1 Telecom Cabling Documentation and labeling

2 Telecom Cabling Documentation remains a major stumbling block for most networks. Many end-users inherit previously cabled locales and literally have no idea what their cabled infrastructure consist of. Many firms now have systems for documenting existing and new cables. It is important to ask the end-user about their labeling scheme and if they actually have one and make sure to follow it. Documentation remains a major stumbling block for most networks. Many end-users inherit previously cabled locales and literally have no idea what their cabled infrastructure consist of. Many firms now have systems for documenting existing and new cables. It is important to ask the end-user about their labeling scheme and if they actually have one and make sure to follow it.

3 Telecom Cabling Documentation is covered by standard TIA/EIA 606 administration and documentation. One of the requirements of this standard is using a color coding system to identify termination blocks/fields. This is accomplished by the use of color coded labeling strips and/or covers. Documentation is covered by standard TIA/EIA 606 administration and documentation. One of the requirements of this standard is using a color coding system to identify termination blocks/fields. This is accomplished by the use of color coded labeling strips and/or covers.

4 Telecom Cabling Below is the labeling standard for termination fields

5 Telecom Cabling D-marc is usually always orange and is indicated by the orange cover over the 66 block. Primary backbones are normally terminated on 110 blocks that use white labeling strips. The rest of the standard isn’t really followed to well or is implemented to its minimum degree. D-marc is usually always orange and is indicated by the orange cover over the 66 block. Primary backbones are normally terminated on 110 blocks that use white labeling strips. The rest of the standard isn’t really followed to well or is implemented to its minimum degree.

6 Telecom Cabling Below are labeling strips for 110 blocks (left) and 66 blocks (right), notice that they have every color referenced in the 606 standard.

7 Telecom Cabling When we pull cable we number the cables in consecutive order with a sharpie for ease, these numbers are tracked on the floor plans and then later changed to match the labeling convention used by the customer. Most major installations will not accept “Sharpie” labeling on cables, but require a printed wrap around label at each end of the cable as well as patch panel and WAO labels. When we pull cable we number the cables in consecutive order with a sharpie for ease, these numbers are tracked on the floor plans and then later changed to match the labeling convention used by the customer. Most major installations will not accept “Sharpie” labeling on cables, but require a printed wrap around label at each end of the cable as well as patch panel and WAO labels.

8 Telecom Cabling There are several manufacturers (Hubbell, Panduit, Ortronics) who have free software available to create 110 block labels, patch panel labels, and wrap-around labels. Wrap around, pre-printed cable label, we add these after the terminations. There are several manufacturers (Hubbell, Panduit, Ortronics) who have free software available to create 110 block labels, patch panel labels, and wrap-around labels. Wrap around, pre-printed cable label, we add these after the terminations.

9 Telecom Cabling Because the ports on patch panels are factory numbered and we use 48 port patch panels for hundreds of cables we have to label over the factory stenciled numbers. Slots for color coded labeling strips which come with the panels

10 Telecom Cabling Per 606 all bus bars are to be labeled according to building, closet and floor. TRs are labeled according to building number, floor number and a unique alpha identifier of the closet. All face plates should be labeled with the TR number, rack number, patch panel number and port number. Per 606 all bus bars are to be labeled according to building, closet and floor. TRs are labeled according to building number, floor number and a unique alpha identifier of the closet. All face plates should be labeled with the TR number, rack number, patch panel number and port number.

11 Telecom Cabling Below is an example of a label for a face plate. 3A = Third floor closet “A” R2 = Relay rack 2 PP3 = Patch panel 3 P101= Port 101 on the patch panel Below is an example of a label for a face plate. 3A = Third floor closet “A” R2 = Relay rack 2 PP3 = Patch panel 3 P101= Port 101 on the patch panel

12 Telecom Cabling When installing new cable to an existing system, simply pick-up the numbering scheme where the patch panel leaves off…if you can. If there is no labeling system in place start one with all new adds or changes your making on site. This new labeling will be used when performing your cable certification, which is done on every new cable installed whether it is only one cable or a hundred cables. When installing new cable to an existing system, simply pick-up the numbering scheme where the patch panel leaves off…if you can. If there is no labeling system in place start one with all new adds or changes your making on site. This new labeling will be used when performing your cable certification, which is done on every new cable installed whether it is only one cable or a hundred cables.

13 Telecom Cabling Part of the documentation requirement is to provide the customer with drawings showing any moves, adds or changes made during construction. This blueprint is called the asbuilt and will show the cable pathways and all sleeves that have been installed. Part of the documentation requirement is to provide the customer with drawings showing any moves, adds or changes made during construction. This blueprint is called the asbuilt and will show the cable pathways and all sleeves that have been installed.

14 Telecom Cabling Some of the different types of label makers that you may end up using in the field. Brother P-touch label makers are commonly used in the field

15 Telecom Cabling Brady labelers, another popular brand of labeler used in the field.

16 Telecom Cabling These labelers operate on batteries as well as a standard wall plug, as you can imagine by the time you get around to using it the batteries are dead and there are no more label cartridges left. It’s a good idea to make sure you have the right labels and batteries before leaving the shop. Most WAO labeling is either a white label with black lettering or black labels with white lettering. These labelers operate on batteries as well as a standard wall plug, as you can imagine by the time you get around to using it the batteries are dead and there are no more label cartridges left. It’s a good idea to make sure you have the right labels and batteries before leaving the shop. Most WAO labeling is either a white label with black lettering or black labels with white lettering.

17 Telecom Cabling Almost all designation strips (desi-strips) are 9mm in height. Keep this in mind when you buy your p-touch labels. This will reduce time spent trimming labels to size. Almost all designation strips (desi-strips) are 9mm in height. Keep this in mind when you buy your p-touch labels. This will reduce time spent trimming labels to size.

18 Telecom Cabling Some cabling infrastructures may consist of several different LANs, the patch panels and jacks will be color coded to identify the different networks. VoIP (voice over internet protocol) is essentially a data connection and will more than likely be terminated on patch panels. So it is possible to have two different colors of patch panel ports. Some cabling infrastructures may consist of several different LANs, the patch panels and jacks will be color coded to identify the different networks. VoIP (voice over internet protocol) is essentially a data connection and will more than likely be terminated on patch panels. So it is possible to have two different colors of patch panel ports.

19 Telecom Cabling Here is a patch panel showing all of the possible colors to identify different network connections. The patch cords would also be color coded to match the port colors. The WAO would also have a matching jack color. Here is a patch panel showing all of the possible colors to identify different network connections. The patch cords would also be color coded to match the port colors. The WAO would also have a matching jack color.

20 Telecom Cabling Documentation and labeling is a very labor intensive job, on large projects there is usually one person dedicated to making all of the labeling strips for the closets, racks, patch panels, grounding bus bars and work area outlets.