an important part of a well-designed system.

6. Allow for future readiness. Planning for long-term performance is just as important as ensuring immediate reliability. Outdoor installations should support potential expansions and evolving network demands. Selecting cables that exceed current performance requirements helps integrators avoid costly upgrades and ensures the system remains capable of handling future connectivity needs, as does installing conduit as described above.

Conclusion

Outdoor network installations require careful planning and the right cable selection to ensure long-term performance and reliability. Unlike indoor environments, outdoor conditions expose cables to harsh weather, UV radiation, moisture, and mechanical stress. Without appropriate protection, network failures and costly corrective maintenance become inevitable.

Choosing the right cable is the first step in creating a robust and reliable outdoor network. Outdoor-rated and direct burial cables are specifically designed to withstand environmental challenges, reducing maintenance, improving reliability and extending installation lifespan. Best practices such as using conduit, ensuring waterproof terminations, and selecting flexible yet durable cables help integrators avoid common installation pitfalls and costly failures. However, as regulations and recommended practices vary between countries, integrators should always refer to their local requirements before installation.

As demand for outdoor connectivity grows, integrators who understand these challenges and solutions will be better positioned to expand their business. By selecting high-quality outdoor-rated cables and following best installation practices, they can deliver long-lasting, high-performance solutions for both residential and commercial clients.

Click here to read the original article from our partners at Kordz.