STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEMS (SCSs)

SCS is a cabling strategy that takes into account likely infrastructure needs over a 15 year period.
It is inherently a long-term approach which avoids costly recabling and high maintenance expense.
Cost avoidance is an important benefit of SCS, which more than offsets its initial expense.

SCSs are also inherently open. That is they are capable of supporting a variety of systems, applications
and equipment. The cabling layout, or architecture, involves cabling each Work Area Outlet
individually from a central wiring closet or Main Distribution Frame (MDF).

The main components of an SCS are comprised of the following sub-systems:
Work Area Outlet, Horizontal Cabling, Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF), Riser/Backbone cabling.

Of all the subsystems that make up an SCSs cable selection, horizontal cabling, in particular, demands
special attention. This will not only outlive all the other components, but it must support the next
generation replacement products and applications. Once installed, the cable becomes an embedded part of the building’s infrastructure.


THE BOTTOM LINE

Select the best cable, one that assures long-term reliability and performance. Most of us have to justify
our cable investment, approve the expenditure, sign the check and watch the bottom line. This is where
the added financial value of an SCS is a strength. There are a number of ways to look at the cost dynamics of SCS versus an “ad hoc” cabling strategy.

The cost of cabling an installation project is typically only five to eight percent of the total project cost.
This percentage may vary somewhat since every project is different, but it is a good rule of thumb.
Clearly, a properly installed cabling project wields major financial leverage as an investment.

Your investment in front-end planning, a well thought-out SCS design, and selection of the best
cabling materials available has high value. SCSs deliver long-term benefits. Planning ahead
always pays off in the end.

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The SCS is not intended for a tight integrated HDTV Home Theater room. Most cable runs
will be short and local.


Things get a little dicey when a multizone entertainment system comes into play. These systems
may have more than one HDTV monitor and may be used for PC applications in several rooms
on different floors through out the home. Lets suppose a home owner wants 2 channel stereo
in one room but can’t decide on a surround sound setup in another room (5.1 – X.X). Then to top
it off, the owner wants to be able to connect several HDTV dumb terminals to a central server running
Windows and Unix. One more thing, the owner wants to connect to the Internet and be protected
from hackers and spoof attacks. Just one more thing, lets throw in the antenna, satellite dishes, cable
box with modem, a few STB’s, and telephone service. SCS is the model and the mind set.