Structured cabling systems distribute signals throughout a building using various components. Key terms include amplifiers to increase signal strength over long runs, coaxial cable with a central conductor surrounded by insulation and outer shielding, splitters that divide signals sent to multiple ports, and terminating resistors placed at cable ends to reduce signal reflections. The headend is equipment connecting external sources to the distribution system for processing signals to be sent out.

1. Structured Cabling Systems

2. Structured Cabling Systems

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5. Structured Cabling Systems GLOSSARY The following are definitions of common terms used in the industry: Amplifier —an active device used to compensate for attenuation by increasing the power or amplitude of an electrical signal. Coaxial cable —a dual conductor cable wherein a centre conductor is surrounded by but does not contact a concentric cylindrical outer conductor. The outer conductor may be a solid tube (hardline or semi-rigid cable) or a braid of many wires and a thin aluminium foil (flexible cable) Dielectric —a non-conductive insulator material between the centre conductor and outer conductor (shield) of the coaxial cable. Distribution tap/node —a point where signals are taken from the trunk feeder to energize branch and/or spur feeders. In some cases a distribution point may be directly connected to the headend. Headend —equipment that is connected between receiving antennas or other signal sources and the remainder of the cabled distribution system, to process the signals to be distributed. The headend may comprise amplifiers, frequency converters, combiners, diplexers, modulators and generators. Isolator —a device that provides a.c. mains isolation in both inner and outer conductors of the coaxial cable by means of high voltage capacitors and/or double wound transformers. The complete device should comply with relevant requirements of AS/NZS 3260. Splitter (spur unit) —a device in which the signal power at the input port is divided equally or unequally between two or more output ports. NOTE: Some forms of this device may be used in the reverse direction for combining signal energy. Terminating resistors —resistive loads connected to the output of devices or cables to minimize internal signal reflections (typically 75 ohms for a TV distribution system).