Cabling and equipment

Ensuring quality and safety in cabling and equipment

Explore how standards support the installation and maintenance of ICT and telecommunication networks

Article

Building a network: Infrastructure standards for ICT and telecommunications

Most small firms are connected to a computer network – even if they do not realize it. If all you have is one computer connected to a broadband router that provides internet access, you are still connected to a network. Infrastructure that connects computers together is a network. It can be public (e.g. the internet) or private (e.g. cabling within an office), and networks can be wired (Ethernet), wireless (Wi-Fi), or both. The device that controls the information passing between the computers is called a router. Normally, even if just two computers are connected to the same piece of cable, all messages between them pass via a router. All networks are potentially vulnerable to intrusion. Many attempts pass unnoticed – as do many successful attacks. Therefore, it is crucial that the infrastructure – cables and equipment - of ICT and telecommunications are installed, operated, and protected to the highest standard possible. Key Standards for ICT and Telecommunications Infrastructure Installation There are several key standards for safe and effective ICT and telecommunications infrastructure installation: BS 7671:2018+A1:2020 Requirements for Electrical Installations. IET Wiring Regulations. BS 7671 on wiring regulations is the UK’s main electrical safety standard. This document sets out requirements that detail how to perform electrical installations safely. It sets out regulations that apply to the design, erection, and verification of electrical installations, and to additions and alterations to existing installations. Although not a statutory document, it sets the standard for how electrical installations should be done in the UK (and many other countries) and enables compliance with the law. BS EN 50174 Series Installation technology. Cabling installation. The BS EN 50174 series covers the installation of telecommunications cabling using balanced and/or optical fiber cabling, both within and between buildings. BS EN 50174-1 is intended to be used by personnel during the specification phase of the installation, together with those responsible for the quality planning and operation of the installation. It contains requirements and guidance for the specification and quality assurance of the information. Parts 2 and 3 of the BS EN 50174 series are intended to be used by the personnel who are directly involved in the planning aspects (of the specification phase) and the installation phase. BS EN 50174-2 is applicable inside buildings and BS EN 50174-3 is applicable outside buildings. BS 6701:2016+A1:2017 Telecommunications equipment and telecommunications cabling. Specification for installation, operation and maintenance. Specification for installation, operation and maintenance. For everyone dealing with telecommunications equipment and cabling, BS 6701:2016+A1:2017 provides a link between UK-specific electrical installation standards and their IT cabling equivalents. The 2017 Amendment adds two new sections (see ‘What’s changed’ below) that were necessary so that the standard aligns with changes to The Wiring Regulations standard, BS 7671. It specifies requirements for the installation, operation, administration, and maintenance of telecommunications equipment and cabling, other than that specified in BS EN 50174. It also specifies requirements beyond the scope of the BS EN 50174 series but doesn’t cover those aspects of installation associated with the transmission of signals in free space between transmitters, receivers, or their associated antenna systems (for example, radio microwave or satellite). To learn how to manage information in the cloud, click here. How IT Networks can be Protected The operating systems of most modern computers contain a built-in personal firewall, meant to protect that individual computer from external attack. Many PC security packages replace the operating system firewall with their own, which is intended to be more effective and easier to use. If you have a computer that does not come with a personal built-in firewall, buy or download one immediately (some of the well-known free products are highly effective). If you only have one computer connected via a router to the internet, a personal firewall is probably all that you need. However, most SMEs will have many computers on their network and will want to share data between them, while ensuring adequate protection from outside attacks. In this case, you will need a secure local area network (LAN) and one or more network firewalls separating your LAN from the internet. If your business operates from more than one site, you will probably want to share information securely between them. There are two ways you can do this. You can create your own wide area network using private cables or leased circuits, or you can create a virtual private network (VPN) using encryption over a shared bearer (e.g. the internet). In either case, it will be your network firewalls that control secure communication between different locations. BS EN ISO/IEC 27002 Code of practice for information security controls, has a section covering network security management and information transfer. This should be enough for simple networks, for example, where there are just computers connected to a wired router with a broadband internet connection. Ensure the infrastructure of your organization’s ICT and telecommunications is installed and protected to the highest standard by adding these key standards to your collection today. Discover BSI Knowledge Subscriptions Being able to ensure the interoperability of your ICT networks and guarantee that such technologies work smoothly and reliably together is key for effective working throughout your business. However, knowing and applying the standards that can help you achieve this can seem like a huge challenge. With a BSI Knowledge subscription, you will have the flexibility and visibility to manage the key standards you need in order to build secure and reliable networks with confidence. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to one of our pre-built modules, such as GBM24 Information Technology - Software & Networking, and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your network strategy. Request to learn more.

How standards achieve safety in the design of electrical equipment

Electrical safety is crucially important for organizations in the electric and electronic sector because hazards such as arc flash, fire, and shock can result in serious harm, even death if employees and clients are exposed to them. Fortunately, the likelihood of this occurring is relatively low. However, the control measures that prevent these hazards require careful management, attention to detail, and technical competence. Non-compliance with safety regulations can be hugely damaging for manufacturers and other electrical organizations alike, resulting in them being left with hefty fines as well as loss of customer trust. Standards can help electrical engineers, electricians and product designers ensure quality in safety, performance, and compliance for a huge range of equipment. To read more on the topic of quality management in the electric and electronic sector, click here. The Key Safety Standard on Household Electrical Appliances BS EN IEC 60335-1 is the British Standard on general requirements and conditions for domestic safety testing of electrical household appliances. It covers protection against live parts, heating, leakage currents, electric strength at operating temperatures, moisture resistance, resistance to heat and fire, stability and mechanical hazards, internal wiring, and supply connections. It also defines the classification and marking of electrical equipment. The standard deals with the reasonably foreseeable hazards presented by appliances and machines that can be encountered by anyone in everyday life – although the scope stipulates that the use of appliances by unsupervised young children, or children playing with electrical household equipment, isn’t covered. It also includes appliances that aren’t intended for normal household use, but rather for use by an expert or trained users in shops, in the light industry, and on farms. It also deals with appliances and machines that are declared to be for commercial use by lay-persons. These best practice recommendations look at reasonably foreseeable hazards that could cause injury. Its application can be seen in everyday life from the washing machine to the electric oven. The standard’s aim is to ensure a high level of safety for electrical appliance users. As such, it is relevant to manufacturers of electrical household equipment, component suppliers, retailers, regulators, and inspectors, including test house engineers. It will also be of interest to trading standards and consumer groups. The standard: Specifies general requirements for the safety of household and similar electrical appliances providing their rated voltage is not more than 250 V for single-phase and 480 V for other appliances Looks at common hazards of household equipment or electrically operated devices that could cause injury to persons in and around the house Looks at the general requirements and conditions to test the domestic safety of electrical household appliances Defines the classification and marking of electrical equipment Demonstrates how to ensure protection against live parts Explains heating, as well as leakage currents and electric strength at operating temperatures Covers other topics including moisture resistance, stability, mechanical hazards, internal wiring, and connections Addresses requirements for cyber security to avoid unauthorized access and the effects of transmission failures via remote communication through public networks Insulation Coordination: Basic Safety of Electrical Equipment Insulation coordination is the mutual correlation of the insulation characteristics of equipment and takes into account the expected micro-environment and other influencing stresses. It is basic to the safety of electrical equipment. Standard BS EN IEC 60664-1:2020 is for insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply systems. It is a revised standard dealing with insulation coordination for equipment having a rated voltage up to AC 1000 V or DC 1500 V connected to low-voltage supply systems, covering principles, requirements, and testing. This standard applies to frequencies up to 30kHz and equipment for use up to 2000m above sea level (though the standard also provides guidance for use at higher altitudes). It includes methods of electrical testing with respect to insulation coordination. The standard provides requirements for technical committees to determine clearances, creepage distances, and criteria for solid insulation. Other users will be found in power management organizations and energy distribution companies; power resistor design and technology companies; and earthing, overload, and lightning protection system manufacturers. The standard will also be used by electric and electronic equipment and component manufacturers in multiple fields. This could include heating and welding companies, air conditioning providers, lighting manufacturers, and automotive and rail transport applications. The result is a standard that provides the best and safest internationally agreed design solutions. These are often also low-cost. It will help organizations in the electrical sector to trade, innovate and develop their expertise, and above all, make electrical equipment safer. In your safety-critical industry, ensure you are meeting the industry design standards. A BSI Knowledge subscription gives you instant access to the resources you need to effectively design safe electrical equipment and build trust throughout your supply chain. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to one of our pre-built modules and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more. Add the key safety standards BS EN IEC 60335-1 and BS EN IEC 60664-1:2020 to your collection today.

Key Cabling and Equipment Standards

Browse or Search our ICT & Telecommunications Standards Catalogue

Cabling and equipment

Ensuring quality and safety in cabling and equipment

Building a network: Infrastructure standards for ICT and telecommunications

How standards achieve safety in the design of electrical equipment

Key Cabling and Equipment Standards

Trending Topics in Cabling & Equipment

Quality management in electronics

Engineering

Electromagnetic compatibility

Design & product specification