Structured Cabling

Overview
 The Six Sub-Systems of a
Structured Cabling System......

Electrical System
Telecommunications
1. Building Entrance 1. Electrical Meter Pan
2. Equipment Room 2. Main Switch Board
3. Telecomm Room 3. Electrical Branch Panel
4. Backbone 4. Electrical Feeders (Riser)
5. Horizontal 5. Electrical Branch Circuit
6. Work Area 6. Electrical Duplex
Receptacles
Let’s take a look at each
subsystem individually!
Entrance Facility

Service
Provider

The entrance facility is the point where outside cabling and services
interface with backbone cabling. (The electrical equivalent would be
the meter socket/main disconnect switch.)
Equipment Room

The equipment room is the area of the building where incoming

cabling interfaces with electronic equipment. It is also the main
cross-connect (MC) to the backbone cabling. (The electrical
equivalent would be the Main Distribution Panel.)
Telecommunications
Room

Telecommunications Room is the area within a building that houses

telecommunications/networking equipment, as well as the
cross-connection (patch panels) between backbone and horizontal
cabling. I.e. Horizontal Cross-connect (HC) (The electrical equivalent
would be the circuit breaker panel.)
 Backbone

Backbone consists of the pathways and cabling that provide the

interconnection between the Building Entrance/Equipment Room and the
Telecommunication Rooms. It consists of the mechanical terminations for
backbone-to-horizontal cross-connects. (The electrical equivalent would
be electrical feeders.)
 Horizontal

Horizontal consists of the pathway and cabling that extends between

the Telecommunications Room and the Work Area. (The electrical
equivalent would be a branch circuit.)
 Work Area

Work Area is where personal computers, telephones,

printers, etc are located. It also includes equipment
cords that connect the device to the horizontal cable.
Primary codes in North America

● NEC
● National Electrical Code
● Produced by National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA)
● Revised every 3 years
● NESC
● National Electrical Safety Code
● Produced by IEEE
● Revised every 5 years
● CSA
● Primary code in Canada
● Closely harmonized with NEC
National Electrical Code
● Stated purposes of the NEC
● Ensures the safety of people and property.
● Provides proper installation practices for high
and low voltage systems.
● Adopted in whole or part by most federal,
state and local municipalities.
● Identifies building space environments.
● Endorsed by the American National
Standards Institute.
● Deals with inside plant installations.
National Electrical
Safety Code
● Stated purpose of the NESC
● Safeguarding of persons, during
installation, operation, or maintenance
of electrical and communication lines
and equipment.
● Contains basic provisions for
safeguarding employees and the general
public under specific conditions.
● The NESC is not intended as a design
specification or instruction manual.
● Deals with outside cable installations.
Building Codes
● The key purpose of these codes is safety.
● Generally, the codes do not address
performance of our telecommunications
systems.
● The codes are promulgated as models,
which most local municipalities adopt.
● Once adopted as ordinances, the codes
have the force of law and are enforced
through local building inspectors.
NEC and Communications
NEC communications related requirements

● Low voltage and power cables separation

● Cable supports above false ceilings
● Grounding requirements
● Protection equipment for exposed cables
● Firestopping
● Cable flame and smoke ratings
● 50 ft rule for un-rated (OSP) cable
● Removal of abandoned cable