What Is Structured Cabling?
Structured cabling is a complete system of cabling and associated hardware that provides an overall
telecommunications infrastructure. Structured cabling differs from the point to point wiring (also known
as horizontal cabling) approach which leads to random cables that are not manageable. Structured
cabling has planned cabling based on a systematic design with guaranteed connection points and
pathways that can distribute data, voice, and video within a building or campus. Structured cabling also
provides for optimal performance and scalability.
Key Components of a Structured Cabling System
An organized and well-designed structure cabling system consists of a number of components
Entrance Facilities – The physical point where the external telecommunications network integrates with
the interior cabling system
Equipment Rooms – Occupies the equipment and wiring consolidation points that serves the users inside
the building or campus
Backbone Cabling – allows connectivity both inter-building and intra-building between entrance facility,
equipment rooms, and telecommunications closet
Horizontal Cabling – The cabling that connects the telecommunications room to a single outlet of the
work area floor
Telecommunications Rooms – a space of equipment and is the point of connection between the
backbone and horizontal cabling
Work-Area Components – Connect the end-user equipment to the outlets of the horizontal cabling
system
Benefits of Structured Cabling
Structured cabling provides several specific benefits:
Scalability: Creates opportunities for future growth, whether large scale or accommodating changes in
technology, which require little disruption.
Compatibility: Supports many applications, including data, voice and video applications
Cost-Effectiveness: In addition to saving time in upgrades or updating standards, structured cabling
systems offer long-term savings.
Improved Performance: Structured cabling keeps high-speed data transmission similar and with little
interference.
Easier Troubleshooting: Trouble-shooting cabling is simplified with structured cabling all organized in
one single cabling infrastructure.
Standards Governing Structured Cabling
There are some internationally recognized standards for structured cabling installations which bring
about consistency and reliability. Noted standards include:
ISO/IEC 11801: Operating international standards related to generic cabling for customer premises.
ANSI/TIA-568: Telecommunications Industry Association cabling standard related to commercial
buildings.
CENELEC EN 50173: European standard for wiring systems.
Conclusion
Structured cabling is not only a technical necessity; it’s a strategic investment in the future of your
network infrastructure. Businesses can implement the use of structured cabling, which encompasses a
philosophy for a telecommunications cabling system, so that they can build a cabling system that will be
dependable, flexible, and efficient for current and up-and-coming technological requirements. Whether
your business is building a new facility or upgrading an existing one, structured cabling develops the
structure for a solid and flexible scalable network.