As the need to link computers together has evolved, so has the physical infrastructure of the cabling. Originally cables were provided as required and networks developed in a random fashion. Today cables are installed in an organised fashion such that the building or floor is flooded with cabling and outlets. The result of this is that wherever the user may need to install a computer or associated peripheral equipment; there will be a connection point close by. This so called flood wiring of buildings has given way to the term ‘structured cabling’ for which several standards have emerged.
The three standards on structured cabling most frequently referred to are:
• EN 50173 Information technology - Generic cabling
• ANSI/TIA/EIA-568 - Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard
The 3M Volition Cabling System meets all the requirements of these standards. The following paragraphs give an overview of the different types and structures of cabling systems.
