New developments in cabling technology and the need for increased efficiency within data centres have provided the impetus for introducing 28-AWG copper cable in these installations. 28-AWG cabling offers significantly smaller diameter wire than the ubiquitous 24-AWG copper conductors generally used in network cabinet and rack installations and maintains data integrity.
Dependent on the cable type Panduit 28-AWG cable offers between 48 percent and 41 percent reduction in size. For example, a Category 6 cord with 28-AWG wires is 0.15 inches (3.8mm) in OD, which is 41 percent the size of the typical 24-AWG Category 6 cord. Category 5e and Category 6A patch cords have similar size savings.
The requirement to provide increased IT capabilities in the same or smaller spaces has led to over-crowded cable runs and racks within many data centres. This leads to congested cable pathways, insufficient space for new equipment and the challenge of patching bulk when using high-density patch panels.
Small diameter patch cabling can help resolve these issues, by making high-density patching more feasible. It also makes moves, adds, and changes simpler and quicker.
Roeland Dillen, Regional Business Director, Panduit EMEA, stated:
“Common patch cabling challenges include congestion that makes moves, adds and changes (MACs) a time-consuming undertaking, as well as the use of layouts that consume space, making it difficult to work with patch cabling bulk. The Panduit 28-AWG cable reduces bulk, saving space and easing access to patch interfaces.
Our 28-AWG Cable system innovation was recently acknowledged in the German Computer Centre Prize 2017* – winning third prize in the Network Infrastructure category.”
Data centres have witnessed many new challenges in the past couple of years driven by new network capabilities and user requirements. These have forced the industry to consider new ways to best solve the critical space issues within racks and cabinets. 28-AWG cabling can be used as a direct replacement in most scenarios to help solve space.
Standards committees have started discussing the addition of 28 AWG cabling to the standards. Today, Panduit 28-AWG cabling meets all performance standards, but does not meet the 22-26 AWG size requirement.
