Ever since the became a popular form of communication in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, copper wiring has been a preferred medium for communications technology. But recently, the performance advantages of fiber optic cabling have made it the preferred medium in a number of implementations.
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Whereas copper wiring is made of stretched metal strands, fiber optic cabling is made up of a flexible glass core and a plastic cladding exterior. Copper wiring transmits information as electrical impulses along the conductive metal. Fiber optic cables transmit that information as pulses of light. Because light travels faster than electrical pulses, fiber optic cabling offers better communication speeds.
However, communications devices are based on electricity, and so an optical fiber system must have ways of converting electricity into a light signal at one end and converting light back into electrical information at the other end.
It's easy to envision a point in the near future when all cabling is fiber optic, but until then, there are situations when copper wiring is a better choice. To understand when to use each type of cabling and why, look for a structured cabling installer with a depth of experience in designing cabling systems for businesses like yours.
There is a reason why fiber optics are becoming the preferred choice for cabling over copper: better performance.
One of the most significant areas in which fiber optic cabling is better than copper is faster transmission rates. The fastest speed at which copper can transmit digital information is 40 gigabytes per second. For fiber optics, the current maximum transmission rate is theoretical and tests have shown it is capable of transmitting hundreds of terabytes per second.
Although signals get weaker through both fiber optic cable and copper cabling, fiber optics are able to maintain the integrity of signals for much longer distances. According to governing standards, individual lengths of copper cabling should be 100 meters or less, although the latest copper cabling is effective over longer distances. Depending on the types of signals and cable, fiber optics are capable of maintaining signal strength for more than 24 miles.
Copper wiring also has electromagnetic issues. When an electrical signal passes through any type of metal wiring, it produces a surrounding field of interference, which can bleed into nearby metal wiring, disrupting electrical signals. This phenomenon known as crosstalk can lead to the necessary retransmission of a message and increased security risks. Because fiber optics do not produce an electromagnetic field, the cabling is more secure and nearby transmissions cannot be disrupted.
While exterior cladding and shielding can make any cabling bulkier, the actual wiring of fiber optics is much smaller than copper wiring. The diameter of fiber optic cable can vary but it is typically measured in microns, which should give you a sense of just how small it is. By comparison, copper wiring is measured in millimeters. Fiber optic cabling also tends to be much more flexible than copper wiring, making it easier to physically work with.
The smaller size of fiber optic cabling also allows for better air circulation. This helps to keep equipment cool and optimize performance.
Fiber optics cabling can be great, but it is costly. Companies looking to limit their cabling spending may want to be judicious about the ways in which they employ fiber optics.
The signal loss seen in copper wiring can be an issue, but not over short distances. Given the cost savings, copper wiring is a better choice when connecting equipment, in small networks, in wiring closets and for low-priority applications. Furthermore, many buildings already have copper wiring infrastructure in place, which can help to minimize upfront costs.
In addition, copper wiring and resources are widely available. It's also easier to find service providers for this legacy technology.
While newer copper cabling is capable of handling high-speed data transmission, we may eventually reach the limits of this medium. As time passes, we consume more and more data, which drives up bandwidth requirements. Therefore, it’s important to consider long-term data needs when deciding on cabling options.
A company that increasingly adopts fiber optic systems will position itself for the future. A structured fiber optic environment can last for many years if not decades. As technology advances and the demand for cabling increases, a fiber optic system will continue to meet demand.
Additionally, the costs of fiber optic technologies and equipment will decrease over time. In just a few years, cost savings associated with copper wiring could seem minimal compared to the benefits offered by technically superior fiber optic cabling.
The company is the world’s best fiber optic structured cabling system supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
At Taylored Systems, we have decades of experience consulting with businesses and installing structured cabling systems. We understand the best ways to provide businesses with strong reliable data connections and keep downtime to a minimum. With our assistance, businesses have been able to provide better customer service and maintain high levels of productivity by supporting high-speed Internet, voice and video technologies.
For an in-depth look at how structured cabling can be built to support the technology of the future, view our eBook: Structured Cabling Ahead of Technology.
Structured cabling and low voltage cabling are both words that are used interchangeably in the cable management industry. Data has to be transmitted somehow and cables are the way to do it. Structured cabling supports voice, video, and other management systems like security, access control, and even power. We will discuss the importance of structured cabling and offer insight into how it is installed.
Structured cabling or low voltage cabling is the most commonly used and most secure form of telecommunication infrastructure of a building or campus. Usually, it’s compiled of a number of smaller elements that are created by a series of patch panels and trunks. This allows for the patch panels at the top of a rack to connect to the switch ports.
The entrance facility includes service provider demarcation points, protection devices, cables, connecting hardware, and other devices that connect with the on-premises infrastructure at the client’s premises.
The telecommunications enclosure or room should be a secured and enclosed area. It is designed to house telecommunications equipment, cross-connects, cable terminations, and distribution frames. A building would usually have one main telecommunications room or enclosure. The size of the room can vary.
The backbone cabling is also called vertical cabling or wring. It offers the interconnection between entrance facilities, telecommunication rooms, and equipment rooms. This type of cabling is done between buildings or from floor to floor. The cables for backbone cabling can be coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable, and unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable.
Horizontal cabling refers to the cabling between the telecommunications information outlet in the work area and the horizontal cross-connect in the telecommunications enclosure(TE). It contains the telecommunications outlet, optional consolidation points, horizontal cable, mechanical terminations, patch cords, or jumpers located in the TR or TE.
Work Area is a place where work-area components are used to connect client hardware/equipment to communication outlets. The work-area components are also called communication outlets, cable components, and station equipment.
The reason we use structured cabling is that no one wants to navigate (or even look at) a jungle of chords going each and every way. These cables carry important data at high speeds and are the nervous system of a building's communication infrastructure. The benefits of using structured cabling are that it is cost-effective and reduce the risk of downtime. With a structure cabling system in place, it can reduce maintenance costs and power usage if installed right the first time. We are all human, so some error is bound to occur. If your system is organized and labeled correctly, it will minimize mistakes that cause network and flow disruption downtime.
Before installation, make sure you have a sound cable design from a Registered Communication Distribution Designer (RCDD). Having an RCDD create and review your plan does more than just make sure the right cable types are being used but that your design considers the planning patch ways and airflow and cooling requirements.
There are many cables to choose from to include Cat5e/6 and fiber optic, as well as many hybrid and specialty cables. You need to make sure that the data infrastructure design for your building will meet your current and future requirements.
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I hope by the end of this you have a better understanding of what structured cabling is and why it is important to a building’s infrastructure. If you are in need of a structured cabling project, reach out to the team at scDataCom. With our team of certified experts, we would be happy to assist you in creating the perfect design for your needs!
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