When it’s time for your company to relocate, you may be faced with the need to cable your new office for voice and data. There are many options available with respect to type, category and configuration. It’s important to know what your communication needs will be over the entire duration of time that you will be in the new space.
The most common cable categories available today are three, 5e and six. Standards for each category are determined by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) in TIA/EIA 568-B and are defined as follows:
Category three cable was designed to carry data up to 10 Megabits per second (Mbit/s) at 16 MHz. Although popular with IT professionals in the late 80s and early 90s, today this category is no longer used for data. It is still sometimes used today for non-network devices such as phones, faxes, modems, credit card machines as well as security and fire systems.
Category 5e cable is rated for performance up to 100MHz and is used for both 100 Mbit/s and one Gigabits per second (Gbit/s) networks.
Category six cable is rated for performance up to 250MHz, more than double that of Cat5e and is primarily used for one Gbit/s networks.
The type of cable used in a commercial building is pre-determined by building codes. For example, if the heating and cooling system of the building uses the space above the ceiling tiles for the return as opposed to ducted returns, then plenum cable (CMP) is required. If the cable must penetrate a firewall or go between floors of a building, then riser cable (CMR) is required. If the cable does not travel through a plenum space or pass through a firewall or go between floors, then standard communications grade cabling (CM) may be allowed depending on local building codes.
Overall, your cable project will be determined by the type of cable required plus the category that best fits your networking needs and budget. I recommend you consult with a voice and data specialist who has a valid C-7 low voltage contractor’s license with the California Contractors State License Board.
For a free assessment of your cabling, phone or data needs, contact Dwight Wolfe at 661-702-1789 x 201 or visit our website at www.avidvoipnetworks.com for more information.