If you just mounted your Starlink dish on the roof, you’re probably wondering how to get Starlink cable into house. Often, it’s necessary to drill a hole, but how can you do it without too much drilling? This article outlines how to run Starlink cable into the house, including the equipment you need, and in case the cable gets damaged, how to replace it.
Table of Contents
- Do You Need to Drill a Hole to run Starlink cable?
- What You Need to Run Starlink Cable into the House
- How to Run Starlink Cable into House
- How to Replace Starlink Cable
- FAQs
- How large should the hole be to run the Starlink cable?
- Is Starlink cable ethernet or coax?
- Do you need a conduit for Starlink cable?
- Conclusion
Do You Need to Drill a Hole to run Starlink cable?
(Caption: Image of Starlink ethernet cable)
The Starlink cable has a large ferrite-like protection. Therefore, you’ll need to drill a hole. And if you’re running it in through a vent, you might have to drill out a part of the vents for the cable to fit.
Also, you should do a proper grounding at the point of entry as required by the NEC (National Electrical Code). That’s because the grounding protects the house and occupants by ensuring lightning does not enter the home.
What You Need to Run Starlink Cable into the House
Here’s what you need to get the Starlink ethernet cable into the house:
- Drill bit: it goes through objects like a wall that you have to go through
(Caption: Image of a drill bit)
- Longer drill bit: if you’re doing extensive drilling
- Ethernet routing tool: You plug it into one end of the cable and then pull the wire through
- Screws: For mounting on the cable route on the wall
- Plugs: These help with cable management
- Grommets (interior and exterior): For inserting holes to protect the cable passing through that hole and improve friction.
- Sealant: For sealing the holes
- Drill: To use with the drill bits
- Stud finder: For ensuring you don’t drill through pipes or electrical lines when you have no visibility of what’s behind the wall you’re drilling
(Caption: Image of stud finder)
Fortunately, Starlink includes all these items in the cable routing kit except for the drill and stud finder.
How to Run Starlink Cable into House
Before you start, study your house to see how best to run the cable. For example, you can route the cable through vents into the house and down through the wall.
(Caption: Image of cable running through vents)
Alternatively, you could run the cable down along the edge of a sulfate panel to where you can drill through, such as aluminum siding.
After you’ve determined where you must drill to get the cable through, follow these steps:
- First, drill a one-inch hole using the appropriate drill bit.
- Next, from inside your house, feed one end of the ethernet cable (the one you’ll attach to the dish) through the hole.
- Next, seal the holes to protect the wood, brick, or metal.
- After that, use hooks to route the cable to the dish.
- Now attach the cable to the dish, ensuring it goes through.
(Caption: Image of cable attached to the dish)
- Again, using hooks, guide the other end of the cable to the router and plug it in.
- Lastly, turn on the power. And in about two minutes, the router will start blinking white as it searches for available connections. Soon, the light turns to a solid white, and you can do a speed test.
How to Replace Starlink Cable
Sometimes, the Starlink cable can suffer damage as the slightest drop onto a hard surface is enough to make it not slide in properly. Or a rodent can get to it or snow. When that happens, you need a Starlink replacement cable, a 75-inch cord designed to replace the one that comes with the kit.
Interestingly, some subscribers contacted Starlink after their cable got damaged. And after sending photos of the damage, Starlink initiated a replacement for free.
FAQs
How large should the hole be to run the Starlink cable?
Because the cable has a large ferret-like covering, you must drill a hole that’s at least one inch wide.
Is Starlink cable ethernet or coax?
Starlink cable is an ethernet comprising eight wires. Also, the wire is available in 75 and 150-foot lengths and obtainable only at the official Starlink store.
Do you need a conduit for Starlink cable?
Yes, because conduit helps protect ethernet. Also, depending on where you run the cable, like through hard-to-reach places, using a conduit can help make the job easier.
Conclusion
Now you know how to get Starlink cable into house. First, determine how you want to run the cable, then follow the steps mentioned above using the appropriate tools. Also, ensure you secure the cords properly to prevent them from falling. However, should the cable get damaged, you now know how to replace the Starlink cable. Remember, any hole you drill must be wide enough (at least one inch).
