Working with cables and networking can be challenging for many individuals. People frequently put off taking care of the basics until they are forced to, which can reduce their productivity or possibly result in costly repairs down the road. Poor network cabling layout is one example that can incur costly future maintenance testing that could have been avoided in the first place.
You might feel like you can carry out the entire cabling process yourself but doing so might affect your network in the long run. Unlike Spectrum internet plans, wired cable networks can easily malfunction due to tangled wire issues, running cables parallel to power cords, or many other reasons.
You can make sure that your networking is effective and functioning by avoiding these typical network cabling blunders.
1: Inadequate Planning
Before you begin laying cables, there are a number of aspects you should take into consideration. These include the number of rooms to be connected, required speed, devices to be linked, best cable option, additional devices, and the most suitable path for the cable. All these things need to be planned in advance so that your network cable is capable of adapting all these factors later on.
Moreover, it’s possible for a system created by an amateur to adopt a more ad-hoc approach. This can result in having a network that doesn’t function as planned and is difficult to manage or scale up. The ideal way to avoid these issues is to rely on professionals from the start. You can begin building a layout that works for you by working closely with them and communicating the goals and needs of your firm.
Additionally, you should always make sure you are carefully controlling the wires that need to be installed, along with the necessary specs and procedures. It’s crucial to avoid this error while installing network wires properly. This means that it is essential to ensure that the wires are accessible, organized, and correctly labeled. This will effectively require less maintenance in the long run.
2: Overlooking Cable Management
The need to label, color-coordinate, rack and bundle network cables may seem like an irrelevant task but it is actually a vital step when it comes to cable management. This is so because if not arranged properly, these cables can easily get jumbled up, and might get difficult to distinguish one from the other if all of them look the same.
Any technician that might come for maintenance will have a hard time trying to repair, track down, diagnose, or replace faulty cables if they are not properly organized. Moreover, a lot of time will also be wasted trying to get to the root of the problem. Additionally, any add-ons, system moves, or changes will also be challenging and you can end up paying additional maintenance expenses.
3: Not Using Zip Ties Properly
Zip ties have always proved to be very useful and are commonly used when organizing cables. Data cabling, however, is far more delicate and cannot withstand the same wear and tear as electrical wiring. Data cables may become crushed or even crimped if zip ties are overtightened. As a result, you may face spotty, slow, or nonexistent network access.
4: Running Network Wires Parallel to Power Cables
Electrical cables produce electromagnetic fields when current flows through them, which may lessen the efficiency of network cabling lying parallel to each other. Intermittent access to the network, slow speeds, or a complete failure to access the network can all be caused by interference.
5: Placing Network Cables Too Close to Electronic Devices
Just as in the case of electrical cabling, the electromagnetic field generated by power-dependent equipment causes interference with the data cables’ normal functioning. The major sources of interference include things like fans, fluorescent lighting, and AC units. In order to avoid this challenge, you need to carefully plan the placement of any equipment that is dependent on power and the entire design of the cable system.
The infrastructure of data cabling becomes even more important as your growing operations get more complex and larger. Hence, proper installation is crucial to all operations. In reference to system modifications, future upgrades, and routine maintenance, this will prove beneficial for saving you from frustration and any additional expenses.
Conclusion
If you’re starting off with laying new cables or if your old system needs maintenance, make sure you take all these common mistakes into consideration. Putting cables together might seem like an easy task. However, if not done properly you can face a lot of problems related to network connectivity and tangled wires.