What is structured cabling? In simple terms, it is a comprehensive telecommunication system that has a combination of both cabling and hardware. Commonly found in buildings and campus environments and consists of a number of smaller elements. In this system, factors that shape its design include:
· Difference in the structure of the building where the toronto structured cabling installation is housed. Buildings differ in their architectural design and so should the wiring and cabling systems.
· Cable and connection products from different manufacturers affect the way the cabling will be done
· Cable installation functions vary from one structure to another
· The types of fixtures to be supported by the cabling installation both currently and in the future
· The configuration of an installed systems whether old or current
· Customer specifications such as wide coverage, appearance and the speed of the network
· Warranties from manufacturers are different. Some developers offer warranties which are friendly to the customers while others could be just a coax where service providers may not meet their end of the bargain.
Backbone cabling
The term backbone is used to describe the extensive work the cables do- which is to handle the network traffic. It is starts from the entrance facility. The cabling network branches out to other constructions and further outlets from floor to floor within the same building.
Cabling connectors
A cabling connector is a mechanical device used to connect a cable to a hardware device or to join two cables. The role of the cabling connector is to minimize loss of networks or any information transmitted by the wiring.
For fiber optics, cable connectors enable light impulses to transfer within the connectors. In the case of copper, instead of light impulses, electrical signals are transferred from one connector to the next.
Installations
Installations for this cabling system include:
· entrance facilities
· equipment rooms
· horizontal and vertical backbone pathways
· horizontal and vertical backbone cables
· work area outlets
· horizontal cables
· horizontal pathways
· cross-connect facilities
· equipment rooms
· multi-user telecom outlet assemblies commonly referred to as MUTOAs
· telecommunications closets
· consolidation points
· transition points
Standardization
Structured cabling is an extensive project which costs a lot in terms of monetary and human resources. As such, it has to be governed by a set of codes and regulations to ensure no foul play by greedy installers. It also ascribes to a number of certification boards since it can have negative effects on the environment especially if done wrongly. In the USA for instance, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)is the body that governs the standardization and maintenance of codes within the industry. TIA/EIA is also responsible for the regulation practices.
Why standardization
The main reason for installation is to ensure consumers of these products receive proper services. It is simply for consumer protection in the market where there are many unprofessional service providers. Benefits of standardization include:
· Design and installation consistency
· Strict following of both transmission line and physical requirements
· Standardization serves as the base for investigating if a projected system expansion and other alterations have adverse effects
· It enhances proper and constant documentation.
Since the advent of computers there have been a number of cables in the market. Network cables are connectors used in the transferring of data and processed information between routers, computers and switches. All the different cables have their pros and cons and are chosen based on these criteria. The types of network wiring available include:
Coaxial cables
They are among the oldest type of wiring in the industry as it dates back from the 1880’s. Its strongest point is that it is the best solution in connecting television antennas. Coaxial cables are of two types which possesses a standard of 10 Mbps Ethernet cables. It consists of thinnet (10 BASE 2) and thicknet (10 BASE 5). The inner copper wire is both insulated and shielded. The cable stiffness poses a difficulty in installation and maintenance processes.
Fiber Optics Cabling
For this kind of network cable, no metal wires are used. Instead it employs strands of glass and electric signals light transmitter. It is flexible hence can be bent which is highly effective with Wide Area Network (WAN) especially in environments with network traffic. Fiber optics is also of two types, single and multimode. Single mode is (100 BASE SX standard) while for multimode is 100 BASE SX standard. For longer distances, single mode is the better option following its higher bandwidth while shorter distances employ the latter given its affordability since it is low cost.
Twisted Pair Cables
In the 1990’s, twisted pair cables was the leading cabling option for Ethernet. The mechanism of this cable type is wounding of 8 wires which help to minimize electromagnetic interference. The network wiring have seen an upgrade from 10 Mbps (10 BASE-T also CAT 3) then it progressed to 100 Mbps (100 BASE-TX CAT 5 and CAT 5e) and finally 10 Gbps (10 G BASE-T). It is of two types Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and Shielded Twisted Pair (STP).
Cross over cables
Network devices which are of the same type need to be connected when transferring data or information. When two devices such as personal computers are joined, cross over cables are the most common wiring system that are used. A common example is the null modem cables. Most Ethernet crossover cables are similar in appearance to ordinary cables. The only difference that stands out is the variability in the color coding system of the wires. In recent times, cross over cables have been used in routers.
USB cables
These are another type of cables which provide connection of device to device. Universal Serial Buses connect computers to peripheral devices such as the mouse and external hard drives. They also help in transferring information from one point to another. Special networks such as dongles have adapter that allows connection of Ethernet cables to the USB port. USBs feature a twisted pair cabling as its internal wiring type.
With the many network wiring systems, you will not fail to get one that suits your needs. You can also use these cables in a combination. Check out those wiring types for your network needs.
Many are the times when you are found off guard when your electricity supply fails. Whether it is the blown circuits or redundant wiring, they all lead to one thing, inability to carry out your normal day to day activities. You are not able vacuum your floors, get your clean laundry and getting that cold drink from your freezer is just a mere imagination unless you call the toronto electrical contractor. You do not want to be stranded, do you? Read on to know the warning signs which will help you prevent such tricky situations.
Frequent tripping of the circuit breaker
When your circuit breaker is giving you sleepless nights because plugging in appliances for a while causes it to trip, then it has issues. If the occurrence is frequent, this tells you that the system could be overloaded, the electrical panel is faulty or the wiring could be having problems. Without further ado, you should call in the pros to have a look at your circuit breaker early enough to prevent you from staying in the dark when it actually fails.
Flickering lights
Just like in spooky movies, a flickering light indicates danger- not that a ghost is coming for you but your electrical panel might fail any time soon. Upon noticing that some light bulbs in your home whether in your living room or study room is dimming itself, be on toes and seek for help. Some of the reasons for this situation include; fixture damage, toronto electrical systems that have undergone much wear and tear as well as imbalance of power outage. It is also an indicator that the circuit is faulty.
Burning smell
The nose is a strong sensory organ which can tell from normal to abnormal conditions. If you happen to smell burning plastic when you plug in your electric devices such as the juicer, toaster, vacuum cleaner or cake mixer, your electrical system is not in good shape. Presence of this scent is an evidence of damaged wiring. Do not ignore and think that it will just go away because it won’t, in fact, the damage might even extend. Book an appointment with an electrical contractor to avoid future complications.
Warm or sparking outlets
The moment you notice that your outlets are warm to the touch or are releasing sparks, you should know that you have to pay attention to it. Do not even think of trying out a stunt and trying to fix it because it is very dangerous and can cost your life. The culprit of this mishap is either electrical fire or defective wiring. Be keen on this sign to keep your family safe.
Buzzing outlet
Everyone knows the humming sound of an electrical appliance in toronto. This is not something to ignore because it is an indication that there is a loose connection somewhere, polarity reversal, improperly grounded wiring or the off and on cycle of the lighting process. Interchanging aluminum and copper switches could also add to the buzzing of the outlet.
There you are, with all these warning signs you will definitely know when to call in the toronto electrical contractor to do their magic.