1. Structured Cabling Overview
Structured Cabling 101-A
Structured Cabling Overview

2. Structured Cabling 101 Agenda
Structured Cabling System – Building Telecommunications Sub-Systems
How do they compare to electrical systems?
Primary Codes Used in North America
Building Codes and Standards
What are the differences?
ANSI/TIA/EIA Standards Overview

3. Structured Cabling 101 Agenda
Structured Cabling System – Building Telecommunications Sub-Systems
How do they compare to electrical systems?
Primary Codes Used in North America
Building Codes and Standards
What are the differences?
ANSI/TIA/EIA Standards Overview

4. The Six Sub-Systems of a Structured Cabling System......
Telecommunications
Electrical System
Building Entrance
Equipment Room
Telecomm Room
Backbone
Horizontal
Work Area
Electrical Meter Pan
Main Switch Board
Electrical Branch Panel
Electrical Feeders (Riser)
Electrical Branch Circuit
Electrical Duplex Receptacles
Let’s take a look at the similarities between electrical system configuration and telecommunication system configuration.

5. Let’s take a look at each subsystem individually!

6. 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.)

7. 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.)

8. 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.)

9. 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.)

10. 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.)

11. 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.

12. Structured Cabling 101 Agenda
Structured Cabling System – Building Telecommunications Sub-Systems
Primary Codes Used in North America
Building Codes and Standards, What are the differences?
ANSI/TIA/EIA Standards Overview

13. Primary codes in North America
NEC
National Electrical Code
Produced by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Revised every 3 years
NESC
National Electrical Safety Code
Produced by IEEE
Revised every 5 years
CSA
Primary code in Canada
Closely harmonized with NEC
The two primary codes governing the design and installation of electrical and telecommunications cabling in the US are the National Electrical Code, NEC, and the National Electrical Safety Code.
The NEC is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The National Electrical Code (NEC) is also referred to as NFPA-70. NFPA also publishes the NEC Handbook which many in the industry find helpful in understanding the requirements of the code.
The NESC is used by many federal, state and local agencies as their foundation for permit requirements although, as with many standards, modifications can be made by removing or adding requirements. The NESC is published by the IEEE, also referred to as IEEE C.2.

14. 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.
This substantial document defines proper installation practices for diverse high and low voltage electrical services. The primary objective of the NEC is to ensure the safety of people and property by producing standards that define correct installation of electrical services. The creation and deployment of such standards greatly minimizes the risk of hazardous shock and electrical fires.
Most federal, state and local governments have adopted the NEC in whole or in part as their electrical code. The local jurisdiction determines which version or parts are to be enforced and in some cases applies more stringent requirements.
NEC also addresses low voltage telecommunications and computer network systems—including the installation of fiber optic cabling.
NEC identifies building space environments for cabling rating such as plenum, riser, or general.
The NEC is updated every three years and is endorsed as a standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

15. National Electrical Safety Code
Stated purpose of the NESC
Safeguarding of persons, during installation, operation, or maintenance of electrical and communication lines and equipment.
Contains basic provisions for safeguarding employees and the general public under specific conditions.
The NESC is not intended as a design specification or instruction manual.
Deals with outside cable installations.
The purpose of the NESC is the practical safeguarding of persons during the installation, operation, or maintenance of electric supply and communication lines and associated equipment. The NESC contains the basic provisions that are considered necessary for the safety of employees and the public under the specified conditions.
The NESC is not intended as a design specification or as an instruction manual.
1973 to 1993, the NESC was revised on a 3-year cycle.
1993 the NESC Committee approved extending the cycle to four years
1997 Edition (C2-1997), revision cycle was changed to five years.
2003 Edition is most current
2007 Edition will be released 1 Aug. 2006; ANSI approval submittal in May 2006

16. Building Codes The key purpose of these codes is safety.
Generally, the codes do not address performance of our telecommunications systems.
The codes are promulgated as models, which most local municipalities adopt.
Once adopted as ordinances, the codes have the force of law and are enforced through local building inspectors.
The over-riding purpose of both the NEC and the NESC is safety from electric shock and fire hazards during the installation, use, and maintenance of these systems.
Since the codes do not address the performance of communications cabling systems outside the area of safety, growing demands for cabling performance led to the development of industry standards for cabling.
The codes are published as recommended models. Governmental agencies such as cities and counties (or in the case of the NESC, Public Utilities) may then adopt the codes as ordinances and the codes then have the force of law. The enforcement is generally in the form of local building inspectors.
The adopting agency is often referred to as the Authority Having Jurisdiction or AHJ. Most municipalities in the US adopt the NEC in whole or part, though many change some of its provisions and many lag behind adopting new revisions as they are available.

17. NEC and Communications
NEC communications related requirements
Low voltage and power cables separation
Cable supports above false ceilings
Grounding requirements
Protection equipment for exposed cables
Firestopping
Cable flame and smoke ratings
50 ft rule for un-rated (OSP) cable
Removal of abandoned cable
NEC requirements for low-voltage or optical fiber cabling are an indication that a safety issue is present.
Low voltage and power cables must be in separate conduits or enclosed raceways unless the insulation rating of both services equals the requirements of the higher voltage service.
Communications cable systems must have independent supports to suspend cables above false ceilings.
All metallic components (conduit, racks, cable shielding, etc.) must be properly grounded.
Cable exposed to lightning strikes must be protected with approved lightning protection equipment.
Any penetration of a fire-rated barrier or structure must be restored to the same fire rating by using the proper firestopping materials.
Any cable used inside a building must be fire-rated for the environment within the building. i.e.: Plenum (CMP) or Riser (CMR)
Any outdoor construction cable entering the building must transition to a fire-rated cable within 50 ft of the entrance point.
Abandoned cable, even if plenum rated, must be removed unless it is terminated and tagged for future use, though enforcement of this requirement varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

18. Codes and standards--NEC
NEC: a model safety code for local municipalities TR
air handler
plenum
plenum rating
CMP
OFNP
riser rating
CMR
OFNR
plus Firestopping
general purpose rating CM
OFN
50 foot maximum inside building
Some cable constructions cannot meet even the low standard of the general purpose flame test.
Outside plant cables with polyethylene, PE, jackets are in this category. PE gives excellent water and U-V resistance, but it is also very flammable and thus dangerous inside buildings.
The NEC limits these cables to 50 feet inside a building. Within this 50 feet, these cables must be terminated and cable rated for inside installation must be used beyond that point.
An alternative provided in the code is that the cable can extend farther than 50 feet if it is enclosed in rigid (not EMT) conduit. This heavier threaded galvanized pipe is necessary to contain the fire risk of the PE jacketing. The rigid conduit must begin at the point of entry of the cable into the building.
Some cable can’t meet any of these tests: polyethylene (PE) jacketed outside plant cable

19. Codes Vs. Standards NEC ANSI/TIA/EIA 75 Years+ 15 Years
Codes Standards
In general, codes address personal safety and are enforced by law. Standards address system performance and are adopted voluntarily by end-users who judge them to be a good value.
Both give the benefit of universality, vendor compatibility, and ultimately longer useful life and greater return on premises cabling investment.
Purpose: Safety Performance
Compliance: Force of law Voluntary
Sanctions: Fines, halt in project Shorter useful life cycle

20. Structured Cabling 101 Agenda
Structured Cabling System – Building Telecommunications Sub-Systems
Primary Codes Used in North America
Building Codes and Standards, What are the differences?
ANSI/TIA/EIA Standards Overview
Go to Structured Cabling 101-B, TIA/EIA Standards Overview presentation