Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1192126
January/February/March 2020 I 61 RELIABLE CONNECTIVITY BEGINS WITH CABLE MANAGEMENT AND PATHWAY If the TR is the central nervous system of the network, then cables are the arteries that keep the system con- nected and running. Cabling in healthcare facilities is more complex because there are more subsystems to support. The cross-connect is more involved than regular office facilities. With more mission-critical data being carried through fiber optic cable, appropriate cable management is a must. Because TRs must be planned with at least 50 percent open space for future growth and updates, it is important to look for infrastructure products that optimize the sig- nal quality and network speed of information exchange with maximum flexibility and easy moves, adds and changes (MACs). Cable Management Although the fundamentals of cable management have not changed, the structural support components have improved significantly so as to better support sensitive optical fiber cable. This is where advanced cable manage- ment solutions (Figure 5) can help streamline the man- agement of cables and cords to: • Fulfill high-density cabling requirements while main- taining proper bend radius and slack management for maximum network performance. • Organize cables so that they can be easily traced from start to finish when performing MACs, saving valuable time and money. Cable management solutions are evolving from simple troughs that hold cable bundles in place to FIGURE 5: Newer cable management solutions now provide flexible cable support and interior space optimization needed in high-density healthcare applications. mechanical systems that can now adjust to optimize cable support. Best practice dictates supporting cable to prevent sharp bends, twists and stretching. When making a vertical or horizontal transition, it is best to use a smooth 90-degree bend radius that is four times the diameter of copper conductors and a minimum of 1 inch for optical fiber conductors. In traditional cable managers, bundles are stacked and secured against the backplane of the manager, there- by making it difficult to troubleshoot or change cables. By comparison, a central track system allows cable bun- dles to be properly spaced and fully supported precisely where needed. This approach is well-suited for Type 4 PoE applications where higher wattages require properly spaced and smaller cable bundles to avoid excessive heat accumulation. The latest cable management solutions also offer practical accessories with tool-less installation and adjustment capabilities to perform multiple tasks effectively. ANSI/BICSI 004-2018, Information Communication Technology Systems Design and Implementation Best Practices for Healthcare Institutions and Facilities and ANSI/TIA-1179-A "Healthcare Facility Telecommunications Infrastructure" standard provide design guidelines on healthcare system topologies and the planning and installation of structured cabling systems for healthcare facilities.