Enterprises, whether small or large, have cabling that involves wiring hundreds of feet of cables within the whole building. It also includes different types of pipes, wires, powerlines, and cords. To install this, you will need a lot of drilling, cable cutting, and connecting jacks. Therefore, you should hire expert structured data cabling service providers. The professionals know how to deal with the complex installation of data cabling by following well-defined and safe steps, saving a lot of money and time.
This article will explain every aspect of structured cabling installation so you can understand how to do it correctly.
It is a telecommunication infrastructure that is mainly designed and organized to support multiple devices. A structured cabling system involves smaller key elements called subsystems. It offers high performance and flexibility, which is why it is becoming popular, and enterprises prefer structured cabling. So, large companies that regularly update hardware and cabling systems should use a structured cabling system.
In a structured cabling system, the cable is perfectly organized symmetrically. It consists of six smaller subsystems; each has a specific function to provide in the network. The point-to-point cabling method is used in this system, following the standards like TIA/EIA-568, which makes it reliable for larger data centers.
Structured cabling needs the expertise to install everything perfectly. The following tips will help you in successful structured cabling installation.
Planning is the most important part of such a complex cabling installation. With a plan, you can meet your expectations. Therefore, you should always consider your needs and future growth. Planning can be started by selecting the cable type.
Define how you want your business to grow in the future. Moreover, you can check whether the specific cable is available or not.
We have seen enterprises using different cables for data and voice transmission because using the same cable was not viable. Most organizations were choosing cheaper options for internal phone systems, and for data, they were using Cat 3 or Cat 5. This is not the case today. With the consistent popularity and lower price of VoIP phone service and cloud PBX systems, it has become possible to use the same cable for both purposes.
So, you should use the same cable while installing structured cabling.
Maintaining the cable is as equally important as installation. It is not a luxury but a dire need. You may have to spend some amount on maintaining the cables, such as purchasing a rack or essential equipment. Without them, you cannot troubleshoot the problems. Look whether your system needs an upgrade of cables. Also, consider putting color codes and other important information on the cables for quick troubleshooting.
Remember to keep your structured cabling for phones and data far from electricity cables. Data cables generate magnetic fields as they are made of unshielded twisted wires. So, it does not protect against the magnetic field of electricity cables. This scenario can affect the signals.
The interference caused by lighting, motors, or anything that generates magnetic fields could cause the same thing as electrical cable. So, be cautious about such things while installing the structured cabling.
Cabling standards are very important, and you must follow them for a successful cable installation. You can significantly improve the operational efficiency of the cable and data network with the right approach. However, you can follow standards that are specific to your needs.
Keep yourself up-to-date with current standards and technological advancements to meet future challenges. It will help in improving the cable system efficiency.
Following are the common mistakes that you must avoid while installing structured cabling.
You always need a plan, whether when you build a home or start a business, because you want to get the most out of your efforts. It is the same for structured cabling installation. Some people make these mistakes and start installation without any plan. Therefore, wise people always give this responsibility to professional service providers. You should also plan and hire professional services if you cannot.
It is one of the common mistakes that can be costly for the owners. They try to save money, but they need to spend a huge amount on the cables’ maintenance. It also shows the lack of knowledge and expertise. Therefore, ensure proper cable management to keep your work going at a good pace and efficiently.
Most people ignore the rules and regulations during the structured cabling installation. It is your responsibility as a citizen towards your country. Therefore, you must abide by all the related laws and legal implications. Disregarding rules and regulations in network cabling installation is a crime but a mistake. So, be aware of it and follow legal requirements, standards of cables, and limitations.
Such cabling networks are sensitive to the environment because of magnetic fields. Most people make these mistakes and start installation without proper direction or knowledge. It disturbs the connection, causing issues in service provision. Therefore, you should consider the environmental impact during the installation phase. It will also save you from high maintenance costs in the long term.
The final stage in structured cabling installation is to check the connection’s health. Most people make this mistake and do not properly test the network. It can damage the network connection later on. So, it is better to carefully test the network before you give it a thumbs up.
The installation requires careful mechanics and professional experience because the whole network depends on it. Due to a few careless decisions, you can face serious hazards, and your network will be filled up with issues.
We have explained a few hazards you must avoid during structured cabling installation in your building.
The structured cabling is not forever; it can underperform at any point. So, it is not good if there is no room to remove such cables. Digging the ground and reworking the infrastructure is not wise, right? So, what is the best idea?
The best option is to remove the cable. It will save you from uncovering the whole system. The cable which is not performing might need replacement. So, you better take it seriously.
Another common mistake that most people can make is not considering the temperature. The place of the structured cabling system must have a moderate temperature. An irregular temperature can cause the failure of the network. Temperature impacts the cabling network.
Overheated cables can break anytime, and the network can fail because of dampness. You don’t want to pose any risk to your cabling system. So, you must store your cables in a dry area. Consider fans and air conditioners during installation.
Cable termination is key while dealing with cables. Structured cabling involves fiber optic cables. The endpoints of the cable must be cleaned before you terminate it. If you follow an incorrect way to terminate the cable, your system will underperform, and communication will also be compromised. Cable termination defines the cable performance and the whole communication system. So, be sure to do it right.
Make your ceiling strong to easily carry the load of cables. Inexperienced cable installers make the mistake of not checking the ceiling and putting heavy loads. The weak ceiling cannot support the bundle of cables. Moreover, the cables must also be bundled together correctly. It may drop the cables from the ceiling, leading to underperforming the cables.
You cannot find the issues while installing the structured cabling system. Therefore, testing the network after the successful installation is suggested to see if any issues need to be corrected instantly. It is hard to find such lingering issues before you finish the installation. You need proper network testing techniques to do the right thing.
Testing also enables you to find and address network security and performance problems. It may take time, and redoing the work can be hectic, but the final results will be worthwhile. Always test your network and cables, considering all aspects.
A structured cabling system adds incredible value to your organization’s better networking and communication. The results of this system are outstanding as it minimizes problems and outages. It is time to get in touch with us and start structured cabling installation with quality services at your office. We help you boost your networking and communication.
Data cabling allows the transmission of data as electronic signals between multiple devices.
Structured cabling is specifically the design and installation of the complete cabling system network.
Yes, structured wiring has many advantages as it connects multiple devices within an organization or company in a centralized infrastructure.
The cost of structured cabling installation depends on the quality of equipment used, the installation process, and the required number of drops. On average, many service providers charge per drop with the pricing from $100-500.
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