Structured cabling administration
Following standard practices ensures current and future occupants of a building have all the information they need for smooth operations. Administrative record keeping is detailed in TIA/EIA-606-A: Administration Standard for Commercial
Telecommunications Infrastructure. It specifies identification, labeling, and documentation for different components of the structured cabling system, including:
• Telecommunications pathways (horizontal and backbone)
• Telecommunications spaces (telecommunications rooms, work areas, equipment rooms, etc.)
• Connecting hardware and splices
• Cables
• Equipment
• Building(s)
• Grounding and bonding
Class 4: Multisite/multicampus.
– Class 3 identifiers.
– Campus or site identifier
Optional identifiers:
– Optional Class 3 identifiers
– Intercampus element identifier
Additional identifiers for mission-critical systems, WAN connections, large or multitenant buildings, pathways and spaces, and outside plant elements are optional, but recommended.
Identification formats/labeling.
When identifying the elements in your system, you must create a unique alphanumeric code, or label, for each location, pathway, cable, and termination point. These codes link back to the corresponding record, which should contain all the information related to that component, including linkages.
The format of the code or label is not mandated by the standard, although it does list numerous examples. Whatever format you choose, it must be consistent, logical, and flexible.
The label itself must be easily readable and should withstand environmental conditions. The labels must be printed or produced mechanically.
Classes of administration.
The TIA specifies four classes of administration based on the size and complexity of the infrastructure. It defines the requirements for identifiers, records, and labeling.
Class 1: Single equipment room. This is a building with a single equipment room and no backbone cabling.
– Telecommunications Space (TS) identifier
– Horizontal link identifier
– Telecommunications Main Grounding Busbar (TMGB)
– Telecommunications Grounding Busbar (TGB)
Class 2: Single building, multiple telecommunications rooms.
– Class 1 identifiers
– Building backbone identifier
– Building backbone pair or fiber identifier
– Firestopping location identifier
– Optional pathways identifiers
Class 3: Campus with multiple buildings.
– Class 2 identifiers
– Building identifier
– Campus backbone cable identifier
– Campus backbone pair or fiber identifier
Optional identifiers:
– Optional Class 2 identifiers
– Outside plant pathway element identifier
– Campus pathway or element identifier
Additional identifiers may be added.
Color coding.
Color coding the termination fields is recommended to simplify system administration. A rule of thumb is that the labels identifying each end of a cable must be the same color.
Color
Orange
Label Color Coding
Pantone
Number
150C
Element
Identified
Demarcation point
(central-office termination)
Green 353C on the customer side
Purple 264C
White
Gray 422C
Blue 291C
Brown 465C
Yellow 101C
Red 184C
First-level backbone
Horizontal cabling terminations
Key telephone systems
30 Black Box Guide to Structured Cabling
