Structured Cabling

Refresher Course
Engr. Alex L. Maureal, PECE
ICT Director, MUST
 Topics
1. What is Structured Cabling System (SCS)?
2. Factors (What causes it)
3. Understanding Cabling Standards and
Codes
4. Subsystems and Components
5. Network Cabling
6. Benefits
7. Applications - Network Hardware (Passive and
Active)
 What is Structured Cabling
System (SCS)?

is building or campus telecommunications

cabling infrastructure that consists of a
number of standardized smaller elements
(hence structured) called subsystems.- Wikipedia
is a set of standards for cable installers to
follow, defined by EIA/TIA, used all over the
world to install physical cabling and networks
in a safe and orderly fashion!- Mike Meyers Network
Guide /McGraw Hill

*
 What is Structured Cabling
System (SCS)?

A structured cabling system (SCS) is

a set of cabling and connectivity
products that integrates the voice,
data, video, and various
management systems of a building
(such as safety alarms, security
access, energy systems, etc.).
Factors (What causes it)
 Factors (What causes it)
Deregulation of the telecommunications industry enabled cablers
to be licensed /registered to install telephony cabling in a
customers premises from the network boundary.
Additionally, impetus for an integrated approach to voice and data
cabling came from the need for both a telephony connection and a
computer-networking connection at each desk of a
commercial/industrial enterprises.
A generic approach to cabling was needed so that new computer
networking systems could be installed on an existing generic
cabling system without having to abandon the existing cable.
Finally there was a need for a structured cabling system which
would efficiently cope with the regular move and changes within
the office environment, without having to run cables or re-route old
cables, a process which greatly disrupt normal office operations.
Standards and Safety codes
 Standard Agencies
EIA (Electronic Industry Association)
TIA (Telecommunications Industry
Association)
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers
ISO (International Standards Organizations)
ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
UL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.)
 Other Specific Standards

CNACL (China National Accreditation of

Laboratories)

Australia & New Zealand 3080 (Intl) and

the ISO 11801 Standard.

TS008 and TS009 for the Australian

Communications Authority.

MIL-C-83522 standard
 Structured Cabling Standards

EIA/TIA-568: Issued jointly by the

Electronic Industries Association and the
Telecommunications Industry Assoc.
ISO 11801: Issued by the International
Organization for Standardization.

Both Standards are similar.

 Applicable Standards
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568B.1
Commercial Building Telecoms Cabling Standards
Part 1: General Requirements

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568B.1-2
CBTCS Part 1: General Requirements, Addendum 2,
Grounding and Bonding Specifications for Screened
Balanced Twisted-Pair Horizontal Cabling

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568B.1-3
CBTCS Part 1: General Requirements, Addendum 3,
Supportable Distances and Channel Attenuation for
Optical Fiber Applications by Fiber Type
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.
The Six Sub-Systems of a Structured
Cabling System

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
Lets 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.
Elements of a Structured Cabling
System
Structured Cabling
Components
Network Cabling
(Components)
 What is Network Cabling?
Cable is the medium through which
information usually moves from one
network device to another.
There are several types of cable which are
commonly used with LANs.
In some cases, a network will utilize only
one type of cable, other networks will use a
variety of cable types.
The type of cable chosen for a network is
related to the network's topology, protocol,
and size.
 Types of cables
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable
Coaxial Cable (COAX)
Fiber Optic Cable (FO)
 Twisted Pair Cable (UTP &
STP)
comes in two varieties: shielded and
unshielded.
Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
is the most cost-effective and is
generally the best option
Shielded twisted pair (STP) is suitable
for environments with electrical
interference
 Categories of UTP

Type Use

Category 3 Data to 10 Mbps (Ethernet)

Category 4 Data to 20 Mbps (16 Mbps Token Ring)

Category 5e Data to 100/1000 Mbps (Fast Ethernet/TIA/EIA 568-5-A)

Category 6 Data to 100/1000 Mbps (Fast Ethernet/TIA/EIA 568-5-

A/ IEEE 802.3ab) 250 MHz
Data to 100/10000 Mbps (ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-10/ IEEE
Category 6a 802.3ab) 500 MHz
 UTP Connector
The standard connector for
unshielded twisted pair cabling is an
RJ-45 connector.
This is a plastic connector that looks
like a large telephone-style
connector.
RJ stands for Registered Jack
 Fiber Optic Cable

Facts about fiber optic cables:

Outer insulating jacket is made of Teflon or PVC.
Kevlar fiber helps to strengthen the cable and
prevent breakage.
A plastic coating is used to cushion the fiber
center.
Center (core) is made of glass or plastic fibers.
 Fiber Optic Connector

SC Connector
ST Connector
MT-RJ Connector
LC Connector
 Ethernet Cable Length
Summary
Specification Cable Type Maximum length

10BaseT Unshielded Twisted Pair 100 meters

10Base2 Thin Coaxial 185 meters

10Base5 Thick Coaxial 500 meters

10BaseF Fiber Optic 2000 meters

100BaseT Unshielded Twisted Pair 100 meters

STRUCTURED CABLING
SYSTEM
TIA/EIA-568B
 Passive Components
For Horizontal Cabling
Information Outlet
Faceplates
Patch Panel
Patch Cord
 Passive Components
For Equipment Side
Cable Manager (Horizontal & Vertical)
Open Bay Rack or Data Cabinet (MDF)
Wall-mounted Rack, Open or Closed
Type (IDF)
Blank Panel
Equipment Tray
 Passive Components
For Vertical or Backbone Cabling
Fiber Optic Cable
Fiber Panel
Fiber Patch Cord
Fiber Connectors ( ST, SC, LC, MTRJ,
etc.)
 Active Components
Unified Threat Management (UTM)
a) Router
b) Firewall
c) Web Filtering (content manager)
VoIP
Access Points (AP)
PoE (power over ethernet)
SCS Single Line Diagram
(Data Only)
Benefits of Structured Cabling
System
Redundancy at design stage reduces downtime & repair
time
Concealed cabling (safety and interference)
Ease of fault location & repair (troubleshooting)
Flexibility, expandability & modular connecting platform
Ease of moves, adds and changes
Enhanced end-use understanding and control
Continuous product support and warranty
Significant long term cost containment
 Questions to Clarify the need
For a Cabling System
What type of cabling system do you have currently?
Whats the brand of your current cabling system?
Who is your current cabling contractor?
Are you working with a consulting engineer or architect for the design
of your new cabling system? If not we can assist you with the design of
your network?
Are you aware that we can provide a complete end-to-end, copper or
fiber optic structured cabling system along with cabling management
capabilities?
Did you know that we can also provide a 20-25 Year System
Performance warranty? What are your warranty requirements?
We can be your single source for all of these systems saving you from
having to deal with multiple vendors and contractors.
Would you be interested in learning more about other VIVANCO system
solution?
Q&A
APPLICATIONS
Network Hardware
Basic LAN Diagram
Basic WAN Diagram