Industry Glossary

Structured Cabling

• Backbone Cabling: Cabling that connects entrance facilities, equipment rooms, and telecommunications rooms; typically includes fiber or high-pair copper.
• Cable Bend Radius: Minimum radius a cable can be bent without damage or performance loss; defined by TIA and manufacturer specs.
• Cable Certification: Formal testing of installed cabling to verify compliance with performance standards (e.g., TIA-568).
• Cable Count: Total number of cables in a bundle, pathway, or system; used for planning, labeling, and load calculations.
• Cable Jacket: Outer protective layer of a cable, rated for plenum, riser, or general-purpose use.
• Cable Lubricant: Approved compound used to reduce friction during cable pulls; must be compatible with cable jacket material.
• Cable Management: Organized routing and securing of cables to maintain performance, accessibility, and code compliance.
• Cable Pathway: Designated route for structured cabling, including conduit, raceway, tray, or open ceiling space.
• Cable Pulling Tension: Maximum force allowed during installation to prevent damage; defined by manufacturer specs.
• Cable Separation: Required distance between power and data cables to prevent interference; governed by NEC and TIA.
• Cross-Connect: Point where cabling is interconnected via patch cords or jumpers; used for flexibility and rerouting.
• Horizontal Cabling: Cabling from telecommunications room to work area outlets; typically limited to 90 meters per TIA-568.
• Labeling Standard: Defined scheme for identifying cables, pathways, and termination points; typically based on TIA-606.
• Main Cross-Connect (MC): Primary location for backbone cabling termination; often located in the equipment room.
• Minimum Point of Entry (MPOE): First accessible point where external cabling enters a building; used for demarcation and grounding.
• Outside Plant (OSP): Cabling installed outdoors or between buildings; subject to environmental and grounding standards.
• Plenum Space: Air-handling space above ceilings or below floors; requires plenum-rated cable per NEC 300.22.
• RCDD (Registered Communications Distribution Designer): BICSI-certified professional specializing in structured cabling design and standards compliance.
• Riser Space: Vertical shaft or pathway between floors; requires riser-rated cable per NEC and UL standards.
• Structured Cabling System: Standardized architecture for telecommunications cabling, including backbone, horizontal, and work area components.
• Work Area: Location where end-user devices connect to structured cabling via outlets or ports.

Low-Voltage Systems

• Access Control: System that manages entry permissions using credentials, schedules, and door status monitoring.
• Annunciator Panel: Visual display panel indicating system status, alarms, or faults in fire alarm or security systems.
• Auxiliary Power Supply: Secondary power source used to maintain operation of low-voltage systems during outages.
• Class 2 Circuit: Low-voltage circuit defined by NEC Article 725, limited in voltage and power for safety.
• Dry Contact: Relay or switch contact that operates without carrying voltage; used for signaling between systems.
• Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication System (EVACS): System used to deliver voice instructions during emergencies; integrated with fire alarm systems.
• End-of-Line Resistor (EOL): Resistor placed at the end of a circuit to monitor integrity and detect tampering or faults.
• Fire Alarm Control Unit (FACU): Central processor for fire alarm systems; monitors inputs and controls outputs.
• Low-Voltage Cabling: Cabling rated for circuits under 50 volts, including security, fire alarm, and control systems.
• Notification Appliance: Device that alerts occupants via audible or visual signals during emergencies (e.g., strobes, horns).
• Power-Limited Circuit: Circuit designed to operate below defined voltage and current thresholds for safety and code compliance.
• Signal Line Circuit (SLC): Addressable loop used in fire alarm systems to communicate with initiating devices.
• Supervision: Continuous monitoring of circuit integrity and device status in life safety systems.

Wireless Infrastructure

• Access Point (AP): Device that enables wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi standards.
• Channel Plan: Defined allocation of wireless frequencies to minimize interference and optimize coverage.
• Coverage Map: Visual representation of wireless signal strength and reach across a facility or campus.
• Dual-Band: Wireless device or system operating on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands.
• Frequency Coordination: Process of managing RF spectrum to prevent overlap and interference between systems.
• Roaming: Seamless transition of a wireless device between access points without losing connectivity.
• Signal Attenuation: Reduction in wireless signal strength due to distance, obstacles, or materials.
• Site Survey: Pre-installation assessment of RF environment to determine optimal access point placement.
• SSID (Service Set Identifier): Name assigned to a wireless network; used by clients to identify and connect.
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): Latest generation of wireless LAN technology offering higher throughput and efficiency.
• Wireless Controller: Centralized system managing multiple access points, configurations, and security policies.
• Wireless Interference: Disruption of wireless signals caused by competing RF sources or physical obstructions.

Data Center Environmental

• Airside Economizer: System that uses outside air for cooling when conditions permit, reducing HVAC energy use.
• ASHRAE TC 9.9: Thermal guidelines for data center environmental conditions published by ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.9.
• Cold Aisle: Arrangement where server fronts face each other, concentrating cool air delivery between rows.
• Containment: Physical barriers used to isolate hot and cold airflows, improving cooling efficiency.
• CRAC Unit (Computer Room Air Conditioner): Precision cooling unit designed for data center environments; maintains temperature and humidity.
• Delta-T: Temperature difference between supply and return air; used to evaluate cooling performance.
• Hot Aisle: Arrangement where server rears face each other, concentrating heat exhaust between rows.
• Humidity Control: Regulation of moisture levels to prevent electrostatic discharge and equipment degradation.
• Raised Floor: Elevated flooring system used for airflow distribution and cable management in data centers.
• Return Air Plenum: Space above ceiling or below raised floor used to collect and return warm air to cooling units.
• Thermal Monitoring: Continuous measurement of temperature and airflow to ensure optimal operating conditions.
• UPS Heat Load: Thermal output generated by uninterruptible power supplies; must be factored into cooling design.

Audio/Visual & Surveillance

• Audio Digital Signal Processor (DSP): Hardware or software used to manipulate, mix, or optimize audio signals.
• Bandwidth: Data transmission capacity critical for IP cameras, streaming, and AV systems.
• Camera: Device that captures visual data for surveillance, conferencing, or broadcast.
• Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV): Private video surveillance system transmitting signals to specific monitors.
• Codec: Compression/decompression algorithm used to encode and decode video or audio streams.
• Digital Video Recorder / Network Video Recorder (DVR / NVR): Devices that record video from analog (DVR) or IP (NVR) cameras.
• Field of View (FOV): Observable area captured by a camera, influenced by lens type and sensor size.
• Frame Rate: Number of video frames displayed per second, affecting motion clarity.
• Infrared (IR): Light spectrum used for night vision and low-light surveillance.
• Internet Protocol Camera (IP Camera): Camera that transmits video over a network using IP standards.
• Latency: Delay between signal input and output, affecting real-time performance.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE): Technology delivering power and data over a single Ethernet cable.
• Resolution: Clarity of a camera image, typically expressed in pixels (e.g., 1080p, 4K).
• Streaming Media: Real-time transmission of audio or video content over a network.

Electrical Systems & Power Distribution

• Ampacity: Maximum current a conductor can carry safely.
• Backfeed (slang): Running cables back through a pathway in reverse.
• Bonding: Electrically connecting metallic parts for continuity.
• Circuit Breaker: Automatic switch that interrupts current flow in case of overload or fault.
• Conductor: Wire or cable carrying electrical current.
• Conduit: Protective tube for electrical wires.
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI): Safety device detecting ground faults and interrupting power.
• Grounding: Connecting systems to earth for safety.
• Load Center: Distribution point for electrical circuits.
• Neutral: Return path for current in an AC electrical system; bonded to ground at service entrance.
• Overcurrent Protection: Device or method that limits current to prevent overheating or damage.
• Raceway: Enclosed channel for routing wires or low-voltage cabling.
• Service Entrance: Point where power enters a building.
• Transformer: Device used to change voltage levels.
• Voltage Drop: Reduction in voltage due to resistance.
• Voltage Rating: Maximum voltage a cable or component can safely handle.
• Whip (slang): Short flexible conduit or cable segment.

Installation Workflow & Field Terms

• Bundling Discipline: Grouping cables without exceeding fill or tension limits.
• Cable Fill Calculation: Determining allowable cable volume in a conduit or tray.
• Change Order: Formal record documenting installation changes.
• Drop Point: Vertical descent from overhead pathway to device.
• Firestop Protocol: Methods and materials used to seal penetrations and maintain fire ratings.
• Grounding Continuity: Ensuring metallic pathways are bonded and grounded for safety and performance.
• Handoff: Transition point between cable management systems or trades.
• Jackpot (slang): Successful cable pull without snags, damage, or resistance.
• Pathway Derating: Adjusting cable fill or ampacity based on environmental or thermal factors.
• Pathway ID / Cable ID: Unique identifiers used to label and track pathways and cables.
• Pull Path: Planned route for cable installation, accounting for bends and access points.
• Routing Map: Visual or documented plan showing cable pathways and termination points.
• Sag Allowance: Permissible vertical drop between cable supports to prevent strain.
• Service Loop: Intentional slack in a cable run, coiled near termination points to allow future moves, repairs, or re-routing without repulling.
• Slack Loop (slang): Extra cable length coiled for future moves, repairs, or re-terminations.
• Sleeve: Conduit used to penetrate walls or floors for cable routing.
• Stub-Out: Short conduit segment left in place for future cable pulls or extensions.
• Support Interval: Maximum allowed distance between cable supports per code or manufacturer specs.
• Tagging (slang): Physically labeling cables, pathways, or termination points for identification.
• Termination: Final connection point of a cable to a device, panel, or outlet.
• Test Report: Certified record of cable performance after installation and testing.

Standards, Specification & Compliance

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI): Accrediting body that oversees the development of consensus-based standards across industries.
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM): Publisher of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services.
• As-Built Drawings: Final documentation reflecting installed conditions after construction or installation.
• Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): Local official or agency responsible for enforcing code compliance and approving installations.
• Code Compliance: Adherence to applicable standards such as NEC, NFPA, TIA, and local building codes.
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Regulatory body overseeing RF emissions, communications equipment, and spectrum use.
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): Publisher of technical standards for electrical, electronic, and networking systems.
• International Building Code (IBC): Model building code governing structural, fire, and safety requirements across jurisdictions.
• Labeling Scheme: Structured method for identifying cables, pathways, devices, and termination points.
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): Certification system for sustainable building practices and environmental performance.
• Method of Procedure (MOP): Step-by-step documented process for executing work in critical environments.
• National Electrical Code (NEC): Code governing safe electrical design, installation, and inspection; published as NFPA 70.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Publisher of fire and life safety codes, including the NEC (NFPA 70).
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Federal agency regulating workplace safety, health standards, and compliance.
• Plenum-Rated: Materials approved for use in air-handling spaces per NEC 300.22 and UL standards.
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS): Directive limiting the use of specific hazardous materials in electrical and electronic products.
• Specifier: Professional responsible for selecting and documenting products, systems, and standards for construction or installation.
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Established method for performing tasks consistently and safely across teams or environments.
• Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA): Publisher of structured cabling and telecommunications specifications (e.g., TIA-568, TIA-606).
• Test Methodology: Defined procedure for verifying cable or system performance, including continuity, attenuation, and certification.
• Underwriters Laboratories (UL): Independent safety certification organization for electrical, firestop, and building products.
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): Hierarchical decomposition of a project into deliverables and tasks for scheduling and accountability.
• Workmanship Standard: Defined expectations for installation quality, appearance, and compliance with specifications.