Structured cabling is key component in the low voltage industry; it was first developed by AT&T to support their telephone systems. Structured cabling has now become the de-facto standard for most low voltage systems. The reason for this is that UTP and fiber optics have become the dominant transmission media for low voltage systems, this media is also the foundation for structured cabling systems. The trend is that video, building automation, security, and other low voltage systems are migrating to or being incorporated into a structured cabling system of some form. These systems represent billions of dollars of projects in the United States alone. Structured cabling started out as a wiring scheme to support voice communications systems, now it encompasses almost every low voltage system available, including building and factory automation system. The key to structured cabling is the ANSI/TIA/EIA Standards (commonly referred to as TIA/EIA Standards or Standards) which act as a guideline for manufacturing, design, and installation of structured cabling systems. Keep in mind that standards are not law or code, but are instead recommended practices. This chapter will provide an overview the Standards and their applications as they relate to low voltage systems.

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