Cable Matters...

Are you sure that your builder, electrician or hired trades person is using the right cable for your current and future data / communications / networking needs???

The Australian Digital and Communications Industry Association (ADITA) has recently issued a warning regarding the need for cable technicians (including all trades that carry out cabling) to be upskilled or re-trained on the changing landscape of cabling and communications.  I think this is a timely warning as I've been asked by builders over the last couple of months, to quote on providing old style, outdated cabling for their new developments.  I'm finding that I'm needing to justify why I'm recommending different cable, even to some of the best builders in the biz, because they aren't being educated on the current and future role of the humble cable and why getting the cable right the first time is so important.

"ADITA has warned that new technologies such as the Internet of Things and Power over Ethernet are placing greater demands on cabling infrastructure. As a result it has called for upgraded training and greater awareness of the new issues from regulators and standards bodies. ADTIA secretary Dominic Schipano told CommsDay that some of the older network cabling is not rated for the data and power requirements of IoT and PoE, while technicians with older qualifications might need re-training to be aware of the issues.

One of the problems is that cables, when installed in bundles, heat up more with greater wattage and have performance degradation as a result. Cables with higher categories such as Category 6A have larger conductors and will heat up less than Category 6 and Category 5e cables. In a worst case scenario there is also a risk of other damage from using lower quality cable.
 
He said many companies were predominantly interested in cost issues and do not look at the technical requirements of the cabling infrastructure. Schipano said that it should become common practice that customers are advised of the wattage capability of whatever cable is installed so that any additional items connected over time have their power load factored in."

The above excerpt, from a recent TITAB publication confirms that this matter is important and that cablers and all trades associated with cabling are upskilled on the changing demands on the humble cable. 

For the right advice about your cabling needs, contact us to make sure you get it right the first time around. 

Cheers 
Geoff 

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