Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
surface conduit to reach the area above the ceiling grid. Cables should be run sup-
ported as much as possible with no tight tie-wraps, no kinks, and respecting the min-
imum bend radius for Category 5e (approximately four times the cable diameter).
Cable runs must not exceed 90 m from outlet to patch. The patches should be
mounted at a convenient height on the wall of each wiring closet with adequate sup-
port for the cable bundle and no tight tie-wraps.
The riser cable should be run in an existing cable port in a vertical shaft or util-
ity area, if possible. Fire stopping material should be placed where the riser cable
runs between floors.
The cable pairs should be wired using the T568A pattern of TIA/EIA-568-C.
Proper workmanship standards should be observed, including the minimum twist
standard for connecting Category 5e cable. After installation, each station cable
connection should be scanned from outlet to patch with a Category 5e cable scan-
ner that complies with TIA/EIA-568-C. If a cable run is near the 90-m maximum
length, the entire channel should be scanned, including the patch and user cords that
are to be used for the workstation connection. A printed report will be provided,
including a plan diagram showing the numbering of all outlets. All cables, outlets,
and patch panels are to be marked in accordance with EIA/TIA-606.
Well, that pretty much covers an ideal, concise wiring system specification. You
could mention a few more standards, if you wish. As you will see in later chapters,
there are quite a number of standards that more closely define your installation.
Keep in mind that most of these standards are voluntary and exist to make
absolutely certain your wiring system will be up to stringent performance specifica-
tions. Many of the standards overlap or are “coordinated,” so that they actually say
the same thing. Too much reference to standards may actually raise the price of your
installation. Some of the standards are overkill for small simple networks. For
example, it is doubtful that you could make use of half the detailed marking speci-
fications in a 10- or 20-user network.
However, if you are planning a 1000- or 2000-user wiring system, adherence
to the marking standard will be extremely useful. Likewise, the color codes and even
the routing guidelines may be less significant for smaller networks with shorter runs.
You will have to be the judge. The standards do not imply that your network will
fail if you do not observe all the guidelines; they simply say that it will work at the
specified performance category if you do.
Many exciting advances have occurred in the art and practice of LAN wiring. As we
have learned more about the operation of our cabling system, both copper and fiber,
