An expertly designed cabling layout will save you time, money and frustration.
Contact Us, and we’ll start planning yours.
A structured cabling system is the physical infrastructure your network depends on to carry information throughout your business. Consider how much of daily business is interrupted when a network fails. Edmonton restaurants can’t process debit or credit card payments; head offices in Calgary can’t receive emails or receive status reports from their pipeline crew in Fort McMurray. Certain functions can still be carried out, but communication slows to a crawl. And communication is vital in today’s increasingly connected business environment.
If corners are cut and careless mistakes are made, you’ll be left with a network plagued with problems that make communicating a daily frustration. And, it’s easy to get a structured cabling system wrong if you use a provider who fails to plan appropriately.
Here are six more of the common mistakes Tridon’s Cabling Technicians have found in clients’ systems.
No Consideration of Ambient Temperature
The reliability of your cabling network will depend, in part, on where you choose lay cable. If data cables heat up too much, they could fail; if moisture builds up on cables, you could be facing a network failure and a potential risk to worker safety in the event of a short. Cables need to be kept in a cool, dry environment. Fans and air conditioning units will need to be part of your installation plan.
No Room for Cable Removal
Even though your cabling system is infrastructure, it isn’t permanent. You may need to replace a length of cable that is underperforming. You may want to upgrade your system or move portions of it to a different, more convenient location in your facility. If there isn’t enough physical room available for a cabling technician to remove a length of data cable, then your network won’t be able to adapt as quickly as your business needs change.
Insufficient Ceiling Support
This is a common mistake made by inexperienced cable installers. On their own, ceiling tiles aren’t strong enough to carry the weight of large bundles of cable. What’s more, if they aren’t properly bundled, a pile of cables can fall from the ceiling the moment a technician lifts a tile to begin maintenance work. Specific pathways have to be taken and certain supports installed before running cable through the ceiling crawlspace.
Incorrect Cable Termination
The end of a fiber optic cable has to be carefully cleaned before it can be terminated and put into use. Failing to do this, or doing it improperly, can seriously diminish how well that cable performs.
Using Separate Cables for Data and Voice Communication
This used to be standard practice, but as the networking needs of organizations grew and changed, a different cabling solution was required. Modern structured cabling designs often use twisted-pair cables – both shielded and unshielded- to accomplish this task. This isn’t simply a matter of saving space in the server room; twisted pair cabling actually offers greater protection from interference and crosstalk emitted by nearby devices. This protection makes it a more effective option.
Failing to Test the Network
The right tests, with the right tools, can identify any lingering problems not caught before the installation was completed. It allows you to catch and correct any safety or performance problems that could impact the network. It takes time and may lead to work being re-done, but the end result is worth it.
Getting Started
The savings on an inexpertly designed cabling solution won’t be enough to cover the costs of downtime and maintenance in the long run. Your safest bet is to invest in doing it right the first time. If you’d like to talk to someone about your cabling needs, or if you want your current system reviewed, Contact Us. Our Engineers, Cabling Technicians, and Client Support Specialists are here to help.
Tridon is a full solution Telecom Systems Integrator with CSA certification and licensed by APEGA. Our Engineering, Service and Tower Divisions collaborate with customers to build engineered solutions including communications systems design, tower inspections and co-location, wireless broadband, fiber optic cabling, site security, and two-way radio communication.
