Smart-e 4K-RX9000 User Manual - page 19
4K-9000 USER MANUAL V1.1
© 2018 Smart-e (UK) Ltd
www.smart-e.co.uk
PAGE | 19
6.3.3
ADHERING TO CABLE INSTALLATION BEST PRACTICES
There are 10 key steps it is advised to follow when installing category cabling for use with a HDBaseT install.
1.
The cabling used for HDBaseT (CAT5e and above) is the same as that used in LAN applications. For
this, many standards have been developed within the industry. In Britain the BS 6701:2016 is the
latest version of document available entitled Telecommunications equipment and telecommunications
cabling
–
specification for installation, operation and maintenance. Similar standards exist in other
regions around the world. Adhering to the specifications set out in these documents is a key start
point for the installation of any category cable project.
2.
Make sure a distance is kept between power cables and category cabling. A general rule of thumb is
these types of cables should be 12 inches apart. It can be tempting, especially in commercial
installations, to run power and catx cables in shared trays and trunkings but this can lead to large
amounts of EMI induced in to category cabling and ultimately performance issues.
3.
All category cables should be handled with great care. A common cable tidy solution is the use of cable
ties or other similar items, these can crush and break the conductor cores within category cables
leading to decreased performance. When pulling cables please use minimal force necessary, if a too
larger force is being required return to the beginning of the cable run and try again.
4.
Use of patch cables should be kept to an absolute minimum. Every join within a system introduces
small losses, as outset previously, the majority of a cable run should be a solid core infrastructure
category cable and a maximum of 5m stranded patch cable should be used at each end of the run.
5.
Be careful of bends within cable runs. The inside bend radius of a cable when installed should be at
least 4 times the diameter of the cable. This is a rule of thumb and there is tolerance either way but
if a cable is bent significantly within this this rule it can lead to the cable properties being changed and
affecting system performance.
6.
Keep termination points as small and as neat as possible. Untwisting category cabling reduces the
performance of the cable and stripping back the insulation and shielding leaves the conductors
vulnerable to EMI, for this reason you should strip back the minimum amount of shielding and sheaving
as is possible.
7.
Take great care with termination process. Use of approved wire stripping and termination tools is vital
to ensure the quality and longevity of the connection. Be sure of the termination scheme used at both
ends of a cable run and adhere to this termination across all installed cabling, T568B is the widely
used termination standard by HDBaseT manufacturers but please check for your specific installation.
8.
Always monitor cable distances. Most category cabling will have meter markings on the outer sheath,
so you can monitor the distance of cabling being installed. It is important to have a note of all cable
distances as this can affect the choice of HDBaseT hardware or the operation mode the hardware
must be used with.
9.
Test every cable after termination. Use of a fluke meter or similar test equipment to check all category
cabling during install is vital, wrongly wired, damaged or too longer cable can lead to performance
issues or damage to hardware.
10.
Be sure to label all cabling ends and produce a system drawing with all wiring points clearly marked
to match the fitted labels. Although a long and what might seem at the time thankless task, when it
comes to fault diagnosis labelled cables and a system diagram can save time and money and easily
lead to the resolution of a fault that otherwise would be difficult to find.