INTELLIGENT CABLING
Why single pair ethernet is being increasingly adopted for Smart Buildings
S ingle Pair Ethernet is a technology which is quickly gaining interest as a solution to support the large number of facilities management devices and sensors used in Smart Buildings . What are the benefits of a Single Pair Ethernet network and the standards developed ?
Single Pair Ethernet is the transmission of Ethernet over only one single twisted pair of copper cable . This is as opposed to a traditional Ethernet transmission requiring the use of 2 , up to 100Mbps or 4 , from 1Gbps and more twisted pairs of a cable that always contains 4 pairs .
With network convergence in business and commercial buildings on the rise , the interest in Single Pair Ethernet comes as no surprise . Smart buildings will require many Internet enabled devices to monitor and manage the operational technology necessary to run the building efficiently . These devices , such as sensors , air monitors , and access control devices , typically function using low data transmission rates often less than 10MBps and require some sort of power supply .
Single Pair Ethernet is suited to these requirements , supporting low bandwidth data and powering devices using Single Pair Power over Ethernet , SPoE , doing away with batteries or the need for a local power supply . All this in a compact format which can be implemented over distances up to 100m , 400m , or even 1,000m in certain conditions .
There are several standards to consider for Single Pair Ethernet : the Ethernet protocol itself , the generic premises cabling , cable and connector components , and power transmission . In each of these five areas , there are variations which are intended to cater for different types of uses , considering the data rate required , the distances to be supported , the type of installation environment , and the power needs .
For smart building applications perhaps the most interesting ones are :
• Ethernet : IEEE802.3cg 10BASE-TIL , 10MB up to 1000m
• Premises Cabling : Amendments to ISO 11801-1 and ISO 11801-6 currently under development
• Cables : IEC 61156-13 , 14 , Permanent Links & patch cord cables
• Connectors : IEC 63171-1 , LC style copper connector
• Power , Single Pair Power over Ethernet : IEEE P802.3bu 1-Pair , Power over Data Lines
Nexans ’ proposed Single Pair Ethernet setup for Smart Buildings , is expected to become an overlay network operating alongside , rather than replacing , the existing 4-pair LAN infrastructure . So how do you plan and provision for an unknown future which will likely require a mix of high and low bandwidth applications , high and low power requirements , in different parts of the building ? Adding an additional Single Pair Ethernet network next to the existing LAN one would be disruptive and expensive . •
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