Shawn,

First of all, cat 5 speaks more to the electrical characteristics than to
the physical components.  Cat 5 cable is available with various types of
outer jacket, such as plenum, pvc, hdpe, etc.  If you use the correct
"outside plant" type cable (like the phone company uses) then there probably
won't be a need for any creative solutions .  Your electrical supply
house/cable supplier can help you select the proper buried cable product.

HOWEVER, in your case, because of the environment, I would strongly
recommend fiber optic rather than copper cable.  #1 There will be some type
of electro-magnetic field
     generated by the heating strip wound around the water pipes.
#2 It is virtually impossible to keep water out (ask any industrial
     electrician with food plant experience -- where the equipment
     is subjected to frequent "baths".)

Jim Meagher
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----- Original Message -----

> At 07:04 PM 9/5/99 -0400, you wrote:
> >I have an installation where I have to run cat5 cabling through a conduit
> >underground (about 3" in diameter) from an office to a shop area. The
total
> >segment length is about 175 feet (60 of which is underground in the
> >conduit). The conduit is slightly wet and has a water hose running
through
> >it which has a heating element wrapped around it at each end so that it
does
> >not freeze in the winter. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on
> >what to do in regards to cabling. Thanks.
>

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