Copper Standards … Time for a Change

A significant change is on the way in how office buildings are cabled.

Category 5e cabling, which is used in many offices around the world, will be considered obsolete for new installations following a decision this month by the ISO/IEC cabling standards body.

After careful consideration of technology trends, wired and wireless bandwidth requirements and current market demand for the various cabling types, the ISO/IEC Working Group (JTC1/SC25 WG3) responsible for the development of the 11801 standard, recently decided to upgrade the minimum recommendation for the horizontal cabling in offices.

More than 60 cabling experts from 19 countries arrived at the decision to raise the minimum horizontal requirement in offices to Class E. With a recommendation for Class EA /Category 6A cabling.

This effectively marks the obsolescence of Class D

Although Class D cabling remains the minimum requirement in the drafts of 11801-3 (industrial) and 11801-4 (single-tenant homes). Upgrades are being assessed for these locations, with a recommendation to move to a class E base infrastructure.

In the drafts of 11801-5 (Data Centres) and 11801-6 (Distributed Services), the minimum requirement is already Class EA cabling.

For new office installations, Class E will now become the minimum requirement

 

Publication of the amended standard is due on or before 2017.

(courtesy of Don McGregor, Technical Engineering Manager, Anixter)

ITL are proud to announce we have been appointed as a Ministry of Education Approved Installer.
This allows ITL to deliver MoE compliant SNUP Upgrades.

In addition, this certification enables ITL to deliver MoE compliant works across all schools.

The Ministry have changed the way they are delivering ICT Infrastructure in the education sector, to
ensure schools ICT needs comply with the Ministry’s Policy and Standards.

Holding MoE Approved Installer Status is a requirement for any school ICT Infrastructure Network
installations. This ensures that the installers meet their required Quality, Professionalism, Warranty
and Certification standards.

We look forward to working with the Ministry, the Schools, Consultants and Builders.
If you would like to discuss this with one of our team please Contact Us

Below is a brief outline of some of the MoE Requirements;
From the Property Toolbox:
Schools must follow the Network Standards for upgrades (ICT Standards) when upgrading,
developing or altering a school’s computer network infrastructure. Note these important points:

  •  Use recognised standards for cabling and switches for consistency and to enable network expansion.
  • The ICT Standards apply to new cabling, switches and servers in all new buildings, alterations and additions to existing infrastructure.
  • The ICT Standards are primarily for consultants and contractors designing and installing school networks.
  • Schools must ensure that their project manager is familiar with the ICT Standards as most property projects involve some ICT work.
  • Schools must use certified installers to install ICT services.
  • Warranties on products are usually invalid if a manufacturer or supplier is not a recognised certified installer.
  • The Standards include recommended cabling suppliers and installers.
  • A certified cabling installer should provide a 20-year performance warranty on installations.

These standards also apply if extensive building work affecting the school’s infrastructure is being carried out.

Hence the schools are required to use a Ministry of Education approved ICT Cabling installer not
just for SNUP installations, but is for all ICT Cabling installations on all Ministry of Education state
schools.

For more information please see the following links;

MoE ICT in Schools

MoE ICT Programmes and initiatives

MoE Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure

MoE Standards for ICT

MoE Approved Contractors List and Policy

MoE ICT contractors Policy and procedures