Standards for wiring
telecommunications
networks in Cornwall
Council buildings
Revision 3.0
Resources Directorate
Standards for wiring telecommunications networks in
Cornwall Council buildings
Introduction
3
Horizontal distribution cabling
4
Telephone distribution cabling
6
Network wiring centres
7
Backbone cabling
9
Telephone backbone
11
Implementation
13
Warranty
13
Documentation and labelling
13
Acceptance
14
Standards for wiring telecommunication networks in Cornwall Council
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Introduction
1.
This document outlines the standards to which telecommunications
cabling must conform for any new works, additions to existing
installations and repairs. Standards for electrical installation are
documented elsewhere. Where a supplier wishes to respond to both the
telecommunications and electrical elements of a given tender both
standards will apply.
2.
New cabling installations will be expected to support the following
applications:
• Ethernet local area networks at 10Mbps, 100Mbps and 1000Mbps
• Power over Ethernet
• PABX analogue extensions
• PABX digital extensions
• ISDN2 circuits
• PTO analogue circuits
• Video – baseband and RGB
• RS232 at up to 19.2Kbps
3.
For each installation a schedule will be supplied which will document the
detail of the requirement together with any variations to this
specification. As well as complete installations suppliers may be invited
to provide a “terminate and test” service in relation to cables run in by
others.
4.
The following conditions will apply in all cases:
• A documented network design including outlet quantity and layout
must be agreed with Cornwall Council’s project manager before
work commences
• Acceptance testing will be required to confirm that the installed
system meets the defined specifications and standards
• All cabling work will be fully documented
5.
In addition, unless otherwise agreed or specified in the schedule:
• Wiring to final outlet destination points will be via 4 pair category
5 (enhanced) or category 6 UTP cables
• Links between wiring closets and campus buildings will be via fibre
optic cables
• Voice connections between wiring closets and exchanges will be
via copper pair cables
• Additions to existing installations will use components from the
same manufacturer
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Horizontal distribution cabling
Specification and standards
6.
The cable and component quality and the installation and termination
techniques must, as a minimum, comply with all relevant parts of
EN50173 and EN50174, category 5 enhanced standards to support
application class D.
7.
The cable is to be unshielded four twisted pair, with nominal impedance
100. Outlets will conform to EN 28877 (eight position modular
connector) and be capable of receiving 24 AWG solid and stranded
wires terminated by insulation displacement methods. Termination is to
be to the T568B standard.
8.
The following installation standards will apply:
• The length of each horizontal cable from patch panel to
telecommunications outlet is not to exceed 90 metres
• Maximum bending radius during installation of 75mm
• Maximum final bending radius of 25mm
• Maximum pulling load of 25 lb/ft
• Cables to be secured at both ends using the fixings provided
• Cable ties are not to be over tightened to a point where they
cause strain on the cable sheathing
• Segregation from power of 150mm unless contained in purpose
designed multi compartment trunking, in which case the length of
the parallel run should be kept to a minimum
Density of outlet distribution
9.
Unless otherwise specified in the schedule, the density of outlets will be
based on floor area and will be as follows, where the term “outlet”
should be taken to mean a single RJ45 point. The outlets will be evenly
distributed around the area.
• For a data only installation in a normal work area the minimum
density is to be 2 outlets (1 double outlet) for every 9 sq m
• For a voice and data installation in a normal work area the
minimum density is to be 4 outlets (2 double outlets) for every 9
sq m
• For installations in classrooms the minimum density is to be 4
outlets (2 double outlets) for every 9 sq m
• For other locations such as computer rooms and meeting rooms
the density may be higher or lower than normal and will be
specified in the schedule
Outlet location and cable containment
10. In all cases, double outlets will be mounted on single gang faceplates
and quad outlets will be mounted on double faceplates.
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11. All containment will be surface mounted unless otherwise stated.
Perimeter trunking at dado rail height is the preferred method of
containment in areas of normal outlet density. Where possible, the
bottom of the trunking should be at least 25 mm above normal desk
height. Trunking at skirting level should be used only where dado
trunking is impracticable. Existing trunking should be used where
feasible in which case the supplier will be responsible for fitting suitable
back boxes. Individual wall mounted back boxes should be used in
areas of low outlet density.
12. Outlets will not be mounted on moveable partition walls unless an
adequate distribution cannot otherwise be achieved; in such
circumstances the preferred solution is to install the horizontal
termination in the ceiling space above. Where the smaller dimension of
a room exceeds 8m, provision will be made for locating outlets remotely
from the walls using purpose-made poles or floor boxes.
13. Installation practice is to ensure that the cable is not subjected to
excessive lateral or longitudinal strain in installation and that support by
tie wrap of cable bundles is provided at 0.5m intervals on vertical runs
and 1.5m intervals on horizontal runs. Minimum bending radii of 20
times cable diameter during installation and 10 times diameter after
installation will be maintained at all times. Cable pair twist must be
maintained during stripping and termination.
14. Where main cable runs are located above suspended ceilings or below
floors, basket or tray fixed to the building structure will be used. This
will also apply to cable run between building floor levels. Under floor
installations in particular must be adequately protected from attack by
vermin. Baskets/trays should not be more than 60% full in a new
installation. Under no circumstances will cables be loose laid.
Service to desks
15. The supplier may be required to provide the service to the desks in
which case the following will apply:
• Extension from horizontal outlet to user workplace will normally
be by drop leads direct to the desk, terminated at each end in
RJ45 plugs. These cables will be factory made and conform to the
cable and connector specifications required to meet EN50173
enhanced application class D standards.
• The cable feed into the desk should be installed through
appropriate desk cable management. Where cable management
does not exist, cable ties, trunking etc must be used to secure
cables appropriately. Approximately one metre free tail should be
left for equipment connection and the remainder neatly contained
within the desk.
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Testing of UTP cabling
16. Unless otherwise specified in the schedule, 100% of the installed UTP
cables will be tested in accordance with the latest draft of EIA/TIA
TSB67. The tests are to include:
• Length
• Wire map
• Attenuation
• NEXT
• ELFEXT
• ACR
• Return loss
• Propagation delay
• Delay skew
17. NEXT, ELFEXT and ACR should ideally be tested under power sum
conditions.
18. Details of the test equipment to be used and documentary evidence of
regular calibration will be required.
Telephone distribution cabling
General principles
19. Three types of telephony service may be encountered:
• IP Telephony as part of a structured cabling system
• PBX-based with separate distribution using voice grade cable
• PBX-based as part of a structured cabling system
20. IP telephony requires only compatibility with power over ethernet.
Separate distribution using voice grade cable will follow the standards
set out in paragraphs 52 and 53. The remainder of this section applies
where PBX-based telephony is used as part of a structured cabling
system. The precise wiring configuration will be specified in the
schedule.
21. The telephone system supplier will terminate the extension wiring on a
test jack frame (TJF). The wiring contractor will terminate the
distribution wiring on an adjacent main distribution frame (MDF) which
will, in turn, be connected by multi pair voice grade cable to voice patch
panels in the main (or only) wiring centre. Where there is more than
one wiring centre the distribution will be in accordance with paragraphs
49-51.
22. An additional provision of 20% beyond that which is currently required
should be made to allow future phone provision to be satisfied through
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patching rather than physical rewiring. Distribution frames and boxes
should not be mounted at floor or ceiling level or behind furniture or
cabinets.
Specification and standards
23. Unless otherwise specified, two pairs will be connected to each voice
patch panel outlet; pair 1 will be connected to RJ45 pins 4&5 and pair 2
will be connected to pins 3 and 6. The MDF must be connected by a
dedicated 6mm2 cable to a clean earth point in accordance with
BS7671.
24. All voice cabling is to comply with BS6701. Multi-pair copper cable
within buildings is to conform to the BT CW1308 specification and will
be terminated on punch-down strips type 237A.
25. The frames onto which the wires are connected will be clearly labelled in
ascending numerical order, allowing for each connected circuit to be
documented with a frame, row, and location detail, e.g. 1A-39-6 will
relate to a circuit connected to frame 1A, row 39, location 6.
26. The following jumper wire colours will be used with punch-down strips:
• Green/yellow
ISDN connections
• Blue/yellow wire
Analogue connections
27. At no point should jumper wires be pulled tight or bend more than 90o.
Testing of telephone cabling
28. Unless otherwise specified in the schedule, 100% of the installed
cabling will be tested for:
• Continuity
• Attenuation
• Insulation
• Wire map
Network wiring centres
Location
29. Suitable locations for wiring centres must be agreed in advance and will
be specified in the schedule. Office areas, kitchens and any areas
subject to excessive dust, damp or temperature extremes are not to be
used.
Patch frames
30. The schedule will specify whether patch panels are to be installed in an
open frame or an enclosed cabinet. Enclosed cabinets should have a
toughened glass or perspex lockable front door and removable steel
sides. Floor standing cabinets should have a lockable steel back door.
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31. The cabinet or frame must be equipped with effective vertical and
horizontal cable management. The frame is to be a minimum of
700mm wide to permit tidy vertical routing of patch cords. The density
of patch sockets is to be no more than 24 per row. Horizontal cable
management must be included every two rows. To facilitate cable
tracing vertical cable management must take the form of bars or loops
rather than plates with holes.
32. Unless otherwise specified, the standard configuration for wiring frames
should be as shown in the diagram below. Where IP telephony is in use
the space designated voice patch may be occupied by PoE switches
instead.
Outlet Patch
Vertical cable Management
Vertical cable Management
Voice Patch
Active Data
Equipment
Fibre Patch
Space for UPS
(if specified)
33. Horizontal cable management to be fitted every 2u.
34. The total space occupied by the outlet patch and voice patch must not
exceed 75% of the frame capacity. To meet this condition in large
installations multiple identical frames should be combined with clear
access between. The outlet and voice patch panels should then be
evenly distributed across the frames.
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35. Cabinets and frames up to 22u in height are to be equipped with a
power strip with a minimum of six 13A sockets. Larger cabinets and
frames are to be equipped with a minimum of 12 sockets. Sockets
should be off set from the centre line and/or spaced so as to permit the
use of typical low voltage power supply units. If specified in the
schedule a rack mounted UPS is to be supplied and installed as shown
in the diagram and the power strip connected to its output.
36. The mains supply to the cabinet or frame is to be taken from a
switched/fused spur fed from a clean radial circuit and labelled with the
distribution board reference. In addition the frame must be connected
to a clean earth source in accordance with current IEE wiring
regulations BS7671.
Patch cables
37. Patch cables will be factory made and conform to the cable and
connector specifications required to meet EN50173 enhanced
application class D standards. The following coloured cables will be
used to signify the type of connection:
• GREY
Non critical data
• RED
Critical voice or data
• BLUE
Non critical voice
• GREEN
Cross over between active devices
• BLACK
DMZ/restricted access
• MAROON
end)
ISDN or BT direct dial (ISDN lines have yellow tag on
• YELLOW
Test environments
• ORANGE
Public/shared networks
• BROWN
Uncontrolled/untrusted networks
• PINK
Server management (including ILO)
38. Patch cables must be of appropriate length and routed tidily using
horizontal and vertical cable management.
Backbone cabling
Fibre optic backbone
39. Unless otherwise specified in the schedule, new optical fibre cable shall
consist of multimode graded-index 50/125 m fibres meeting the
following specifications:
Mechanical performance
• Cable minimum bend radius: 20 times cable diameter during
installation and 10 times cable diameter after installation
• Buffered fibre minimum bend radius:19 mm
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• Operating temperature range: -10 to +50 degrees C
• Storage temperature range: - 40 to +70 degrees C
Optical specifications
40. Maximum fibre loss shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
• 3.0 dB/km at 850 nm
• 1.0 dB/km at 1300 nm
41. Minimum bandwidth shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
• 400 MHz-km at 850 nm
• 600 MHz-km at 1300 nm
• Numerical aperture: 0.2
Fibre optic connectors
42. SC style connectors shall be used which meet or exceed the following
specifications:
• Operating temperature: -10 to +75 degrees C
• Average loss: 0.3 dB
43. Extensions or modifications to existing 62.5/125µ cables should use ST
style connectors.
Fibre optic patch cords
44. Fibre patch cords for new installations shall consist of duplex, buffered,
graded-index 50/125 µm fibres. Unless otherwise specified, fibre patch
cords shall be terminated at both ends with dual SC connectors.
45. The fibre patch cords are to meet the following specifications:
• Minimum bend radius: 30mm
• Operating temperature: -10 to +70 degrees C
• Loss: 0.4 dB per mated connector
• Minimum bandwidth at 850nm: 400 MHz-km
• Minimum bandwidth at 1300nm: 600 MHz-km
46. 62.5/125µm patch cords with ST style connectors may be specified for
extensions or modifications to existing installations.
Compliance with international standards
47. Fibre optic cabling will conform to BS7718.
Testing
48. 100% of the installed fibre optic cables will be tested after termination
at both ends. The tests will comprise a simple measurement of power
loss and an OTDR test at 850nm and 1300nm wavelengths to
demonstrate that the installed cable meets the parameters specified in
paragraphs 29-36.
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Telephone backbone
General principles
49. This section applies where PBX-based telephony is used as part of a
structured cabling system.
50. Where multiple wiring centres are to be used the preferred solution is to
employ a main voice patch panel and one or more subsidiary voice
patch panels in the main wiring centre as shown in diagram 5.2.1(a)
below. The MDF is to be connected to the main patch panel and each of
the remote wiring centres is to be connected to a subsidiary patch
panel. Cross connection between the main and subsidiary patch panels
is made using UTP patch leads.
Wiring Centre 2
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PBX
5.2.1(a) - Preferred distribution
51. Alternatively, a multi pair cable from the MDF may be terminated on a
distribution point (DP) in each remote wiring centre as shown in
diagram 5.2.1(b) below. The DP (consisting of punch down strips type
237A mounted in a suitable box) will then be connected to the voice
patch panel. The multi-pair cable terminations at the MDF should be
clearly labelled. The label should indicate the wiring centre names and
the individual voice port numbers.
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Wiring Centre 1
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Multi-pair
Multi-pair
5.2.1(b) - Alternative distribution
Specifications and standards
52. All voice cabling is to comply with BS6701. Multi pair copper cable
within buildings is to conform to the BT CW1308 specification. Where
copper cable is run between buildings, either outdoor grade cable to
CW1128 specification or indoor/outdoor cable to CW1308B specification
will be used. Outdoor cable will be terminated within 1m of the entry
point into the building and extended using indoor cable. Cables will be
terminated at distribution points (DPs) consisting of punch down strips
type 237A mounted in suitable boxes. Where specified in the schedule
surge arrestors are to be fitted at the ends of outdoor cables. These
should be Oneac Line Analogue Protectors from Chloride Power, order
code US10AP200 or US10AP1.
53. The strips onto which the wires are connected will be clearly labelled in
ascending numerical order, allowing for each connected circuit to be
documented with a frame, row, and location detail, e.g. 1A-39-6 will
relate to a circuit connected to frame 1A, row 39, location 6.
Testing
54. Unless otherwise specified in the schedule, 100% of the installed
cabling will be tested for:
• Continuity
• Attenuation
• Insulation
• Wire map
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Implementation
55. The timetable for installation will be as defined in the schedule, where
any interface with other contractors, particularly with regard to
provision of containment and power, will also be noted. The supplier
must nominate a project manager who will be responsible for all
aspects of the installation and for liaison with the Council’s
representatives including site visits.
56. Sound working practice must be adhered to throughout. The supplier is
responsible for drilling any necessary holes and attaching fittings and
equipment to buildings. Every reasonable precaution must be taken in
order not to cause damage or compromise the structural integrity.
Where appropriate the Council’s project manager should be consulted.
57. The supplier is responsible for ensuring that all work areas are covered
by a certificate confirming the absence of asbestos. Redundant and
waste materials must be disposed of in accordance with the current
WEEE Directives.
58. Every effort should be made to avoid breaching fire breaks. Where a
breach is unavoidable the break must be made good using an approved
material such that current fire regulations are adhered to.
59. The supplier must, at all times, adhere to the Council’s current health
and safety policies. In particular, safe working practices must be
adhered to and work areas must be kept free from accumulations of
materials, debris and equipment. Hazardous areas must be cordoned
off and prominent warnings displayed.
Warranty
60. A comprehensive warranty will be required providing the following
minimum cover:
• 1 year on component defects
• 15 years on conformance to specification
61. Suppliers must state whether or not the warranty is underwritten by a
system manufacturer. Any caveats and conditions must be stated and
agreed in advance.
Documentation and labelling
Labelling
62. Patch panels, the main distribution frame, and any distribution boxes
used are to be fully labelled with clear unambiguous information.
63. Cables will be individually labelled at a point 150mm from each
termination. Telecommunications outlets will be labelled in a logical
sequence around each room and the home terminations on the patch
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panel will also be presented in a logical order and labelled with the
corresponding outlet number. Where multiple wiring cabinets or frames
are in use each frame will be labelled and its number referenced on
corresponding outlets (e.g. outlet 1/025 is terminated on cabinet 1,
outlet 2/120 is terminated on cabinet 2).
Documentation
64. The following minimum documentation is to be supplied:
• Test results as identified above – these may be in electronic form
provided they are accompanied by a certificate confirming that
each cable conforms to the test requirements identified above
• A plan of the installation with cable routes and outlet numbers
marked on it - preferably this should be in AutoCAD (.dxf) or
Microsoft Visio (.vsd) format
• Appropriate warranties as defined above
• A certificate to confirm that the voice cabling conforms to BS 6701
65. In addition for larger works (100 outlets or more):
• ‘As installed’ cable distribution details in Microsoft Excel format,
associating each cable and outlet with its location
• Face plans of main distribution frame, patch panels and cabinets
• Details of the wiring configuration used throughout for both
horizontal wiring and for voice patch panels
Acceptance
66. Final acceptance will be dependent on the following:
• Confirmation that the installation meets this specification and the
associated schedule in all respects
• Receipt of satisfactory test results and documentation as
described in paragraphs 64 and 65
• Receipt of the warranty as described in paragraphs 60 and 61
67. The supplier will be required to remedy, at no cost to the Council:
• Any and all deficiencies and non compliance identified at handover
• Any faults that develop during the warranty period
Standards for wiring telecommunication networks in Cornwall Council
buildings
Version 3.0
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Prepared by:
Property Services
6 March 2016
Standards for wiring telecommunication networks in Cornwall Council
buildings
Version 3.0
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If you would like this information
in another format please contact:
Cornwall Council
County Hall
Treyew Road
Truro TR1 3AY
Telephone: 0300 1234 100
Email: enquiries@cornwall.gov.uk
www.cornwall.gov.uk
Standards for wiring telecommunication networks in Cornwall Council
buildings
Version 3.0
16