NEBS Testing

2007-04-17 10:41:55

( Business )



Network Equipment Building System, also known as NEBS, is used to illustrate the average Regional Bell Operating Company, or RBOC, Central Office. NEBS denotes a set of safety environmental and spatial standards for telecommunication equipment.

Initially, it was created to standardize the equipment, subsequently leading to lower expenses. Some companies, instead of using NEBS, have created their own network performance testing criteria to maintain their network integrity.

NEBS testing criteria is a combination of two documents: the Physical Protection document and the Electromagnetic Compatibility and Electrical Safety document. These documents encompass the minimum criteria for your central offices, specifically the spatial criteria, including cable distribution and power equipment; environmental criteria, such as fire resistance, acoustic noise and lighting; and electric criteria, including electrostatic discharge, safety and corrosion.

There are three levels of NEBS testing:
• Level 1 signifies that equipment hazards in your central office are reduced.
• Level 2 signifies that your equipment is operable only in a controlled environment. This level is rarely used.
• Level 3 signifies that your equipment has passed all the NEBS criteria and can be operated under extremes of environment in a central office.

NEBS testing is not actually a requirement under the law. However, service providers require your equipment to pass the NEBS testing before they allow the equipment to be installed in their facilities. If your equipment has passed the network performance testing, you are also exempted from certain aspects of common regulatory requirements, including the national electric codes and the local fire codes, among others.

Of course, to maintain the integrity of the service, you would have to regularly monitor your equipment and networks. If your equipment is not NEBS compliant, you could lose your NEBS exemptions.

There are regular seminars you can attend to learn more about NEBS testing. These seminars are usually sponsored by telecommunications companies.


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