Cabling Matters

1. Maximise your investment

When choosing your network infrastructure consider how long you’ll be using it for. Cat 5e requires the lowest initial investment but may need to be replaced after a few years. Cat 6a provides longevity, maximum speed and performance, offers lowest total cost of ownership and maximum return on investment. It is therefore now the standard of choice for forward planning businesses demanding the highest performance from their network.

5. Mismatched components

Damaging signal crosstalk and reflection is caused by components not working together in harmony. To ensure Cat 6a Class Ea performance, ensure component compliant products will be used from the same manufacturer which are designed to work together and carry an extensive end to end application assurance and product warranty.

2. Shielded or unshielded?

Some Cat 6a systems are shielded and with a shielded system it is vital that the earthing is carried out in accordance with manufacturers’ standards to ensure the system delivers Cat 6a performance. Ensure that you work with an installer who knows what they’re talking about when it

comes to earthing/grounding and bonding issues.

Alternatively, remove the potential for grounding issues by opting for a good quality Unshielded (UTP) system instead. Amongst other things, unshielded Cat 6a systems use dividers, insulation and shape to achieve Cat 6a performance removing the reliance on a system that requires earthing. Unshielded cable can also reduce cabling installation time as there are no screens or drain wires to install and issues with maintenance of screen/shield integrity over time can be avoided. This is a complex issue and STS

has experience and expertise in both dystems. If you’re in doubt as to which system is best for your circumstances then please discuss your project with us.

6. Cable shapes

When considering Cat 6a systems you’ll be amazed at the variety of physical sizes and shapes of cable that are on the market today. Cable diameter, weight and presentation of cables can all impact on the ease and cost of implementation and the amount of space required for cable routing and storage.

Round cables are much easier to install and house therefore maximising density and minimising volume and containment. Triangular and even elliptical cables can waste much needed space – ask how your infrastructure provider intends to use cable to maximise your energy efficiency and budget.

7. Different cabling standards

Be aware that different cabling standards

do exist as well as different levels of

capability. Challenge which standards cable manufacturers comply with. The ISO/IEC Class Ea specifi cation is the most stringent standard and compliance to this global specifi cation offers peace of mind.

3. Containment systems

When designing a network, consideration should be given to how and if cables will fit into the space available, also how cables will be routed and presented as this could impact on other services such as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning provided within the same space.

Cat 6a requires more substantial pathways and containment systems than Cat 5e due to bend radius, cable diameter and shape. When installing Cat 6a into an existing building ensure your installer has considered the impact upon the existing infrastructure as risers, voids, cable trays, cable baskets, floor ducting and perimeter trunking may be required. Working with a quality installer that includes containment design as part of the overall project is essential.

8. Minimum channel distance

Good cabling design requires well positioned Comms rooms and risers as well as careful choice of product. Good quality cabling systems allow for shorter distances between patch panel and outlet or patch panel to patch panel, which in turn means less cable and lower overall cost.

For Cabling Standards compliancy, lower specified systems have to observe the 15m rule which means considerable wastage in coiled cable may occur for shorter distance cabling runs. In these circumstances often ‘more can mean less’, as a seemingly more expensive system can ultimately save waste in cable usage with a resultant lower cost and less cluttered spaces either overhead or under-floor.

4. Plan to save costs

The way cable is pulled can make a big difference to the time it takes to complete an installation. Demand a cabling system that can be installed from a box - boxed cables are easier to set up, quicker to use and more environmentally efficient to dispose of than reels – and should ultimately result in installation cost savings.

9. Shared Media

Ensure new Cat 6a cabling can run with

existing cabling via the manufacturer’s

installation guidelines. If there’s any doubt, new and old cables should be segregated.