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Telecommunications Service Point

Today we get down in the weeds to examine the point of common coupling between a building and a telecommunication service provider.  In many cases the TSP is the university itself.

TIA-758-C (2021) Customer-Owned Outside Plant Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard. Covers direct-buried cable, conduit systems, duct banks, handholes, manholes, burial depths, warning tape, backfill, and route planning. → Includes minimum bend radii, pulling tensions, separation from power, and environmental protection.  Applies to copper, coaxial, and optical fiber in underground pathways.
TIA-590-B (2015) Standard for Physical Location and Protection of Below-Ground Fiber Optic Cable Plant.  Focuses on fiber optic underground protection. → Specifies burial depths, marker tape, locator wires, armored vs. non-armored cable, and risk mitigation (e.g., flood zones).

 

Higher education settlements often require a more diverse approach to designing and implementing ICT systems than that of a typical commercial building.  First of all, educational settlements are frequently one building. That means not only does the ICT infrastructure need to meet the varying demands of a specific building, but multiple buildings must all be integrated into one cohesive design.

In an environment of providing multifunctional spaces within one building, it is common to find a combination of commercial, industrial, data center, health care and entertainment environments within just a few buildings; hence our preference for the word “settlements” over the more widely used word “campus”.

TIA Standards

ANSI/TIA-568-C series: Telecommunications Cabling Standards.  Specifies the requirements for various aspects of structured cabling systems, including cabling components, installation, and testing.

TIA-569-B: Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces.  Provides guidelines for the design and installation of pathways and spaces for telecommunications cabling.

TIA-606-B: Administration Standard for Commercial Telecommunications Infrastructure.  Specifies administration practices for the telecommunications infrastructure of commercial buildings.

Our inquiry cuts across the catalogs of several other standards developers:

NEC (National Electrical Code).  NEC Article 800 specifically addresses the installation of communications circuits and equipment.

ISO/IEC 11801: Information technology — Generic cabling for customer premises.  Defines generic telecommunications cabling systems (structured cabling) used for various services, including voice and data.

IEEE 802.3: Ethernet Standards. Defines standards for Ethernet networks, which are commonly used for data communication in buildings.

UL 497: Protectors for Paired Conductor Communications Circuits. Addresses requirements for protectors used to safeguard communications circuits from overvoltage events.

GR-1089-CORE: Electromagnetic Compatibility and Electrical Safety. Published by Telcordia (now part of Ericsson), this standard provides requirements for the electromagnetic compatibility and electrical safety of telecommunications equipment.

FCC Part 68: Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network. Outlines the technical requirements for connecting terminal equipment to the public switched telephone network in the United States.

Local building codes and regulations also include requirements for the installation of telecommunication service equipment.

Last update: October 12, 2019

All school districts, colleges, universities and university-affiliated health care systems have significant product, system, firmware and labor resources allocated toward ICT.   Risk management departments are attentive to cybersecurity issues.   All school districts, colleges, universities and university-affiliated health care systems have significant product, system, firmware and labor resources allocated toward ICT.

The Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) is a professional association supporting the advancement of the ICT community.   This community is roughly divided between experts who deal with “outside-plant” systems and “building premise” systems on either side of the ICT demarcation point.   BICSI standards cover the wired and wireless spectrum of voice, data, electronic safety & security, project management and audio & video technologies.  Its work is divided among several committees:

BICSI Standards Program Technical Subcommittees

BICSI International Standards Program

BICSI has released for public review a new consensus document that supports education industry ICT enterprises:  BICSI N1 – Installation Practices for Telecommunications and ICT Cabling and Related Cabling Infrastructure.    You may obtain a free electronic copy from: standards@bicsi.org; Jeff Silveira, (813) 903-4712, jsilveira@bicsi.org.

Comments are due November 19th.

 

You may send comments directly to Jeff (with copy to psa@ansi.org).   This commenting opportunity will be referred to IEEE SCC-18 and the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee which meets 4 times monthly in American and European time zones and will meet today.  CLICK HERE for login information.

Issue: [18-191]

Category: Telecommunications, Electrical, #SmartCampus

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Jim Harvey, Michael Hiler

Readings:

What is Grounding and Bonding for Telecommunication Systems?

 

 

Adhiyamaan College of Engineering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Electrical Code CMP 16 & 17 & 18

Today at the usual hour we shall sort through the issues in the transcripts linked below:

CMP 16 Public Input with Responses | Note our proposal on broadband reliability Public Input No. 3683-NFPA 70-2023 [ Section No. 800.1 ]

CMP 16 Public Comment with Responses

CMP 17 Public Input with Responses

CMP 17 Public Comment with Responses

CMP 18 Public Input with Responses  | Note our proposal on exterior illumination Public Input No. 3283-NFPA 70-2023 [ Section No. 410.1

CMP 18 Public Comment with Responses

Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Data Center Bust & Boom

"One day ladies will take their computers for walks in the park and tell each other, "My little computer said such a funny thing this morning" - Alan Turing

Data centers in colleges and universities are crucial for supporting the extensive technological infrastructure required for modern education and research. These centers house critical servers and storage systems that manage vast amounts of data, ensuring reliable access to academic resources, administrative applications, and communication networks. They enable the secure storage and processing of sensitive information, including student records, faculty research, and institutional data.

Uptime Institute Tier Classification

Moreover, data centers facilitate advanced research by providing the computational power needed for data-intensive studies in fields like bioinformatics, climate science, and artificial intelligence. They support virtual learning environments and online course management systems, essential for the increasingly prevalent hybrid and online education models. Efficient data centers also contribute to campus sustainability goals by optimizing energy use through modern, eco-friendly technologies.

ANSI/TIA 942 Data Center Infrastructure Standard

Additionally, robust data center infrastructure enhances the university’s ability to attract top-tier faculty and students by demonstrating a commitment to cutting-edge technology and resources. They also play a vital role in disaster recovery and business continuity, ensuring that educational and administrative functions can resume quickly after disruptions. Overall, data centers are integral to the academic mission, operational efficiency, and strategic growth of colleges and universities.

We have followed development of the technical standards that govern the success of these “installations” since 1993; sometimes nudging technical committees — NFPA, IEEE, ASHRAE, BICSI and UL.   The topic is vast and runs fast so today we will review, and perhaps respond to, the public consultations that are posted on a near-daily basis.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Related:

Ernst & Young LLP: Why there is no silver bullet for data center financing

Data Center Growth

Gallery: Supercomputers & Data Centers

Data Center Wiring

Datacenter Architecture

Power Management For Data Centers Challenges And Opportunities

Data Center Operations & Maintenance

Inauguration of New Supercomputer

Big Data Applications in Edge-Cloud Systems

Supercomputer Tour

Data Center Metrics

Gallery: Supercomputers & Data Centers

Pytorch | TensorFlow | JAX

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print(“Python”)

 

RELLIS Data and Research Center

March 10, 2026 Update:

 

The RELLIS Data and Research Center project at Texas A&M’s RELLIS Campus, a privately developed facility with about 10,000 SF of dedicated data center space for high-performance computing, is currently in limbo. Construction began over a year ago, with Phase I (a 45,000 SF two-story building) underway as of late 2025. However, the developer, RELLIS Campus Data and Research Center LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2025, raising uncertainties about completion and future progress. No recent official updates from Texas A&M indicate resumption or cancellation.

 

November 11, 2025 Update:

The project, located on the Texas A&M University System’s Rellis Campus in Bryan (Brazos County), has faced significant delays. Originally slated to begin construction by November 2021, it was pushed back due to the 2021 Winter Storm Uri. In November 2023, construction was announced to start in 2024, with an expected opening in Q3 2024 (July–September). However, no sources confirm completion or operations.Recent developments include:

  • February 2025: Bryan approved a reinvestment zone on the 25-acre site to attract the data center, with ongoing negotiations.
  • October 2025: Officials clarified no formal plans have been submitted for the site, despite zoning approvals for potential development.

The project’s official site (rellisdrc.com) states “Site will be available soon,” indicating it’s still under preparation. It’s designed as a 225,000 sq ft Tier III facility with colocation, cloud services, and educational spaces for workforce training.

FYI:

Company building RELLIS Campus Data & Research Center files for bankruptcy

Construction to begin on Rellis data center in Texas in 2024kbtx.com/…/company-building-rellis-campus-data-research-center-files-bankruptcy

Time Extension Approved By Brazos County Commissioners To Build A Privately Owned Data Center On The RELLIS Campus

The RELLIS Data and Research Center will be a public – private development with Texas A&M University.  The data center will be built on the new RELLIS Campus located in College Station, Texas.  It will offer cloud storage and outstanding managed services. The RELLIS Academy and Research Lab offers the ability for Texas A&M University to give real world data center experience to both students and faculty.

RELLIS Data and Research Center at Texas A&M University

“What Happens When Data Centers Come to Town”

What Happens When Data Centers Come to Town

Terry Nguyen | BA Public Policy

Ben Green |Assistant Professor, School of Information and Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Partner | Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition

Introduction. [Abstract].  The rapid growth of data centers, with their enormous energy and water demands, necessitates targeted policy interventions to mitigate environmental impacts and protect local communities. To address these issues, states with existing data center tax breaks should adopt sustainable growth policies for data centers, mandating energy audits, strict performance standards, and renewable energy integration, while also requiring transparency in energy usage reporting. “Renewable energy additionality” clauses should ensure data centers contribute to new renewable capacity rather than relying on existing resources.  If these measures prove insufficient, states should consider repealing tax breaks to slow unsustainable data center growth. States without tax breaks should avoid such incentives altogether while simultaneously implementing mandatory reporting requirements to hold data centers accountable for their environmental impact. Broader measures should include protecting local tax revenues for schools, regulating utility rate hikes to prevent cost-shifting to consumers, and aligning data center energy demands with state climate goals to avoid prolonging reliance on fossil fuels.

Related:

Sharan Kalwani (Chair, Southeast Michigan Section IEEE): AI and Data Center Demand

Gallery: Other Ways of Knowing Climate Change

 

Linguistic Map

Anglo-American English must remain the standard language of the AI zeitgeist because it dominates the vast training data fueling large language models—often ~90% English, heavily skewed toward American variants due to Silicon Valley’s influence, internet content prevalence, and U.S. tech leadership.

This ensures peak performance, nuance, and reliability in AI outputs.  Their global status as lingua francas in science, programming, and digital culture sustains innovation momentum, cross-border collaboration, and accessibility, preventing fragmentation while the field advances.

A Selection of Electrotechnical Terms Evolved from the AI Zeitgeist
Relevant to Our Work for Educational Settlement Safety and Sustainability
# Term Definition
1 Artificial Neural Network (ANN) A computational model mimicking biological neurons, used in power systems for load forecasting and fault classification by learning patterns from electrical data.
2 Deep Neural Network (DNN) Multi-layered ANN for complex tasks like state estimation in grids, enabling deeper analysis of electrical signals for predictive maintenance.
3 Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) A DNN specialized for processing grid-like data, applied in image-based fault detection on power lines or substations using drone visuals.
4 Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) Neural network handling sequential data, evolved for time-series forecasting in energy demand and renewable integration in electrical networks.
5 Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) An RNN variant that remembers long-term dependencies, used for accurate wind/solar power prediction in dynamic electrical systems.
6 Graph Neural Network (GNN) Processes graph-structured data like power grids, optimizing flow analysis and topology estimation in transmission networks.
7 Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) Dual-network system generating synthetic data, applied to simulate electrical scenarios for training models in scarce-data power environments.
8 Reinforcement Learning (RL) Learning through trial-and-error rewards, used for adaptive control in grid optimization and emergency load shedding.
9 Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) RL combined with DNNs, enabling autonomous decision-making in real-time power system stability and demand response.
10 Smart Grid AI-enhanced electrical distribution network that uses real-time data for self-healing, load balancing, and renewable integration.
11 Digital Twin Virtual AI-simulated replica of electrical infrastructure, allowing scenario testing for predictive fault avoidance in power plants.
12 Edge AI Decentralized AI processing at network edges, enabling low-latency control in IoT-enabled electrical devices and microgrids.
13 Neuromorphic Computing Brain-inspired hardware chips for efficient AI, reducing power consumption in electrotechnical applications like sensor networks.
14 Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) Specialized ASIC for AI workloads, accelerating matrix operations in electrical system simulations and optimization.
15 Predictive Maintenance AI-driven monitoring of electrical assets (e.g., transformers) to forecast failures using sensor data and ML algorithms.
16 Optimal Power Flow (OPF) AI-optimized calculation of efficient power distribution, minimizing losses in transmission lines via ML approximations.
17 Microgrid Localized AI-managed grid, enabling autonomous operation with renewables, using RL for energy balancing.
18 Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) High-speed sensor providing synchronized data for AI-based state estimation and oscillation detection in power systems.
19 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Traditional system evolved with AI for enhanced monitoring, anomaly detection, and automated control in electrical utilities.
20 High-Impedance Fault (HIF) Detection AI techniques like SVM or CNN to identify subtle faults in distribution lines, improving safety and reliability.
21 Load Forecasting ML models predicting electricity demand, incorporating weather and usage patterns for grid planning.
22 Demand Response AI-optimized strategy adjusting consumer loads in real-time, using RL to balance supply in volatile renewable-heavy systems.
23 Energy Management System (EMS) AI-integrated platform for overseeing generation, transmission, and distribution, enhancing efficiency with predictive analytics.
24 Power Electronic Converter (PEC) Devices like inverters controlled by AI for fault-tolerant operation in renewables and EVs.
25 Composite Load Model (CLM) AI-tuned aggregated model of electrical loads, using ML for dynamic simulation in stability studies.

 

print(“Python”)

Electropedia: The World’s Online Electrotechnical Vocabulary

Design Standard Readability

English for Technical Professionals

LLM Model Evaluation & Agent Interface

Language Proficiency

National Electrical Definitions

How To Speak

“Rainy Days and Mondays” | Paul Williams & Roger Nichols

Student Health and Wellness Center

Standards Utah

MHTN Architects

The Center provides comprehensive healthcare services to students. Located on the Logan campus, the clinic offers a range of medical services including general health check-ups, vaccinations, mental health support, and chronic disease management. Staffed by experienced physicians, nurse practitioners, and support staff, the clinic aims to address both physical and mental health needs. Students can access acute care for illnesses and injuries, preventive care, women’s health services, and counseling.

The clinic also provides lab services, prescriptions, and referrals to specialists when needed. With a focus on promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles, the USU Student Health Clinic ensures that students receive quality care in a supportive environment, contributing to their overall well-being and academic success. The clinic operates on an appointment basis, with some walk-in availability, and is committed to maintaining confidentiality and respect for all students.

Old Main 1890 | C.A. Randall Architect

National Electrical Definitions

NFPA Glossary of Terms

International Building Code Chapter 2: Definitions

International Electrotechnical Commission: Electropedia

Because electrotechnology changes continually, definitions (vocabulary) in its best practice literature changes continually; not unlike any language on earth that adapts to the moment and place.

The changes reflect changes in technology or changes in how the technology works in practice; even how the manufacturers create adaptations to field conditions by combining functions.   Any smart electrical component has a digital language embedded in it, for example.

Consider the 2023 National Electrical Code.  Apart from many others the NEC will contain a major change to Article 100 (Definitions); the subject of elevated debate over the past three years.

When we refer “language” we must distinguish between formal language, informal language, colloquial language and dialect which may differ the language spoken, language written at the office and language used on the job site.  “Terms of art”

2026 National Electrical Code | CMP-1 Second Draft Report 

FREE ACCESS: 2020 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)

2023 NEC Public Input Report CMP-1 (868 pages)

2023 NEC Second Draft Public Comment Report (914 pages)

Are these terms (or, “terms of art”) best understood in context (upstream articles in Chapters 4 through 8) — or should they be adjudicated by the 14 Principals of Code Making Panel 1?   The answer will arrive in the fullness of time.   Many changes to the National Electrical Code require more than one cycle to stabilize.

Code Making Panel 1 has always been the heaviest of all NEC panels.  As explained n our ABOUT, the University of Michigan held a vote in CMP-1 for 20+ years (11 revision cycles) before moving to the healthcare facilities committee for the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee.  Standards Michigan continues its involvement on behalf of the US education facility industry — the second largest building construction market.  There is no other pure user-interest voice on any technical committee; although in some cases consulting companies are retained for special purposes.

To serve the purpose of making NFPA 70 more “useable” we respect the Standards Council decision to make this change if it contributes to the viability of the NFPA business model.  We get to say this because no other trade association comes close to having as enduring and as strong a voice:  NFPA stands above all other US-based SDO’s in fairness and consideration of its constituency.  The electrical safety community in the United States is a mighty tough crowd.

If the change does not work, or work well enough, nothing should prohibit reversing the trend toward “re-centralizing” — or “de-centralizing” the definitions.

Public comment on the First Draft of the 2026 Edition will be received until August 28, 2024. 

Technical Committees meet during the last half of October to respond to public comment on the First Draft of the 2026 National Electrical Code. 

Electrical Contractor: Round 1 of the 2023 NEC: A summary of proposed changes (Mark Earley, July 15, 2021)

Electrical Contractor: 2023 Code Article and Definition Revisions: Accepting (NEC) change, part 2 (Mark Earley, March 15, 2022)

 

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