By CAROL OLIVER, CEO Communications -- Ever since the dawn of IP cameras being attached to the data network, combined with the capability to add power over the same infrastructure through Power over Ethernet (PoE), the role of the low-voltage contractor has changed. And, as more and more previously disparate building systems, including A/V, lighting, HVAC controls and fire safety, are now integrated through the IP network infrastructure, the responsibilities of low-voltage contractors have expanded to include system designer, integrator, installer and application troubleshooter.
Converged systems create intelligent buildings, which result in lower capital and operating expenses while providing a more reliable and cost-effective management system for all the integrated systems. As the applications merge, so do the professional resources. Integrating intelligent building systems works best when there is a collaboration between all services – architects, building owners, facilities, IT contractors, designers and installers. This shift brings to light the importance for electrical contractors to understand the impact of low-voltage installers' work on their business, and the value in partnering with them.
Old World vs. New World
We think of electricity as having been around much longer than low-voltage telecommunications cabling, but their paths have run in parallel.
Electricity is considered to have come into existence with Thomas Edison’s discovery of the lightbulb in 1879 -- but two years earlier, Alexander Graham Bell had already invented the telephone. Around the same time, an unknown Connecticut mill worker, Thomas Doolittle, devised a way to make the first hard-drawn copper wire strong enough for use by the telegraphy industry, in place of iron wire. In 1881, Lucien Gaulard of France and John Gibbs of England arranged the first successful alternating-current electrical demonstration in London.
It took another 100 years for the first unshielded twisted pair (Category 1) cable to be manufactured. It consisted of two insulated copper wires twisted around each other to eliminate crosstalk and was used for telephone wire. Category 3, in the early 1990s, was the first of the four-pair twisted pair cable with simultaneous transmission capability, with a data rate of 10 Mb/s. Category cables have since evolved (up to today’s Category 8) to meet demanding high-bandwidth applications and increasing data speeds.
Electricians banded together early as organized unions to protect the workforce. In 1891, the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) was formed, and 10 years later, NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) emerged. The IEC (Independent Electrotechnical Commission) was formed in 1904 to secure the cooperation of technical societies to consider the standardization and ratings of electrical machinery. This is not to be confused with the Independent Electrical Contractors (also IEC), founded in 1957 with a goal to promote activities that enable the electrical industry to be conducted with the greatest economy and efficiency.
IEC works closely with the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) to develop the NEC and reviews standards created by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). For electrical wiring, it’s understood that the National Electrical Code (NEC) is the basis for licensing of electricians. And the NEC code is enforceable by law because it is written for safety – people and equipment.
Because low voltage includes low-wattage power, which is defined not to exceed 90W, these installers observe a different set of rules. Collectively cabling standards, which are best practices, are created by many associations to assure that errorless data is transmitted, and low-voltage cabling does not incur signal interruption or excessive voltage drop.
Low-voltage cabling standard bodies include IEEE, ANSI, EIA, TIA and BICSI – each with a different function. IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards) provides documents that established technical criteria for electrical and transmission performance. EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance), formed in 1957, was an American trade organization for electronics’ manufacturers that developed standards to ensure the equipment between them was compatible and interchangeable. They merged with the TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association), which consisted of 60 contributing organizations including manufacturers, end users and consultants.
In 1991 the first published standard, TIA/EIA-568, defined structured cabling system for commercial buildings and between buildings in campus environments. Since then, several revisions have been created to keep up with cabling types, performance characteristics, cable installation requirements and methods of testing the installed cable. Today, EIA no longer exists, and these standards are updated under TIA’s working group, TR-42.
BICSI standards are also written by manufacturers, end users and consultants to provide guidelines for the design and installation of cabling systems by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals. BICSI standards are focused on all manners of industry verticals such as healthcare, data centers and intelligent buildings. ANSI (American National Standard Institute) provides a framework for standards’ development and quality conformity assessment systems for many different industries. Both TIA and BICSI standards are accredited by ANSI.
With the merging of data and power over IP cabling for building systems, a merger of professions and cooperation between low-voltage contractors and electricians needs to take place, as each bring benefits to the reliability of the systems. Unlike licensed electricians who follow the written codes under NEC, low-voltage licensing varies from state to state and can even be different within states from county to county and city to city. Each contractor must check the state and the specific locality where projects are being designed and installed.
Handle with Care
Besides the physical differences of electrical and low-voltage cabling, there are some major differences between installation means and methods. One of the biggest differences between structured cabling and electrical wiring is the fragility of twisted-pair copper and fiber optic cabling. It’s easy to destroy or degrade the performance of the cable if they are not handled right or follow best installation practices. Some of these include the maximum pull tension, bending the cable too tightly (fiber will break), and kinking the cable. Poor installation practices can result in the data and power not being transmitted and ultimately system failure.
Also, there is much caution to be taken for over bundling the cable in pathways, especially when both data and PoE are running through the same cable as higher wattage (heat) can degrade the performance, especially with smaller cable gauge sizes. Best installation practices for pathways include adhering to fill ratios for the different pathway and cable types.
Distance is also an important factor since standards recommend not to exceed 100 meters for copper cabling but are exceptions (check the manufacturers’ specification sheets for installation and operating temperatures -- and check out the Paige GameChanger cable, which exceeds performance and distances for Category 6). There are also rules of separation between telecommunications and electrical cables as higher voltage on electrical cables can create unwanted signal interference that affect data cables.
Lastly, when terminating a four-pair cable, an untrained technician does not know that the different color scheme of the insulation over the copper conductors must match the scheme on the connector. An improperly terminated cable will fail a wiremap test which also attributes to system failures.
The Main Squeeze
There are degrees of competency between professions. As disciplines continue to converge, electrical contractors with structured cabling installation experience and education will have a strong edge over their competitors without low-voltage knowledge. With the intelligent building evolution, electrical contractors can benefit themselves and their customers by getting an education in ICT and partnering with low-voltage contractors. Proper training and accreditations are available through trade associations, such as BICSI, and training from manufacturers, who can provide specific system warranties.
The ICT profession has grown from cabling system design and installation to encompass project management, system testing and commissioning. Since technology is constantly evolving, savvy low-voltage contractors keep ahead of their competition by consistently taking courses to gain new insight and to expand their offerings. Low-voltage contractors realize the importance of staying relevant, and in doing so find the proper training and certification programs available to them. Available resources in the market include: hands-on design and installation classes; certification training; technical conferences; virtual training and webinars.
For electrical contractors to get into the low-voltage trade means making a fundamental mind-shift to become more of a customer-service company, spending more time with the client, and learning the technology. As the degree of separation closes in, future opportunities are up for the taking for both low-voltage contractors, who cannot become complacent regarding old-world technology, and electrical contractors, who should take advantage of cutting-edge training and education outside of their traditional niche.
CAROL OLIVER is Principal ICT Consultant at CEO Communications and President-Elect of BICSI (2020-2021). With over 25 years experience in the ICT Industry, Carol has been a business owner (Everett Communications 1996-2006) as well as working in marketing, training and technical sales support for leading manufacturers of structured cabling solutions. She is a published author and prides herself in getting the highest visibility in the publications and in other media vehicles. Many know Carol for her involvement in the ICT community and giving back to the industry. She has served on several committees, including for BICSI and ASIS, and on the BICSI Board of Directors, and has been one of the founding members of Women in BICSI, including being involved in a mentorship program. It is her commitment to this industry that makes her relevant and keeps her current with the latest trends in technology.