Cabling Inspectors Active in Australia
NECA and ACRS have been actively lobbying the government to step up its compliance activity across Australia to stamp out dodgy cabling and unregistered cabling work that should be done by trained professionals.
While we have been previously critical of the lack of activity in this area we can now report that our voices have been heard with a significant lift in inspections in the last 6 months.
The audits are currently being conducted on domestic, commercial and industrial sites. ACRS has recently received calls from the ACMA and construction site inspectors to confirm cablers have a current registration card. So, make sure you are doing the right thing by being compliant and carrying your ACRS registration card while working.
As per the ACMA cabling provider rules, cablers must provide all reasonable cooperation and assistance to ACMA inspectors and cabling auditors.
ACRS would like to thank its members who participated in the ACMA customer cabling survey recently.
Preliminary results of the campaign revealed around 30 to 40 % non compliance with around 20% being significantly non compliant depending on the location of the audits. The two key areas of non compliance were inadequate separation of cabling from low voltage cabling and unregistered cabling.
For more information on cabling please visit acrs.com.au
The Next Disruption to Video Distribution after Netflix is Video over the Ethernet
Netflix and similar movie and television streaming via subscription are becoming huge in Australia amongst young consumer. This is fine for city consumers and or those with NBN speeds that support these technologies. Even then when your teenager is watching back to back re runs of their favourite show how do the rest of the family log on to the network to do the banking or look up a recipe?
Enter video over the Ethernet where the future of movies will be to download a number of movies or programs onto one PC in the house which is networked to other PCs and your TV.
Watching video over the Ethernet does not rely on the finite bandwidth of the Internet at the time of watching or the quality of the compression encoders and decoders as it passes through the pipe onto your screen.
The option to watch your shows housed on one PC in the house via the Ethernet on other devices provides higher resolution and much lower lag time guaranteeing optimum network transit time and performance. This also frees up the Internet during watching for others to use.
Cablers and contractors can sell the benefits of video over the Ethernet systems to customers as another reason investing in structured cabling is of greater benefit than premises relying on wi-fi alone to run their ever-increasing bandwidth hungry devices.
Power Over the Ethernet is Coming to Australia
Power over the Ethernet is coming with systems able to deliver up to 100 Watts connecting to devices such as lighting, computers, phones and televisions able to connect to the internet and power up via the one cable carrying < 50v AC or 120v DC or Extra Low Voltage (ELV).
Why is this a concern to cablers and electricians? Because Australian electrical safety laws do not apply to ELV at present meaning unlicensed workers may be able to legally connect POE.
Will they understand that Cat 6 cables are needed to carry this current safety? Are they aware that bundling POE cables will dramatically raise heat and poor connections could allow arcing?
Here is what we know so far:
Benefits of POE vs Low Voltage Power
- One system to be installed
- No step down power supplies at powerpoints to charge ELV devices like phones and Ipads
- No step down transformers at lighting points
- Energy efficient
- Lower maintenance
- Easier to use backup battery power
- Safer voltages for the public to use
Heat Dangers
At 60 watts or over 100 cable bundles operate at temperatures above that at which many cables are rated for.
This creates fire and performance issues
At 100Watts recommended bundle sizes are:
- Cat 5 58 cables
- Cat 6 100 cables
- Cat 8 280 cables
To maintain maximum temperature rise of 15 degrees
Installers will need to consider bundle size, environmental temperatures and power levels to ensure public safety and installation performance.
Connectors that feature a solid metal body may need to be used to dissipate heat more efficiently than plastic connectors.
Connectors should also be tight to avoid intermittent disconnections causing arcing and cheaper patch cords should be avoided as they may fail over time creating hazards and performance issues.
Category 6A systems are recommended for all POE installations for safety, performance, cable lifespan and reduced need for facility cooling.
ACRS and NECA will be lobbying safety regulators to ensure that regulations are in place to protect the public by requiring workers to have the relevant skills and licences to safely install POE in Australia.
These matters have already been raised via the Queensland Electrical Safety Board at their recent strategic planning session in November 2016 and ACRS and NECA will follow these issues up in all states and keep you informed.
The Internet of Things – What is it?
The Internet of Things is a network of uniquely identifiable endpoints (things) that contain embedded technology to sense, collect, communicate and exchange data without human interaction which affects our daily lives.
Intelligent Buildings use the Internet of Things to create a more comfortable and efficient environment for its occupants via:
- Sound Masking
- Occupancy Sensors
- Intelligent Lighting
- Climate Sensors
- Access control
- Internet and Video Phones
- Security Cameras and
- Wireless Access
The ability of cablers and contractors to provide intelligent building solutions will ensure business success as a result of:
- Customer satisfaction and repeat business
- Better building integration and lower maintenance costs
- Energy efficient solutions and
- Future proofing of buildings.
Power over the Ethernet POE skills and technology is the future of the Internet of Things and Intelligent Building Design. Cablers are encouraged to upskill to the new technologies as soon as possible. ACRS and NECA will provide details of courses available via its network of Registered Training Organisations and training partners during 2017.
nbn reveals first Fibre-to-the-Curb suburbs
700,000 premises set to receive world-first deployment of FTTC
nbn – the company building Australia’s broadband network – reveals details of the first areas set to receive its cutting edge Fibre-to-the-Curb (FTTC) technology.
Click here to view “First Fibre to the curb suburbs”.
Check your address
to find out if the nbn™ network is available at your home or business
Click here to check if nbn is available in your area
Cabling guidance for registered cablers and builders
This information is appropriate for registered cablers and builders of a new property development that would like guidance for in-home cabling for the nbn™ network.
Click here to view “Cabling guidance for registered cablers and builders”
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