Network infrastructure specialist, Siemon has released a new Passive Ceiling Zone Enclosure that installs flush within a 2 X 2 foot drop ceiling tile space to support flexible, cost-effective zone cabling in today’s highly automated buildings by enabling shorter, easy-to-manage copper or fibre connections directly to building devices or to equipment outlets supporting a variety of low-voltage building systems.

Designed to meet UL 2043 plenum ratings for digital ceiling deployments, the new Passive Ceiling Zone Enclosure is ideal for connecting directly to LED lights, security cameras, wireless access points or building automation controllers or to outlets serving voice, data, digital signage and other low voltage systems.

It includes a 4U adjustable rack system that tilts 45 degrees for easy access to terminations and supports a recommended 96-copper port count to harmonise with IEEE 802.3 Type 2 and Type 3 Power over Ethernet (PoE) bundle size limitations and eliminate over congestion for optimised zone cabling deployments.

“Digital ceiling deployments extend the benefits of the Internet of Things throughout facilities by converging multiple low-voltage building systems on a unified structured cabling system that delivers PoE to a multitude of devices, allowing for smart, connected buildings that are efficient, secure and easy to manage,” says Siemon product manager Brian McCaffrey.

“Our new Passive Ceiling Zone Enclosure supports cost-effective zone cabling in these environments, providing intermediate connection points between the telecommunications room and a wide range of low-voltage building devices for reduced disruption and installation time when performing moves, adds and changes.”

Extremely lightweight for easy overhead installation, Siemon’s Passive Ceiling Zone Enclosure features a lower profile for installation in a wider range of ceiling spaces while supporting a load capacity of 31.7kg.

Its hinged door features foam gasketing to minimise vibration and accepts cut ceiling panels to blend into the surrounding ceiling décor. Part of Siemon’s line of ConvergeIT Cabling Solutions for Intelligent Buildings, the Passive Ceiling Zone Enclosure is ideal for use with Siemon plenum-rated cables, cords and connecting hardware to provide connections in the plenum space.