Structured Cabling Fundamentals for Businesses – Part 1
A system of cabling and related equipment, structured cabling provides a comprehensive telecommunications infrastructure that meets an organization’s business and technical requirements. Serving a number of functions, it enables data transmission via a network, provides connections for telephony and CCTV, and powers computing, storage, and peripheral equipment. Intended to support several types of equipment, structured cabling must be capable of meeting current demands as well as the needs of the future.
Each structured cabling system has individual characteristics that differ from another system because there will be variations in the aspects below:
• A building’s structure and floor plan
• Types of cabling and connectors needed
• Functions of cables and associated equipment
• Equipment supported during the present and future
• Characteristics of the existing configuration for retrofits and upgrades
• Organization’s business and technical requirements
The international standards for structured cabling are published by the three following organizations:
• CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization)
• ISO/IEC (International Organization for Standardization / International Electrotechnical Commission)
• TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association)
The above technical bodies have the responsibility for determining and maintaining the technical standards and best practices for the cabling industry around the world. They regularly publish updated standards for the proper design, installation, and maintenance of structured cabling systems to assist and guide professionals.
The standards provide wiring specifications for offices, educational and healthcare buildings, commercial facilities, data centers, and apartments. These installations allow data transmissions as well as video and voice communications through the use of several types of cabling.
Standards also provide best practices regarding the proper installation of cable as required by the site’s topology. The installation’s design must ultimately meet the customer’s business and technical requirements.
Typically, a central patch panel will be installed from which each modular connection can be utilized as required. Every outlet will be subsequently patched into a network switch for network usage. It can also be patched into a PBX (private branch exchange) or IP telephony system patch panel.
Part 2 will discuss the Appearance and Advantages of Structured Cabling.
Progressive Office Cabling
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