28 I ICT TODAY
Now that 90 W per channel
can be delivered, doors are
going to open for low-voltage.
successes gets them over the hump, but we are still at
the lower end of the ‘J’ curve in this process,” he adds.
“And, now that we can deliver 90 W per channel, this is
going to open doors for low-voltage,” predicts Billy Nantz,
senior project manager for Tera Bridge.
“We believe high voltage will always have a place
in the market, but with the emergence of IoT (category
cabling) solutions, we have been working diligently
to educate ourselves as well as test and integrate PoE
lighting, security, and other management systems
traditionally installed by the MEP (Mechanical,
Electrical, Plumbing) contractors,” states Shane Slater,
vice president of operations with DMI Technologies.
“One of our concerns is that any MEP contractor will
attempt to install this new technology without the
proper education and without the standards that a
quality low-voltage contractor would utilize, thus
creating a problematic system and giving PoE lighting
a bad reputation,” he explains. “There will need to be
coordination between the trades to ensure a seamless
installation, but ultimately it will need to meet or exceed
BICSI standards including documentation, labeling and
testing by a certified low-voltage contractor,” he adds.
“Today it is the code that dictates this decision.
It depends on the city and AHJ,” notes Farukh Aslam.
“My city of Fort Worth has embraced this technology
and does not require electrical inspections for the
low-voltage. Hopefully more companies and cities will
realize these advantages because low voltage can save
both energy and money,” he adds.
DOTTING THE “I’S” AND CROSSING THE “T’S”
“Education will be essential for end users, architects and
of course for the low-voltage installers,” states Slater.
“By educating them about systems monitoring, cost
savings, building efficiencies and the People Factor,
everyone involved will benefit from this technology.
Imagine an IP-based PoE lighting system that can include
a circadian rhythm playlist as well as daylight harvesting
while monitoring CO2 levels. With the right platform,
these IP-based systems will be able to talk to each other
and maintain an acceptable level of CO2 and increase
productivity as well as comfort. We at DMI feel that the
sky is the limit for IP and PoE integration.”
“One of the most vital steps is to engage and
communicate with the infrastructure and device
manufacturers as they would have a professional or
specialist knowledgeable of the design and application,”
states Bob Allan. “Understanding that applications
requirements are a baseline, it will be critical to select
cabling systems that meet or exceed industry standards.
And that there is no ‘one size fits all’ as each installation
will have different systems with different requirements,”
Allan adds. The standards (both TIA and BICSI) state that
the minimum cable for new installations is a category
6A. But, be aware of the effects on the cable and the
connectivity when transmitting higher PoE with data
over all four pairs.
It is imperative that a well-planned commissioning
process is in place to make sure that all applications
running over the network meet the specifications set
by the manufacturers. For the contractor, this means
understanding the testing procedures through functional
network test equipment. Make sure that all systems are
documented and cables labeled. Understanding PoE
and the different layouts will be an ongoing exercise
in education, but these new challenges will provide
increasing opportunities for the ICT industry.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY: Carol Everett Oliver, RCDD, ESS,
is a network cabling specialist with The Siemon Company
headquartered in Watertown, CT. She is also the chair of the
BICSI Intelligent Building Standards Subcommittee and secretary
on the BICSI Board of Directors. Carol is a frequent contributor
to ICT Today and can be reached at carol_oliver@siemon.com.
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