What is BS EN 50173-5 - Information technology about?

BS EN 50173 is a series on information technology. Information technology is the use of computers to create, process, store, retrieve, and exchange all kinds of electronic data and information. BS EN 50173-5 specifies generic cabling within computer room spaces in data centre premises or data centre spaces within other types of building. BS EN 50173-5 covers balanced cabling and optical fibre cabling. BS EN 50173-5 specifies directly or via reference to EN 50173-1 the:

Structure and minimum configuration for generic cabling within data centre spaces
Interfaces at the external network interface (eni) and equipment outlet (eo)
Performance requirements for cabling links and channels
Implementation requirements and options
Performance requirements for cabling components
Conformance requirements and verification procedures

BS EN 50173-5 has considered requirements specified in application standards listed in EN 50173-1.

Note: Safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements are outside the scope of BS EN 50173-5 and are covered by other standards and regulations. However, the information given in this standard can be of assistance in meeting these standards and regulations.

Who is BS EN 50173-5 - Information technology for?

BS EN 50173-5 on information technology is useful for:

Telecommunication sector
Telecommunication cabling installers
Design engineers
Quality control personnel

Why should you use BS EN 50173-5 - Information technology?

Information technology is typically used within the context of business operations as opposed to personal or entertainment technologies. The importance of cabling infrastructure is similar to that of other fundamental utilities such as water and energy supply and interruptions to the services provided over that infrastructure can have a serious impact. A lack of design foresight, the use of inappropriate components, incorrect installation, poor administration, or inadequate support can threaten the quality of service and have commercial consequences for all types of users. BS EN 50173-5 specifies generic cabling within computer room spaces in data centre premises or data centre spaces within other types of building. Additionally, those premises include office spaces and industrial spaces.

BS EN 50173-5 provides relevant industry professionals with guidance allowing the accommodation of cabling before specific requirements are known i.e., in the initial planning either for construction or refurbishment and for further deployment as the requirements of areas are defined and industry and standardization bodies with a cabling system which supports current products and provides a basis for future product development and applications standardization. BS EN 50173-5 specifies a structure for generic cabling supporting a wide variety of applications including, but not restricted to, those in EN 50173-1:2018, Annex F, adopts balanced cabling channel and link Classes EA, F, FA, I and II, adopts optical fibre cabling channel, link requirements and adopts component requirements, and specifies cabling implementations that ensure the performance of links and of channels meeting the requirements of a specified group (e.g. Class) of applications. Using BS EN 50173-5 you can specify generic cabling within computer room spaces in data centre premises or data centre spaces.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN 50173-5:2018 supersedes BS EN 50173-5:2007+A2:2012. BS EN 50173-5:2018 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 50173-5:2007+A2:2012. These include:

Introduces new components 8.1 and 8.2 for balanced cabling to support new channel Classes I and II as well as optical fibre cabling (OM5) as defined in EN 50173-1:2018
Clarifies that the cabling defined in this standard applies to computer rooms in data centres
Aligns the document structure across the EN 50173 series and updates the document both technically and editorially

BS EN 50173-5:2018

Information technology. Generic cabling systems - Data centre spaces

Current

Published:

30 Jun 2018