Office IT and BT wiring.Please Help!

Bobby_32 · Aug 19, 2012

Hi guys.I've heard that there're competent guys out here so hope someone can help me solve this.I will appreciate that very much.I want to run BT and IT using Cat5 cables in my office but don't know how the wiring has to be done.It's just the cables that I want to run.The termination of the cables will be done by another guy. What's the way of running the cables? I mean how do I run the cables from point to point? I've drawn a rough drawing of what I want (hope it's clear enough!) Any suggestions welcome. Any questions, please ask me.Thank you very much in advance!

redcbr · Aug 19, 2012

Hi
Not quite sure what you are trying to achieve, but you should plan to install at least 50% more connections than you think you will need. When I carry out office installations I usually put 4 cat 5E points at each desk and where network printers are going 2 for each printer you plan on having. You can guarantee that once you have finished the instal and started using the system something will need to be changed.
The cat 5(E) should all be run to a single location ( generally near where your comms and data come into the building. It should be run in trunking or wire baskets and not near any mains cables (min seperation running parallel to mains 100mm). Ensure whoever terminates it all give you a copy of the test results.

Bobby_32 · Aug 19, 2012

redcbr said:
Hi
Not quite sure what you are trying to achieve, but you should plan to install at least 50% more connections than you think you will need. When I carry out office installations I usually put 4 cat 5E points at each desk and where network printers are going 2 for each printer you plan on having. You can guarantee that once you have finished the instal and started using the system something will need to be changed.
The cat 5(E) should all be run to a single location ( generally near where your comms and data come into the building. It should be run in trunking or wire baskets and not near any mains cables (min seperation running parallel to mains 100mm). Ensure whoever terminates it all give you a copy of the test results.

Thanks for your prompt and competent reply Redcbr,
I've got a Cat5 available and think of using it for the office.Hope it'll be good enough.

You said "The cat 5(E) should all be run to a single location ( generally near where your comms and data come into the building".
Does that mean that a separate cable should be run from every floor box to the incoming data and comms(i.e #1 and #2. on drawing). So say for 4 BT and IT points in the office, I'll need 4 incoming ports for the BT and IT cables ? Sorry, it might sound silly but I'm curious and I'd like to know it.At the end of the the day I might give the job to someone who will do it all.
Thanks for your detailed answer!

redcbr · Aug 19, 2012

It all depends on how your telephone system is set up. Generally you have seperate cables running to each user point. They are all coonected to a patch panel at the single location. At this location you would have a network switch or hub, you would patch from this switch to which ever cat 5 point you want to use for IT. A seperate patch panel would be wired up for the telephone system and this would also be patched to a cat 5 point in the office. The cat 5 point would then have an adapter plugged in to accept the telephone plug. Doing it this way IT and telephones can be placed anywhere on the network and be easily changed around. If you imagine it as a hub and spoke system. The office points are the ends of the spokes and the single point is the hub, so everything goes through the hub.
Hope this is a little clearer.

redcbr · Aug 19, 2012

It all depends on how your telephone system is set up. Generally you have seperate cables running to each user point. They are all coonected to a patch panel at the single location. At this location you would have a network switch or hub, you would patch from this switch to which ever cat 5 point you want to use for IT. A seperate patch panel would be wired up for the telephone system and this would also be patched to a cat 5 point in the office. The cat 5 point would then have an adapter plugged in to accept the telephone plug. Doing it this way IT and telephones can be placed anywhere on the network and be easily changed around.

mayfair · Aug 19, 2012

I would buy ready made cables from somewhere like CPC problems with this type of install is always the connectors IMO. Ive recently run 47 PC's from a switching box ins phone and fax lines all cables were bought pre - terminated

Bobby_32 · Aug 19, 2012

Thank you Redcbr.That's just what I wanted to know.Very helpful and comprehensive information.Have a nice evening and week!

Bobby_32 · Aug 19, 2012

Thanks Mayfair.I would do that as well.

Robotstar5 · Aug 19, 2012

Terminating the socket end is fairly easy with a good quality punch down tool, I use CK for preference, terminating the RJ plug on the patch panel end takes a bit of practise though