So you need network cabling at the office, or in your company's new building. You're wondering who to ask, when someone suggests you get the electrician who did the electrical cabling to do your network cabling. You're seriously considering it...after all, isn't cabling just cabling?
No, it definitely isn't. There's a world of a difference between network cabling and electrical cabling, and trusting an electrician to pull and install your network cabling can be a serious mistake, and subsequently cause your wireless network to fail as a result. It's vital to ensure that you employ a qualified IT cabling engineer when doing network cabling, to ensure your network is soundly installed. It's simply not enough to install a cable and follow a termination colour code.
Four Reasons to Employ a Cabling Specialist
Accreditation is a Must-Have
IT networks are a valuable business asset, and no longer a luxury, but a necessity. With such value placed your network, it's critical that network cabling installers are well-trained and accredited professionals, with a sound knowledge of the "hows and whys" of network cabling installations. After all, IT cabling is not "just another set of wires."
Physical Installation Affects Network Performance
The installation of network cable is governed by a specific set of rules, taking into account a number of areas of importance. Included in these areas are criteria such as adherence to the bend radii of a cable, best practices for maintaining structural integrity and the outer sheath of each cable. If a cabling installer is not knowledgeable on these areas, cable may be incorrectly installed, which causes a significant impact on the performance of the circuit at higher speeds.
Correct Termination is Important
Understanding and adhering to maintaining the twist integrity of cables at the point of termination is vital. The higher the specification of cable standard, the more critical it becomes to maintain the twist integrity of individual cable pairs and the overall cable bundle. An experienced network installer can insure that this criteria is met.
Testing Needs a Professional Hand
Each set of cabling standards has a very specific performance criteria that must be achieved. Determining whether the network will perform correctly means testing it fully using the correct equipment, and dealing with a professional IT cable installer that understands and is able to respond to any failures that may be discovered.
If you want your network to be a success right from the start, it pays to set it up for success by employing the services of a professional IT cabling engineer. Leave your electrics for the electrician, and your network to the networking professionals, and you'll be on your way to having a more reliable network long-term, and save yourself the trouble (and cost) of dealing with incorrectly installed cable.
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