Do’s and Don’ts of Data Network Cabling

When commencing with operations to install data network cabling, there are a number of do’s and don’ts. First, it is important to note that if you are installing the data network cabling in an unfinished home, or office, regardless of the size of the job, it will be an easier task than in an already completed building.

Regardless of how large or small your data cable network is going to be, it is vital to have a home-run location. This is the location where all of your cables will terminate. This unit could be a structured media center that can be flush mounted prior to the completion of the building and should be large enough to accommodate both your present and any future expansion plans for your data network.

Do
Cross Power and Cat5 cables at a 90º angle. It is not always possible to keep both data network cabling and data network cables completely separate, and is virtually impossible to keep them from crossing at certain points in the construction process. If they must cross, they should be kept at a ninety degree angle to avoid any serious interference.

Don’t
Ever mix the color scheme of your data network cabling, keep all of you data cabling dependent upon what it is that you wish to install data cabling for, separate colors; for example, use white cabling for telephone and voice traffic line one, black for line two, yellow for line three, blue for data, etc.

Do
Label your cabling. As each piece of data network cabling is strung, it should be labeled as to which office or room it is destined for, and how it should be terminated, whether it be for Ethernet or a jack for the telephone. Using an indelible ink pen is perfect for this job.

Don’t
Run Cat5 cables right alongside power cables as this most typically causes interference on the data network cabling.

Do
Run Ethernet cabling everywhere, particularly if you have access to open walls during the construction phase of the office or home. If you are going to the trouble of installing data network cabling, it is good to have it in as many places as possible for easy access. Even if you only have one Ethernet port in a room, a router can be fitted to allow for more at a later stage.

Don’t
Bundle the data networking cable too tightly, it is fine for you to run telephone, data and coaxial video cable together but the bundles of cables should definitely not be tied into tight bundles. Cable turns should be soft as a kinked cable could have a negative impact on the network throughout.

Do
Keep your cables segregated and plan for any future growth, ensure that there is room to run more data network cabling in the future, particularly if the cabling is being strung during the construction phase of the building.

Do
Use mud rings, they are far more practical for telephone Ethernet and coaxial cables and as they are low voltage, the cables do not need to be terminated.

Mark is the Chief Sales Officer for SCT Product Sales. More FREE articles on this subject can be found on his website. http://www.simplyusedphones.com/articles.html