What is Structured Cabling? 

When it comes to the word structured cabling, it is often thrown around and used as a buzzword. However, does anyone really know what it means? We often hear technical terms that may confuse us and not help us understand what they mean. We are going to break down structured cabling in plain terms so that you can better understand what services you are getting. 

Structured Cabling in Plain Terms

As you may know structured cabling is used in telecommunications and has many smaller elements. When talking about structured cabling you are talking about a campus of building who has the telecommunication cable throughout the structure. These structures have many elements which are considered the structure. 

What Structured Cabling Looks Like

The best word to describe structured cabling is organized. Compared to all different types of cabling, structured cabling is the most organized approach for cabling. 

In many different centers the term point to point is used. This method runs the jumpers (patch cables) to the hardware that will need a direct connecting point. This is what structured cabling is not. 

Using A Structured System For Data Transmission

When using a structured system, it is a bunch of jumpers or patch panels and/or trunks used to help create this structure for the ports. These ports will be connected to a panel at the top of your rack. When all this is done, the panel is then connected to another panel with the trunk. This is done in the MDA or main distribution area. 

Keep in mind that the main distribution area is the key to knowing if cabling is structured or not. Non-structured cabling does not have a main distribution area. Short patch cords are then used for all the moves, adds, and changes. This is also known as MAC. 

Risks of Not Using Structured Cabling

When your wires and cabling are unorganized and messy, there are going to be a lot more mistakes. Some of the most common mistakes are using incorrect ports or becoming unplugged.

Messy Cabling Can Cause Major Problems!

Sometimes with unstructured cabling, you can get a mess of cables that are going to get in your way. When you try to remove a single wire, more than one may end up being disturbed or stressed. When you do this, it could lead to stress on your network and many different channel errors. These errors are going to be hard to trace because the setup is very messy with lots of cables and wires. 

Cables May Overwhelm Your Wiring And Networking Systems!

If you are using a point-point method, the front and/or sides will become overwhelmed with cables that are in bulk. This will block some of the airflow that you will need for the switch to become operational. This also can cause underfloor cooling. When there is congestion in this space, it will cause issues with cooling systems.  

Why You Should Use Structured Cabling 

When you use traditional systems such as the point-point system, the cabling will be messy, and you are going to carry data at a higher rate. Structured cabling plays an important role and here are some of the benefits you may notice when switching. 

Benefits Of Structured Cabling

• It is going to be more cost-effective for you. It is more organized, and it can reduce the use of power. Plus, it is not going to be as difficult to maintain. Plus, you are going to reduce the money spent on maintenance because you are going to be able to locate the problem quicker and with less effort. 
• Your downtime is going to be reduced as well. When people are managing a cabling network, it is going to be unorganized and there will be more risk of human error. This can cause downtime and many other problems. With a structured system it will be organized, and you can easily find the problem. If you can identify the problem quicker, you are going to have less downtime. 

Wrapping Up: What Is Structured Cabling?

Having structured cabling is going to benefit you and your business because it is going to allow you to reduce your power usage and have less downtime. This means that you are going to have more time to do things related to your business and have less downtime. The more time you are not down, the more traffic you are bringing to your site. 

Choose Comtex For All Of Your Structured Cabling Needs!

Choose Comtex for all of your structured cabling needs! Comtex has a location in East Rutherford, New Jersey and offers support in a variety of areas. Some of the other services Comtex offers include business access control systems, video surveillance CCTV systems, business telephone systems and more!

Please contact us at your convenience if you have questions about what structured cabling is and Comtex's cabling and wiring installation services.