ANSI/TIA-862-C: Structured Cabling Infrastructure Standard for Intelligent Building Systems

ANSI/TIA-862-C “Structured Cabling Infrastructure Standard for Intelligent Building Systems” was developed by the TIA TR‑42.1 Premises Telecommunications Infrastructure Subcommittee and published in June, 2022.

Scope: An intelligent building system (previously called a building automation system or BAS) includes control systems such as security and monitoring (i.e., closed circuit television or CCTV), safety systems such as fire alarm, environmental conditioning systems such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and energy management systems such as internal and external lighting. The distinct advantage of being able to support multi‑product and multi‑vendor environments can be realized if these systems, especially those that rely Internet Protocol (IP) communication between devices, are deployed over the same generic structured cabling topology used for telecommunications applications. Many other low voltage building systems, such as audio/video paging, service/equipment alarms, non‑voice/data communications, wireless access points, may also be supported by the telecommunications cabling infrastructure. This Standard specifies minimum requirements for intelligent building cabling to support applications that use Internet Protocol (IP) communication, as well as accommodate other protocols that are typically used between devices. Specific content addresses recommended cabling topology, architecture, design and installation practices, test procedures, and components.

Significant changes from the previous edition include:

• Definition of horizontal connection point and horizontal connection point connectors aligned with TIA-568.0-E
• Two category 6A or higher performing cabling runs for every wireless access point added as a requirement
• Category 6 balanced twisted-pair cabling removed as recognized media for Cabling Subsystem 1
• Single twisted-pair cabling, as specified in TIA-568.5, added as recognized media for all cabling subsystems
• Centralized cabling expanded to include single twisted-pair cabling
• Information on using hybrid cables to provide remote power added
• Information on using modular plug terminated links added
• Requirements for operating voltage and power dissipation for power distribution over balanced twisted-pair cabling deleted
• References updated to conform with the 2019 edition of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Standards Style Guide for Engineering Committees
• Content of TIA‑862-B‑1 (updated references, new media types) incorporated

ANSI/TIA-862-C Content:

• Cabling Subsystem 1
• Cabling Subsystem 2 and Cabling Subsystem 3
• Coverage Area
• Wireless
• Remote Power Delivery
• Distributor Rooms
• Zone Enclosure
• Entrance Facilities
• Transmission and Field Test Requirements
• Bonding and Grounding
• Administration
• Annexes addressing Power Distribution over Balanced Twisted-Pair Cabling, Separation of Services, Optional Coverage Area Topologies, Examples of Low Voltage Intelligent Building Systems, and Balanced Multipoint Data Bus

Example Intelligent Building System Applications:

Access Control · Audio/Video/Multimedia · Broadband Video · CATV and CCTV · Digital Signage · Elevator Control · Energy Management · Sensors, Actuators, and Controls · HVAC Control · Infant Security · Intercom · Lighting Monitoring and Control · Master Synchronous Clock · Medical Gas Alarms Safety System Monitors and Displays · Nurse Call · Overhead Paging · Personnel Monitoring · Power Monitoring and Control · Staff Emergency Alarms · Telemetry · Time & Attendance · Visual Information Display · Digital Advertising

Why Use Structured Cabling for Intelligent Building System Applications?

• Proprietary cabling eliminated
• Common services supported
• Redundant pathways reduced
• Low voltage cabling becomes managed
• Provides migration path to IP devices
• Asset control
• Reduced labor/rapid deployment
• MAC costs reduced
• Supports energy conservation
• Infrastructure for low voltage power distribution (e.g. Power over Ethernet or PoE) provided

ANSI/TIA-862-C Intelligent Building Cabling Infrastructure Example:

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