Understanding the Six Subsections of a Structured Cabling System
A structured cabling system is an organized approach to managing and installing the various cables and related hardware that support a building’s communication infrastructure. This system is divided into six infrastructure subsections: Entrance Facility (EF), Equipment Room (ER), Telecommunications Room (TR), Backbone Cabling, Horizontal Cabling, and Work Area. In this article, we will explore each subsection in detail.
Entrance Facility
The entrance facility is the point of entry for public and private network service cables, including antenna transmission lines. It includes service entrance pathways, cables, connecting hardware, primary protection devices, transition hardware, and the demarcation point. The entrance facility’s primary purpose is to provide a secure and controlled environment for the connection of these cables.
Equipment Room
The equipment room serves as the primary space for telecommunication equipment. It can serve an entire building or campus, and its purpose is to provide a controlled environment for the common control equipment for voice, data, video, intrusion detection, fire alarm, energy management, and other services. The equipment room also serves as a workspace for service employees and facilitates the termination and cross-connection of backbone and horizontal cables.
Telecommunications Room
The telecommunications room is where the building’s backbone and horizontal distribution pathways connect. It serves as a controlled environment for telecommunication equipment, splice closures, and connecting hardware. The telecommunications room is the point of termination for horizontal and backbone cables on compatible connecting hardware.
Backbone Pathways and Cabling
Backbone pathways and cabling carry signals between the entrance facilities, equipment rooms, and telecommunications rooms. These pathways are the vertical and horizontal routes of the cable, including support structures. The backbone cabling system enables interconnections between EFs, TRs, ERs, and main terminal spaces, and it extends between buildings in a campus environment. The backbone includes backbone cables, cross-connects, mechanical terminations, and patch cords or jumpers used for backbone-to-backbone cross-connections.
Horizontal Pathways and Cabling
Horizontal pathways and cabling provide the method of conveying signals between the telecommunications outlet/connector in the work area (WA) and the horizontal cross-connect (HC). This kind of cabling and its connecting hardware are known as a link. The cable is known as “horizontal” because that is the primary orientation of the cabling. However, horizontal pathways include the horizontal and vertical routes of the cable, including support structures.
Work Area
The work area consists of the communication outlets (wall boxes and faceplates), wiring, and connectors needed to connect the work area equipment (computers, printers, etc.) via the horizontal wiring subsystem to the TR. The standard requires that a minimum of two outlets be provided at each wall plate, one for voice and one for data. Horizontal cable lengths must take into consideration the maximum length of work area cables to be utilized.
Cross-Connect
Cross-connects facilitate the termination of cabling elements and their connections to other elements of the system. They are generally classified as follows:
• Main cross-connect (MC): Transition point between the entrance cables and backbone cabling. • Intermediate cross-connect (IC): Transition point between the backbone cable of the MC and HC. • Horizontal cross-connect (HC): Transition point between backbone cabling and horizontal cabling, typically serving a single floor or portion of a floor.
In conclusion, a structured cabling system is a complex but essential infrastructure that supports a building’s communication needs. By understanding each of its six subsections and their functions, you can ensure the efficient installation and maintenance of your building’s cabling system.