Structured cabling is a type of infrastructure that is constructed inside a building to support the performance of an organization’s cabling system or network. It connects all the communication systems, such as computers, phones, and other devices. Structured cabling creates the most reliable, flexible, and cost-effective solution that meets the high demands of small to enterprise-sized businesses. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the six areas of structured cabling that make up a complete structured cabling system.
- Building Entrance
Building entrance facilities are the point where outside telecommunications cabling connects with the backbone cabling inside the building. This area consists of cables, network demarcation points, connecting hardware, protection devices, and other equipment that connects to the access provider or private network cabling.
- Telecommunications Closet
Your telecommunications closet is a room or cabinet that houses the telecommunications cabling system equipment. This includes the terminations and/or cross-connect for the horizontal and backbone cabling system. The size of your wiring closet will be dependent on the scale of the service area.
- Equipment Room
The equipment room is a central area that contains the equipment required for your structured cabling system. The equipment is typically more complex than what is housed in the telecommunications closets.
- Backbone Cabling
Also known as vertical cabling, backbone cabling creates the connection between equipment rooms, telecommunication rooms, and entrance facilities. The cabling system includes backbone cables, intermediate and main cross-connects, and mechanical terminations. The cables run between floors (risers) or between buildings (interbuilding).
- Work Area
Work area refers to the space where cable components are used between communication outlets and end-user telecommunications equipment. The cable components often include station equipment (telephones, computers, etc.), patch cables, and communication outlets. Work area wiring is simple to interconnect so that any upgrades, moves, and additions are easy to manage.
- Horizontal Cabling
The horizontal cabling system extends from the work area telecommunications outlet to the telecommunications closet. It consists of horizontal cabling, cable terminations, and cross-connects. This wiring system is set down horizontally above the ceilings or within the floors. Much like the backbone cabling, horizontal cabling must meet certain specs. For example, the maximum distance allowed between devices is 90 meters. An extra 6 meters is allowed for patch cables at the telecommunication close and in the work area, but the combined length of these patch cables can’t exceed 10 meters.
Ready for Structured Cabling for your Facility?
Communications Solutions, Inc. has been the premier provider of structured cabling systems and support in Northeast Florida for the past 20+ years. If you’re thinking about structured cabling for your facility, we can help you from design to installation and ongoing support.
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