CHAPTER 2

HORIZONTAL DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEMS PLANNING AND
INSTALLATION

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 HORIZONTAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLANNING AND
INSTALLATION

Horizontal Distribution System

The horizontal cabling subsystem is the portion of the generic telecommunications cabling system
that extends from the telecommunications outlet (TO) in the work area (WA) to the floor distributor
(FD) in the telecommunications room (TR).

The horizontal cabling subsystem includes the horizontal cables, TOs in the WA, mechanical
terminations, and patch cords or jumpers located in the TR, and may include multi-user TO
assemblies (MUTOA) and consolidation points (CP).

The horizontal link is defined in the standards as all of the cable, connecting hardware, (jacks,
plugs, patch panels, cross-connect blocks), and patch and/or jumper cables between the WA and the
equipment in the FD, including the horizontal cross-connect components.

5 meter 90 meter 5 meter

The term "horizontal" is used since typically the cable in this part of the cabling system runs
horizontally along the floor(s) or ceiling(s) of a building.

The following list of common services and systems should be considered when designing the
horizontal cabling.

• Voice telecommunications service

• Premises switching equipment
• Data communications
• Local area networks (LAN)
• Video
• Other building signaling systems (building automation systems such as fire, security,
HVAC, EMS, etc.)
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Horizontal Topology

The horizontal cabling shall follow a star topology and each WA TO shall be connected to a FD in a
TR via the horizontal cable. The FD should be located on the same floor as the WAs served.

Horizontal Cabling

FD/HC CP TO

Horizontal Cabling Work Terminal

Subsystem Area Equipment
(90 meter) Cabling

The horizontal cables should be continuous from the FD to the TO unless an optional CP is installed.
Horizontal cabling subsystem shall contain no more than one transition point or CP. Bridged taps and
splices are not allowed. A bridged tap is the multiple appearances of the same cable pair at several
distribution points.

When using shielded cables, it is mandatory that all these are also shielded and the shields are
bonded correctly to provide complete end-to-end shield continuity for the channel.

Horizontal Cabling Model

Interconnect - TO model
Channel = 100 m max

TO
EQP C C C C TE
Floor EQP WA
Distributor Cord Permanent Link = 90 m max Cord

Crossconnect - TO model
Channel = 100 m max

TO
EQP C C C C C TE

Floor EQP Patch WA

Distributor Cord Cord Permanent Link = 90 m max Cord

Interconnect - CP - TO model
Channel = 100 m max

Fixed H. Cable
T
EQP C C C C C TE
CP
Floor EQP WA
Distributor Cord Permanent Link = 90 m max Cord

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 Interconnect - CP - TO model
Channel = 100 m max

Fixed H. Cable
T
EQP C C C C C C TE
CP
Floor EQP Patch WA
Distributor Cord Cord Permanent Link = 90 m max Cord

Cables and connecting hardware of different categories may be mixed within a channel however the
resultant cabling performance will be determined by the category of the lowest performing
component.

Horizontal Distance

The horizontal distance is the cable length from the mechanical termination of the media at the FD
in the TR to the TO in the WA. The maximum horizontal distance shall be 90 meters, independent
of media type.

The total length of the cross-connect jumpers or patch cords in the FDs, and jumpers or and patch
cords that connect horizontal cabling with equipment or backbone cabling, should not exceed 5
meters in length. For each horizontal channel, the total length allowed for the WA cord plus patch
cords or jumpers plus equipment cords in the TR shall not exceed 10 meters, unless a multi-user
telecommunications assembly (MUTOA) is used.

Horizontal distances of optical fiber links (long work area cables)

For optical fiber cables, extending the lengths of WA cables to reach a MUTOA does not require
reduction of the total channel length allowance of 100 meters. When deploying a centralized fiber
cabling network, the guidelines specified by the standard shall be followed.

Interconnection
Patch Panel
Horizontal Link

Work Area Cord

Equipment Cord

Switch

An interconnection is a connectivity scheme that provides for direct connections to building cabling
from equipment without a patch cord. It only uses the equipment cord.

Patch panels are almost always used in an interconnect configuration that uses only an equipment
cord between the panel and the LAN equipment. Modular patch panels have a cost, density,
performance, and administration advantage over punch-down cross connects when used on a rack
for high-speed data applications.

• Density – the smaller connectors can utilize precious space in that small equipment closet
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 • Performance – interconnects out-perform cross connects
• Administration – the easier-to-move modular connector saves you time in the closet for
MACs
• Cost – initial and life-cycle costs are less with interconnects than with cross connects

Interconnections are very cost-effective and should offer better transmission performance because
there are less passive components to degrade the signal. Also, with less components to fail, the
interconnect system is more reliable.

Cross Connection
Connecting Block
Horizontal Link

Work Area Cord

Equipment Cord

Switch

A cross connection is a connectivity scheme that use patch cords or jumpers for attaching to
different connecting hardware on each end. One of the connecting hardware is a part of the
horizontal cabling subsystem. The other connecting hardware may be part of a backbone cabling
subsystem or is connected to equipment.

Cross-connect hardware are occasionally used in either a cross connect or interconnect

configuration for data applications, but commonly used for telephone application configurations.
The cross-connect methodology is still the most cost effective way to connect voice and offer the
following advantages:

• Wall mount Voice circuits - separate entity from the equipment closet
• Best organization of voice connectors between backbone and horizontal cables
• Most effective use of available two-pair telephone connections
• Neatest administration for trained cable technicians

In certain situations, such as interfacing horizontal cabling to backbone cabling without the use of
LAN equipment, cross-connections are the only option.

Channel

The channel is the transmission path between equipment such as a LAN switch/hub and the
terminal equipment. A typical channel would consist of the horizontal subsystem together with
work area and equipment cords. The performance of the channel excludes the connections at the
application-specific equipment and the maximum length allowed is 100 meters.

Permanent Link

The permanent link (90 meters maximum) is the transmission path of an installed cabling
subsystem including the connecting hardware at the ends of the installed cable. In the horizontal
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cabling subsystem, the permanent link consists of the TO, the horizontal cable, an optional CP and
the termination of the horizontal cable at the FD. The permanent link includes the connections at
the ends of the installed cabling and the maximum length allowed is 90 meters.

Work Area (WA) and Equipment Cords

The WA cord connects the TO to the terminal equipment. Equipment cords connect equipment to
generic cabling at the distributors. They are not considered part of the cabling subsystem because
they may be application specific.

Patch cords and jumpers

Patch cords and jumpers are used within cross-connect implementations at distributors. The
performance contribution of these cords shall be taken into account in the design of the channel. It
is important that the grade of the patch cords and jumper is the same as that of the cabling system in
order to achieve the desired performing channel.

Applications Specific Components

Some networks or services require applications-specific electrical components (such as impedance

matching devices). These application-specific electrical components shall not be installed as part of
the horizontal cabling. When needed, such electrical components shall be placed external to the
TO/connector. Keeping application-specific components external to the TO/connector will facilitate
the use of the horizontal cabling for varying network and service requirements.

Planning Considerations

Consideration should be given to accommodating a diversity of user applications and future

equipment as well as service changes. Horizontal cabling typically contains the greatest quantity of
individual cables in the building. After installation and tenant occupations, the horizontal cabling is
often much less accessible than the backbone cabling. In addition, access to the horizontal cabling
frequently causes disruption to occupants and their work. The time, effort, skills and cost required
for changes can be extremely high. These factors make the choice and layout of horizontal cable
types very important to the design of the horizontal cabling, in order to reduce or eliminate the
probability of requiring changes as user needs evolve.

The design specifications will provide most of the necessary information required for the planning
and installations of the horizontal cabling and should include, as a minimum, the following topics
in details.

• Standards and Installation Specification/Scope of Work

• Pathway capacity, placement and mounting
• Horizontal routing and placement
• Backbone routing and placement
• Cross-connects and terminations
• Cable Management
• Labeling
• Testing
• Documentation
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 • Plans/Drawings
• Schedule/Bill of Materials

The designer should be familiar with the installation constraints of sites. When surveying and
designing the horizontal cabling system all facets of the facility must be taken into consideration.
The type of furniture to be installed (stand alone desks, wire-managed furniture), the construction of
the physical offices (partition walls, slab to slab walls or modular office) and the overall building
construction (reinforced concrete slab, pre- or post-tension concrete slab, concrete slab over metal
decking , etc.) must all be understood. The type of building construction may dictate the fixing
method used when installing the horizontal media. The type of office area may dictate the
appropriate outlet to use and the office construction may dictate the type of trunking or cable route
to be used.

The Structured Cabling Design specification for a given project should detail the installation and
termination rules for the installer as a guide to follow. These rules are based on standards and good
industry practice. The main issues that need to be addressed would include the following:

• Horizontal Cable Media

• Horizontal Routing
• Telecommunications Outlet Routing
• Telecommunications Outlet Connection
• FD Connectivity

Horizontal Media

100Ω twisted-pair balanced cable (Un-shielded and Shielded) cabling for horizontal cable runs
shall be constructed of 4-pair, 23 or 24 AWG solid conductors. The fiber cabling is typically a
duplex zip-cord type, with two fibers (one for transmit, one for receive) each in its own jacket
containing its own strength members, with the jackets molded together into one piece.

The required channel lengths as well as the class of applications to be supported will determine the
choice of the components. Due to the wide range of services, more than one transmission medium
is recognized. The industry standard specifies transmission media, which shall be used individually
or in combination in the horizontal cabling. The recognized media are:

i. 100Ω twisted-pair cable (Un-shielded and Shielded)

a. Minimum requirement : Cat 3 / Class C for Voice applications
b. Minimum requirement : Cat 5e / Class D for Data applications

ii. Multimode optical fiber cable (OM1, OM2, and OM3)

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The designer, with the client, must determine what media will best meet their current and
anticipated future needs. Although the crystal ball that tells us what we will require in the upcoming
decade is seldom present (and at best is hazy), the designer can help to “future proof” the
customer’s cabling system by following the minimum requirements and additional
recommendations for horizontal media defined in the standards.

Adding more cables to the WA than the initially requirements needs is seldom a mistake.
Configurations such as two runs of balanced copper or one run of balanced copper and a ‘dark’
duplex fiber are commonplace today. The designer should inform the customer that although it may
cost more to install additional media runs to the WA initially, it is much more cost effective than
adding additional ad hoc cables at a later date.

For reasons related to performance versus cost as well as applications requirement, it is quite a
common practice to employ 100Ω multi-pairs (25 pairs to 200 pairs) cable for voice backbone
application and optical fibre cable for data backbone applications.

Choosing Balanced Cable Connectors

The connecting hardware for terminating 100Ω horizontal cabling on the FD, located in the TR is the
8 positions, insulation displacement contact (IDC) connector type. The termination hardware options
for balanced pair transmission in the distributors include modular and punch-down (or IDC). These
can be either unshielded or shielded twisted pair.

Basically, there are two common methods for terminating twisted pair cable within the TR. Patch
panels are typically used for rack mounting and cross connects are typically used for wall mounting.

Patch Cord with

110XC Plug

Modular Jacks

Patch Cord with Modular Plug

Modular Plug Patch Panel with
Modular Jacks
110XC Cross-connect

The TOs at the WA should be terminated with a modular jack.

Pr 2 Pr 3

There are two 8 positions wiring pattern, T568A and Pr 3 OR Pr 4 Pr 2 GR Pr 4

T568B, grouped according to the pin-out in the standards.

The difference between the T568A and T568B wiring Pr1 Pr1

patterns is one of color code. The locations of pairs 2 and

BR
BR

OR
GR

BL
BL

3 (white/orange, orange/white), (white/green, green/white) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

are exchanged. Either of the wiring patterns can be adopted.
However, it must be ensured that the wiring pattern adopted
at the FD and information outlet is identical and consistent, T568A T568B/258A
throughout the entire installations of the project.
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Choosing Optical Fiber Cabling Connectors

The optical fiber connector used at the TO in the WA shall be the duplex subscriber connector (SC-
D). Where high density in a limited space is a requirement, the small form factor (SFF) optical fiber
connector such as the MT-RJ or LC, can be considered in the FD and TOs. In legacy situations, ST
may also be used.

ST SC

Fiber Enclosure

SFF (MT-RJ)

To allow for flexibility on the cabling side of TOs and distributor panels, a simplex connector is
may be used for the termination of horizontal and backbone optical cables. On the patch side of
TOs and distributor panels, a duplex presentation should be used for maintaining the correct
polarity of transmit and receive optical fibers for a two optical fiber transmission systems.

B A B A
Number 1

Number 2
A B A B

At the distributor, this presentation is preferably a duplex adapter that maintains the proper spacing
and alignment. Polarity is defined at the TO by either keying, or labeling of the adapters as position
A and B. To extend this polarity throughout the entire cabling system, it is important that the same
keying orientation, color coding, marking and optical fiber configuration be consistently applied.
Once the system is installed and correct polarity is verified, the optical fiber cabling system will
maintain the correct polarity of transmit and receive optical fibers.

Horizontal Cabling Routing

To tie the TO and the FD together, the designer should design the horizontal pathway in a “trunk
and branch” layout that allows the horizontal cables to be bundled along main corridors and office
throughways, emanating from the FD to all WAs. Although this may increases cable length, it
allows installers to employ more efficient pulling methods and causes less disruption to the
customer’s daily operations.

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The floor plan should indicate clearly the pathways to be followed. Details include pathway types
and sizes, pathway % fill and cable type on the pathway. The floor plan will form part of the
installation documentation prepared with the design specification.

Horizontal Cabling Pathway

Horizontal pathways are facilities for the installation of telecommunications cable from the FD to the
WA TO. The designer should be aware of the structural make-up of the facility to determine the
optimum pathway. A site survey may be critical to determine the structural make-up of the facility and
to determine a cabling route and pathway method that is effective and efficient. The pathway facility
shall be designed to handle all types of telecommunications cable. When determining the size of the
pathway, the quantity and size of cables, with an allowance for growth, shall be considered.

Since a horizontal cabling installation runs between the WA and the FD, the designer must have a
thorough knowledge of the pathways in-between the two. When designing the route for horizontal
distribution cables, the designer must be fully aware of the cost to determine the optimum pathway
to route horizontal cables between the FD and the WA. Additionally, the designer should have a
comprehensive understanding of any specific facility regulations, national and local codes and
ordinances in order to determine such things as the appropriate cable jacketing material to specify,
fire-wall penetration and fire stopping requirements. In some installations, cables must be contained
in metal conduit or trunking for fire protection.

Based on industry cabling standards, the practice for sizing most of the horizontal pathways is to
provide 65 cm2 for every 10 m2 of workspace. The standard assumes that each work area is a 10 m2
area. The standard and any local codes shall be checked for sizing and designing the pathways.

The major horizontal pathway types are:

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 • Under-floor Systems
• Under-floor Duct Systems
• Cellular Floor Systems
• Access Floor Systems
• Conduit Systems (Trunking, Conduit, Pipe, etc.)
• Cable Trays and Channels
• Ceiling Pathways
• Perimeter Pathways
• Miscellaneous

These pathway options are described in the following sections.

Under-floor Duct Systems

There are several design requirements and

parameters that the designer must consider when
designing an under-floor Duct System,
including sizing, spacing, and capacity, floor
structure and depth of concrete, and distance
specifications.

An under-floor duct system is a network of

distribution and feeder ducts that are embedded
in concrete at the time of building construction.
Distribution ducts are used to route the cable
from the feeder duct to the WA. Feeder ducts
are used to route the cable from the distributor to the distribution ducts.

Usually the distribution ducts have pre-set inserts that allow access to the cable being installed in the
ducts. These are factory-installed fittings, which the installer will use to connect the WA outlets.

Cellular Floor Systems

A cellular floor system is a network of

distribution and feeder cells that are
embedded in concrete at the time of
building construction. It is very
similar in design and scope to the
under-floor duct system including the
distribution and feeder ducts/cells,
after-set and pre-set inserts and
service fittings and junction boxes.

Issues to consider with either one of these under-floor systems are:

• Multi-channel pathways – where electrical power, optical fiber and copper cable may be
separated;

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 • Multi-level pathways – with levels dedicated to certain cables and metallic ducts/cells need
to be earthed (grounded).

The design requirements and advantages and disadvantages are also very similar to the under-floor
Duct System, but a Cellular Floor System does have an increased capacity and allows frequent access
at regular intervals along the entire cell.

Raised/Access Floors

Access Floors are raised floors comprised of modular floor panels supported by pedestals; generally
ideal for ERs, computer rooms, and general office areas. They can be designed for new construction or
retrofit.

There are two types of access flooring: standard height

floors and low profile floors. Where access floor is used,
also give consideration to the impact of using the space
under the access flooring for air handling. Plenum or LSZH
cable may be needed when the raised floor forms a part of
the return air system.

Service outlet placement shall be co-ordinate with WA location to provide adequate access. Service
outlets shall not be placed in traffic areas or location where they can create potential hazard to the
occupants.

When designing access floor, consideration should be given to the following:

• Containment for major cabling runs
• Quantity of cables, especially in areas with restricted access
• Secondary pathway system, if any
• Crossings of cable runs
• Bend radius limitations of the cable to enable cable exit
• Sufficient space for access (maximum and minimum height allowance)
• Floor loading
• Other services

The access floor layout shall be determined prior to the installation of any equipment or
telecommunications cabling. The TR and access floor area served should be located adjacent to
each other.

Conduit/Pipe Systems

Conduit system types include:

• Steel conduit systems

• Plastic conduit systems

The use of conduit systems or cable ducting systems as a pathway system for telecommunication
cabling is only considered when:

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 • outlet locations are permanent,
• device densities are low, and
• flexibility is not required.
• local codes require it.

In-floor conduit systems or cable ducting systems are especially inflexible as they are usually buried
in concrete. Some design guidelines for the designer include;

• bend radius,
• maximum length,
• use pull boxes and splice boxes,
• sizing and capacity.

No section of conduit should be longer than 30 meters (100 ft) between pull points. No section of
conduit shall contain more than two 90° bends, or equivalent, between pull points (e.g., outlets,
TRs, or pull boxes.) Any reverse (U-shaped) bend in the section shall be made accessible with a
pull box.

The inside radius of a bend in conduit shall be at least 6 times the internal diameter. Bends in the
conduit shall not contain any kinks or other discontinuities that causes damage on the cable sheath
during cable pulling operations.

Conduits protruding through the floor in the TR shall be terminated at least 75 mm above the floor
surface. This protrusion aids in preventing poured concrete from entering the conduit during
construction and protects cabling and fire-stop materials from water and other liquid spills.

Circular conduit/pipe types include metallic tubing, rigid metal conduit, and rigid PVC. Metal flexible
tubing should not be used due to cable abrasion (wear away) problems.

The advantages of conduit are that it typically has a low installation cost and provides EMI protection
(shielding). The big disadvantage is that it provides limited flexibility.

Cable Trays and Channels

Cable trays and channels are rigid structures for the containment of telecommunications cables. They
may be installed above or below the ceiling, or below an access floor, and in accordance with the
applicable electrical code. The standard types are:

• Channel cable tray,

• Ladder cable tray,
• Solid-bottom cable tray,
• Ventilated or trough cable tray and
• Mesh cable tray (wire or plastic mesh)

Cables are pulled or laid in place after the pathway has been installed.

The specified bend radii limitations of the cables and the weight loading of the pathway shall be
observed.

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Ceiling Pathways

Ceiling pathways are typically located above

drop ceilings with removable panels.
Installations can be in both plenum and non-
plenum spaces. The ceiling pathway may use
a basket, cable tray, trunking, and conduit, J-
Hooks, D-rings or Catenary wires.

Design guidelines include support structures,

sizing and spacing, clearances, and the use of
utility columns. Utility Columns
(power/down poles) are frequently used to
provide pathways for the cables from the
ceiling to the work area.

The ceiling for the pathways should be no more than 3.4 meters above the floor. To get the cabling
from the ceiling down to the WA, utility column (down pole) routes are used. These utility columns
need to be attached to the main ceiling support channels, not the transverse or short length channels.
Utility columns used for both telecommunications and power shall comply with national or local
electrical standards or regulations.

When a cable tray is used in the ceiling area, trunking from the tray to the outlets is required unless
loose wiring is permitted by standards or regulations.

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Service Poles

Service poles provide pathways for the wires and cables

from the ceiling to the WA. Service poles used for both
telecommunications and power distribution shall comply
with local regulations.

Service poles should be rigidly attached to a suitable

structural member, preferably the main ceiling support
channel. They should not be attached to the transverse or
short length channels unless they are also rigidly secured to
the main support channel. When service poles are used, the
main ceiling rails shall be rigidly installed and braced to
overcome movement, both vertical and horizontal.

Perimeter Pathways

Perimeter pathways serve workstations where telecommunication devices can be reached from walls
at convenient levels. They are usually provided at skirting level.

The three common types are:

• Surface trunking (attach to the wall surface),

• Recessed trunking (integrated into the wall) and
• Moulded/Extruded trunking (surfaced mounted as decorative feature).

Cable trunking systems can be used to create

perimeter pathways. The system, consisting
of cable trunking, couplings, elbows, and
similar fittings and apparatus mounting
devices is mounted directly on wall surfaces
at appropriate levels to provide a continuous
perimeter pathway.

TOs are located along the pathway and may

be moved or added after initial installation.
With perimeter pathways the devices in the
room depend on services from fixed wall
areas. In large rooms with partitions, the
pathway may be extended to the work area.

Furniture pathways

The design considerations include the material and capacity of the perimeter pathway, the use of
multi-channel trunking for power and/or lighting along with the telecommunications cabling, and
most importantly - the room size.

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The concern with furniture pathways/routes typically lies with the interface, which is where the
furniture pathway/route meets the horizontal pathway/route. If there is a gap between the 2
pathway/route types, a channel of some sort shall be provided.

Alignment of the interface is crucial to

avoid sharp edges and adherence to bend
radii limitations and many times a channel
is provided between the furniture
pathways/routes and the horizontal
pathways/routes.

Separation shall be designed if there is

power and telecommunications running in
the same furniture pathway/routes. The
pathway capacity should not exceed 40%
at the initial install, increasing up to a
maximum of 60%. The designer needs to
provide for the bend radius limitation of
the cable at the entry and termination points.

Horizontal Cabling Routing

When selecting and designing the horizontal pathway system, it is important to consider the
design’s ability to:

• Accommodate cabling changes.

• Minimize occupant disruption when horizontal pathways are accessed.

In addition to providing for current occupant needs, the horizontal pathway system design must:

• Facilitate ongoing maintenance of horizontal cabling.

• Accommodate future additions to and changes in cabling, equipment, and services.

The pathway design should allow for a minimum of three cable runs per individual WA. Although
only two cables per WA are required, the additional pathway capacity is needed to facilitate future
additions and changes as the user’s needs evolve.

Finally, the best choice in routes must be measured to ensure that horizontal cabling runs are within
the recommended distance limitation of 90 meters.

Once the structure and the rules that must be observed in cable pulling are understood, the designer
can then survey the site to determine a cabling route that is effective and efficient. The method of
routing and fixing cable bundles should be selected based on the environment within the route
chosen and the structure’s composition. Metal conduit or trunking may be appropriate for balanced
cables if separation from high voltage cables cannot be achieved or if a harsh environment warrants
greater protection of these cables.

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Segregation of Circuits

EMI is the induction of unwanted electrical energy into electrical circuits. There are a number of
sources that could cause EMI. The designer should treat potential sources of electromagnetic
interference (EMI) as a primary consideration when selecting types of horizontal cabling and
designing the layout of horizontal pathways. Typical sources of EMI include:

• electrical power wiring and transformers,

• radio frequency (RF) sources and transmitters,
• large motors and generators,
• induction heaters,
• arc welders,
• x-ray equipment,
• photo copiers,
• Fluorescent lighting.

These include electrical wiring, electric motors, fluorescent lighting, copiers, and other EMI
devices. Any twisted pair cabling should be kept as far away from EMI sources as possible.
Installing screened cable or cable in a closed metallic pathway/route such as conduit will help
reduce the effects of EMI.

The following precautions should be considered to reduce interference from sources of EMI:

• Use grounded metallic pathways to reduce inductive noise coupling between the
telecommunications cabling and sources of EMI. Cable installation close to a grounded
metallic surface will also reduce inductive noise.
• Use sheathed power cables (e.g., Romex) or other branch circuit cable constructions (e.g.,
taped, twisted, or bundled) that prevent separation of the line, neutral, and grounding
conductors to reduce EMI from the power conductors.
• The use of surge protectors in branch circuits can limit the propagation of electrical surges
and associated interference.

Care should be taken in preventing influence from other services, such as power lines. One way to
avoid electromagnetic interference is to maintain physical separation between possible sources and
the telecommunications cabling. The designer should also be aware of minimum distances to
maintain between low voltage and high voltage cables, if electrical service cables are present in the
route selected. Detailed minimum separation distances between telecommunications cable pathways
and electrical power lines and equipment will be available in most industry standard Planning and
Installation Guides. The table provides a guideline on the separation distance.

Distance
Cable Type Without Divider or Aluminium
Steel Divider
Non-metallic Divider Divider
Unscreened Power & UTP 200 mm 100 mm 50 mm
Unscreened Power & FTP 50 mm 20 mm 5 mm
Screened Power & UTP 30 mm 10 mm 2 mm
Screened Power & FTP 0 mm 0 mm 0 mm

The distances is based on up to 50 KVA representation of power lines, and IT cables represent
Category 5, 6 and 7 cables in accordance with ISO/IEC 11801(2nd edition) and TIA/EIA 568B.
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There are no need for any cable separation if the Permanent Link is shorter than 35 meters and
provided shielded IT cables is used, if the Permanent Link is longer than 35 meters, then the table
above applies for the full length, except the last 15 meters attached to the TO, where no separation
distance is allowed for all cable types.

The standard and/or any governing codes should also be checked to determine the minimum
separation distances between telecommunications pathways and electrical power cables and
equipment.

Grounding considerations

Grounding systems are an integral part of the signal or telecommunications cabling system that they
support. In addition to helping protect personnel and equipment from hazardous voltages, a proper
grounding system may reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) to and from the
telecommunications cabling system. Improper grounding can produce induced voltages and those
voltages can disrupt other telecommunications circuits.

Grounding and bonding shall meet the requirements and practices of applicable authorities or local
electrical codes. In addition, telecommunications grounding/bonding shall conform to relevant
industry cabling standard requirements.

The shield of ScTP cables shall be bonded through a conducting path to the telecommunications
grounding busbar (TGB) in the TR. Grounding at the WA is usually accomplished through the
equipment power connection. Shield connections at the work area are accomplished through a ScTP
patch cord.

At the WA end of the horizontal cabling, the voltage measured between the shield and the ground
wire of the electrical outlet used to supply power to the work station shall not exceed 1.0 Vrms (Root
Mean Squared Voltage). The cause of any higher voltage should be removed before using the cable.

Estimating cable requirements

Use the following formula to estimate the horizontal cable requirements.

(LL + SL + 4*CH) X # of W/S

2
Where: LL is the Longest Length cable
SL is the Shortest Length cable and
4*CH is 4 times the ceiling height.

An additional 15% of cable should be added to the total for waste and slack.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

Aside from the cable that needs to be routed, there are many more materials required to provide
connectivity from the horizontal cable to the work area.

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System Training – Horizontal Distribution Systems Planning & Installation (Rev. 2011-11) Page 18 of 26
 Project Name [Company, Name]
[Address 1]
[Address 2]
Contact Name [Customer Name]
Phone # [Customer Phone #]

Markup Labor Labor

Mfg PN Description Qty Cost € U/M X-Cost € % X-Price € Rate Hrs X-Labor € Line Total €

57535-2 Enhanced Category 5, UTP, PVC 120 € 2,707.31 KM € 324,877.20

966105-5 2 port faceplate, with jacks for UTP cable1200 € 29.41 EA. € 35,292.00
966740-2 DIN surface mount box 1200 € 9.80 EA. € 11,760.00
406330-1 24 port patch panel, UTP 100 € 306.80 EA. € 30,680.00
941761-6 Patch Cable Assembly, 2 m 2400 € 11.10 EA. € 26,640.00

X-Cost € X-Price € Hours X-Labor € Line Total €

Line Totals

The following materials and hardware need to be specified and be included on the bill of materials:

• type, quantity and packaging (reel, box, etc.) of cable

• outlet type (faceplate)
• connector type for outlet (if not included in outlet)
• patch panel (or cross-connects) in the floor distributor location (remember to accommodate all
of your outlets)
• connector type for patch panel (if not included in patch panel)
• patch cables to patch all of the equipment and patch panels together

Open Office Cabling

The floor space in many office buildings

nowadays is designed to allow for easy
reconfiguration so as to accommodate its
occupants’ evolving needs. This trend has led to
“open office” and “open workspace” designs in
which the available WA space is divided by
modular furniture and partitions, rather than by
fixed walls. Many other open office work
situations also require frequent reconfiguration.

In such areas, it would be advantageous to design

the horizontal cabling to allow for flexibility as
the churn rate in these environments is expected
to be higher than the fix layouts. An
interconnection in the horizontal cabling allows
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System Training – Horizontal Distribution Systems Planning & Installation (Rev. 2011-11) Page 19 of 26
open office spaces to be reconfigured frequently without disturbing horizontal cable runs. There are
two design options covered in the cabling standard. These are the MUTOA design and the CP
solution.

Multi-User Telecommunications Outlet Assembly (MUTOA) Solution

A MUTOA is a cluster of TOs in one location and shall be a modular (RJ-45) or optical fiber
connector device. The MUTOA facilitates the termination of single or multiple horizontal cables in
a common location within a furniture cluster or similar open area.

It is deployed in the WA to support a flexible layout for collaborative work by small teams.
Generally, such spaces are frequently re-arranged to meet changing requirements of concentrated
individual work and collaborative group work.

The use of MUTOAs allows horizontal cabling to remain intact when the open office plan is
changed. If a multi-pair horizontal cable (e.g. 25 pairs) serves multiple outlets through a MUTOA,
the cable must meet the appropriate transmission performance requirements as specified in the
standard. This is to assure that diverse telecommunications applications served by multiple TOs do
not interfere with each other. Horizontal cables extend from the MUTOA to the FD in the TR, using
horizontal pathways.

In a MUTOA arrangement, a furniture cluster typically supports up to twelve WAs. The MUTOA
needs to be made easily accessible to the customer. This option offers the highest flexibility to the
customer and provides the ability to make frequent changes in the WA, without disrupting the fixed
horizontal cabling.

The MUTOA permits the use of flexible WA cords and run to the end-user device directly, not to
another outlet. WA cables originating from the multi-user telecommunications outlet assembly
should be routed through WA pathways (e.g., furniture pathways). The WA cables shall be
connected directly to work station equipment without the use of any additional intermediate
connections

Because a MUTOA serves an entire office cluster, provision has been made to allow work area
cables beyond 5m depending on the length of the horizontal cable. Based upon insertion loss
considerations, the maximum length shall be determined according to:

• C = (102 - H)/(1+D)

• W=C-T ≤ 22 m for 24 AWG UTP/ScTP or

≤ 7 m for 26 AWG ScTP

Where:
• C is the maximum combined length (m) of the work area cable, equipment cable, and patch
cord.
• H is the length (m) of the horizontal cable (H + C ≤ 100 m).
• D is a de-rating factor for the patch cord type (0.2 for 24 AWG UTP/24 AWG ScTP and 0.5
for 26 AWG ScTP).
• W is the maximum length (m) of the work area cable
• T is the total length of patch and equipment cords in the telecommunications room.
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System Training – Horizontal Distribution Systems Planning & Installation (Rev. 2011-11) Page 20 of 26
The table below applies the above formulae assuming that there is a total of 5 m of 24 AWG
UTP/24 AWG ScTP or 4 m of 26 AWG ScTP patch cords and equipment cables in the TR.

Length of 24 AWG UTP / 24 AWG ScTP patch cords 26 AWG ScTP patch cords
horizontal Max. length of Max. combined length of Max. length Max. combined length
cable WA cable WA cables, patch cords of WA cable of WA cables, patch
& equip cable cords & equip cable
H W C W C
m (ft) m (ft) m (ft) m (ft) m (ft)
90 (295) 5 (16) 10 (33) 4 (13) 8 (26)
85 (279) 9 (30) 14 (46) 7 (23) 11 (35)
80 (262) 13 (44) 18 (59) 11 (35) 15 (49)
75 (246) 17 (57) 22 (72) 14 (46) 18 (59)
70 (230) 22 (72) 27 (89) 17 (56) 21 (70)

The MUTOA shall be marked with the maximum allowable WA cable length. One method to
accomplish this is to evaluate cable length markings.

Consolidation Point (CP) Solution

The installation of a CP in the horizontal cabling between

the FD and the TO may be useful in an open office
environment where the flexibility of relocating TOs in the
work area is required. It differs from the MUTOA in that it
requires an additional connection for each horizontal cable
run.

A CP solution allows standard horizontal cables to be extended into WA pathways and terminated
on TO that are dedicated to each individual user. In this design, the total length of horizontal cable
is restricted to 90 meters and allows up to 5 meters of WA cord.

A CP is similar to a transition point (TP) in that its purpose is for connection between horizontal
cables extending from building pathways and cables extending into furniture pathways, rather than
to serve as a user interface. However, the CP is not a transition to under-carpet cable like the TP. A
TP and CP shall not be used in the same horizontal-cabling link. Like any other hardware, the CP
has to be administered (labeled) as required by the administration standard.

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System Training – Horizontal Distribution Systems Planning & Installation (Rev. 2011-11) Page 21 of 26
Consolidation Points (CP) Consideration

CPs shall be located in accessible, permanent locations. CPs shall not be installed in open office
furniture systems unless that unit of furniture is permanently secured to the building structure. The
use of suspended ceiling space or access floor space for CPs is commonly used but is only
recommended, provided that the space is accessible without moving building fixtures, equipment,
or heavy furniture, and without disturbing other building occupants.

The installer should leave plenty of room in front where

the removable panels are located for terminations and
maintenance. If it is a metallic box, it shall be earthed
(grounded) properly. If it is metal, make sure that
grommets are installed in knock outs to avoid any cable
damage.

CPs shall be administered in the same manner as

telecommunications cabling, hardware, pathways and
spaces.

Only 1 CP is permitted between a FD and any TO. A CP should serve a maximum of 12 work areas.
The CP shall contain only passive connecting hardware and not be used for cross-connections. It
shall be mounted on a fixed location such as walls and columns and can be located inside false
ceilings or under access floors. It is not intended to be used as a TO for interfacing to customer
equipment.

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System Training – Horizontal Distribution Systems Planning & Installation (Rev. 2011-11) Page 22 of 26
The location of the CP should facilitate future changes around the WAs, without disturbing the fixed
horizontal cabling. Only the CP to the TO portion will need to be changed. This will greatly minimize
disruption and take much shorter time to implement, resulting in reduced costs.

All fixed horizontal cable including future cabling requirements, shall start from the distributor and
terminate on the CP. Only horizontal links required for initially installation shall continue to the TO in
the WA. This will reduce the initial high cost of using a CP solution.

CP

5 meters min
5 m min 15 m min
90meter max

The fixed portion of the horizontal cable shall be a solid conductor cable. As per ISO 11801 2nd
Edition, the portion between the CP and the TO may be solid or flexible conductor. If it is flexible
conductor cable, then a derating factor shall be used to calculate the maximum length of cable
between the FD and the TO, according to the table below:

Consolidation Point Class D using Category Class E using Category 6 Class F using Category
Application 5 components components 7 components
Interconnect to CP to TO H = 107 –F*X-C*Y H = 106–3 –F*X-C*Y H = 106 – 3 –F*X-C*Y
Crossconnect to CP to TO H = 105 – F*X-C*Y H = 105 – 3 –F*X-C*Y H = 105 – 3 –F*X-C*Y
H is the maximum length of the fixed horizontal cable
F is the combined length of patchcords / jumpers, equipment cords and work area cords(m)
X is the ratio of cord cable insertion loss to fixed horizontal cable insertion loss (dB/m)
C is the length of the CP cable
Y is the ratio of CP cable insertion loss to fixed horizontal cable insertion loss (dB/m)
A length reduction of 2m or 3m has been applied to provide an allocated margin to accommodate insertion
loss deviation.

For example using the equations above for a Class E channel (cross-connect) using 10m of solid CP
cable and 9 meters of patchcords, the maximum length of Fixed Horizontal Cable is 79.5 meters. If a
stranded CP cable was used, the maximum length of Fixed Horizontal Cable is 74.5 meters.

For copper cabling, the CP shall be installed at least 15 meters away from the distributor. The physical
length of the channel shall not exceed 100 meters and the fixed horizontal cable shall not exceed 90
meters. Each transition cable extending from the CP to the WA shall be solid wire (TIA/EIA-568 C)
and terminated to a TO or MUTOA. It is recommended that the CP is to be located at least 5 meters
away from the WA TO.

The CP solution will become show investment cost effective during subsequent moves, add and major
changes.

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System Training – Horizontal Distribution Systems Planning & Installation (Rev. 2011-11) Page 23 of 26
Summary

The horizontal portion of the building cabling system is generally the most complex portion to
design and install. A horizontal plant that meets the needs of every work area while traversing the
greatest area of any facility requires much forethought and planning to ensure that:

• The customer’s short and long term application goals will be supported in a manner that is
user friendly, easily configured and managed, and provides years of reliable service.
• The cabling system is installed in accordance with the standards, and accommodates the
unique environmental aspects of each facility while complying with all applicable facility,
national and local codes and ordinances.
• Each component in the system is installed professionally, correctly, in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations and achieves the performance level desired.
• The customer obtains good value for the money spent and is satisfied with the resultant
cabling system.

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System Training – Horizontal Distribution Systems Planning & Installation (Rev. 2011-11) Page 24 of 26
Review

1. The _______________ cabling subsystem is the portion of the generic telecommunications

cabling system that extends from the telecommunications outlet (TO) in the work area (WA)
to the floor distributor (FD) in the telecommunications room (TR).

2. Horizontal cabling subsystem shall contain no more than _______ transition point or
consolidation point. Bridged taps and splices are not allowed.

3. The maximum horizontal distance shall be ______ meters, independent of media type.

4. Cables and connecting hardware of different categories may be mixed within a channel
however the resultant cabling performance will be determined by the category of the
______________ performing component.

5. A _____________________ is a connectivity scheme that provides for direct connections to

building cabling from equipment without a patch cord. It only uses the equipment cord.

6. UTP cabling for horizontal cable runs shall be constructed of 4-pair, 23 or 24 AWG
____________ conductors.

7. The connecting hardware for terminating 100 ohm horizontal cabling on the floor distributor,
located in the telecommunications room is the 8 positions, _______________ _____________
_____________ (IDC) connector type.

8. The telecommunications outlets at the work area should be terminated with a modular jack.
There are two 8 positions wiring pattern, __________ and _________.

9. A _______________ is a cluster of telecommunications outlets in one location and shall be a

modular (RJ-45) or optical fiber connector device.

10. For copper cabling, the CP shall be installed at least _______ away from the distributor.

11. At the work area end of the horizontal cabling, the voltage measured between the shield and
the ground wire of the electrical outlet used to supply power to the work station shall not
exceed ______ Vrms (Root Mean Squared Voltage).

12. The _______________ link is defined in the standards as all of the cable, connecting
hardware, (jacks, plugs, patch panels, cross-connect blocks), and patch and/or jumper cables
between the work area and the equipment in the Floor Distributor (FD), including the
horizontal cross-connect components.

13. The minimum requirements and additional recommendations for 100Ω twisted-pair cable
(Un-shielded and Shielded) horizontal media defined in the standards is ____________ for
data applications

14. The separation distance between an unscreened Power & U/UTP cable without divider or
non-metallic divider is _______ mm.

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System Training – Horizontal Distribution Systems Planning & Installation (Rev. 2011-11) Page 25 of 26
 15. The ______________ ________ connection resides in the work area and includes the
terminated jacks/connectors and the face-plate housing.

16. ‘T568B’ uses the same wiring pattern as T568A, with the exception that pair’s ___ and ___
are switched.

17. Copper jacks should also facilitate connection of the ___________ if F/UTP, S/FTP or
SF/FTP cable is present at the outlet.

18. _______________ can be defined as the specific configuration of optical fiber cables and
connectors in order to maintain the continuity of the direction of the light pulse throughout
an optical fiber circuit.

19. Ideally, horizontal cable should enter from one side of the room and backbone cable from the
_______________ side.

20. The design of the ____________ construction may dictate the pathway attachment methods,
the design and layout of the office area may dictate the appropriate outlets, and the
____________ construction may dictate the type of raceway or route to be used.

21. Multi-user telecommunications outlet assemblies shall be located in _______________,

permanent locations.

22. The pathway design should allow for a minimum of _________ cable runs per individual
WA.

23. Access Floors are _______ __________ comprised of modular floor panels supported by
pedestals; generally ideal for equipment rooms, computer rooms, and general office areas.
They can be designed for new construction or retrofit.

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System Training – Horizontal Distribution Systems Planning & Installation (Rev. 2011-11) Page 26 of 26