Got Cables? (part 2)

How could you have avoided this?

Well, if you’re in the Bay Area you could have called me at Dicar Networks and we could have done an “inspection” of the existing cable infrastructure to see if it’s in good shape and usable for your application.  If you’re in another area, just call a local low voltage cabling contractor.  Most companies that do phone system installations or IT services can also help with this.  You wouldn’t move into a new home without an inspection, would you?  Then why would you move into a new office without making sure all of the things you need are working, especially your phone and internet which is the lifeblood of most businesses?

Why aren’t the cables there?

You’re not alone, most people are confused and upset when they find out that the existing jacks don’t have cables behind them.  There could be several reasons why the cables are missing, or cut:

1. The building or office has been remodeled and the cables had to be cut and/or removed during the process.  Landlords and property managers are finding it easier to lease smaller office spaces these days, so they will often remodel a large office into several smaller offices that are easier to lease.  Chances are good that they had no choice but to cut the existing cables in the process.  Most people are surprised that they don’t install new cables, but there are several good reasons why they don’t, the biggest is because it costs money.  And even if they spent the money to do it, it might not be the cables you want, or in the locations you want, and might have to be redone anyway…and thus a waste of money.  So they usually let the new tenant take care of their own wiring needs.

2. Almost 10 years ago now, as I’ve mentioned in prior blogs, “abandoned cable” became a code violation.  A simple way to picture this is that a cable has 2 ends, if both ends are not connected to something it’s considered abandoned cable, and accoring to the California Electric Code is has to be removed.  So let’s pretend you are moving out of your existing office space where you have an equipment rack with some patch panels where the cables connect, and you don’t want to buy new patch panels for your new office at $200-$300 a piece, so you remove the cable and take them with you.  Well now those are considered abandoned cables and according to code, have to be removed.  Often times when those cables get removed, rather than buying “blank” faceplates, the jacks are reinstalled without the cables connected.

Next time you’re looking at office space and you see existing jacks and faceplates you plan on using, make sure you GOT CABLES! 

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