1. ConvergeIT™ Technical Solutions Guide
What capabilities can turn your structured cabling system into a critical building asset; one that reduces
costs, simplifies application deployment, enhances the workplace experience, and maximizes the poten-
tial to qualify for all physical layer and audiovisual innovation technology credits proposed by BICSI’s
Green Building Technology Alliance?
Imagine these scenarios:
1. An employee enters a building with a badge – his work space is illuminated, network access is provided, HVAC adjustments
are made, and nighttime power conservation methods are disabled
2. A motion detector is tripped in a secure area – cameras zoom in on the location of the security breach, video feeds are
transmitted to multiple locations, audio communication is enabled, operation of classified applications is suspended, and SMS
text, e-mail, and IP phone announcements are forwarded to security personnel
3. A fire alarm is activated – emergency lighting and pathway guidance systems are activated, doors to exit paths are unlocked,
video and audio feeds are enabled, emergency shutdowns of critical systems are initiated, and status and containment
information is forwarded to rescue personnel
4. A training center requires new audio/video services – the upgrade is made by means of a modular RJ-45 style plug and jack
connection to the building’s structured zone cabling system and no new cabling needs to be deployed
5. New patient monitoring services must be added to hospital rooms with limited pathway space – 10/100BASE-T is deployed over
the unused pairs of a TERATM category 7A channel, no new cabling needs to be pulled, and less space is consumed by the
category 7A channel than by multiple category 5e channels
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2. ConvergeIT™
The ANSI/TIA/EIA-8621 and ISO 164842 series building automation
systems standards raised the industry’s awareness of the capabilities of
structured cabling by specifying planning requirements for the support of
low-voltage, non-telecommunications applications, such as fire alarm,
security, audio/video (A/V), and energy management, using modular RJ-
45 style connectivity and twisted-pair cabling. Draft standards, such as
those under development by the IEEE 802.1 Audio Video Bridging (AVB)
task force, go even further by specifying protocols that ensure high
quality audio and video streaming over Ethernet. The advantages of AVB
technology include potentially lower equipment costs, ease-of-
installation, and the ability to network applications that traditionally
operated on widely varying and non-compatible platforms. As would be
expected, network equipment manufacturers, such as Broadcom, are
rushing to implement the IEEE 802.1 technology in their Ethernet
switches, end-point devices, physical layer devices (PHYs), and software.
In order to be a true building asset, today’s cabling systems must integrate
a wide range of emerging and future low-voltage building needs, while
ensuring optimum quality of service and minimal disruptions, in an
efficient and non-wasteful manner. ConvergeIT provides the following
secure, scaleable, and flexible benefits in the enterprise environment:
ConvergeIT™
Robust and flexible technology: ConvergeIT features Siemon’s
A structured cabling solution that is truly a entire family of 20-year warranty-backed cabling solutions and eliminates
building asset must be synergistic, efficient, the need for proprietary cabling and connectivity. Category 5e, 6, and 6A
reliable, and durable.
UTP and F/UTP and category 7A S/FTP media support delivery of all
Siemon’s ConvergeITTM structured cabling low-voltage building automation and A/V applications, including those
solution features proven technology and supports
supported by PoE (Power over Ethernet) and PoE Plus. Multimode and
voice, data, video, audio, wireless, building
automation, security, and other low-voltage singlemode optical fiber solutions may be deployed as part of a
applications over one integrated network. ConvergeIT solution if prior consideration is given to the need to power
In many cases, a ConvergeIT network can also
low-voltage devices.
dramatically reduce the number of unused cabling
pairs; thereby reducing the cost of cabling and True network management: ConvergeIT supports low-voltage
wireless systems in commercial and residential
buildings. ConvergeIT makes any building a greener building automation and A/V systems being linked to the data network
building by reducing materials and waste and resulting in simplified infrastructure management and reduced complex-
providing greater control of systems to optimize ity. This also provides a migration path for IP-enabled devices that can be
energy efficiency.
monitored, accessed, and managed by IT administrators.
ConvergeIT turns your network Device management facilitates initiatives to minimize energy waste (e.g.
cabling infrastructure into a building automatic lighting and HVAC control) and capabilities that can enhance
asset! building security and emergency response time (e.g. motion and audio
detection).
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3. ConvergeIT™
Asset control: Converging multiple applications
over one integrated cabling system enables
real-time control of assets and information;
a critical component of regulations such as the Sar-
banes-Oxley (SOX) Act, the Health Insurance Portabil-
ity and Accountability Act (HIPPA), the Real ID Act, the
Homeland Security Presidential Directive, ISO 17799
code of information security, and the Information Tech-
nology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) for information
technology management.
Rapid deployment and reduced labor costs:
It is a fact that significant costs and time are
associated with using multiple contractors to deploy Supports green building initiatives: Strategies
separate low-voltage cable runs. ConvergeIT reduces that decrease labor and deployment times, optimize
labor costs, construction time, and installation expenses material utilization, and maximize energy efficiency are
because one structured cabling provider installs and key factors in designing sustainable buildings and
services all low-voltage, voice, and data applications. obtaining “green” building certification, The Green
MAC (moves, adds, and changes) work is significantly Building Technology Alliance (GBTA), established by
simplified and the redundancy associated with separate BICSI to develop innovation technology credits for the
pathways is eliminated. In addition, the low-voltage U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and
cabling, which was traditionally left unmanaged after the Environmental Design (LEED®) certification system, is
installation, is now part of the administered network in the process of developing two to three innovation
infrastructure. technology credits specifically related to structured
cabling infrastructure. The current proposal is one credit
Reduced number of unused pairs: Since many for physical layer technology and another one or two
low-voltage applications operate over just one credits for audiovisual deployment. ConvergeIT
(e.g. CATV or CCTV) or two (e.g. a PoE-enabled supports all areas of structured cabling infrastructure
camera) pairs, there is a potential for substantial waste efficiency (e.g. reduced labor and rapid deployment
in the form of unused pairs when converged networks provided by one contractor, support of cable sharing
are deployed. ConvergeIT eliminates this waste by strategies to reduce the number of unused pairs in an
supporting cable sharing; a strategy whereby multiple installation, intelligent HVAC control, and delivery of
low-speed, high-density applications are deployed over every audiovisual application) and maximizes the
one TERA category 7 A /class F A channel. potential to qualify for all innovation technology credits
This standards-approved strategy can free-up valuable proposed by the GBTA.
pathway space, provide cost savings, and may be
leveraged along with other practices that reduce
material and energy waste for green performance
credits.
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4. ConvergeIT™
Planning
Due to the high variability in the
number and type of low-voltage
applications found in different
end-user environments, it may be
difficult to approximate the
number of cabling drops required
to support a ConvergeIT network.
For planning purposes, table 1
provides an approximation of the
coverage area provided by one
4-pair ConvergeIT channel
in a variety of environments.
Remember that these coverage
areas are typical (based upon
studies evaluated by the
TIA TR-42.1 Commercial
Building Cabling subcommittee)
and do not include the two (2)
telecommunications outlets that
should be provided in each work
area.
1 Voice & Data 2 A/V (Audio & Video) 3 Wireless Devices
- Networked - CATV (lengths may be less than 100 - LAN’s
computers meters if amplifiers are not used) - Scanners and
and servers - HDMI, VGA, SVHS, and readers
- Analog and composite/component audio and (including RFID)
VoIP phones video
- PBX and Fax - Satellite video signals
- IPTV
- Off-air or in-house video
- In-house broadcast systems, overhead paging, and intercoms
- Flat panel LCD computer displays and digital projectors (DVI)
- Indoor digital signage
4 Building Automation 5 Security 6 Manufacturing
(BAS) HVAC
- CCTV (analog and IP-based) camera and monitors - Air handlers
- HVAC (sensors actua- - Pan, tilt, zoom and remote and ventilation
tors, control panels, powered devices equipment
etc.) - Motion detectors - Oxygen, carbon
- Access control - Glass-break and audio detectors monoxide, and
(card and biometric other gas sensors
readers) - Temperature and
- Lighting (sensors, humidity sensors
control panels, - Infrared sensors
dimmers, switches, etc.)
- Fire alarm systems (detectors, pull Other Low Voltage Systems
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stations, control panels, enunciators, etc.)
- Time & attendance
- Emergency lighting and pathway guidance - Telemetry
- Patient monitoring and nurse call
- Smart blackboard and i-clicker
technology in the classroom
- Touch screen systems
- Interactive kiosks
- Vending machines
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5. Table 1.
Typical ConvergeIT Converge Area
ConvergeIT™
Floor Space Use Coverage Area (m2) Considerations
Classroom 25 Coverage area requirements may be centralized for security and access controls. Plan for the
unique low-voltage requirements for each area type (e.g. fire alarm safety system, access control,
and HVAC).
Data Center 25 Coverage area requirements may be centralized for security and access controls (e.g. security
cameras and sensors, access control, and HVAC)..
Hotel 25 Coverage area requirements may vary if low-voltage services have centralized control (e.g. HVAC,
fire alarm safety system, and access control).
Indoor Parking 50 Identify fire, security, carbon monoxide detection and HVAC requirements. Voice connections may be
required for security.
Manufacturing 50 Coverage area size may vary according to manufacturing processes, environment, and building
design (e.g. gas and temperature sensors, fire alarm safety system, access control, and ventilation).
Mechanical Room 5 Determine location of air handlers, chillers, boilers, pumps, fans, compressors, etc. Air handlers will
typically have a higher concentration of low-voltage devices.
Office 25 Coverage area sizes will typically be greater in an open office environment than in a dedicated office
space. Zone cabling is recommended for open office environments (see page 7).
Retail 25 Security requirements (e.g. CCTV, alarm, and access control) may increase the coverage area density
Cable Sharing
Many applications, such as security cameras, broadcast
video, and device control, only transmit over one or two pairs
of a 4-pair cable. When UTP or F/UTP copper media is
deployed to support these applications, multiple unused pairs
can contribute to excessive cable congestion, overfilled
pathways, and additional cost. This obstacle can be over-
come by utilizing the practice of cable sharing in conjunction
with TERA category 7A/class FA cabling. Because of its fully
shielded construction, the signals on individual category 7A
pairs are fully isolated from each other and multiple
applications transmitting on just one or two pairs may be run
over a TERA category 7A/class FA channel without concern
for interference. In fact, category 7A/class FA media is so
robust, that two PoE applications (12.95 W maximum power
delivered to the each powered device) can be supported over
one TERA channel as long as power is delivered using IEEE
802.3-2005 Alternative A!
In a typical ConvergeIT environment, a wide range of
applications such VoIP (voice over IP), CATV, CCTV,
Internet, security cameras, and intercom, which only utilize
one or two pairs for transmission, may be deployed.
Assuming that these exact six services are required for a
specific network implementation, providing a dedicated
4-pair cable for each low pair count application would require
6 outlets at the work area or zone box; leaving a total of 16 Figure 1:
unused pairs! A more efficient solution would be to Typical ConvergeIT Cable
implement a cable sharing approach whereby each work area Sharing Implementation
or zone box would support the 6 services over two TERA
category 7A/class FA channels. The recommended
configuration of the two TERA outlets is shown in Figure 1.
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6. ConvergeIT™
Traditional Cabling Approach
A traditional or “home run” structured ConvergeIT cabling design consists of horizontal cable run from the horizontal
cross-connect in the telecommunications room (TR) directly to each equipment or work area outlet. If it is a requirement of
the low-voltage application (e.g. RS-232, RS-442, or RS-485 circuits), multipoint bus and ring cabling topologies are also
supported. A multipoint bus configuration allows multiple low-voltage devices to be attached to the same horizontal cabling
link (in this case, an endpoint termination or impedance matching device is typically used). As its name implies, a ring
configuration allows two separate horizontal cabling links to be connected between one or more low-voltage devices.
Maximum links lengths are limited to 90 meters (295 feet), independent of media, and the design shall comply with the
requirements ANSI/TIA-568-C.13 , ISO/IEC 118014 , and applicable building automation standards1,2. Figure 2. shows an
example traditional cabling topology where LAN cabling and security cameras are home run back to the TR and HVAC
device/controller, access control, fire alarm, and lighting control are supported in a multipoint bus configuration.
The benefits of a traditional ConvergeIT structured cabling design include:
- Ease of deployment in small offices and spaces
- Simple to label and administer
- Abandoned cable can be quickly identified
Figure 2:
ConvergeIT Cable Solution
Traditional Cabling Topology
LAN Cabling
HVAC Device/Controller
Access Control
Fire Alarm
Security Camera
Lighting
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7. ConvergeIT™
Zone Cabling Approach
A zoned structured ConvergeIT cabling design consists of horizontal cables run from the horizontal cross-connect in the
telecommunications room (TR) to zone boxes serving as consolidation points (CPs). Zone boxes may be located in a raised
floor, in the ceiling (consideration should be given to plenum requirements), within furniture, or mounted on a wall. Cables are
then patched from the zone box to the equipment and work area outlets. As with traditional topologies, multipoint bus and ring
cabling configurations are supported if required by the application. Maximum link lengths and design requirements are also con-
sistent with traditional cabling topologies. Figure 3 shows an example zoned cabling topology where horizontal cables are run
from the TR to zone boxes and then patched to equipment/work area outlets supporting LAN, HVAC control, access
control, fire alarm, security cameras, and lighting control devices.
The benefits of a zoned ConvergeIT structured cabling design include:
- Ease of deployment in large office and open office spaces
- Facilitates the use of pre-terminated trunking cables for expedited installation
- More efficient pathway utilization
- Ease of adding new services and upgrading to IP-addressable devices
- MAC work costs less and is faster and less disruptive since the cabling from the CP to the TR remains unchanged
(cabling is reconfigured from the CP to the work area only; enabling rapid reorganization of floor space).
Figure 3:
ConvergeIT Cabling
ZB
Solution Traditional
Cabling Topology
ZB
LAN Cabling ZB = Zone Box
HVAC Device/Controller
Access Control
Fire Alarm
Security Camera
Lighting
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8. ConvergeIT™
Zone Box Location:
When deploying a zoned cabling solution, zone boxes should
be logically distributed in an open coverage area and should
be limited to serving a maximum of 12 equipment or work area
outlets. Zone boxes shall be located in fully-accessible, fixed
locations such as permanent walls and building columns and Zone Box
shall not be located in obstructed areas. Zone boxes shall not Coverage
Area
be installed in furniture that is not secured to the building
structure.
r ≤ 12m
TIA TSB-162 6 and ISO/IEC 24704 offer guidance on
7
locating wireless access points in ceiling spaces that can be
applied to zone box positioning. This approach supports all
ConvergeIT applications and may be especially convenient for
the management of installations where cable sharing is used
to support multiple applications operating over TERA category
7A/class FA channels. A pattern of circles or grids with an
associated coverage area radius can be defined, as shown in
Figure 4, with the intention that equipment and work area Wall
outlets should be centrally located in their coverage area and
zone boxes should be centrally located in their associated
coverage area grid. Although the coverage area radius may Figure 4:
range in size from 3 meters to 30 meters, a coverage area Example of Distributed Zone Box Locations
radius of 12 meters is generally recommended as an optimum
size to accommodate most ConvergeIT networks.
ZU-MX24-0515 (24 Port MAX Zone Unit Enclusure) –
The 24 port MAX zone unit enclosure is designed to safely
ZU-3 (Zone Unit Enclusure) – house Siemon connecting hardware under raised flooring
User-friendly enclosure designed systems.
to house connecting hardware
under raised flooring systems.
ZU-MZ-48 – A high
density solution ideally
ZU-2 (Zone Unit Enclusure) – used with raised floor
User-friendly enclosure designed applications.
to house connecting hardware
used in open office cabling CPEV – Vertical consolidation point
solutions. enclosure provides comprehensive cable
management features in a secure and
decorative modular enclosure.
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9. ConvergeIT™
Low-Voltage Considerations
Characteristics of Low-Voltage Applications Suitable for Operation over Twisted-Pair Cabling
The maximum current capacity and operating voltage of low-voltage applications supported by ConvergeIT
cabling are defined in the ANSI/TIA/EIA-8621 and ISO 164842 series building automation systems standards.
A summary of the specified maximum operating conditions is provided in table 2. While there are limited π
provisions in these Standards for operation in wet (but, not immersed) environments, ConvergeIT cabling is
suitable for installation in dry environments only. Additional information on the current carrying capacity of
bundled cables, including guidance for minimizing temperature rise using higher category and screened and
shielded cabling, is described in TIA TSB-1848 , the soon-to-be-published ISO/IEC 291259 , and Siemon’s white
paper entitled, “IEEE 802.3at PoE Plus Operating Efficiency: How to Keep a Hot Application Running Cool” 10.
Table 2.
Summary of Maximum Current Capacity and Operating Voltage supported by ConvergeIT Cabling
Life Safety and Seperation of Services
Low-voltage communications applications shall be separated from other electrical cabling and services in
accordance with the latest applicable local and national code requirements and the local Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AHJ). In the United States, Article 800 of the National Electrical Code® 11 describes life safety and
electrical safety considerations, including separation requirements, for communications cables including voice,
audio, video, data, interactive services, and outside wiring for fire and burglar alarms from the communications
utility to the customer’s communication equipment. Refer to Article 725 of the National Electrical Code® for
information on Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 remote control, signaling, and power limited circuits.
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10. Industry Recognition
ConvergeIT™
Here’s what leading low-voltage device and network equipment manufacturers are saying about the Siemon
ConvergeIT cabling solution:
"Siemon's ConvergeIT greatly improves the efficiency and flexibility of the structured cabling plant,
providing a scalable foundation enabling convergence of a building's systems into a common IP
network environment. This helps us deliver to our clients the Johnson Controls® Technology
Contracting™ approach of integrated, intelligent, sustainable buildings that have higher perform-
ance and productivity with a lower life cycle cost, including lower energy use.”
– Hugh Hudson, Director of Business Development, Johnson Controls
“ConvergeIT harmonizes with Cisco’s Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG)
Connected Real Estate Practice, which emphasizes the ability to facilitate intercom-
munication and interaction among buildings and digital infrastructures”
- Kevin O’Donnell, Executive Consultant, Internet Business Solutions Group, Cisco,
United Kingdom
The IP-enabled network device market is growing fast. Siemon
ConvergeIT networks are ready to support these new and Traditional Cabling ConvergeIT™
emerging intelligent building technologies.
Building costs are greatest during the operation phase. Siemon
ConvergeIT networks support device management implementations
that can significantly improve building energy consumption, security,
and emergency response time; thereby reducing operational costs
and improving efficiency. In addition, ConvergeIT zoned cabling so-
lutions positively impact overall cost and green performance by facil-
itating rapid deployment in large coverage areas, efficient pathways
utilization, ease of system upgrades, adds, moves, and changes,
and rapid reorganization of floor space.
“50% of building costs incurred are during the operation
Operations Alterations Financing Construction
phase.”12
“Because operational costs account for nearly 50% of a build-
ing’s TCO over an estimated 40-year life span, any means of re-
ducing that cost has a consideration impact, By comparison,
construction costs only account for 11 percent of TCO.” 12
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11. ConvergeIT™
In a typical converged network environment, a wide range of applications (e.g. VoIP, CATV, CCTV, Internet, security
cameras, automation control systems, and intercom) are deployed that utilize only one or two pairs for transmission.
The benefits delivered by a ConvergeIT system, featuring cable sharing and TERA category 7A/class FA cabling
include:
- Total number of unused pairs is reduced by up to 70%,
- Less materials and waste resulting in a more
environmentally-conscious installation,
- Maximum potential to qualify for all physical layer and audiovisual innovation technology credits proposed
by the Green Building Technology Alliance
- A realized cost savings of greater than 30%!
Additional Resources:
These following white papers explore specific capabilities of ConvergeIT cabling in detail and can be
downloaded at: www.siemon.com
“Cable Sharing in Commercial Building Environments: Reducing Cost, Simplifying Cable
Management and Converging Applications Onto Twisted-Pair Media”, 2007
“IEEE 802.3at PoE Plus Operating Efficiency: How to Keep a Hot Application Running Cool”, 2008
“Cabling Infrastructure and Green Building Initiatives”, 2008
“Getting the Picture - The Benefits of Supporting Video Applications with your IT Infrastructure”, 2009
References:
1 ANSI/TIA/EIA-862, “Building Automation Systems Cabling Standard for Commercial Buildings”, 2002
(Note: the next edition of this Standard, proposed ANSI/TIA/EIA-862-A, is currently under development. )
2 ISO 16484 Building Automation and Control series, “Part 1 - Building Automation and Control, pending publication”,
“Part 2 – Hardware, 2004”, “Part 3 – Functions, 2005”, “Part 4 – Applications, pending publication”, “Part 5 - Data
Communication Protocol, 2007”, and “Part 6 - Data Communication Conformance Testing, 2009”
3 ANSI/TIA/568-C.1, “Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard”, 2009
4 ISO/IEC 11801, 2nd Edition, “Information Technology – Generic cabling for customer premises”, 2002
5 IEEE 802.3-2005, “IEEE Standard for Information technology - Telecommunications and information exchange
between systems - Local and metropolitan area networks - Specific requirements Part 3: Carrier sense multiple
access with collision detection (CSMA/CD) access method and physical layer specifications”, Section Two, Clause
33 (incorporates the content of IEEE Std 802.3af-2003), December 2005
6 TIA TSB-162, “Telecommunications Cabling Guidelines for Wireless Access Points”, 2006
7 ISO/IEC TR 24704, “Information Technology – Premises Cabling for Wireless Access Points”, 2004
8 TIA TSB-184, “Guidelines for Supporting Power Delivery over Balanced Twisted-Pair Cabling”, 2009
9 ISO/IEC 29125, “Information technology – Telecommunications cabling guidelines for remote powering of data
terminal equipment”, pending publication
10 Siemon, “IEEE 802.3at PoE Plus Operating Efficiency: How to Keep a Hot Application Running Cool”, 2008
11 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70®, National Electrical Code®, 2008
12 Positioning Customers on the Path to Converge”, BICSI NEWS, March/April 2009
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