Strategically place voice/data outlets to accommodate equipment cords

Jim Slaymon,

USA Group

Problem

While most voice/data outlets are placed at an appropriate height on a wall, they often are not strategically placed left or right of center on the wall. Such indiscriminate placement frequently results in higher costs, creating a tripping hazard and leaving an unsightly cord draped across the floor.

Solution

Strategically placing voice/data outlets can reduce equipment-cord costs and eliminate repairs necessitated by somebody tripping on the cord and damaging the equipment, cord, outlet--or all three.

Procedure

1) When planning a telecommunications installation, indicate that voice/data outlets will be installed approximately two-thirds of the way across the office walls, at the same height as electrical outlets.

2) Supervise the installation to ensure that the outlets are properly placed.

3) Specify equipment cords that are the appropriate length, rather than simply purchasing the longest cords available. In addition to preventing trip-and-fall hazards, shorter equipment cords are less expensive.

4) Supervise workstation placement to ensure that equipment can be connected to the network using the shorter equipment cords.

Coordinate plans with your electrician to place electrical outlets next to voice/data outlets.

Strategically placed voice/data outlets allow for less expensive cords to be placed in less hazardous positions.

When voice/data outlets are placed in the middle of a wall, the equipment cord used to connect the workstation to the network is often draped across the floor.

Jim Slaymon is special projects consultant for usa Group (Indianapolis, IN). He specializes in network and infrastructure design and project management.