Just wondering if you have experience/feedback on using CAT5 cables for PL transport: if you use one twisted pair for power (or two paralleled pairs for longer distances) and one twisted pair for audio on an ftp cable, and how this solution would perform?

Answer:
The main answer is that the CAT5 cable should be 24AWG, 22AWG or 20AWG– as that will be the same wire gauge as the normal microphone cable used in Partyline installations  From the Encore PL manual (using microphone cable) Cable: Fixed installation, keep cable runs under 500 ft (150m): use 24 gauge wire. If longer than 150m, use wire 20AWG gauge
Because CAT5 cable uses 4 pairs - we would recommend that you use one CAT5 cable per PL channel. The Cable should be either STP or FTP type but not UTP

Pair 1 for audio 

Pair 2 for Power

Pair 3 for GND

Pair 4 for GND

 a) maximum distance with one pair only for power Using 24AWG – 150m

 b) maximum distance with 2 pairs for power Using 24AWG approx. ~200m – but you will need to measure the power voltage at the end of the line

 c) maximum distance for audio only (e.g. local power on destination) Using 24AWGApprox 500m

 d) effects of and rules for connecting ftp shield (where it should be connected and benefits) Ideally – you should use 1 CAT5 cable (all 4 pairs) for one PL channel. To avoid cross talk . We always ask that each PL channel use a single screened pair – so the FTP is of benefit for cross talk and earthing, but remember not to connect the earth to the XLR shell.