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| EMagazine Volume 5 Issue 2 April / May 2000 |
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Toys Interview - April 2000 - [HTI Home Page] |
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Interview - Structured
Cabling Solutions As with everything, the cost will come down over time. One however should not look as this as added cost but rather added value. Surely all the new services available to us today are worthless unless we can take advantage of them and be able to access them. A home networking system allows us to do that. In addition, when it comes time for someone to sell their home, it will offer a leg up on their competition as well. |
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QUESTION 1: What do you recommend as a standard cabling package for a modern home? Please list the components of the system and their uses. (i.e. Distribution Panel, Number of cables and types, outlets etc.).
ANSWER 1: The typical cabling package usually consists of the main distribution box or enclosure and panels/modules, the in-wall cabling and the wall outlets. In a general sense, one should plan on the needs of today as well as future considerations when planning their home wiring network.
Obviously, it is much easier and a lot less expensive to do this while the walls are open and wiring is accessible
QUESTION 2: Have the recommended cabling standards changed over the past year? Have more wire types been added / changed? Are there more applications now ... please elaborate?
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Initially this new standard deals with primarily voice and data requirements but will be expanded to address security, home automation and home theatre (audio/video) concerns as well.
Issues addressed in this new standard include cable and connector types, maximum length of cable runs, minimum outlet locations (i.e. there must be a minimum of one outlet location in the following rooms: kitchen, each bedroom, family/great room and the den/study).
It also defines two grades of cabling, depending upon the expected services to be supported.
Grade 1 is a generic system that meets the minimum requirements: telephone, satellite, CATV and data. At a minimum, this grade calls for one 4 pair UTP cable and connector that meets/exceeds category 3 (but category 5 is recommended) and one 75-ohm coaxial cable and connector (RG6).
Grade 2 is also a generic system, but it provides for basic, advanced and multimedia telecommunications services. This grade targets both existing and developing telecom services. Here, two four UTP cables and connectors that meets/exceeds category 5 (category 5e recommended), two 75 ohm coaxial cables and connectors. As an option, two fiber optic cables/connectors can be specified as part of Grade 2.
Also, the cabling shall be in a star topology and the wiring scheme shall follow the T568A wiring code.
QUESTION 3: Is structured cabling a standard component in new home construction yet? If not ... how soon will it be considered so? How much does it add to the cost of the home? Is this cost more or less than it was a year ago?
ANSWER 3: While growing, structured cabling in the residence is not yet reached the “standard practice” stage. While the benefits are many and are widely known, some still feel that it is an added expense that is not necessary. For those builders and developers who have seen the light, they use this as a means of luring potential buyers away from their competition.
QUESTION 4: How has the explosion of Home Networking and Broadband Internet Connections affected the design and cost of Structured cabling systems?
ANSWER 4: As with everything, the cost will come down over time. One however should not look as this as added cost but rather added value. Surely all the new services available to us today are worthless unless we can take advantage of them and be able to access them. A home networking system allows us to do that. In addition, when it comes time for someone to sell their home, it will offer a leg up on their competition as well.
QUESTION 5: Is the use a fiber optic cabling something that the homeowner should consider in the structured wiring system? Why / Why not? How costly is it?
ANSWER 5: At this point in time, if home networking is a stretch for the homeowner, fiber may be seen as out of sight! One might be better off providing a pathway (conduit) from the enclosure or distribution box to the wall outlet, so that in the future, if one was to pull additional cables, i.e. fiber, it would be extremely easy to do so. What makes fiber more expensive is not so much the cable, but the electronic components.
QUESTION 6: How does your system integrate or interface with a Residential Gateway? What does the future hold and how will your system adapt to new technologies?
ANSWER 6: The adaptation of Residential Gateway products will bring many new applications to be distributed on residential structured cabling systems. The Residential Gateway will serve to terminate and mediate outside network services to the actual in the home applications.
The Ortronics In House product comes from our years of experience in the commercial building environment where our commercial parts reside between the outside network and the inside building applications. We as a company have over 30 years experience in this environment and are always eager to bring this type technology to the residence through our In House product offering.
QUESTION 7: Please describe what makes your system unique or superior to other cabling systems in the marketplace.
ANSWER 7: The Ortronics solution offers many advantages to the installer and ultimate customer. First is our background. Our company has been serving the networking needs of Fortune 500 companies for over 35 years. We have taken the knowledge and expertise and brought it to a new address—your home! Second, there are three size enclosures to choose from. This gives you a choice that will best meet the needs of today as well as in the future. Third, all the modules are designed to work separately so that you only choose what you need and change out is easy. Fourth, we have all the components one needs to fully use the voice-data-video-audio services coming into the residence today. Finally, we offer a complete range of wall outlets, again designed to be modular so that each one can be the same or different, depending on your requirements. They can also be changed out easily, should your needs change!
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