Certificate of Merit

The advent of smart buildings and internet of things (IoT) technologies has brought about significant changes in the way cabling is designed, deployed and tested. Steve Cowles of AEM Precision Cable Test charts the evolution of certification in the IoT era.

In the ever-evolving landscape of information and communication technology (ICT), testing and certifying cabling infrastructure is vital to ensure it can handle the demands of modern systems. This is especially true as the role of network connected devices expands in the development of smart buildings.

One Step Beyond

Today’s building systems go far beyond the basic networking solutions of the past. Smart buildings integrate a wide array of IoT technologies – from heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and security systems to lighting and environmental sensors – all of which require a robust and reliable cabling infrastructure. But certification alone is no longer enough. With more complex and interconnected systems, testing standards and strategies need to be updated to meet these modern requirements.

Historically, information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) operated in separate spheres. IT handled data and networks, while OT managed physical devices. This separation was a product of earlier technological limitations and organisational structures. However, the rise of smart buildings has shattered this paradigm. Today, multiple building systems – ranging from security and lighting to environmental sensors and network devices – can be centrally managed and optimised for performace, cost efficiency and maintenance.

This integrated approach is at the heart of the IoT, a term that encapsulates the growing network of connected devices. The IoT revolution is making everyday devices smarter and more interconnected, enabling deeper collaboration between IT and OT teams. These advancements allow for real-time data collection and analysis, offering insights that help organisations improve building operations and meet performance objectives.

Evolving Testing Needs

  • Power over Ethernet (PoE) testing

One of the most significant changes in modern cabling infrastructure is the increasing use of PoE. Many IoT devices, including wireless access points and security cameras, are powered via the same cables that carry network data. This intriduces additional challenges, as the cabling needs to support both data transmission and power delivery over the same link.

Traditional certification tests do not account for the power requirements of these devices and testing for PoE readiness has become essential. For example, testing for DC resistance unbalance (DCRU) ensures that the cable can handle the power delivery without causing issues like power loss or overheating, while PoE load testing post-deployment can ensure adequate power is reaching the powered device at the end of the link. This type of testing helps avoid potential issues when network components and powered devices are installed and ensures that the infrastructure can handle future PoE requirements.

    • Link speed and signal integrity

    With the growing use of high bandwidth applications, it is crucial to test cabling to ensure it supports the required link speeds. Multigigabit Ethernet links are becoming standard, with devices like Wi-Fi 6 access points and high definition cameras requiring speeds up to 10Gb/s.

    Signal to noise ration (SNR) testing, which ensures that the cable maintains a strong signal despite potential interference, is another consideration. For high bandwidth applications, testing for sufficient SNR becomes essential, ensuring the cabling infrastructure can support the full capacity of modern devices without degradation in performance.

    • Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) and hybrid fibre optic testing

    Another emerging smart building technology is SPE. Smaller, lighter and cost effective, SPE provides a solution for connecting low bandwidth devices such as sensors and cameras over long distances. As these devices become increasingly important in the IoT ecosystem, ensuring that the cabling can support these technologies is crucial. SPE requires a different set of testing parameters compared to traditional Ethernet cables, so it’s important to consult test equipment manufacturers to ensure compatibility.

    Similarly, hybrid powered fibre cables, which combine fibre optic cables with copper conductors for power delivery, require a specialised testing approach. Measuring both the optical loss in the fibre and the DC loop resistance in the copper conductors simultaneously ensures that the cable infrastructure can deliver both data and power efficiently.

A Comprehensive Approach

For a smart building to function as intended, the cabling infrastructure must be carefullky designed, installed and tested. A traditional certification test simply cannot account for the modern demands placed on the system. Today’s networks need to support devices that require higher power, higher speeds and more robust security – all of which demand a more detailed testing process.

For example, when deploying cabling to support IoT technologies, particularly those that use PoE, additional test parameters should be selected. By adjusting your test equipment to include parameters like DCRU, transverse coversion loss (TCL), and equal level transverse conversion trasnfer loss (ELTCTL), you can assess the readiness of the infrastructure to support PoE and ensure noise immunity. This addition testing will help indentify potential issues befire devices are installed, reducing the risk of failure after deployment.

After networking devices are deployed, the SNR and PoE load tests prevously mentioned should be done. This ensures necessary PoE power is reaching the end of the link and there is no excessive noise from alien crosstalk or external noise influence. Testing the network connectivity to ensure connection to correct switch/port/VLAN should also be performed.

Documentary Evidence

As the demand for more complex testing grows, so does the importance of accurate documentation. Providing in-depth test reports, which detail the type of cabling tested, the results for parameters like link speed, SNR and PoE performance, ensures that the infrastructure can meet the requirements of modern devices.

These reports can also be used for troubleshooting and ensuring that the cabling remains reliable over time, especially as devices are added or moved. Moreover, the ability to generate reports that detail the power load and remaining headroom for PoE ensures that issues related to power delivery are identified early, before a device fails to power-up.

Best In Class

From ensuring PoE readiness to testing for mutigigabit speeds and power delivery, the right test equipment and strategies are essential for ensuirng that smart building systems perform at their best. The need for thorough testing and certification has never been greater, and with the right tools and knowledge there is an opportunity to provide enhanced services and drive new revenue streams for the businesses that support these technologies. In this rapidly evolving landscape, staying ahead of the curve with cutting edge testing equipment will help ensure that smart buildings are optimised for performance, reliability and future.

*Steve Cowles is product line manager at AEM Precision Cable Test. He has been involved in the voice/data industry for over 35 years, with the last 25 focused on test equipment applications for copper and fibre certification, Wi-Fi, PoE, Ethernet and DSL. Cowles has been a BICSI member for over 30 years and holds the RCDD and NTS credentials.

*This article was published in the April 2025 issue of Inside Networks. https://www.insidenetworks.co.uk/magazine/apr25/?page=56