Electric.ie Issue 39 May-June

46 ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • Enabling Building Intelligence with structured cabling Until recently, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses were exclusive to computers, network-related devices and VOIP telephones. Today, however, this is no longer the case, partly as a result of the drive towards ‘Intelligent’ or ‘Smart’ Buildings, Grids and Networks. W Šƒ– †‘‡• –Š‹• ‡ƒ ˆ‘” …ƒ„Ž‹‰ ƒ†…‘‡…–‹˜‹–›ǫ ‘IP Convergence’ is a fact: cameras, access control, lighting and TVs, as well as cars, home appliances and parking meters are now getting IP addresses. Similar developments are taking place in the area of Building automation, where we’re seeing automatic centralised control of systems such as ventilation, air conditioning, heating, lighting and access using a building management system or building automation system. An ‘Intelligent’ or ‘Smart’ building is controlled by this kind of system. ‡‡Ƥ–• ‹…Ž—†‡ ‹’”‘˜‡† —•ƒ‰‡ and lifecycle of assets, reduced energy consumption and operating costs and increased comfort for occupants. Network technology is being challenged to keep up. By focusing on three key areas related to Intelligent Buildings - People and devices, building …‘†‹–‹‘• ƒ† ‡–™‘” ƪ‡š‹„‹Ž‹–› - it is possible to realise a digital transformation to ensure cabling, connectivity and networks hold up in an increasingly demanding environment. Let’s take a closer look at each of these aspects: ‡‘’Ž‡ Ƭ †‡˜‹…‡• ‡ ›‡ƒ”• ƒ‰‘ǡ ƒ –›’‹…ƒŽ ‘ƥ…‡ would be equipped with some PCs, VoIP phones and low-bandwidth wireless devices... 1G was enough bandwidth for most requirements. Today, however, bandwidth Kellihers Electrical demand is boosted by HD video, wireless devices and building control and automation systems. Internet of Things applications in the Cloud mean these systems are more integrated in the network. When specifying cabling, you need to consider the type and level of performance users and devices require. Now and in the future. Wireless is an important contributor to increased bandwidth demand. As speed and bandwidth go up, reach goes down and moreWAPs are required to cover the same surface area. Performance requirements also depend on emerging standards, which drive requirements for bandwidth and power over the network. Using Category 6A for eachWireless Access Point (WAP) is recommended, making multimode ͠ Ƥ„”‡ ƒ Ž‹‡Ž› ‹‹— requirement for the backbone. Increasingly widespread Power over Ethernet (PoE) supports higher levels of power to larger devices. The next generation can provide up to 90 Watts and power devices such as monitors, although elevated temperatures will increase heat (and noise). Higher- grade cabling makes it possible to ”‡ƒŽ‹•‡ •‹‰‹Ƥ…ƒ– ‡‡”‰› ‡ƥ…‹‡…› gains and reduce heat dissipation. —‹Ž†‹‰ ‘†‹–‹‘• Š‹…Š •’‡…‹Ƥ……‘†‹–‹‘• ‡š‹•– ‹ your building or buildings? Which distances need to be bridged? If these aren’t factored in and there is no clear understanding of requirements for each section of cabling, there is a risk of —†‡”•’‡…‹ˆ›‹‰ Ȃ ‡ƒ‹‰ ’‘‘” ’‡”ˆ‘”ƒ…‡ ƒ† ”‡Ž‹ƒ„‹Ž‹–› Ȃ ‘” ‘˜‡” •’‡…‹ˆ›‹‰ Ȃ ƒ† —‡…‡••ƒ”› costs. Functional requirements must be considered, as well as practical aspects such as available space and pathways, security and ”‡ƒ…–‹‘ –‘ Ƥ”‡Ǥ Increased bandwidth demand means distances supported by ƒ ȋ—Ž–‹‘†‡Ȍ Ƥ„”‡ „ƒ…„‘‡ must be carefully considered. Traditional copper cabling has an inherent 90-metre length restriction. For hospital or campus LANs this can be a costly hurdle, but high-grade multimode or even •‹‰Ž‡ ‘†‡ Ƥ„”‡ ‹ ƒ ‹„”‡ –‘ –Š‡ ƥ…‡ ȋ Ȍ •‡–Ǧ—’…ƒ „”‹‰ •‹‰‹Ƥ…ƒ– •ƒ˜‹‰•Ǥ …ƒ also be useful in wherever space is limited and structural changes can’t be made. Temperatures, chemicals, Electromagnetic Interference, crushing, pulling, exceeding the bend radius and moisture …ƒ ƒơ‡…– –Š‡ ’‡”ˆ‘”ƒ…‡ ‘ˆ network equipment and cabling. Knowing the environmental ˆƒ…–‘”• ƒ– †‹ơ‡”‡– Ž‘…ƒ–‹‘• Š‡Ž’• Ƥ† •‘Ž—–‹‘• –Šƒ– ‹’”‘˜‡ performance where it counts, without compromising in other areas. Cables in buildings and civil works are now assessed with ”‡‰ƒ”† –‘ –Š‡‹” Ǯ”‡ƒ…–‹‘ –‘ Ƥ”‡ǯǡ ™‹–Š †‹ơ‡”‡– †‡ƒ†• •’‡…‹Ƥ‡†