The significance of network integrity in premise cabling

Premise (or customer) cabling is defined in the Telecommunications Act (the Act) as “cabling beyond the carrier’s network boundary” and involves any cabling that can connect a device to the telecommunications network. This includes all customer cabling work in the telecommunications, fire, security and data industries.

These two cabling environments are distinguished from each other through a demarcation point at every premise, and are qualified under different rules and regulations. Cablers registered to perform premise cabling works are only permitted to work on cabling up to the consumer’s side of that demarcation point. However, what happens within a premise can have a profound effect on the network infrastructure outside, both from a safety perspective as well as the integrity of the network.

As the equipment that’s connected to the cabling typically sends electronic signals over the transmission lines and is powered by mains electricity, the potential exists for abnormally large or inappropriate signals to be sent onto the telecommunications network if correct wiring is not adhered to. The consequences of such abnormalities could be injury to individuals working on the line, even some distance away, or damage to telecommunications network equipment, ultimately undermining parts of the network. Nobody wants to be held responsible for such trauma, especially if it’s caused by their poor cabling choices or practices.

The Act calls for Cabling Provider Rules (CPRs) to define the relevant regulatory standards to be complied with and apply to all cablers. Under the CPRs, cablers are required to:

• Use cabling products that are labelled as compliant in accordance with the Telecommunications Labelling Notice and tested to AS/CA S008:2010); and
• Comply with the Installation Requirements for Customer Cabling (Wiring Rules), AS/ACIF S009: 2006.

A key objective of the CPRs is to deliver acceptable quality in cabling installation and maintenance practice by promoting client safety and network integrity, and assuring clients that work is consistent with industry standards.

So all cablers should have copies of the CPRs, be very familiar with them and apply the directions in them for proper cabling practices. And remember, the CPRs apply to both the installation and maintenance of customer cabling.

One important component of compliant cabling that appears to be overlooked by some cablers is the completion of the Telecommunications Cabling Advice (TCA1) form. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) stipulates that this form (download from www.brca.asn.au/forms/pdfs/TCA1-Updated.pdf) should be completed and signed in duplicate for every cabling job they do. One copy must be left with the client and the other retained by the cabler for at least 12 months and presented to an ACMA inspector or auditor upon request.

The ACMA has an optional form - TCA2 (download from www.brca.asn.au/forms/pdfs/TCA2-Form.pdf) - which is designed for use by cablers to alert their customers of any existing non-compliant cabling they encounter in a premise that is there before they start, or outside the scope of their works. This highlights any substandard workmanship on site and helps to distance quality cablers from poor cabling.