[ Focus: Data communications ]
surveillance cameras and other embedded devices to receive power as well as data over existing cabling. The IEEE 802.3at standard, or PoE+, allows up to
As well as reducing network installation costs, savings can be made through more efficient energy management using intelligent management systems
25.5W of power over Category 5 cabling or higher. Paul Jordan, sales and marketing manager at ECA member, J Brand, believes that this technology is a key factor in bringing electrical contractors into the world of data cabling. He explains: ‘PoE significantly simplifies the installation and maintenance of networked devices. Installations are less complicated as there are fewer contractors involved, and the process is also quicker and cheaper as there are less cables and power sockets to put in place.’ In the current economic climate, ongoing cost savings
are an additional driver of PoE. James Withey, senior R&D engineer at Nexans, says: ‘As well as reducing network installation costs, savings can be made through more efficient energy management using intelligent management systems. This allows network managers to put power devices and power sourcing equipment remotely into low power or sleep modes during peak times or at weekends, or to switch them off.’
Living in a material world
When the National Composites Centre (NCC) opened in summer 2011 at SPark – the Bristol and Bath Science Park – it marked the fruition of a project that has resulted in one of the UK’s most energy efficient research establishments.
Composites are lighter than metals and are useful in
any situation that involves making products that move. Saving weight means using less energy, and less energy means lower CO2
emissions and a reduction in the
operating costs. One of the primary construction objectives was to use the latest energy efficient systems and renewable technologies. The building was constructed to a BREEAM Excellent environmental rating, and is one of the first industrial buildings in the UK to achieve this prestigious environmental standard. When it came to selecting a network cabling
infrastructure, Martin Conway, the information systems and computing manager at University of Bristol, which hosts the NCC, wanted a best-in-class solution. He comments: ‘The converged IP network carries all of the data for the facility and forms the backbone of our building management system (BMS). After undertaking extensive research, we were very impressed with Siemon’s ConvergeIT intelligent building infrastructure solution.’ Converging all the building’s communications functions
– including VoIP, data and the BMS – onto a single structured cabling network saved the considerable capital cost of deploying multiple, disparate networks.
Management decision As buildings become more intelligent, those with data communications knowledge are also finding their skills are in demand for the installation of building management systems (BMS). Sean Brook, energy and support solutions manager at
Trend Controls, comments: ‘According to the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE),
November 2011 ECA Today 55
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