Electrical Installations in the Information Age

In the increasingly data driven world that we live, it is easy to get carried away thinking about the significance of data cabling Watford when planning your office move or upgrade. But with this increased reliance on information technology, it is vital that we don’t overlook more the traditional cabling and electrical installations that are required. Because ultimately, everything needs power.

Planning For Electrical Installations

There are several things that you should keep in mind when planning Electrical Installations for IT, data cabling and power outlets for your project, including:

• Overestimate capacity – The number of plug points that we need has exploded in recent years as we’ve become attached to such a plethora of electronic devices, like mobile phones, laptops, tablets, digital cameras. It is better and easier to plan for multiple access points, rather than having employees annoyed, or using extension leads which can be dangerous.
• Allow flexibility – The way that people work is changing and often people won’t spend their whole day sat at a desk, but instead use meeting rooms or break out areas. Employees will still have a need for power sockets in these areas, so it is important that you anticipate this and put extra sockets where they may be required.
• Consider specialist requirements – Some parts of the electrical installation may have very specialist requirements that are different from the rest of the build. This is particularly application to areas like comms rooms that have a very high density of high powered computing equipment. Consider the power needs for these spaces, but also any additional safety measures that may need to be put in place.
• Think ahead – Electrical Installations for IT – Modern businesses need to be far more flexible and adaptable that they ever where in the past, and this applies to their office space as well. Using methods such as floor box electrical installations with false floors will make it much easier should you need to reconfigure the space in the future.

Back Up Power Installations

Another often overlooked but vitally important area is back up power supplies. For digital businesses that rely on being online to generate revenue, power cuts can be extremely costly. Take proper measures, such installing UPS systems to ensure that you keep your servers running even when the power fails.

Once you reach a certain scale it would also be worth considering installing a generator, which could keep your business operational even during longer power outages.

Safety and Standards

It goes without saying that for all electrical installations for IT, safety is of the utmost importance, and proper guidelines should be followed in terms of both the implementation and the materials used.

There are various standards that much be met to ensure the safety of electrical installations, such as the British Standard “Requirements for Electrical Installations. IET Wiring Regulations” or BS 7671. In accordance with this, all works should completed by properly accredited experts.

Safety considerations should continue well after the initial installation, with regular PAT testing of electrical equipment and periodic reviews of electrical wiring. This is particularly important in high use areas such as offices that will receive a lot of wear and tear.

For more information on guidance on electrical installations you are considering, don’t hesitate to get in touch and speak to one of our expert engineers.

Original Source:- Electrical Installations in the Information Age

Understanding the Basics of Structured Cabling

Cabling is an essential component of any communication network. After all, phones and computers are now ubiquitous in every home and office. All this technology, however, means more cabling is required than ever before.

When it comes to communication systems, flexibility, simplicity and scalability are three qualities which are highly valued. Giving sufficient attention to your networking solution and investing in structured data cabling in London can certainly help yield these benefits. Integrating structured cabling into your setup, therefore, should be a major priority.

What is Structured Cabling?

Modern organisations are packed full of a myriad of devices that have enhanced productivity and revolutionised the way that business is conducted. The Internet of Things may have reduced the need for cabling to some degree, but the fact remains that cabling is still a major part of any organisation’s communication network. PCs and phones need to be connected to central networks and the only way to achieve this is with cabling. But if all these different devices require unique cabling then things are going to get very complicated. So that’s where structured cabling steps in.
Structured cabling uses twisted pair Ethernet cables to create a uniform environment of connectivity that welcomes both phone and PC networks. The cables in question are most commonly Cat5 or Cat6 Ethernet cables which are already established as the industry standard for data transmission. Both of these cables can be connected to RJ45 sockets which allow PCs and phones to communicate with central data centres and facilitate the flow of information.

The Benefits of Structured Cabling

It’s important to understand what structured data cabling is in order to understand how it can be incorporated into your organisation. But it’s also vital that you understand what the benefits of structured cabling can bring your business. Let’s take a look at the key benefits:

• Budget Friendly: The beauty of structured cabling is that it helps you to create a uniform cabling system for your network. One of the main benefits of this uniformity is that it’s incredibly cost effective. Maintenance costs and power are significantly reduced whilst the need for updates is streamlined, so structured cabling can make a real difference to your budgets.

• Flexibility: Multiple wiring systems can present your staff with a major headache for a number of reasons. Dismantling such an array of systems, for example, is very time consuming and makes relocating equipment a technical nightmare. But structured cabling is much more straightforward to dismantle and relocate due to its flexibility to be employed all over you network.

• Scalability: Structured cabling is highly conducive when it comes to scalability. And, again, it’s thanks to its uniformity. New devices can easily be integrated into structured cabling networks as they are all working to one specific standard. Therefore, expansion within your business can be achieved with minimum hassle and ensure that your communication capabilities are maintained.

• Less Downtime: Working with just one cabling system is a sure fire way to minimise mistakes. And that’s why a system built upon structured cabling can enhance your productivity. Identifying faults and rectifying them is much easier and organising your cabling becomes much simpler, so any disruptions to your workflow are minimised.

Structured Cabling Installation

For more information on how to upgrade your structured cabling, or to install your first network, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Original Source:- Structured Cabling Basics