I've heard that paxton prox readers can be extended with cat 5 is this true? Has anybody tried this?

From Paxton themselves.

Readers can be extended using Belden CR9540 10-core overall screened cable to a maximum of 100 metres.

agreed. I wouldnt use cat 5. While it may work on the bench it may not in the field

i've used CAT5e to extend the prox reader for 20 meters without any issue's using a convenient LAN socket back to comms room

Oxo's post is correct to the manual, but i spoke to their tech deot before i did this and basically they are simply covering their own apex if you should have issues wih other sources of interference.

the pragmatic advice -:

if your not sure then always use the recommended cable,

1) because if only if a sort extension its not going to cost much,

2) if its a long run - why risk it?

Arfur

8 core screened, use it on all normal readers.

Cat 5 has never given me any trouble in the last 5 years.

When working for a major crowd many years ago they just gave me 8 core to extend them and to be honest didnt have any trouble with that either as long as you grounded the spares.

Cat 5 has never given me any trouble in the last 5 years.

When working for a major crowd many years ago they just gave me 8 core to extend them and to be honest didnt have any trouble with that either as long as you grounded the spares.

Never done it yet and don't intend starting now.

i used 2 x Paxton NET2 kits early last year, i needed to extent both the reader cables.

so i checked with their tech dept who said officially they don't advise CAT5e but unofficially it should be ok but at my risk to cover their bottoms..

but they did not advise using screened cable, as it reduces the the usable length.

i used CAT5e UTP to extend about 20 meters and it has been as good as gold

not cut and dried evidence, as it would depend on the particular environment as to if you had issues, this was 2 internal doors off the main reception in a large printers office block, but perhaps in the factory near the machinery it could be less successful.

Arfur

Cat5 for readers is not a good option. Not for any fancy technical reason, simply because it is too prone to mechanical failure.