Not all structured cabling systems are created equal.
Using industry-approved or premium-brand cables can significantly improve performance, reliability, and lifespan. That’s why it’s important to consider not just the installer, but also the brand and quality of the cabling they use — it can vary widely between companies.

There are brands of data cabling that do not meet the standard transmission performance requirements, are brittle and don’t last or even worse are a fire hazard

Examples of cheaper branded cabling that has caused clients problem in the past

1)     An electrical wholesaler supplied data cabling solution that had written on the box not to be used over 70m. Furthermore copper cabling systems are certified to 90m so this brand of cabling was failing before it was even installed

2)     A 400 outlet project where every link failed due to wholesaler data modules that failed testing every time

3)     Many examples of copper coated aluminium cabling that would not pass any test result attempts

Additionally industry known cabling system manufacturers will have a warranty program and submission of that warranty should be a request made to all installers

An example of a warranty program can be found at Excel Cabling Systems Website

Euroclass cable

The requirement now required that you have to install a Euroclass cable and is to be compliant with BS 6701:2016+A1:2017

“For new installations and the refurbishment or extension of existing installations within the external fire barrier of the building, installation cables which are subject to the CPR shall as a minimum meet the requirements of Euroclass Cca, s1b, d2, a2.”

Therefore if your chosen data cable company are not installing to this standard then the installation is non compliant. Furthermore the non-compliance is advised to be notified to the building owner so that a fire safety report can be undertaken under BS9999 to look at ways to mitigate the risks

Consequently industry and premium brand cabling will ensure that this guidelines are met in their products

Key Questions to ask your data cable company about the cabling system they install

• Ask if the system comes with a warranty and what it covers
• Ask the installer for reference sites of similar cabling systems with that manufacturer
• Check Euro class cabling is to be installed
• Request to see the manufacturer’s warranty program for the type of cabling to be installed

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What is a data cabling warranty and how does it work with network cable certification?

Data cable manufacturers will support a network cable installation for 20+ years on its cable and components. However this is only if the installer has provided full test results and has undertaken approved training courses to install the systems. Then the cabling installation must have a total network cable certification test undertaken. Additionally these results must pass and then be processed by the cable manufacturer for a warranty

Furthermore this article highlights what you should insist on for any data cabling testing and certification

Why a warranty gives you peace of mind and ensures you have an expert installing your data cabling

A data cabling warranty is only available when systems are designed, installed, and tested by approved Installers and partners with industry leading manufacturers and they have to have ongoing and current training certification in place.

In addition warranties are issued only after an audit of test data, and at the discretion of the manufacturers technical support team at site audit. In all cases 100% of the links which require warranty support must be tested which gives you confidence that the whole system is installed correctly

What does a cabling warranty give you?

The cabling warranty covers all copper cabling, fibre optic cabling, voice cabling. In some cases data cabinets are also covered when installed as part of an overall manufacturer cabling solution

This will give you peace of mind that your data cabling network system has been installed correctly and will work for you.

As an Excel cabling partner we follow their guidelines to achieve warranty and accreditation. An in depth explanation of what their warranty covers is accessible here

Key Questions regarding data cabling warranties

• Request manufacturer approved training certification for the company
• Ask to see a copy of the documentation of what the warranty covers
• Request examples of previous warranties and test results from other projects
• In certain cases a manufacturer will appoint a project manager to ensure standards are met over and above the installer

The post Questions to ask of your data cabling installer. No:4 appeared first on Cabling Solutions.