Following the introduction of "Made in China 2025" and Industry 4.0 strategies, the integration of informatization and industrialization has accelerated further. Based on the integration and interconnection achieved through the Internet, the Internet of Things, and big data, the core requirement of this stage is the real-time collection, transmission, processing, and feedback of data. Consequently, structured cabling manufacturers have naturally focused their attention on information transmission in industrial environments.
In conclusion, the goal of a smart factory is to organically integrate IT with production applications. Therefore, structured cabling is particularly important in the construction of a smart factory. This raises a new question: what kind of structured cabling system can meet future needs ?
How can the wiring in traditional factories be upgraded with intelligent systems ?
Because traditional factories often fail to fully consider the needs of information technology, during the initial construction phase, only network systems designed for the office environment are built. All factory operational information is transmitted through the existing network system, with almost no IT infrastructure deployed on the production floor. Therefore, the transmission of production, design, and instructions often requires manual intervention by designated personnel. Upgrading a traditional factory to a smart factory requires, first and foremost, a transformation of the integrated network cabling system. Due to business needs and the relatively complex environment, the production floor becomes the key focus and challenge of this transformation.
In addition, traditional factories have been in use for a long time, and production equipment and various materials have occupied most of the factory area. In this case, using wireless networks has become the first choice for transformation solutions. The advantages of this solution are short transformation cycle, low investment, and minimal impact on production during the transformation period.
If objective conditions do not permit, on-site cable laying must be carried out. Compared to setting up a wireless environment, this method has a longer modification cycle, higher investment, and can sometimes disrupt the normal production rhythm. However, its advantages are also obvious: the network signal has strong anti-interference capabilities, and in some complex and harsh environments, it can better ensure the continuous operation of production.
For newly built factories with intelligent manufacturing needs, in order to avoid waste and other uncertainties caused by secondary design of network cabling, the relevant information technology departments should participate in the relevant design during the civil engineering design stage of the factory. Under the premise of meeting relevant national standards and requirements, the network cabling system should be designed and constructed from several aspects such as stability, reliability, durability, maintainability, and scalability of the entire network system.
What should be considered during cabling design and installation ?
1. The design and implementation must at least meet the following specifications and requirements.
Standards include: Design Specification for Structured Cabling System Engineering (GB50311-2007), Acceptance Specification for Structured Cabling System (GB50312-2007), Electromagnetic Leakage Emission Protection Requirements for Information Equipment Use Sites (BMB5-2000), and Design Specification for Computer Rooms of Electronic Information Systems (GB50174-2008).
If it is a classified network system, the following specifications and requirements must also be met: "Specifications for the Classified Protection and Management of Information Systems Involving State Secrets" (BMB20-2007) and "Technical Requirements for the Classified Protection of Information Systems Involving State Secrets" (BMB17-2006), etc.
2. Wiring Requirements
(1) When designing routes, if twisted-pair cabling is used, the total cabling distance between the network interface of the terminal equipment and the network equipment should be less than 90m;
(2) Network twisted-pair cables must be routed separately from other cables and have good surge protection and electromagnetic isolation functions, and should be protected by conduit and grounded.
(3) It is recommended that the backbone of the network cabling be laid in metal cable trays, and the designed backbone cable trays should be able to cover the entire factory or office building;
(4) When network cabling is carried out in workplaces where industrial pollutants (vibration, noise, dust, electromagnetic radiation, chemical reagents, etc.) may be generated, all conduits, cables and connectors shall be industrial-grade products that are dustproof, waterproof, oilproof, rustproof and electromagnetic interference resistant, and the protection level of cables and connectors shall not be lower than the relevant standards;
(5) It is recommended to construct underground integrated pipe trenches for factories with special structural requirements or a large number of cables.
3. Environmental requirements for network low-voltage rooms
(1) The network low-voltage room shall be designed in accordance with the Class C computer room standard. Windows should be avoided in the low-voltage room, and its area should meet the space requirements for equipment installation (including network cabinets, UPS equipment, etc.) and maintenance. All network low-voltage rooms should be independent rooms, and should avoid sharing rooms with other low-voltage systems as much as possible.
(2) The flammability of materials used in the interior decoration design of network vulnerability rooms should comply with the relevant provisions of the current national standard "Code for Fire Protection Design of Interior Decoration of Buildings" (GB50222);
(3) The ceiling, walls, and floor of the network low-voltage room should be made of dust-free materials that meet relevant national standards, and the surface should be flat and smooth. The floor should be laid with anti-static flooring according to relevant national standards. The height of the anti-static flooring from the ground should be determined based on cable wiring and air conditioning requirements; generally, the height of the flooring from the ground should not be less than 30cm.
(4) The network low-voltage room shall be provided with a reliable grounding device, and the grounding resistance value and the setting of the grounding device shall comply with relevant national requirements;
(5) The network low-voltage room should be equipped with constant temperature and humidity air conditioning equipment and a remote management module to ensure that the indoor temperature is controlled at 18~28℃. At the same time, the design should meet the requirements of air conditioning power supply and drainage.
(6) Environmental and power monitoring systems should be deployed in the network low-voltage room as much as possible, including water leakage alarm, temperature and humidity monitoring, air conditioning monitoring, UPS status monitoring, access control system, etc.
4. Power supply requirements
The network low-voltage room must be equipped with a UPS device with a remote management module. If conditions permit, the network equipment in the entire factory can be powered separately by laying a fiber optic composite cable. The power supply must be taken directly from the main distribution cabinet or substation of the factory and an independent circuit breaker must be installed. The UPS device must not be shared with other systems.
