Your office needs internet right. Every desk needs a network point these days and wifi alone doesnt cut it when you got 20 people all trying to work at the same time. Thats where we come in - we run data cables for offices all over Christchurch.
Just last week I was at an accounting firm in the central city. They moved into a new office space and needed network points installed at 35 desks plus a couple meeting rooms. We ran Cat6 cable from their server room to every desk mounted the wall plates nice and neat labeled everything properly. Took us three days but now everyone can plug in and get fast reliable internet.
What Is Data Cabling Anyway
Data cabling is the physical cables that connect your computers printers and other devices to your network and the internet. Most people just use wifi and dont think about it but for offices you really need wired connections too.
Wifi is fine for phones and laptops but when you got desktop computers VOIP phones security cameras point of sale systems you need actual cables. Way more reliable and way faster than wifi specially when everyones online at once.
Cat5e vs Cat6 vs Cat6a Cables
Cat5e is the older standard. It works but its slower and doesnt handle interference as good. Most places dont use it anymore.
Cat6 is what we install in most offices now. It handles gigabit speeds no problem and its good for the next 10 years easy. Costs a bit more than Cat5e but worth it.
Cat6a is even better - handles 10 gigabit speeds and has better shielding. We use it in places that need really fast networks or where theres lots of electrical interference. More expensive but some businesses need it.
For most small to medium offices Cat6 is perfect. Unless you got really specific needs theres no point spending extra on Cat6a.
Setting Up Office Networks
When we cable an office we start at the server room or comms cabinet. Thats where all the cables come back to. We install patch panels so you can plug everything in neat and organized.
Then we run cables through the ceiling or under the floor to each desk. We drill through walls mount wall plates and terminate all the cables. Each point gets labeled so you know which cable goes where.
In a law office in Merivale we did a full setup - 20 network points server rack patch panel switch the works. They had been using wifi for everything and people were always complaining about slow speeds and dropouts. Now everythings wired and they have zero problems.
Patch Panels and Cable Management
Patch panels are what keep everything organized in your server room. All your cables terminate on the patch panel then you use short patch leads to connect to your network switch.
Sounds complicated but its just a way to keep things tidy. Without a patch panel you got cables everywhere and its a mess trying to figure out what goes where.
We also do proper cable management - cable trays velcro ties labeling. Makes it way easier to add or change things later. Ive seen some server rooms that look like a birds nest of cables and its a nightmare to work with.
Fiber Optic Cabling
For longer runs or really high speed connections we use fiber optic cable. Its more expensive but it can go way further than copper cable and handle way more data.
We used fiber to connect two buildings for a company in Addington. They had an office in one building and a warehouse in another about 150 meters away. Copper cable wouldnt work over that distance but fiber worked perfect.
Fiber is also good for connecting floors in multi-story buildings. Way more reliable than trying to run copper cable a long way.
Single Mode vs Multi Mode Fiber
Multi mode fiber is good for shorter distances - up to about 300 meters. Its what we use most often for office buildings.
Single mode fiber can go kilometers and is used for really long runs or connections between buildings far apart. More expensive but sometimes you need it.
Most offices only need multi mode if they need fiber at all. Single mode is more for telecom companies and big campuses.
Server Room Setup
A proper server room needs a good rack to hold everything. We install wall mount racks or floor standing racks depending on how much gear you got.
The rack holds your patch panels switches servers UPS all that stuff. We mount everything properly run the cables neat and make sure theres good airflow so nothing overheats.
In a real estate office in Riccarton we set up their first proper server room. Before that they just had gear sitting on a desk in a storage cupboard. We installed a wall mount rack patch panel organized all the cabling and now they got a professional setup that actually works properly.
Cable Tray and Conduit
We use cable tray in ceilings to run cables neat and organized. Keeps them off the ceiling tiles and makes them easy to access if you need to add more later.
For exposed areas or where cables need protection we use conduit. Looks tidy and protects the cables from getting damaged.
In older buildings around the CBD sometimes we gotta get creative with routing. We work with what we got and make sure everything looks professional.
Wifi Access Points
Even though we do cabling you still need wifi for phones tablets laptops. We install and wire up wifi access points too.
Each access point needs power and a network connection. We run POE (power over ethernet) so you only need one cable to each access point. Way easier than running separate power cables.
For good coverage you need access points spread around the office. We can help figure out where to put them so you get good signal everywhere.
At a coworking space in Sydenham we installed 8 access points to cover the whole building. They had like 50 people all using wifi at once and needed proper coverage. Works great now.
Testing and Certification
After we install everything we test all the cables to make sure they work properly. We use a cable tester to check each connection and make sure youre getting the speeds you should.
For bigger jobs we can provide certification which is proof that the cabling meets the standards. Some businesses need this for insurance or compliance reasons.
Adding Network Points to Existing Offices
Sometimes you just need to add a few more network points to an office thats already set up. Maybe you hired more people or rearranged the office layout.
We can run new cables from your existing patch panel to wherever you need them. Usually pretty straightforward as long as theres a path through the ceiling or walls.
Added 5 new points for an insurance company in Papanui when they reorganized their office. Quick job - in and out in a day and they had network at all the new desks.
Upgrading Old Cabling
If your office has old Cat5 or Cat5e cable and youre having speed issues it might be time to upgrade. We can replace the old cable with Cat6 and give you way better performance.
Some older buildings still have Cat5 from the 90s or early 2000s. It works but its slow and unreliable. Upgrading makes a huge difference.
What About VOIP Phone Systems
Lots of businesses are switching to VOIP phones instead of old phone lines. VOIP phones plug into your network just like computers.
We can run network points for VOIP phones at every desk. Each phone needs its own connection unless you got phones that daisy chain to computers.
VOIP phones use POE too so no separate power needed. Just plug into the network point and youre good to go.
Security Camera Network Cabling
Modern security cameras are IP cameras that connect to your network. They need network cables run to wherever the cameras are mounted.
We run Cat6 to each camera location and they get power over the same cable with POE. Way easier than old analog camera systems that needed separate power and video cables.
Did a camera system for a retail store in Hornby - 12 cameras around the shop and warehouse. All running back to a network video recorder in the office.
How Much Does Data Cabling Cost
Depends on how many points you need and how the buildings laid out. For a simple office with accessible ceiling space its pretty straightforward.
Rough guide - each network point installed might cost $150 to $300 depending on the job. Thats running the cable terminating both ends mounting the wall plate testing everything.
Bigger jobs with lots of points work out cheaper per point. Server room setup with rack and patch panel might be $1000 to $3000 depending on size.
We always give quotes before starting so you know what it'll cost. No surprises.
Why Not Just Use Wifi
Wifi is great for mobile devices but it has problems in offices. Too many people on wifi at once and it slows down. Walls and interference make signal patchy. And wifi is way less secure than wired connections.
For desks that dont move wired is better. More reliable faster more secure. Use wifi for the mobile stuff and wired for everything else.
I had a client who tried to run their whole office on wifi. 15 people constant dropouts slow speeds. We cabled the whole office and suddenly no more problems.
New Office Fitouts
If youre moving into a new office space or doing a fitout we work with you to design the whole network setup. Figure out where desks will be how many network points you need where the server room should go.
Way easier to do cabling during a fitout before furniture goes in. Once everythings set up its harder to run cables around.
We worked with a software company moving into new offices in Tower Junction. Planned the whole network layout before they moved in. 40 network points server room wifi coverage the works. When they moved in everything was ready to go.
Working With Other Trades
On fitout jobs we coordinate with the other trades - builders sparkies painters. Make sure our cabling goes in at the right time and doesnt get in the way of other work.
Been doing this long enough to know how to work around other trades and get everything done without holding up the job.
Maintaining Your Office Network
Once your cabling is installed it should last 10 to 15 years easy. But sometimes cables get damaged or connections work loose.
If you start having network problems we can come test your cabling and find whats wrong. Sometimes its just a loose connection at a patch panel. Sometimes a cable got damaged during office renovations.
We also label everything properly so if you need to make changes later its easy to figure out which cable is which.
Why Choose WeDo Electrical for Data Cabling
We've been doing commercial data cabling around Christchurch for years. We know how to run cables neat and professional. We test everything properly and make sure it all works before we leave.
We work fast and clean - we're not gonna leave your office a mess with cables everywhere. And we work around your schedule so we dont disrupt your business too much.
Our pricing is fair and we stick to our quotes. No hidden extras or surprise charges.
We service offices all over Christchurch - CBD Riccarton Addington Papanui Tower Junction Hornby everywhere. Small offices to big multi floor buildings we can handle it.