Emerge IT Services Cabling Solutions

Structured Cabling is defined as building or campus telecommunications cabling infrastructure that consists of a number of standardized smaller elements (hence structured) called subsystems.

Structured cabling falls into the following six sub-systems:

• Entrance Facilities is where the building interfaces with the outside world
• Equipment Rooms host equipment which serves the users inside the building
• Telecommunications Rooms are where various telecommunications and data equipment resides, connecting the backbone and horizontal cabling sub-systems
• Backbone Cabling as the name suggests carries the signals between the entrance facilities, equipment rooms and telecommunications rooms
• Horizontal Cabling is the wiring from telecommunications rooms to the individual outlets on the floor
• Work-Area Components connect end-user equipment to the outlets of the horizontal cabling system

Structured cabling design and installation is governed by a set of standards that determine how to wire a data center, office or apartment building for data or voice communications, using Category 5 or Category 6 cable and modular sockets. These standards define how to install the cabling in a star formation, such that all outlets terminate at a central patch panel (which is normally 19 inch rack-mounted), from where it can be determined exactly how these connections will be used. Each outlet can be 'patched' into a data network switch (normally also rack mounted alongside), or patched into a 'telecom patch panel' which forms a bridge into a private branch exchange (PBX) telephone system, thus making the connection a voice port.

Lines patched as data ports into a network switch require simple straight-through patch cables at the other 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 wall socket. In the U.S., no adapter is needed, as the 6P6C plug used with RJ11 telephone connections is physically compatible with the larger 8P8C socket and the wiring of the 8P8C is compatible with RJ11. In the UK, an adapter must be present at the remote end as the 6-pin BT socket is physically incompatible with 8P8C.

It is normal to see different color patch cables used in the patch panel to help identify which type of connection is being carried, though the structured cabling standards do not require this, except in the demarcation wall field.

Cabling standards demand that all eight connectors in Cat5/5e/6 cable are connected, resisting the temptation to 'double-up' or use one cable for both voice and data. This is generally a good thing as it means that they fully support features such as Power over Ethernet which require the so-far unused brown cables.

The main structured cabling standards used in the USA and many other countries are regulated by several governing agencies; ANSI-TIA-EIA. As specialists in structured cabling solutions, Emerge IT Solutions, LLC has continued education and certification programs through organizations such as BICSI and ICIA for all of our employees, thus maintaining a high level of competence regarding design and installation services. Emerge IT Solutions, LLC is committed to providing the absolute best quality solutions to our customers. As many different technologies, such as audio video conferencing, VOIP and many others continue to migrate to structured cabling as the means for integration, our staff is poised to provide certified integration services as a result of our experience and training in the structured cabling industry. We have an 'in-house' RCDD to oversee the projects and make sure all installations adhere to the standards. Site surveys are free of charge for the initial visit, give us a call today!