Network Communications News (NCN) November 2016 | Page 23
PoE
F E AT U R E
Supporting the density
and the power
Due to the density of PoE lighting
devices, the optimum PoE lighting
device coverage area is an 18m x 18m
square or grid. The dedicated PoE
lighting zone enclosure should be
centrally located within the coverage
area and the recommended number of
outlets in the enclosure is dependent
upon the number and size of the PoE
lighting devices and type of system.
The number of available connections
within the zone enclosure should
be no less than 24 (e.g. for small
deployments or for enclosures located
on a wall) and should not exceed 96
to ensure that cable bundle sizes are
manageable and that remote powering
current-induced heat build-up within
cable bundles is controlled.
Additionally, to ensure superior
support of PoE lighting systems, it
is recommended to install class EA/
category 6A or higher performing
shielded cabling as shielded cabling
deals much better with heat dissipation.
Horizontal cable should be temperature
rated to 75°C and connecting hardware
should be independently certified to
ensure reliable support. In spaces that
do not have environmental control, solid
conductor cables and equipment cords
should be used for optimum thermal
performance. Part of distribution
specialist Cray Valley Communication’s
portfolio of ConvergeIT cabling
solutions from Siemon, include
advanced copper shielded cables
and connectivity that provide superior
support of PoE-enabled systems.
Partnering for success
Besides cost savings, PoE lighting
also provides a more robust service.
However, several variables must be
considered prior to identifying the right
PoE lighting system for an environment
and the process to design and deploy
lighting devices in coverage areas can
be complex and confusing. The use of
digital lighting partners that are certified
in cabling design and are installation
experts can help ensure that customers
receive a cost-effective, manageable
infrastructure design to support the
density of PoE lighting devices.
The right partner
Eddie Brady, business development
executive at Cray Valley, explains: ‘The
opportunities that are presented by PoE
lighting and the ‘intelligent building’
concepts are huge for network cabling
contractors who engage these ideals
at an early stage. Whilst the ‘intelligent
building’ concept is not exactly new, the
fact that we now live in an IP world and
with the advances in smart devices and
the use of Apps to control these devices
has changed the way we engage with
technology forever.
‘This phenomenon will have a direct
impact on how we design buildings
in the future and these concepts will
eventually become the norm. The
early adopters to these concepts will
get the maximum benefit from these
opportunities in terms of customer
retention by becoming valued advisers
to their customers and delivering the
future of the industry today. Delivering
all these benefits ahead of the
competition will also help installers build
stronger relationships for the future.’
Eddie adds: ‘These changes are
likely to be the biggest that we’ve seen
in the structured cabling industry since
telephone systems started to become IP
based and will have an enormous impact
on the industry. It is really important to
be aware of the challenges and also
best practices in terms of design and
installation to be able to offer the very
best solutions to your customers. Cray
Valley is hosting a seminar with Siemon
at the end of November to discuss these
opportunities further.’
2016 has been a year of big changes
for Cray Valley, the most significant
change took place in April when the
business was taken over and now has
new ownership. The impact of new
ownership has seen many changes
including substantial investments in
supporting the Siemon brand including
staff training enabling the company
to deliver for the first time in-house
Registered Installer (RI) training.
The levels of Siemon stock have also
been substantially increased and a new
four hour emergency delivery service has
been added for deliveries into the City
of London and also the Docklands.
More Information: Cray Valley
Components +44 (0)1959 573444,
www.crayvalleycomms.co.uk
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