Structured Cabling (BIT3222)

Project Implementation: Cable Installation

Dr. Nadia IRADUKUNDA

E-mail: iradukundanadia1@gmail.com
niradukunda@mkurwanda.ac.rw

Kigali, Rwanda
Installation Process

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 Installation Process
v There are four phases that cover all aspects of a cabling project:
1. Rough-In Phase: In the rough-in phase, all of the cables are installed in the ceilings, walls, floor
ducts, and risers.
n During the rough-in phase the cable is pulled from a work area, or staging area, to individual rooms or
work areas.
n Each cable is labeled on both ends for identification.
n In the work area, extra cable should be pulled so that there is plenty to work with when terminating.
n If a cable will run behind a wall, it is pulled out at the termination end so that it is ready for termination in the
next phase.
2. Trim Out Phase: The main tasks during the trim out phase are cable management and the
termination of wires.
3. Finish Phase: The main tasks during the finish phase are cable testing, troubleshooting, and
certification.
4. Customer Support Phase: In this phase, the customer conducts a walk-through of the network
and is presented with formal test results and other documentation, like as-built drawings.
n If satisfied, the customer will sign off on the project.
n The cable installation company will provide ongoing support to the customer if there are problems with
the cabling.
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Rough-In Phase

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 Pulling cable to the jacks
v In the work area, cables must be pulled to a jack or outlet location.
n The cable can be attached directly to the fish tape and then pulled down from the ceiling and
out through the outlet box.

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II. The Trim Out Phase

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 Trim out Phase
v In the rough-in phase of cable installation, excess cable was left at both ends of
the cable run. So,
n Cable termination

n Cable management system, should be done properly.

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 Con’t
1. Terminate or punch down devices

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 Con’t
2. Cable management

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 Raceways in distribution cables
v A raceway is a channel that contains cables in an installation.
n Raceways include common electrical conduits, specialized cable trays or ladder racks, in-
floor duct systems, and plastic or metal surface mounted raceways.
v Surface mounted raceways are used when there is no hidden path for the cable.
n Plastic surface mounted raceway comes in various sizes to accommodate any number of cables.

n These are easier to install than metallic conduits and are considered to be much more attractive.

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 Fastening cable
v The final step in the rough-in process is to permanently fasten the cables.
n Many types of fasteners are available, such as nylon cable ties or hook and loop ties.
v The installation of Network cables should never be tied to electrical cables.
v Cables should never be tied to water or sprinkler
pipes.
v Performance networks cables have a minimum
bend radius that cannot exceed four times the
diameter of the cable.
n Therefore, use fasteners that support the
minimum bend radius.
n Fastener spacing may be defined in the job
specifications.
n If no spacing is specified, fasteners should be
placed at intervals that do not exceed 1.5 m
(5 feet).
n If a cable tray or basket is installed in the ceiling,
permanent fasteners are not necessary.
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 Firewall

v A firewall is constructed out of special materials and techniques that will resist the
movement of smoke, gasses, and flames from one area to another.
n Fire-rated walls also limit the spread of flames from the area where a fire originates to
surrounding areas.
n This can protect building occupants and fire fighters from exposure to toxic
gasses, smoke, and flames.
n Firewalls can also give the occupants extra time to evacuate the building.
v Firewall penetrations
n Several types of materials are used to construct firewalls.
n The most common material is drywall, or sheetrock.
n When applied floor to ceiling, each layer of this material can resist the spread of flame
for approximately one-half hour.

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Firewall

Firewall
No Firewall

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 III. Finish Phase
v Diagnostic tools are used to identify existing and potential problems in a
network cabling installation.
n Cable testers are used to discover opens, shorts, split pairs, and other wiring problems.
n After an installer has terminated a cable, the cable should be plugged into a cable tester to
verify that the termination was done correctly.
n If a wire is mapped to an incorrect pin, the cable tester will indicate the wiring mistake. A cable
tester should be included in every cable installer toolbox.
n After the cables have been tested for continuity, they can be certified by using certification
meters.

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IV. Customer Support Phase

v In this phase, the customer conducts a walk-through of the network and is

presented with formal test results and other documentation, like as-
built drawings.
n If satisfied, the customer will sign off on the cable installation project.

n The cable installation company will provide ongoing support to the

customer if there are problems with the cabling.

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Tools used in cabling
Dr. Nadia IRADUKUNDA

E-mail: iradukundanadia1@gmail.com
niradukunda@mkurwanda.ac.rw

Kigali, Rwanda
1. Cutters, Scissors, Pliers

v Use for cutting copper wire or trimming leads with the full
flush cutting blades.

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2. Cable Tie Tools

v Cable Ties allows adjustable bundling pressure which can prevent the over-tightening of
cables while making repeat jobs easy on your hands

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3. Compression and Crimping Tools

v a great solution for crimping RJ-11/45 connectors

v allows you to terminate your own cables to the
exact lengths you need
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5. Network Tester

v Cable Verification & Troubleshooting

v Voltage Testing

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6. Strippers

v The stripping blade can be adjusted for

different insulation thicknesses to
prevent damage to the shielding and
conductors

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Punching tools

v Solution to quick solution when needing to

punch down large groups of cables.
v For use on LAN and Telecom cables with
seating 2 pairs at a time.

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Con’t

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Tools sets

v Sets provide the right screwdrivers

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Factors to the correct cable selection and
application

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Factors to the correct cable selection and application

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 Factors to the correct cable selection and application
v Cable selection can be based upon the following key factors:
n Cable installation
n Cable Construction (cable material)
n Cable Operation (voltage, current, data (Mbps))
n Cable size
n Shielding requirements

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Lab and Workplace Safety Practices

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 Lab and workplace Safety

v Although cable installation is generally a safe profession, there are plenty of

opportunities for injury.
v First turn off power to all circuits that pass through those work areas.
v Before beginning work, learn the locations of all fire extinguishers in the area.
n A small fire can get out of control if unable to locate an extinguisher quickly

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 Fire extinguisher use

v Never attempt to fight a fire without knowing how to use a fire extinguisher.
v In the United States, fire extinguishers used in commercial buildings must be
checked at regular intervals.
n If they are not in good working order, they must be replaced.
v Note: If someone catches on fire, remember the tip, Stop, Drop, and Roll.

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Thank you for Your Attention
Dr. Nadia IRADUKUNDA
E-mail: iradukundanadia1@gmail.com
niradukunda@mkurwanda.ac.rw
 Discuss the following into groups
1. If cables are not installed properly, problems such as :
n Attenuation, Next, Fext, PS Next, PS Fext, may arise.

Discuss about the aforementioned terms in cabling system.

2. Explain the roles of labelling in cables

3. Explain ways how effective cable management benefits your system.

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Discuss the following into groups
1. Explain in details why is it necessary to have cabling standards?
n Discuss 10 cabling standards used in structured cabling.
2. a. Compare and contrast the pro’s and con’s of Aluminum and copper windings.
b. Discuss the types of ladders
3. Discuss the following types of insulation materials as used in structured cabling:
n PVC,
n XLPE,
n EPR
4. Discuss 10 tools used in cabling and their respective roles.
5. a. Discuss in details the Personal Safety Measures.
b. Describe the difference between lightning rod and lightning arrester, and how
they operate.
c. Why do we need to bond neutral and ground wires?

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