Las Americas Institute of Technology, career Technological Information Network, Network Infrastructure

Essentials.

Chapter 1

Cabling Overview.

Introduction
Many network administrators keep hearing that the network is down because of some or
the other reason. Various researches indicate that in many cases, the network is down
on account of inferior cabling systems. And installing standards-compliant structured
cabling systems can eliminate much of this downtime. Another important factor that
needs to be taken into account is that the structured cabling system, though it outlives
most other networking components, represents just five percent of the total network
investment.

The structured cable is the only one that needs to be installed to contend with the needs
of telephone and data communications now and in the future. It is a system that
provides a very "structured" approach to the entire cabling system—a single-mixed
media network that handles all information traffic like voice, data, video, and even big
complex building management systems. In brief, it could be described as a system that
comprises a set of transmission products, applied with engineering design rules that
allow the user to apply voice, data, and signals in a manner that maximizes data rates.
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Essentials. Chapter 1 Cabling overview.

Objetives
 Learn about the Cabling Industry and the Cabling Job Market.

 Examine Safety Codes and Standards.

 Discuss Safety Around Electricity.

 Discuss Lab and Workplace Safety Practices.

 Learn about Personal Safety Equipment.

Communication and Analog Telephony

In the history of communication is highlighted that in 1837 was developed the Morse
code, then followed by the Automatic Telegraph, Telegraph Printing, culminating with
the Telephone; patented in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell. Already by 1880 there were
30,000 telephones in use worldwide. Currently the amount is over 4.1 billion mobile
phones.

With the widespread acceptance of phone, the connection quality became important.
Users are requiring quality connections. At the same time, it became clear the need for
standardized installation practices, equipment and materials. This standardization has
resulted in the emergence in the United States of telephone network system consistent,
reliable and offering nearly identical services from all over the country.

Telephony is the science of turning sound into electrical signals and transmits between
distant stations.

The cables that connect between the phone and a telephone switch called telephone
lines. The cables that connect between the telephones switches are called Trunks. The
last mile from the telephone to the user often called ―Local loop‖ due to the way that
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Essentials. Chapter 1 Cabling overview.

telephone indicated by a signal if they hang (ready to receive calls) or taken down
(waiting for incoming calls).

Structured cabling
Structured cabling is the concept of using a single wiring scheme to handle all voice,
data, and other services like video.

Structured cabling also includes all the devices that cable is pulled through, the
equipment to which the cable is terminated, and electronic devices that connect users
and resources.

The advantages of structured cabling are:

 Consistency – A structured cabling systems means the same cabling systems for
Data, voice and video.
 Support for multi-vendor equipment – A standard-based cable system will support
applications and hardware even with mix & match vendors.
 Simplify moves/adds/changes – Structured cabling systems can support any
changes within the systems.
 Simplify troubleshooting – With structured cabling systems, problems are less
likely to down the entire network, easier to isolate and easier to fix.
 Support for future applications – Structured cabling system supports future
applications like multimedia, video conferencing etc with little or no upgrade pain.

We further define a structured cabling system in terms of ownership. The structured

cabling system begins at the point where the service provider (SP) terminates. This
point is the point of demarcation (demarc) or Network Interface Device (NID).

For example, in a telephone system installation, the SP furnishes one or more service
lines (per customer requirements). The SP connects the service lines at the point of
demarcation.

Every structured cabling system is unique. This is due to variations in:

o The architectural structure of the building, which houses the cabling installation;

o The cable and connection products;

o The function of the cabling installation;

o The types of equipment the cabling installation will support -- present and future;

o The configuration of an already installed system (upgrades and retrofits);

o Customer requirements; and Manufacturer warranties.

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Essentials. Chapter 1 Cabling overview.

Structured cabling installations typically include: entrance facilities; vertical and

horizontal backbone pathways; vertical and horizontal backbone cables; horizontal
pathways; horizontal cables; work area outlets; equipment rooms; telecommunications
closets; cross-connect facilities; multi-user telecommunications outlet assemblies
(MUTOA); transition points; and consolidation points.

Relationship between a high quality cabling and costs,

reliability and security.
The wiring is the physical medium that connects the modern communication systems
with data systems. It’s perhaps the least expensive component of a network, as it has a
relatively low initial cost and a long lifespan, which is normally 10 to 15 years.

Network administrators should employ the latest technologies in the market, the cable of
better quality and standards set by specialized companies to provide a wiring system
that does not degrade the signal, holds the security level to avoid inserting or steal
information. Establish a system governed by the standards wiring reduces the resolution
of problems.

Cabling Jobs
• Installation supervisor.

An installation supervisor schedules and directs the work of installation technicians.

These professionals work in a variety of industries and, in most cases, oversee the work
of utility installation technicians.

• Project manager.

The role of the Project Manager is to plan, execute, and finalize projects according to
strict deadlines and within budget. This includes acquiring resources and coordinating
the efforts of team members and third-party contractors or consultants in order to deliver
projects according to plan. The Project Manager will also define the project’s objectives
and oversee quality control throughout its life cycle.

• Marketing representative.

A marketing representative is someone who is responsible for creating awareness about

a product, service, business or organization. He is responsible for supporting a wide
range of marketing activities and is the connection between the buyer and seller.

• Entry-level installer.
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Essentials. Chapter 1 Cabling overview.

The job of the cable installer is to provide good, technically accurate cabling between all
of the communications devices that make up the network.

• Cabling design engineer.

Must have 3 to 5 years of experience in designing complex cable configurations, even in

environments overhead wires, underground wiring installations. It requires knowledge of
TIA/EIA and NEC. Preferably, the certificates are requested from industry like CNE,
MCSE or Cisco (CCNA, CCDA and CCNP).

Safety standards and codes

• Employee safety - Stay alert, think ahead, and wear appropriate protective gear to
help stay safe.

• Workplace safety - Work with others in a way that does not endanger them.

• Public safety - Take precaution in all work conditions.

In the United States there are some organizations which are documented safety
standards and codes for workers such as:

OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Act), it is responsible for protecting workers and
verifying the safety of labor organizations. Every person that works or it is engaged for a
construction of company must know OSHA’s regulations

UL (Underwriters Laboratories), independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and

certification organization. Testing products for public safety for more than a century.

NEC (National Electrical Code,) is a United States standard for the safe installation of
electrical wiring and equipment.

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), which is the agency
responsible for conducting investigations and making recommendations necessary to
prevent occupational diseases and injuries.

What is a standard?
Standards are sets of rules or procedures that are either widely used, or officially
specified to provide a model of excellence. A single vendor specifies some standards.
Industry standards support multivendor interoperability in the following ways:

 Standardized media and layout descriptions for both backbone and horizontal
cabling.
 Standard connection interfaces for the physical connection of equipment.
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Essentials. Chapter 1 Cabling overview.

 Consistent and uniform design that follows a system plan and basic design
principles.

Numerous organizations regulate and specify different types of cables. Local, state,
county, and national government agencies also issue codes, specifications, and
requirements.

A network that is built to standards should work well, or interoperate, with other standard
network devices. The long term performance and investment value of many network
cabling systems has been diminished by installers who do not comply with mandatory
and voluntary standards.

These standards are constantly reviewed and periodically updated to reflect new
technologies and the increasing requirements of voice and data networks. As new
technologies are added to the standards, others are phased out. A network may include
technologies that are no longer a part of the current standard or will soon be eliminated.
These technologies do not usually require an immediate changeover. They are
eventually replaced by newer and faster technologies.

You can determine which standard to follow depending on where you develop your
project.
Las Americas Institute of Technology, career Technological Information Network, Network Infrastructure
Essentials. Chapter 1 Cabling overview.

Electrical safety
Due that wiring is installed near power lines, it is important that all network installer
before starting a project to know the voltage of power established in the place where
they carry out the project prevent damage and injury. In many countries the voltage can
be 100 to 240.

Therefore, you should take precautions to ensure the life of the project workers.

Electricity is a major cause of home fires. As each year goes by, Americans continue to
use more energy in their homes. At the same time, the electrical systems in many
existing homes have become outdated, and are unable to handle the demands of
today’s electrical appliances and devices. Electrical hazards can cause burns, shocks
and electrocution (death).

 Assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that
a wire is safe to touch even if it is down or appears to be insulated.
 Never touch a fallen overhead power line. Call the electric utility company to report
fallen electrical lines.
 Stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from overhead wires during cleanup and other
activities. If working at heights or handling long objects, survey the area before
starting work for the presence of overhead wires.
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Essentials. Chapter 1 Cabling overview.

 If an overhead wire falls across your vehicle while you are driving, stay inside the
vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not leave
your vehicle. Warn people not to touch the vehicle or the wire. Call or ask someone
to call the local electric utility company and emergency services.
 Never operate electrical equipment while you are standing in water.
 Never repair electrical cords or equipment unless qualified and authorized.
 Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet before
energizing it.

Hazardous Voltages
Hazardous voltages can be found in unfinished spaces and access areas such as those
found above ceilings, in equipment rooms, or in telecommunications rooms.

• Keep an eye out for abnormal circumstances such as circuit breaker boxes with
the covers removed, frayed or loose cords, and damaged equipment.

• Pay particular attention to other devices and other workers in the work area.

• Never touch a cable that might be "live" with both hands, because a complete
circuit could be formed. Always keep one hand off of the cable.

Grounding
Grounding provides a direct path to the earth for voltage. Equipment designers isolate
the circuits in equipment from the chassis. The chassis is the box where the circuits are
mounted. Any voltage that leaks from the equipment to its chassis should not stay in the
chassis.
Grounding equipment conducts any stray voltage to the earth without harming the
equipment. Without a proper path to ground, stray voltage may use a different path,
such as a human body.
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Essentials. Chapter 1 Cabling overview.

Ground symbol
Signal grounds serve as return paths for signals and power within equipment, and on
the signal interconnections between equipment.

GFCIs
(Ground-fault circuit interrupter), are designed to protect from electrical shock by
interrupting a household circuit when there is a difference in the currents in the "hot" and
neutral wires. The idea behind a fuse is to protect a house from an electrical fire. If the
hot wire were to accidentally touch the neutral wire for some reason (say, because a
mouse chews through the insulation, or someone drives a nail through the wire while
hanging a picture, or the vacuum cleaner sucks up an outlet cord and cuts it), an
incredible amount of current will flow through the circuit and start heating it up like one of
the coils in a toaster. The fuse heats up faster than the wire and burns out before the
wire can start a fire.

This is a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) safety outlet. This type of outlet constantly monitors electricity
flowing in a circuit, to sense any loss of current.

Workplace Safety Practices

Although cable installation is generally a safe profession, there are plenty of
opportunities for injury. Many injuries are caused when installers come in contact with
stray sources of voltage, or foreign voltages. Foreign voltages include lightning, static
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Essentials. Chapter 1 Cabling overview.

electricity, and voltages caused by installation faults or induction currents on network

cables.

This image shows how should be organized a workplace to avoid electrostatic discharge.

The following are guidelines for keeping a workplace safe:

 Before beginning work, learn the locations of all fire extinguishers in the area. A
small fire can get out of control if unable locate an extinguisher quickly.

 Always determine the local codes in advance. Some building codes may prohibit
drilling or cutting holes in certain areas such as firewalls or ceilings. The site
administrator or facility engineer will be able to help identify which areas are off
limits.

 When installing cable between floors, use a riser-rated cable.

 Riser cable is covered with a flame retardant fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)
jacket to prevent flames from reaching another floor through the cable.

Personal Safety Equipment

Wearing protective clothing and gear can prevent an injury or make one less severe.

The use of personal protective equipment is to reduce employee exposure to hazards

when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective to reduce
these risks to acceptable levels.
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Essentials. Chapter 1 Cabling overview.

 Safety goggles.
 Ear plugs and muffs.
 Respirators and dust masks.
 Protective gloves.
 Work boots.
 Hard hat.

Conclusion
In summary, the initiation of structured cabling begins with the development of
telephony, which later increase the demand for converged networks, it means transmit
data, voice and video through the same channel.

Structured cabling have a great demand in the job market, because every company
needs a network structure that can meet their requirements and meets established
standards.

All professionals in this field should know the rules instituted by regulatory agencies,
both technological, electrical and workers. Remember that no only should know about
installation of networks, but must rely on knowledge of electronics, first aid and design.