Locating Components of the system

A typical system layout showing the various components is shown right:

It is usually most economical for each building/block will have its own mini system; this will avoid digging up gardens and streets etc., to install underground cables between buildings. Several houses or flats that are all within one building will be supplied by a single head end array. Systems can range in size from 4No houses to several hundred all off one head end if they are located in a single block or indeed a string of blocks together.( e.g. A row of 10No tenement closes each having say 8No houses or flats)

System components are normally located so that they are easily accessible for future maintenance requirements yet secure from tampering or vandalism. Generally components will be located in common areas where possible to avoid inconvenience to residents on access issues where at all possible.

The largest component is the cable distribution network that connects each outlet to the system electronics and antennas. The cables to be used in the system are BS EN 50117 compliant and certified by the Confederation of Aerial Industries LTD for digital reception.

Cables can be run within roof spaces or within cable trunking and conduits when they need to be brought down inside the buildings. The trunking runs will essentially be fitted vertically from the roof space down to the lowest floor in each building. Vertical trunking routes will be decided on a building by building basis in order to suit the configuration of each of the common spaces and to be as discreet as possible. Smaller horizontal trunking runs will tee off in each direction at high level on each landing towards each house to be fed by the system. This trunking will follow the line of existing walls etc and will terminate just above the entrance door (generally) to each flat. A hole will be drilled at high level to get the feeder cable into each flat/house and once inside the cable shall travel within a neatly fixed mini-trunking between the entry point and the position of the new Satellite/TV outlet plate. The mini trunking route will be discussed with the resident of the flat/house and an agreed route used to be as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as is possible.

Alternatively, existing subscriber cables can be re-used if they are up to standard or in some case existing conduit runs used to pull in fresh cables when an element of future maintenance planning has been built into older systems at the time of the original installation

A new Triplex Satellite/TV/DAM/FM outlet plate is usually fitted in each house along with a surface mounted back box in a location near to the existing TV point.