Transferring years of experience to the data cable market

Structured cabling systems accommodate data transfer at higher volumes and faster speeds. The increased reliance on digital services demands efficiency and results in cost and time management benefits. More and more companies, therefore, are using real-time data to inform strategic decisions and, as a result streamlining processes to maximise operating profits.

Cabling infrastructures sit at the heart of any data network. To meet user specifications and end application needs, new design considerations and technological advances in data cable design must be tested and certified to validate their compliance to industry standards.

When cabling is not manufactured in line with the recognised standards, this may lead to issues later down the line, during installation, environmental impacts or operation itself, which affect individual data cable or system performance.

2. Fire performance and CPR testing

Data cables are insulated by polyethylene (PE) - this material is also highly flammable as it has dielectric attributes. When cables are bundled together, PE is concentrated in one area, which creates an increased fire risk. Data cables can also contribute to the spread of a fire as they run between rooms, floors and above ceilings etc.

The environments within which data cables operate must be safe, reinforcing the importance of higher fire performance characteristics and the need for fire classification.

Within a structured data network, cables can be permanently installed in buildings, in horizontal cabling configurations. As these cables are classed as fixed, they must comply to specified reactions to fire properties as outlined in construction products regulations.