 Questions and Answers Data cabling FAQs Below are a selection of data cabling FAQs that outline elements of the data cabling industry. What is structured cabling? Data cabling is the installation of the actual cabling within a building. However, structured cabling is the design and installation of such cabling systems. In addition, the structured design will support multiple hardware systems and be suitable for today's needs and those of the future. For example, a CAT6 or CAT6-A cable can connect any of the following. Telephone PC CCTV Printers Wi-Fi TV Music server This is all by just plugging in differently at the main cable area where all the cables originate from. The correct design of the structured cabling will provide predictable performance. Furthermore, it will aid future expansion, relocation, and moves and changes. The design will consider whether to cable directly to each location where desks and furniture are not expected to move. Furthermore, the option might be to cable to distribution points which then link locally to desks. Thus allowing for easier future moves and rearrangements of desks and furniture. Data cabling and hardware. All hardware has a bandwidth and speed requirement. Thus it will have a required data cabling infrastructure to be installed to enable that hardware to perform at its required levels. Furthermore to operate and work is required. An example would be a requirement for a computer with a 10 gigabit connection 80 meters from the main cabinet. Therefore this would require a structured cabling system of CAT6-A cabling to be installed. However, CAT5E and CAT6 would not support these transmission requirements. The structured cabling system should cover all elements of the building hardware and technology requirements. Furthermore, it should bring them all into a central design. This design would include the cabinet space and locations. In addition, whether they are in a single location or split over several floors. Finally how the various locations are linked. For example, whether they are linked via copper or fiber optic cabling. The containment and spaces that the cabling will travel through will also be a design consideration. The cabling must be correctly contained and supported to enable longevity and performance. The structured cabling spaces and containment must also allow for the future growth of additional cables to travel through these areas. Therefore the guidance to 40% fill on initial install and 60% maximum fill is the BICSI standard for example. With a correctly installed system, your requirements of today and of tomorrow will be catered for. Furthermore whatever hardware you choose to add will be supported. CAT5 and CAT6 what's the difference? The general difference between CAT5E cabling and CAT6 data cabling is in the transmission performance. Thus an extension of the available bandwidth from 100 MHz for CAT5E to 250 MHz for CAT6. Thus resulting in better insertion loss, near-end crosstalk, next, return loss, and equal level far-end crosstalk ELFEXT. These improvements provide a higher signal to noise ratio. Therefore allowing higher reliability for current applications and higher data rates for future applications. Should CAT6 replace CAT5E? Industry predictions indicate that 80-90% of all new installations will be cabled with category 6 and above. However, the fact that category 6 link and channel requirements are backward compatible to category 5E makes it very easy for customers to choose category 6 and supersede category 5E in their networks. Applications that worked over category 5E will work over category 6. CAT6A and above are also taking over specifications for new installations, especially in data centers and audio-visual installations. In addition, any networks requiring a 10 gigabit infrastructure. What is the maximum length of CAT5 and CAT5E cable? 90 meters for the permanent link installation and an allowance for 10 meters of patch cords at the ends combined. A direct link can also be installed up to 100 meters. In addition, this is also the same distance for CAT6, CAT6A, CAT7, and CAT8. What's the maximum distance between the cabinet and data cabling points for CAT5E and CAT6? The maximum is 90 meters between the patch panel and the data point in the same manner as above. What factors will affect the performance of the CAT5E cable? Poor installation, poor terminations, and inferior materials are the main issues with performance on cabling systems. If the cable is poorly installed and terminated, then data loss and errors will be a continuous problem, from lost data, dropped void calls, and poor visual displays, interference from other cables and outside factors such as electrical, microwave, lighting, and noise will also affect the performance of the cable. What is CAT7 cabling and why would I use it? CAT7 cable has increased performance and increased protection against outside interference. With a bandwidth of up to 600 MHz its increase in speed potential over CAT5E, CAT6 is considerable. Also, each pair of wires, four pairs, are individually shielded as well as an overall shielding for the cable itself. This provides a great protection from outside noise and interference. It's especially useful in areas of high-speed data transfer in large cable bundles and within the audio-visual industry. What do I need to consider in terms of structured data cabling to future-proof my business for the next 5-10 years? The major decision is where your office will be based in the future, and what requirements you have for your systems. CAT5E is suitable for gigabit data and therefore suitable to most offices. Whether with large files, audio-visual distribution, and CCTV innovations a CAT6 or CAT6A with future-proof your offices for a longer period. Can I use CAT5 cable in power over Ethernet applications? CAT5E and CAT6 can both effectively run PO applications up to 90 meters. However, due to power dissipation, there is better performance and power efficiency with CAT6A cabling running PO devices if being incorporated into a new design see more technical information. What is a patch cable? A patch cable is used at the cabinet end for linking the dedicated cabling port to the required equipment in the communications cabinet. For example, an outlet could be patched from the panel to a data switch, telephone switch, CCTV switch, Wi-Fi switch etc. The difference to standard cable is patch cable is stranded for flexibility, whereas standard cable is solid copper. Fiber optic cabling, when is it better to use fiber? Fiber cable carries greater bandwidth and over longer distances. It is not limited by the 90-100 meters limit of copper cable, and has a distance potential of 40 kilometers in some cases. It also isn't affected by noise or outside influences is a copper cable so is a perfect solution when linking cabinets through rises in a building. As a standard guide when linking separate cabinets fiber optic links should be used. What is VoIP? Voice over internet protocol VoIP uses digital technology to send voice signals over your cabling infrastructure. Voice is converted to data transmission and converted back to a voice signal at the user's end. Can I use VoIP over my existing network? VoIP systems require a point-to-point cable from the VoIP systems to each user. If your telephone system is of the old daisy chain wiring, i.e. one telephone wired to the next telephone wired to the next telephone, then this will not support VoIP systems. Also, the existing cabling needs to be of a good standard and terminated correctly and fully tested. A poor cabling install will result in a very poor VoIP quality call. Disposal of old data cabling, do you dispose the old cable? Depending on the project and the feasibility of the current cabling we remove the old cabling as part of the new installation. This cabling is then taken back to be segregated and disposed, recycled as appropriate. Cabling for schools do you provide data cabling for schools and colleges? Yes, and having been a preferred supplier for London borough of Barnett schools ICT for the past 15 years we have completed in excess of 300 projects within schools. Do I only need one cable per person as I will plug my PC into my phone? Some phone systems allow your PC to access the internet down the same cable as your phone. However, you are then limited to the speed of that phone, i.e. 100 megabytes. Also, you are limited in future options. If you choose to pick a different system that requires a dedicated line then you have to install all new cables. Our recommendation is when installing to each desk install a minimum of 2 per user, PC and phone. What disruption would data cable installation cause to my company? How long will we be out of action? If the data cabling installation is new and doesn't require unplugging your existing infrastructure then we can install without any disruption. To facilitate this further we can install on weekends or in the evening when the building is empty to minimize disruption. Can I get the builder to install the cable and you terminate and test? This is not recommended due to the success of a cabling systems performance is its installation and its termination. Installation requires adherence to the limited bend radius of the cables, separation from noise interference and correct securing and bundling of the cable. This is part of the experience and expertise of the cabling installation contractor. However, in practical terms sometimes the cabling needs to be installed by the builder before the client takes the building. In this scenario, we can trace, terminate and test the system but can't guarantee the results will pass. What do data cabling installation test results show? Test results show a range of tests depending on the grade of cabling used, cat 5e, cat 6 etc. These tests for cat 6 include wire map, length, insertion loss, next loss, PS next loss, ACRF loss, PS ACRF loss, return loss, propagation delay, delay skew. These are tests to ensure installation standards have been met, the terminations have been done correctly, and that the cable doesn't have any unnecessary bends, kinks and twists. Do I need a cabinet? Can't I just plug straight into my equipment? A cabinet is always recommended even for the smallest installs. Cabling plugged directly into equipment has a tendency to break away at the termination ends as solid cable is not suitable for direct termination. Also, a cabinet provides protection for the equipment from theft, breakage, dust and employees. Cabinets also allow all the equipment to be stored together, and in a manageable way for moves and changes. Why do I need such a big cabinet? The cabinet should be large enough to house the current equipment with some space for possible future requirements. i.e. for a VoIP telephone system to be housed. The depth of the cabinet should keep in mind what is to be stored in the cabinet. Some ISP switches and blade servers are extra deep and required an 800 to 1000 mm deep cabinet. Why do you use LSOH, low smoke zero halogen cable on our installations? Most network cables are insulated with polyethylene, PVC or thermoplastic polyurethane. With fire, chlorine containing plastic material releases hydrogen chloride, a poisonous gas that forms hydrochloric acid when it comes in contact with water. Low smoke zero halogen cable reduces the amount of toxic and corrosive gas emitted during combustion. Furthermore, the regulation now calls for a Euro class cable specification in new installations. These properties exceed the LSOH specification. Do you charge for an initial survey? Initial surveys are free as are introductory meetings for design. However, visits to explore faults, etc. That require an engineer are charged at call-out rates. What times are your normal working hours for engineers? Our normal working day is Monday to Friday between 8 am until 5 pm, but we can also work before or after these hours if required. In many cases out of hours working is charged at the same rates depending on requirements, location, and hours. Do you charge extra for weekend and evening work? In many cases, we offer weekend working at the same rates as normal hours. This depends on location, requirements, and hours. Evenings depend on how many evenings will run in succession. How can I find more info if I have more data cabling FAQs? Just give us a call and we will be happy to answer any data cabling FAQs. In addition, take advantage of our free data cabling survey. We offer expert advice to clients planning to set up, upgrade, or expand data cable installations. Just drop us a line or call. For further assistance or a free survey, please email or call on the details below, and click like and subscribe if you have enjoyed this video.