atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring Service Loops

I know a lot of us leave service loops, but how many have actually had to use them? Sometimes they seem a bit trivial to me. Especially when they are seen, and you have to try and make them nice and neat. The first time you have to use one, the neatness factor pretty much goes away, doesn't it? Doesn't the cost of leaving that much cable and spending the time dressing it outweigh the cost of re-running one or two cables? I know this is a stupid question; I've just always wondered.

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| Signal Communication Systems - Fresno, CA |

| Telephone Systems, Voicemail Syste... & Data Cabling - Central Valley, CA

service loops are only really helpful when a rack has to be moved or equipment is relocated to different place on the wall which happens as customers grow or change. I usually try to hide them above the ceiling or in the rack. I believe service loops are required, maybe not by code but a few certification seminars I've been to had specs for almost rediculous service loop lengths. When your pulling 500 cables you would need another room for the service loops

I always try to leave a service loop on both ends! When ever I pull cable to a office I try to leave enough to reach any side of the wall. Saved me more than one occasion.

I've used up service loops in the past. Mainly when (as Bikechuck said) I have had to relocate a rack in the room or the room was remodeled and the Patch Panels and switches had to be temporarily "hung" in a safer place.

Yes, they are a pain in the A%# to work up and make neat looking and I think they only provide designers and architects an easy excuse to be lazy sometimes in their designs. But when you need one, pop open the tiles and find one, the sigh of relief is audible from miles away.

I personnaly always thought that service loops where a sign of "ah, I don't feel like pulling all that cable down the wall" I typically only leave one if it is an exceptionally long pull, or hard to fish wall. I have only used one a couple of times.

I do not believe the Telecommunications Industry Assn standards address service loops for cabling. BICSI just recommends putting cabling in a figure eight instead of a bid loop. Big loops can degrade category cabling's performance. If a client plans on having a lot of MAC work I would recommend using a Consolidation Point (CP) or a MUTOA (Multi-User Telecommunications Outlet Assembly) in the work area. Also any service loops need to be added in the total length allowed for the cabling (e.g. 295' for a permanent link). MUTOAs also need to be used based upon a formula because of the use of long patch cords.

I always leave service loops when they can be hidden, and overall length of the run allows for it. I've used service loops many times and been very thankful to have them. For me it's usually a matter of having to move racks and/or patch panels, in which case you wouldn't be able to just run one or two cables. It is challenging to keep things neat when you have to use a service loop, but it's not impossible.

Just don't go overboard when you make your service loops. One or two loops at the work area side should be plenty. If you have a large bundle of cables, you should be able to incorporate some slack without actually making big loops. A service loop doesn't have to be a coil of cable.

How come? Crosstalk?

I think it's a good diea to leave a few extra feet (8 or 10) in the ceiling at the office or workstation end of the pull. But to try to do so above the telcom closet is a real pain in the butt.

I agree with you, Mike. to the Board!

Is it the actual loop, literally being in a circle, that is the problem. Is this why Mr Cooper recommended a figure 8?
Or, is the problem that as one loops the cable it is running parallel to itself?