What is Structured Cabling And Why You Use It
Structured cabling and low voltage cabling are both words that are used interchangeably in the cable management industry. Data has to be transmitted somehow and cables are the way to do it. Structured cabling supports voice, video, and other management systems like security, access control, and even power. We will discuss the importance of structured cabling and offer insight into how it is installed.
Structured cabling or low voltage cabling is the most commonly used and most secure form of telecommunication infrastructure of a building or campus. Usually, it’s compiled of a number of smaller elements that are created by a series of patch panels and trunks. This allows for the patch panels at the top of a rack to connect to the switch ports.
Top 6 Subsystems When Designing Structured Cabling of a Building:
1. Entrance facility
The entrance facility includes service provider demarcation points, protection devices, cables, connecting hardware, and other devices that connect with the on-premises infrastructure at the client’s premises.
2. Telecommunications room or enclosure
The telecommunications enclosure or room should be a secured and enclosed area. It is designed to house telecommunications equipment, cross-connects, cable terminations, and distribution frames. A building would usually have one main telecommunications room or enclosure. The size of the room can vary.
3. Backbone cabling
The backbone cabling is also called vertical cabling or wring. It offers the interconnection between entrance facilities, telecommunication rooms, and equipment rooms. This type of cabling is done between buildings or from floor to floor. The cables for backbone cabling can be coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable, and unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable.
4. Horizontal cabling
Horizontal cabling refers to the cabling between the telecommunications information outlet in the work area and the horizontal cross-connect in the telecommunications enclosure(TE). It contains the telecommunications outlet, optional consolidation points, horizontal cable, mechanical terminations, patch cords, or jumpers located in the TR or TE.
5. Work Area
Work Area is a place where work-area components are used to connect client hardware/equipment to communication outlets. The work-area components are also called communication outlets, cable components, and station equipment.
Why Use Structured Cabling?
The reason we use structured cabling is that no one wants to navigate (or even look at) a jungle of chords going each and every way. These cables carry important data at high speeds and are the nervous system of a building's communication infrastructure. The benefits of using structured cabling are that it is cost-effective and reduce the risk of downtime. With a structure cabling system in place, it can reduce maintenance costs and power usage if installed right the first time. We are all human, so some error is bound to occur. If your system is organized and labeled correctly, it will minimize mistakes that cause network and flow disruption downtime.
Quick Tips for Installation:
Before installation, make sure you have a sound cable design from a Registered Communication Distribution Designer (RCDD). Having an RCDD create and review your plan does more than just make sure the right cable types are being used but that your design considers the planning patch ways and airflow and cooling requirements.
There are many cables to choose from to include Cat5e/6 and fiber optic, as well as many hybrid and specialty cables. You need to make sure that the data infrastructure design for your building will meet your current and future requirements.
Don’t Bend Cables!
Utilize fiber raceway
I hope by the end of this you have a better understanding of what structured cabling is and why it is important to a building’s infrastructure. If you are in need of a structured cabling project, reach out to the team at scDataCom. With our team of certified experts, we would be happy to assist you in creating the perfect design for your needs!