GoKawiilExperts warn against using standard Ethernet cables outdoors
Standard indoor Ethernet cables, despite rugged-sounding category names like Cat5e and Cat6, are not built for outdoor use because their PVC jackets degrade under sunlight, heat and rain, exposing internal wiring. Guidance highlights that outdoor runs should use cables rated for exterior exposure, such as direct-burial cables for underground installation, paired with surge protection at both ends. Outdoor-rated fiber optic cable is offered as an alternative that avoids some risks tied to copper conductors.