By Colin Yao
>> What is Structured Cabling?
Simply put, communication cabling systems are called structured cabling systems. Commercial and residential building communication systems are planned and organized to support different communication systems and user applications, they are all designed to support at least 10 years life cycle.
‘Structured Cabling System’ is a generic communication wiring scheme that is installed in buildings that is able to support all types of communication systems including: telephone systems, computer LANs, video systems, imaging systems and more. Structured cabling system is also called premises distribution system.
>> The Purpose of Structured Cabling System
The purpose of standardized cabling systems is to support a multi-product and multi-vendor environment. An organized cabling system costs less to install and maintain over the life the system.
The cable system includes communication cabling, cable pathways, communication ground and bonding system, supporting structures, and building spaces. The structured cabling standard describes all elements of a communication cabling system to install, support, and maintain the system.
>> Structured Cabling Standards
There are three main cabling standards:
EIA/TIA 568C – This is the American standard ISO/IEC 11801 – The International standard for structured cabling systems. CENELEC EN 50173 – The European cabling standard
TIA-568-C suite of standards breakdown:
TIA-568-C.0 Generic Telecommunications Cabling for Customer Premises
TIA-568-C.1 Commercial Building Telecommunication Cabling Standards – Part 1 General Requirements TIA-568-C.2 Balanced Twisted-Pair Telecommunications Cabling and Components Standard (release date: TBA) TIA-568-C.3 Optical Fiber Cabling Components Standard
>> Structured Cabling Subsystems
Structured cabling system is based on modular subsystems that are independent yet work together to create a complete building cabling system.
Each subsystem is designed and installed independently of the other subsystems. Then all of the structured cabling systems are interconnected and work together as a single cabling system.
This concept enables growth and flexibility as changes to one subsystem do not affect the other systems.
The subsystems of a structured cabling system are:
1. Work area subsystem
2. Horizontal subsystem 3. Backbone subsystem 4. Telecommunications Room (TR) 5. Equipment Room (ER) 6. Entrance Facility (EF)
>> Subsystems Detailed Descriptions
1. Work Area Subsystem
The work area is where the horizontal cable terminates at the wall outlet. In the work area, the users and telecommunications equipment connect to the structured cabling infrastructure. The work area includes the following components:
a) Cat5e, Cat 6 copper patch cables, fiber patch cords (jumpers), modular cords, and adapter cables
b) Adapters such as baluns and other devices that modify the signal or impedance of the cable c) Station equipment such as computers, telephones, fax machines, data terminals
2. Horizontal Subsystem
Horizontal cabling is the cabling that extends from telecommunication closets to the work area and terminates in telecommunication outlets. It includes the following components:
a) Cables from the patch panel to the work area
b) Telecommunication outlets c) Cable terminations d) Cross connections where permitted
3. Backbone Subsystem
Backbone system is to connect entrance facilities, equipment rooms, and telecommunication closets.
Backbone subsystem consists of cables that connect the telecommunication closets, equipment rooms, and building entrance, cross-connect cables, mechanical terminations, and patch cables that are used for backbone to backbone cross-connection.
Backbone subsystem includes the following components:
a) Cabling between equipment rooms and building-entrance facilities
b) In a campus environment, cabling between buildings’ entrance facilities c) Vertical connections between floors
4. Telecommunication Room (TR)
Telecommunication Room is also called Telecommunication Closet. This is the space within a building that is used to terminate horizontal and backbone cables. The primary function of this building space is to have a dedicated space to install cable termination hardware and communications equipment.
The telecommunication room also contain networking equipment such as LAN hubs, switches, routers, and repeaters. Backbone cabling equipment rooms terminate in the telecommunication closet.
5. Equipment Room (ER)
An equipment room is a special type of telecommunication room. This is a special space in a building that is required to house and support common and/or special communication or data equipment. The function of an equipment room is to provide a controlled environment required by this complex and fragile equipment.
Equipment room is a centralized space specified to house more sophisticated equipment than the entrance facility or the telecommunication closets (rooms). Often, telephone equipment or data-networking equipment such as routers, switches, and hubs are located there. Backbone cabling is specified to terminate in the equipment room.
6. Entrance Facility
The entrance facility (EF) is usually where the service providers, such as the telephone company, bring their cables into a building. These cables provide services, such as dial tone, necessary for phone services in the building.
All external cabling (campus backbone, inter-building, antennae pathways, and telecommunication provider) should enter the building and terminate in a single point. Telecommunications carriers are usually required to terminate within 50 feet of a building entrance.
>> Get More Trainings
There are also lots of books on the subject of cabling. The books cover Structured Cabling Standards, Network Design, Wireless Communications, Fiber Optic Networking and Home Networking. You can search on Amazon.com for more Structured Cabling books.
About the Author: This is a brief overview. Click the following links to learn even more about Structured Cabling and Fiber Optic Cable on Fiber Optics For Sale Co. web site. Colin Yao is an expert on fiber optic telecommunication technology and sales manager at Fiber Optics For Sale Co.
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