Address IDF Closet Relocation Issues with REVConnect Couplers
Authors: Linda White, Mike Bodzay, and Ron Orban
Last-minute post-installation design changes often require a cable that spans a longer distance. Learn how the REVConnect Coupler can help you meet this challenge.
Installation obstacles are nothing new for network and data center technicians.
Clients change their minds. Budgets need to be reallocated. Unexpected physical constraints require changes to design plans. New services are requested without warning. A shift in leadership sparks new ideas.
Installers tell us about the issues they face first-hand in the field. Lately, however, we’ve been hearing about one challenge in particular: post-installation design changes that require longer cable runs.
Consider IDF closet location as an example. After intermediate distribution frame (IDF) closet locations are identified by the project team, network engineers and/or facilities managers, installers can run cables accordingly. Sometimes, however, IDF closets are moved after the cables have been run.
Shifts like this can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, the project team might find a new location that:
Whatever their reason, these last-minute changes seem to be happening more frequently. And when IDF closets are relocated, longer cable distances are often required. This results in higher costs and lost time due to rework, as installers must remove the existing cable and replace it with a longer one.
While IDF closet relocations are one example, there are many situations where design changes may require a cable that spans a longer distance, including:
Extend a cable instead of replacing it
When you have to accommodate something like an IDF closet relocation during installation, there’s another option to consider besides cable replacement: Use a REVConnect Coupler from Belden when longer runs are required.
This approach can help you extend your existing cable to the new closet location without having to remove it and replace it with a longer one. It saves time and money, eliminates the need for rework and is likely covered as part of Belden’s 25-Year Product Warranty (in channel lengths under the standard 100 m containing up to two additional couplers).
And this is just one example of how you can deploy the REVConnect Coupler. It can also be used:
Because it adds almost zero crosstalk to the channel, the REVConnect Coupler is nearly invisible or transparent in terms of impact.
Within the traditional RJ45 footprint, there are various factors and limitations to consider based on the cable and connector being used: signal attenuation, crosstalk, impedance matching, etc. The REVConnect footprint eliminates those limitations. Because the impact of the component is fully controlled by the system, the result is a more consistent performance.
Meet the REVConnect Coupler
When you face challenging installation hurdles, our REVConnect Coupler may be your answer. REVConnect Couplers support the fastest Category 6A termination possible while increasing density, improving flexibility, reducing costs and maintaining reliability.
Bringing zero crosstalk, they add little noise to the channel and are essentially invisible. If you’re looking for a connectivity solution that creates a world of possibilities, this may be a good option for your next project!