The power supply network is an important part of the engineering communications of any construction project. It differs from the power supply network by its technical characteristics and purpose: low-voltage systems are designed to organise not power, but information support. In the "age of information" the reliability of such systems comes to the forefront; the financial well-being and even safety of the enterprise, institution, organisation - the owner of the facility - may depend on the stability of their functioning.
The process of designing low-current systems should be given special attention; installation of LCS should be carried out with special care.
Definition and types of low-current networks
All networks with a supply voltage of less than 60 volts and a current of a few tens of milliamperes can be classified as low-current systems. In addition, the use of the network for the transmission of modulated information signals is a defining characteristic.
Both of these factors must be considered together. For example, the voltage in a telephone line can be briefly increased to 120 volts (during a call), and 220 volt power grids can also transmit a modulated signal. However, the former are low-current systems and the latter are not.
The purpose of low-current networks is divided into
- telephone networks - external and internal;
- television networks - transmitting terrestrial, satellite or cable, analogue or digital video signals;
- connection to the global information network Internet;
- local computer networks - linking all computer facilities of the facility into a single system;
- general security networks - security systems, access control systems, video surveillance;
- networks ensuring the operation of fire alarm systems;
- networks controlling ventilation, lighting, metering, etc.
A separate category includes the so-called LCS systems, aka structured cabling systems. LCS, in fact, is a set of all the above networks, united by a single technical solution and logic of construction.
Requirements for low-current networks
The general requirements for low-current systems are as follows:
- reliability, i.e. the ability of the network to fulfil all functions without exception, without interruption, under normal or even increased load;
- ease of maintenance - all key network nodes should be easily accessible for routine preventive and unscheduled maintenance;
- scalability - i.e., inherent adaptability to expand network capabilities when the need arises.
For LCS structured cabling networks the following are also important
- universality - ability to transmit any type of information via cable channel: audio-visual, digital, any other data;
- compatibility - any external receiving devices should be connected to the SCS network without any additional modifications.
Network design
Design of low-current systems is performed by the contractor on the basis of the technical specification (TOR) received from the customer. The TOR includes a general and floor plan of the object, all technical requirements for the future network, instructions on the placement points of the so-called installation equipment (sockets, connectors, etc.) necessary for connecting consumer devices - telephones, computers, information panels, etc.
The design takes into account the requirements of the ToR, all of the above-mentioned general requirements, as well as special requirements depending on the purpose of the network.
Separately, the existing design of the premises of the facility is taken into account - in addition to the technical compliance of the network, its equipment must comply with aesthetic standards.
Installation of networks
The installation of low-current networks is carried out, first of all, in accordance with the technical norms established by law. Each type of network has its own rules concerning the placement of passive and active equipment - cables, distribution units, sockets, switches, indicators, signal amplifiers, etc. During installation, the location of wiring and cables of other networks is taken into account.
An important aspect of professional installation is the absence of so-called "twists" - cable connections outside the switchgear. The presence of "twists" has a significant negative impact on the quality of the transmitted signal.
Installation of LCS systems is also carried out taking into account the mutual location of information cables in the common channel to avoid crosstalk - i.e. induced electrical interference.
What we offer
Electrocity performs design and installation of low-current cable systems, including LCS systems, at facilities in Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow, Vladimir, Ivanovo regions and in other regions of Russia. Only in-house specialists of the company with extensive practical experience of working with LCS are involved in the works. High quality materials and equipment available in the company's own warehouse are used during installation, which significantly speeds up the installation process. At the customer's request, materials and equipment are purchased from manufacturers specified by the customer.