Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1066130
January/February 2019 I 21 for all IB applications and also require the installation of AC power to these switch locations.) Zone cabling, which utilizes a horizontal connection point (HCP) as outlined within TIA-862-B and detailed in the ANSI/BICSI-007 standard, is a cabling design that allows greater flexibility for PDs that are typically installed above the ceiling in plenum environments, such as wireless access points (WAPs), security cameras, fire alarms, speakers and many other applications (see Figure 2). Zone cabling does not include any active components and can be configured in both a centralized and decentralized topology (see Figures 9-11). It is important to note that ISO/IEC 11801 standards refer to the HCP as a service concentration point (SCP), but for the purposes of this article, HCP is used. According to ANSI/BICSI-007, a zone cabling design consists of horizontal cables installed from the TR to an HCP that is typically housed in an enclosure located in the ceiling space, on the wall, or below an access floor. From the HCP, cabling is installed to equipment outlets (EO) [TIA] FIGURE 2: Zone cabling utilizes a horizontal connection point (HCP) and allows greater flexibility for powered devices, which are typically installed above the ceiling in plenum environments. This year's hottest infrastructure game changer is the ratification of the IEEE 802.3bt Power over Ethernet (PoE) over 4 Pairs amendment. or service outlets (SO) [ISO] for connections to devices. The use of zone cabling provides a flexible infrastructure to accommodate current and future MACs for building devices. "While the initial cost for a zone cabling design is higher than for the traditional design because of the zone enclosure due to additional connectivity in each channel and pre-cabling between the TR and zone enclosure for future connections, savings become realized when adding more devices or performing MACs, as this can be accomplished between the zone enclosure and the device, eliminating the need to install cabling all the way back to the TR," says Bob Allan, global business development manager, Intelligent Buildings, Siemon Company. "While dependent on the exact number of MACs performed, a zone cabling design where the zone enclosure is fully pre-cabled to the TR and includes 25% spare port availability reaches its return on investment within a two to five-year span." Patch Cords with field terminated plug 802.11ac WAP LED Light Surface Mount Box with outlets 24-Port Zone Unit Enclosure Surface Mount Box with Outlets Phone HVAC Controller Patch Cord Patch Cord Ceiling Projector Patch Cords IP Surveillance Camera Digital Display Plenum (air handling) space Telecom Room (TR)