Low-current system: design, layout and maintenance

We are so accustomed to all the benefits of civilization: we do not really imagine how to quickly warm up the water without an electric kettle, wash a large amount of laundry, vacuum it, or can lonely people not watch TV? By ordinary wires we are supplied with a current (220 W), thereby providing us with normal vital activity. But there are such electrical appliances and systems, for the operation of which no maximum voltage is required. For such devices, other wires are connected, which collectively are called "low-current system".

What is a weak current system?

The current low-current system, Which still carries the name of information, provides the flow of current for items that transmit certain information to a person: the Internet, cable television, video surveillance, telephony, any kind of signaling, various video lines. In such systems, the voltage of the currents is in the range from 12 to 24 volts. Such currents also, in contrast to power, are called informational.

What should be low-current systems

The main requirements for networks with low current are:

• High reliability - although the currents have a small force, you should not forget about safety in any case. Cables must be connected and conducted according to all safety rules, are insulated and inaccessible to many people.
• Correct operation - during installation, the low-current system should be checked for various errors and malfunctions. Here, both the electrical part and the automatic part are taken into account.
• Scale - since such systems are installed in rooms with different quadrature, they should easily reach any corner of the house or office. To do this, you need to calculate the distance of the cable in advance, think about where and how the objects participating in providing information to the person will stand.
• Low cost - these systems are notable for their availability in installation and use. Due to the correctly selected connection point, the number of network objects, you can save money that could go to the cable meters.

Types of information networks

As already mentioned, there are many items serving us that are powered by a low-current system. Wires connected to systems perform their functions in order to help users to live more comfortably and quietly. According to their purpose they are divided into:

1. Household systems. These are connected items that we use every day - television, telephony, intercom, internet, radio, alarm. Today all these networks are more or less relevant for us. Using the cable, we can be aware of all the events in our home country and beyond. Telephone wires provide the opportunity to communicate and connect to the Internet. Network for video surveillance helps to reproduce picture and sound unhindered, which is very important for workers of control and observation. In this case, the cameras can be connected both small and large, powerful. Indispensable in private property is a low-current system that provides an alert for the illegal penetration of someone or a fire - it is called an alarm system. Here special sensors are connected to the wires, which are triggered when the circuit is broken or moving.
2. Commercial systems. These include: telephony, Internet, various types of alarm, local area networks, automatic energy accounting, intercoms, some structured cabling systems. Systems with low current ensure uninterrupted operation for commercial establishments. Maintenance of low-current systems in offices is carried out by specialists who work directly in this organization or in specialized firms.

What do systems consist of?

Systems designed for a specific task are differently staffed.

• Local-area networks connect the work of several items and means for information exchange. It can be a well-coordinated work of a modem, a printer, saved files, programs to protect information from hacking, network databases and so on.
• Structured cabling systems (SCS) provide ease and speed of operation of all constituent elements. When the low-current systems are designed, specialists ensure that the SCS accommodates various kinds of networks: information, security and fire, telephone, and also the necessary equipment for them.
• Telephony with the help of low-current systems provides automation of telephone exchanges. There is a reliable connection between subscribers through cable networks and special programs.
• Nobody thought about the fact that the world time is also provided by low-current systems of clockwork. Here the composition includes the main element-the master clock and the secondary clock. World time is watched only by atomic clocks, which are extremely precise. Through the signal to the GPS satellite, they transmit the exact time to the radio receiver, which is closely connected with the master clock. Through radio broadcasting, we learn the time and set it on the secondary clock.

What are the advantages of low-current systems?

Correctly created project of low-current systems allows us to use information without feeling any inconvenience. On the contrary, with the development of science, we have made our life and access to information so easy that we can already get what we want with one hand. The networks give us the opportunity to watch satellite TV without interruption, with the help of them we have access to telephone, internet, radio. In addition, with the help of networks, you can control access to objects, installing gates and barriers, feel safe, installing a fire and security alarm system, as well as video surveillance. Such systems make up for the basic human needs, because security is first of all confidence in the future and peace.

Compliance with the rules when laying cables

Since the laying of cables is a serious and unsafe business, you need to carefully plan and calculate where they will pass. In addition to engineering and design work, it is necessary to take into account the basic rules of laying. The main and main rule is the separation of power cables from low-current information networks. In addition, it is necessary to avoid localized electromagnetic interference. If these rules are not taken into account, the power wires will prevent the continuous operation of objects that provide low-current engineering systems. For proper cable management, there are basic regulatory documents, where all the nuances are spelled out step by step.

How to mount a network?

Experts know that even before laying down the cables of the network, its project must be prepared. It clearly needs to identify the location of the low-voltage switchboard, relays, sockets and some other parts of the system. Special attention is also paid to the approved standards and rules for pulling and securing cables. Work as an installer of low-current systems Assumes a deep knowledge of the necessary dimensions of the cable, its types, nests connecting wires to the objects that transmit information, and to the network.

It is necessary to strictly observe the distance between the power cables and low-current cables - a minimum of 0.5 m, and they should be located in parallel. Cables need only use solid ones, splicing is unacceptable. It happens that it is impossible to place the cables in the buried wiring, therefore the mains wires must be remote from the telephone cable by 15 mm (if the length is 10 m). It must always be remembered that network wiring must be protected from various weather events and damages. The junction box is also located in the right place, further away from the openings, windows and doors. All low-current cables are grounded with a special bus, which consists of copper conductors.

Types of cables during installation

For each information device different types of cables are used. The work of telephony is provided by a network of 3 category cables. Uninterrupted operation of computer networks occurs due to the use of fiber optic cables of 5 and 6 categories. Also important is the brand of wires. When choosing a specific cable, you need to consider the scope of its use, composition, technical characteristics, fire safety.

Who can design and mount low-current systems?

Naturally, not everyone can mount low-current systems. Moscow is replete with good specialists in this industry. Qualified employees build the network qualitatively and competently, because communication, the longevity of the systems operation, the reliability of signal transmission, the safety of equipment in use depend on this.