Cabling planning guide for intelligent buildings released

Network infrastructure specialist Siemon has released a new guide to assist infrastructure architects design flexible zone cabling solutions for use in intelligent buildings.

The growing adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) will be optimally supported by a cabling design where low-voltage building, network and security systems are converged on a single IP network infrastructure and powered by advanced Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology.

Ideally suited to these converged infrastructures, zone cabling consists of horizontal cables run from telecommunications rooms to intermediate connection points housed in zone enclosures typically placed in the ceiling space. Cables from zone unit enclosures connect directly to building devices such as sensors, wireless access points, cameras and digital signage or to outlets serving any such device. Combining these connections within zone enclosures supports rapid, less disruptive changes and reorganisation of work areas while simplifying deployment of new devices and applications.

“Deploying a zone cabling approach that facilitates building device connections within zone enclosures saves significant cost for automated buildings where a variety of low-voltage systems are converging on a single unified physical infrastructure,” said Valerie Maguire, global sales engineer for Siemon.

“It’s important for those designing these converged infrastructures to realise the benefits of this highly economical and functional standards-based design and to understand how best to deploy it,” she said.

The Zone Cabling and Coverage Area Planning Guide explains the various patterns that designers and architects can use for effective arrangements of coverage areas and their associated zone enclosures. It also highlights best practices for optimising device density, scalability and flexibility. In addition, it covers considerations for selecting cable media and complying with industry standards.

As designers and architects strive to leverage the IoT and deploy a converged cabling approach that allows connected systems to collect and analyse data for new levels of building intelligence, the guide will serve as a critical reference to ensuring that cabling infrastructures are optimised to support these new trends in building design.