Telecommunications cabling infrastructure

What it is about

Core requirements in our own words

1. 01

   01Point-to-point only within the same or the adjacent cabinet.

   Cords plugged directly between active equipment are permitted only within one cabinet or between adjacent cabinets, must be labeled, and must not obstruct the cooling airflow. Everything beyond that requires fixed, structured cabling with patching locations. Clauses 5.4.2 and 5.4.3.

2. 02

   02Six functional elements, three of them mandatory.

   The external network interface, main distributor, and equipment outlet must be present; the intermediate distributor, zone distributor, and local distribution point are optional. Accordingly, the entrance room, main distribution area, and equipment distribution area are mandatory. Clauses 6.2 and 6.3.2.

3. 03

   03Pathways must not interfere with cooling.

   Pathways, supports, and enclosures are to be planned so that air handling is not impaired; with air cooling, overhead routing is recommended. Pathway systems need sufficient capacity, storage for excess cable length, and bend radius control. Clause 6.4.2 and Annex B.

4. 04

   04Cabling spaces have Protection Class 3.

   Building entrance facilities, entrance rooms, the computer room, main distribution areas, and the control room must meet at least Protection Class 3 according to Part 2‑5, other telecommunications spaces Protection Class 2. Each provider in the entrance room gets a lockable area. Clause 7.

5. 05

   05The Availability Class applies per space and cabling type.

   The standard distinguishes telecommunications supply cabling (from the provider to the main distribution area) and network distribution cabling (from the main distribution area into the computer rooms). Between cabinets, the class follows the overall class of the data center; within a cabinet and between adjacent cabinets, it remains Class 1. Clauses 8.1 and 8.3.

6. 06

   06Provider redundancy starts at Class 2.

   From Class 2, two telecommunications providers or one provider with multiple physical paths are required; the cabling remains single-path. Class 3 requires identical services over different physical networks and dual-path cabling on separate routes; in Class 4, the failure of one entrance room must not interrupt the supply. Clauses 8.4.2 to 8.4.5.

Where Part 2‑4 applies in a project

• Planning

  The entrance room, main distribution area, and equipment distribution areas go into the room layout, pathways are coordinated with cooling and power supply, and the class for each cabling type follows from the overall class (Clauses 5.1, 6.4.2).

• Tendering

  The specification states the class for each cabling type, the number of providers and entrance rooms, patching locations, and pathway systems, instead of prescribing cable types.

• Acceptance and operation

  Transmission links are measured, labeling and documentation are checked, and the separate routes of paths A and B are verified. In operation, changes are made at the patching locations instead of with new point-to-point cords.