Professional-grade data cabling can solve numerous problems in a building. You might wonder if your situation demands a proper data cabling installation, though. Here are five ways to tell if it's worth the investment.
Unable to Identify Specific Lines
Every cable goes somewhere, and you should be able to readily identify where that is. Likewise, you should know what devices are attached to the cables and how they transmit signals.
Professionals typically color-code cables to ensure identification. For example, a pro might make all of the VOIP lines blue and Cat 5 cables red. This makes it much easier to plug new devices into the system because you can tell what the connection is based on the color. Also, the color code will make replacing cables easier because you won't have to check each one to determine its type.
Visual Horror
Good cabling should be aesthetically pleasing. Especially if you're going to have visible cables where people walk, you want your data cabling to move in bunches and have solid tie-downs. This will make the cables a visual benefit whenever you walk into server rooms or open access panels.
Long-Distance Connections
The longer a cable run is, the more likely it'll suffer signal degradation. A good data cabling installation will account for this in one of three ways. First, the installer may use higher-grade cables to reduce degradation in the line. Second, they might favor a specific type of cable over another, such as replacing ethernet cables with fiber optics. Finally, they could install devices along the path to stabilize the signal or server as repeaters.
Numerous Types of Cables
As you add more types of cables, keeping tabs on them gets tougher. Worse, you might not plan to have a complex setup. Adding some phone lines to an office that already has some network cables, for example, doesn't seem like a big deal. However, a video editor could add fiber optic lines to speed transfers to the server, and then someone else might add cables to transmit live video to conference rooms.
Eventually, this legacy of additions can leave you with numerous cables running in different directions. At best, it's physically inefficient. At worst, the cables could emit signals that interfere with the other lines.
Security
Finally, data cabling can be a security issue. If you have access control panels in a building, they're only as secure as the cables that connect them to the servers. A professional can ensure that every conduit and panel is as secure as possible.
To learn more, contact a data cabling installation service in your area.
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