Cabling-Aware, Mishaps And More

Are you making the same mistakes I made years ago?. -No matter the responsibilities that we have, we always will be dependent on what connects our devices back to our core systems. Even with wireless, you still have to have an uplink to an access point somewhere.

About 4 years ago, I was implementing a new solution for one of our customers. On that Friday night, we had to wait until 7 PM to start cutting over the new system. After we had our connections made at the main distribution frame (MDF) as well as one IDF. We noticed that none of our devices were working. Come to find out, there were issues with the existing wiring.

The jacks were wired as USOC (Universal Service Order Codes) RJ11C, and we had our connections made for ANSI TIA-EIA 568-B standard, which is the most commonly used nowadays here in the US. This issue added 3 extra hours of labor to our project.

To help you avoid something similar I have developed these steps=

• 1.- Check your existing wiring infrastructure
• 2.- Identify the wiring closets
• 3.- Create a plan
• 4.- Put your plan into action
• 5.- Resources

Check your existing wiring infrastructure

• Test the existing wiring

It might seem very basic, at least that’s what I thought on this project. You never want to assume anything. I will suggest that you use a CAT5/CAT3 tester, and test each jack before going live. If the wiring is not terminated on patch panels, you can use a 66 block adapter, or a 110 block adapter, which will allow to connect an RJ45 Tester.

By the way, if you find anything else that is not a patch panel, you might need to cancel the deployment until the right hardware is in place.

• Inspect the cabling

Check for splices, connections, areal wiring versus in-door wiring. You will be surprised, how sometimes an existing device is working, and yours won’t.

• Check the cable length

See how far is your workstation from the next repeater or extension point (Intermediate Distribution Point -IDF). Always keep in mind the necessary length of the cable. Each manufacturer has different specifications. Always look for to their documentation. You may want to  check if the CAT5 tester measures the length of it.

• Environment

For indoor wiring, see if the wiring is actually laying on the ceiling tiles, not properly secured to a J support hook, or any type of secured brackets, trays, etc. For external wiring, a lighting protector should be used at both ends of the cable, as well as the proper aerial cabling.

• Stranded or Solid Cooper

You have to understand what kind of wiring is installed. This will allow you to provide the correct accessories, such as RJ45 connectors, etc.

• Cable Bend Radius Bend Allowance

Is the minimum radius a cable can be bent without damaging the cable, or shortening the cable’s life. The minimum bend radius for Category 5e, and 6 cable is four times the cable diameter, which is approximately 1 inch. When cabling is bent beyond this specified minimum bend radius, it can cause transmission failures. All pathways must maintain the minimum bend radius wherever the cable makes a bend. To learn more go here= link.

• Identify the wiring closets

If the customer doesn’t know where each room is located, you can ask the building management team to see if they can help you find the closets. Once you have identified the feeders, verify that enough pairs are available in the existing cable to connect each of your devices.

If any devices are installed, make sure that, battery backups, and grounding are in place, as well as HVAC system.

Create a plan

With all the rooms inspected, it is time to create a plan to fix and replace if necessary.

• Do you need new wiring?

If any wiring needs to be replaced, I will suggest that you have them replaced, and installed at least a day prior to the installation. Each cable will need to be tested at both ends, using the correct jacks to meet your equipment specification.

• CAT5e vs CAT6

Stick with CAT5e over CAT6. CAT5e will run up to 1000 BASE-T, and CAT6 will run up to 10GBASE-T. Keep in mind that speed will change depending on cable length. To keep a good speed, you will need to consider the cable length, switch capacity to allow the speed implemented, and NICs associated with the existing devices. And, it also depends on your budget.

• Faceplates / caddy fasteners

Each location should have a faceplate installed to match each insert or jack, and a caddy fastener to secure each faceplate to a beam or building support stud.

• Patch Panels / 66 Blocks / 110 Blocks

Label each port in the patch panel / 66 block / 110 block port with the location’s number. Tone a few locations to verify the jack location matches the port assignment in the patch panel or hardware.

Put the plan in action

With all the data gathered, calculate how much time it will take to complete each task and add it to the project plan. e.g. 4 hours to label each port, 4 hours for CAT5 test each location, etc. Check for building infrastructure, what type of walls?, Are there existing conduits that can be re-used?, how about raised floors?. Your list will need to be customer specific.

Resources

Finding a good electrician or voice/data technician that knows about the solution to be implemented. You have to make sure that this person is providing the correct cabling with the correct terminators (jacks). I will suggest plenum rated cabling, but non-plenum rated will be fine for an indoor building with the correct environmental specs and space.

• To learn more about 1000 BASE-T select this link = 1000 BASET-T
• RJ45 Connector = Stranded vs Solid Copper
• Bend Radius Support 

 

 How about you. What experiences have you had when maintaining/servicing/deploying devices?. Leave a comment, in the comment section.