25 Jan The Importance of Structured Cabling Standards
Standards are essential for telecommunications networks, providing guidelines and best practices for every aspect of cabling systems, from design and installation to performance and verification. They establish technical criteria that ensure uniformity and compatibility between networks, even those involving multiple vendors.
In the realm of communications cabling, standards play a vital role in defining cabling types, distances, connections, architectures, performance parameters, testing requirements, and more. By providing recommended best practices, standards can reduce downtime and installation costs, simplify moves, adds, and changes, maximize system availability, and extend the useful life of a cabling system. With standards, it is possible to build structured cabling systems that can easily accommodate existing and future technologies, equipment, and users.
The two primary organizations involved in developing structured cabling standards are the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). While TIA standards are commonly used in North America, ISO standards are more prevalent outside the continent.
Before 1985, no structured cabling standards existed. Phone companies used their own cabling, while businesses relied on proprietary systems from vendors. Eventually, the Computer Communications Industry Association (CCIA) approached the Electronics Industries Alliance (EIA) about developing cabling standards, leading to discussions on standards for voice, data, commercial, and residential cabling systems. The TIA emerged in 1988 after a merger between the United States Telecommunications Suppliers Association and the Information and Telecommunications Technologies group of the EIA.
In 1991, the TIA published its Commercial Building Telecommunications Wiring Standard, ANSI/TIA-568, which defined a generic telecommunications system capable of supporting a multiproduct, multivendor environment. It allowed for wiring systems to be planned and installed without specific plans for telecommunications equipment that may be installed later. The latest version of this standard is TIA-568-C, published in 2009, and the standards committees review standards every five years.
Other organizations involved in developing standards related to cabling and communications include ANSI, BICSI, CSA, EIA, ISO, IEC, IEEE, NEC, NEMA, and NFPA. While this list is not exhaustive, it highlights the range of organizations and areas covered by cabling and communications standards. It is important to note that standards are constantly evolving, and this guide serves as an introduction to the most relevant standards for commercial buildings. For the latest versions or to purchase standards, contacting the relevant associations is recommended.
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) — This group coordinates and adopts national standards in the U.S.
BICSI (Building Industry Consulting Service International, Inc.) — This association supports the information transport systems (ITS) industry with information, education, and knowledge assessment.
CSA (Canadian Standards Association) — Electrical and electronic goods in Canada must be CSA approved.
EIA (Electronics Industries Alliance) — Known for developing cabling standards with the TIA, the EIA ceased operations on February 11, 2011. EIA standards are now managed by the Electronic Components Association (ECA).
TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) — Best known for developing cabling standards with the EIA, the TIA is the leading trade association for the information, communications, and entertainment technology industry.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) — This group is the world’s largest developer of standards and includes standards groups from member nations around the world.
IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) — This international standards organization prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies.
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) — IEEE, pronounced “Eye-triple-E”, is an international organization and a leading developer of standards in a broad range of disciplines, including electric power, information technology, information assurance, and telecommunications.
NEC (National Electrical Code) — The NEC is a document produced by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It is a regionally adoptable standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the United States.
NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturing Association) — NEMA is the voice of and forum for the electrical and medical imaging industries serving manufacturer members.
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) — This is the North American organization of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety.