# Can you run regular Ethernet cables outside?

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/can-you-run-regular-ethernet-cables-outside/
- Published: 2026-10-26T00:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T04:10:04+00:00
- Original publisher: Engadget
- Original article: https://www.engadget.com/2294283/ethernet-cables-use-outside-explained/
- Topics: Geopolitics, Politics

## Key points

- Indoor Ethernet jackets can crack and fail outdoors.
- Use outdoor-rated cable, with direct burial rating for underground runs.
- Check local rules, cable markings and indoor fire-safety requirements.

## Summary

Standard indoor Ethernet cables can be run outside, but their PVC jackets can degrade under sunlight, rain and temperature changes, eventually exposing the wiring and disrupting the connection. The article advises using cables rated for outdoor conditions to reduce this risk and protect the installation.

For a short exterior run, use outdoor-rated cable; for a route underground, choose one marked for direct burial and check local rules on burial depth, conduit and permitted cable types. Look for markings such as “CMX”, “OSP”, “UV-resistant” or “outdoor”, secure cables against abrasion, and fit surge protection at both ends. Outdoor-rated cables may not meet indoor fire-safety requirements, so check their documentation before bringing them inside; outdoor-rated fibre is another option.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.