imported>Indefatigable: Reverted good faith edits by 86.154.53.43 (talk): External link spam

2025-03-11T14:31:56Z

Reverted good faith edits by 86.154.53.43 (talk): External link spam

New page

{{Short description|Telecommunications cabling infrastructure}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=January 2011}}
{{Lead too short|date=September 2017}}
}}

[[Image:Datacenter-telecom.jpg|thumb|Data center]]

In [[telecommunications]], '''structured cabling''' is building or campus cabling [[infrastructure]] that consists of a number of standardized smaller elements (hence structured) called subsystems. Structured cabling components include [[twisted pair]] and [[Fiber-optic cable|optical cabling]], [[patch panel]]s and [[patch cable]]s.

==Overview==
[[File:Structured Cabling.png|thumb|400px|Structured cabling network diagram]]
Structured cabling is the design and installation of a cabling system that will support multiple hardware uses and be suitable for today's needs and those of the future. With a correctly installed system, current and future requirements can be met, and hardware that is added in the future will be supported.<ref name="nmcabling">{{Cite web|title = Data Cabling FAQs|url = http://www.nmcabling.co.uk/data-cabling/data-cabling-faqs/|website = Cabling Solutions|accessdate = 2015-11-10|language = en-US}}</ref>

Structured cabling design and installation is governed by a set of standards that specify wiring [[data center]]s, [[office]]s, and [[apartment building]]s for data or voice communications using various kinds of cable, most commonly [[Category 5e]] (Cat 5e), [[Category 6 cable|Category 6]] (Cat 6), and [[fiber-optic cabling]] and [[modular connector]]s. These standards define how to lay the [[Telephone cable|cabling]] in various [[Network topology|topologies]] in order to meet the needs of the customer, typically using a central [[patch panel]] (which is often mounted in a [[19-inch rack|19-inch]] [[Cabinet (computer)|rack]]), from where each modular connection can be used as needed. Each outlet is then patched into a [[network switch]] (normally also rack-mounted) for network use or into an IP or PBX ([[private branch exchange]]) telephone system patch panel.

Lines patched as data ports into a network switch require simple [[straight-through patch cable]]s at each end to connect a computer. Voice patches to PBXs in most countries require an adapter at the remote end to translate the configuration on 8P8C modular connectors into the local standard [[Telephone plug|telephone wall socket]]. In North America no adapter is needed for certain uses: With ports wired in the preferred standard [[T568A]] pattern, for the 6P2C plugs most commonly used for single-line phone equipment (e.g. with [[RJ11]]), and 6P4C plugs used for two-line phones without power (e.g. with [[RJ14]]) and single-line phones with power (again RJ11), telephone connections are physically and electrically compatible with the larger [[8P8C]] socket, but with ports wired as [[T568B]], which is common but often in violation of the standard, only the first pair, i.e. ''line 1'', works.{{efn|Some jack manufacturers warn that their jacks are not designed to accept smaller plugs without damage. See {{section link|Modular connector|Interchangeability}} for more information.}} [[RJ25]] and [[RJ61]] connections are physically but not electrically compatible, and cannot be used. In the United Kingdom, an adapter must be present at the remote end as the [[BS 6312|6-pin BT socket]] is physically incompatible with 8P8C.

It is common to color-code patch panel cables to identify the type of connection, though structured cabling standards do not require it except in the demarcation wall field.{{specify|reason=what is the "demarcation wall field" and what color is required by what standard?|date=June 2019}}

Cabling standards require that all eight conductors in Cat 5e/6/6A cable be connected.

IP phone systems can run the telephone and the computer on the same wires, eliminating the need for separate phone wiring.

Regardless of copper cable type (Cat 5e/6/6A), the maximum distance is {{nowrap|90 m}} for the permanent link installation, plus an allowance for a combined {{nowrap|10 m}} of patch cords at the ends.

Cat 5e and Cat 6 can both effectively run [[power over Ethernet]] (PoE) applications up to {{nowrap|90 m}}. However, due to greater power dissipation in Cat 5e cable, performance and power efficiency are higher when Cat 6A cabling is used to power and connect to PoE devices.<ref name="nmcabling"/>

==Subsystems==
Structured cabling consists of six subsystems:<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Integrated Network Cables |url=https://www.inc-installs.com/cabling/structured-cabling-standards |title=Structured Cabling Standards |date=15 May 2014 |access-date=2017-10-14}}</ref>
* ''[[Entrance facility|Entrance facilities]]'' is the point where the [[telephone company]] network ends and connects with the [[on-premises wiring]] belonging to the customer.
* ''Equipment rooms'' house equipment and wiring consolidation points that serve the users inside the building or campus.
* ''Backbone cabling'' is the inter-building and intra-building cable connections in structured cabling between entrance facilities, equipment rooms and telecommunications closets. Backbone cabling consists of the transmission media, main and intermediate cross-connects and terminations at these locations. This system is mostly used in [[data center]]s.
* ''Horizontal cabling'' wiring can be standard inside wiring (IW) or ''[[plenum cabling]]'' and connects telecommunications rooms to individual outlets or work areas on the floor, usually through the wireways, conduits or ceiling spaces of each floor. A ''horizontal cross-connect'' is where the horizontal cabling connects to a patch panel or [[punch-down block]], which is connected by backbone cabling to the main distribution facility.
* ''Telecommunications rooms'' or ''telecommunications enclosure'' connects between the backbone cabling and horizontal cabling.
* ''Work-area components'' connect end-user equipment to outlets of the horizontal cabling system.

==Standards==
Network cabling standards are used internationally and are published by ISO/IEC, CENELEC and the [[Telecommunications Industry Association]] (TIA). Most European countries use CENELEC, [[International Electrotechnical Commission]] (IEC) or [[International Organization for Standardization]] (ISO) standards. The main CENELEC document is EN50173, which introduces contextual links to the full suite of CENELEC documents. [[ISO/IEC 11801]] heads the ISO/IEC documentation.<ref name=whatis>{{cite web |url=http://www.structuredcabling.com/what-is-structured-cabling-2/ |title=What is Structured Cabling |access-date=2018-12-04}}</ref> In the US, the Telecommunications Industry Association issue the [[ANSI/TIA-568]] standards for telecommunications cabling in commercial premises.

==See also==
* [[110 block]]
* [[American National Standards Institute]] (ANSI)
* [[Registered jack]], a set of standards for telecommunications cabling termination (including RJ11, RJ15, and RJ45)
* [[Telecommunication cabling]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.tiafotc.org/ Fiber Optics Tech Consortium (FOTC)]

{{UTP Cable Standards}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Structured Cabling}}
[[Category:Networking standards]]
[[Category:Signal cables]]

Structured cabling - Revision history

imported>Indefatigable: Reverted good faith edits by 86.154.53.43 (talk): External link spam