Common Pitfalls
These mistakes lead to intermittent faults, PoE issues, and system instability.
RJ45 Plugs on Solid-Core
Infrastructure cable should terminate into patch panels. Crimping RJ45 plugs directly onto solid-core cable inside cabinets causes intermittent faults and PoE delivery issues.
Cat7/Cat8 Overselling
Cat7 and Cat8 are frequently unnecessary in residential settings. They are harder to install properly and often provide no real benefit over well-installed, high-quality Cat6 or Cat6a.
Too Many PoE Injectors
Individual PoE injectors increase failure points and create messy, unmanageable cabinets. Use correctly sized PoE switches for a cleaner, more reliable setup.
Undersized Cabinets
Tiny cabinets lead to overheating, poor cable routing, and no room for future growth. Always plan for at least 30% spare capacity in your network rack.
The Hidden Cost of Poor Documentation
If it isn't labelled, it isn't finished.
Unlabelled infrastructure increases long-term support costs and makes future upgrades risky:
- No Labelling: Finding a specific cable becomes a time-consuming diagnostic task.
- Mesh Obsession: Relying on wireless mesh instead of structured cabling in concrete buildings is a compromise that leads to inconsistent performance.
- Poor Ventilation: Equipment trapped in unventilated cupboards will fail prematurely.