Glossary of Terms 7
INFRASTRUCTURE – Permanently installed cable plant.
J-HOOK – A supporting device for horizontal cables that is shaped like a ‘J’. It is typically attached above an
accessible ceiling space or on to the building structure to manage special systems cabling.
LADDER RACK – A device similar to a cable tray but more closely resembles a single section of a ladder.
MEDIA – Wire, cable, or conductors used for telecommunications.
MODULAR JACK – A female telecommunications connector typically found at the work area outlet.
PATCH CORD – A length of cable with connectors on one or both ends used to join telecommunications
circuits/links at the cross-connect.
PHYSICAL TOPOLOGY – The physical layout of a network as defined by its cabling architecture.
PULL STRING – String placed within a cable pathway, used to pull wire and cable.
SLEEVE – A short section of conduit, either metallic or non-metallic, lining an opening in the wall or floor for
cables to pass through.
STANDARD – A collection of requirements that encompasses properties of components and systems that are
intended to ensure an accepted degree of functionality and longevity.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS – A branch of technology concerned with the transmission, and reception of signs,
signals, writing, images, and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical, or other electromagnetic
systems.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ROOM (TR) – An enclosed space for housing telecommunications equipment, cable
terminations, and cross-connects. The room is the recognized cross-connect between the backbone cable and
horizontal cabling.
WORK AREA – A building space where the occupants interact with telecommunications terminal equipment.
WORK AREA OUTLET – A device placed at a user workstation for termination of horizontal media and for
connectivity of network equipment.
- Acronyms
AHJ – Authority Having Jurisdiction
AWG – American Wire Gauge
BICSI – Building Industry Consulting Services International
BCT – Bonding Conductor for Telecommunications
BD – Building Distributor
DMARC – The demarcation point in which the local carriers cabling and/or equipment terminates. Also the point
in which the cabling transitions from “utility-owned” to “building-owned”.
DPS – Door Position Switch
EF – Entrance Facility
EM – Emergency Power
November 1, 2016
