Planning the System Cable Requirements
This section provides information on selecting and installing the cables that connect Aloha hardware devices to the PC Workstations and Ethernet LAN Hub.

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Shielded Cable vs. Metal Conduit
The two main objectives when installing data transmission cables are to prevent mechanical damage, and to prevent disruptions due to outside electrical interference. In general, a properly grounded ferrous metallic conduit provides the best electrical and mechanical protection but is more expensive to install, especially at an existing site. Selection of a grounded ferrous metal conduit vs. shielded cable requires consideration of both expense and the degree to which occasional disruptions can be tolerated.

All Aloha data transmission cables must be installed within a separate grounded ferrous metal conduit when the use of nonshielded cable is considered. Aluminum conduit is not an acceptable alternative as it provides little or no protection from Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). The use of conduit must be continuous throughout the system from junction box to junction box to ensure a proper ground return path.

No power cables or other communication cable shall be run in the same conduit.

PVC Conduit
PVC Conduit can be employed when cables must be buried below the floor level. Use metallic conduit for above floor cable runs. When using PVC conduit, an Aloha approved shielded data transmission cable must be used. When installing PVC conduit in concrete flooring, the following guidelines apply:

    • The PVC conduit should be located at least six inches below the surface of the floor.
    • The PVC conduit should be located at least six inches from other nearby conduits.
    •  If the PVC conduit run is in the middle of a metal conduit run, a ground wire must be run through the PVC conduit to connect the metal        conduit together at both ends. This ensures a complete AC ground path for the metal conduit.
    • No power cables or other communication cable shall be run in the same conduit.

Mechanical and Environmental Considerations
The possibility of mechanical damage to cables is generally apparent at the time of installation. This includes outdoor runs of cable, as sunlight, rain and mechanical flexing due to wind will cause the cable to deteriorate. In these cases, it is strongly recommended that a grounded ferrous metal conduit be used regardless of the threat posed by the electrical phenomena listed below.

Lightning
Lightning does not need to directly strike the cabling to cause damage or disruption to the system. Nearby lightning strikes produce strong electromagnetic fields, which can induce voltages on the data transmission cables causing disruptions or damage. A grounded ferrous metal conduit should be employed for installations in geographical areas subject to frequent thunderstorm activity. In cases where shielded cables are used, the effects of lightning can be reduced by placing the cable runs as close to ground level as possible.

Electrical Motors
Motors of various sizes are found in a typical restaurant site. A grounded ferrous metal conduit should be employed when cabling must be run at distances less than two feet from motors that are 1/4 horsepower or smaller, or less than six feet from motors larger than 1/4 horsepower. Shielded cable can be considered if it is possible to maintain the above minimum distances.

Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)
The probability of Radio Frequency Interference varies in accordance with many factors, including transmitter power, its location, materials used in the construction of the building, and physical placement of the power and data transmission cables.

Other possible causes of RFI include nearby amateur radio, CB radios, radio-dispatched trucks and taxis, cordless phones, and cordless headsets. As a general rule, a grounded ferrous metal conduit should be employed when the installation is within I mile of a broadcast transmitter of any type,

As with lightning, the effects of RFI can be minimized by placing the cable runs as close to ground level as possible.

Device Location
The physical location of all devices in the Aloha POS System must be determined. This information should be provided as part of the restaurant blueprint showing the locations of the hardware devices on the floor plan, or riser diagram. From these sources of information, you can determine both the number and types of cable runs between the User Workstations (Server/Bar Terminals), Manager's Workstation, Ethernet Hub (Located in the Manager's Office close to the Manager's Workstation), and Stand- alone Printer Devices (Broiler, Fry, Expediter, Beverage Printers).

An Aloha-approved Cat5- I OBaseT four-pair 24 gauge shielded or non- shielded cable installed for all connections between the Ethernet Hub, Manager's Workstation, and Users Workstations (POS Terminals). If non- shielded cable is used it must be installed in a grounded ferrous metal conduit is required

The same cable should be used for all connections between the Stand Alone Printers and a Users Workstation (POS Terminal). Each POS Terminal can drive one Local Printer and one Stand-Alone Remote Printer.

When more Stand-Alone Remote Printers are required than the number of User Workstations (POS Terminals), additional RS232 Communication Boards can be added to a User Workstation (Provided with the Aloha Hardware Package)

Manager's Workstation/Ethernet Hub
The hardware in the Manager's Office consists of a PC Workstation (POS Server), PC Monitor, PC Keyboard, Modem, Laser Reports Printer, and an Ethernet Hub, and UPS.

Ethernet CAT5-IOBaseT cable- 4 pair-24 gauge twisted/shielded or non- shielded cable from each Users Workstation should be terminated in a patch panel next to the Server computer. The Manager's Workstation will be attached to the Ethernet Hub and cat 5 patch cables will be used from the hub to the patch panel to connect the terminals. If non-shielded cable is used it must be installed in a grounded ferrous metal conduit is required.

User Workstation (POS Terminals)
User Workstation (POS Terminals) consist of a Personal Computer, Touch Screen Monitor, Magnetic Credit Card Swipe Reader, UPS and a RS232 Cable Connected Local Printer.

Ethernet CAT5-IOBaseT cable- 4 pair-24 gauge twisted/shielded or non-shielded cable is run from each Users Workstation and terminated at the patch panel located in the Manager's Office. Five feet of excess cable should be left outside the data cable junction box to allow for a sufficient length of cable for proper termination (POS Terminals and Manager's Office). If non-shielded cable is used it must be installed in a grounded ferrous metal conduit is required

The Communication Cable will be terminated at the User Workstation with a Female RJ45 CAT5 plate/jack.

Stand-alone (Remote) Printers
Stand-alone Printers consist of a Broiler, Fry, Expediter, Beverage Printers and etc. The number of printers may vary per restaurant.

Ethernet CAT5-IOBaseT cable- 4 pair-24 gauge twisted/shielded or non-shielded cable is used to connect stand-alone devices (e.g., Broiler, Fry, Expediter, Beverage Printers, and etc.). The same pinouts used for the terminals will also be used for the printer connections. They are connected in a point-to-point configuration to a Users Workstation (POS Terminal). Please note that Stand Alone printer cable runs go from the POS Terminal to the remote printer, these runs do not "home run" to the office.

DCI (Hardware provider) will provide the RJ-45 to DB-9 and RJ-45 to DB-25 connectors for the printers..

Five feet of excess cable should be left outside the data cable junction box to allow for a sufficient length of cable for proper termination.

Aloha Cables and Connectors
CABLE FOR ETERNET AND PRINTERS

Ethernet Cat5-10BaseT cable-4pair-24 guage twisted/shielded

Recommended Manufacturer: Bertek (or an Equivalent Manufacturer)

For more information on CAT5 cables please refer to our PDF guide

ETHERNET PLATE/JACK AND CONNECTORS
RJ45 Cat5 plate/jack for User Workstation Cable Termination (one for each terminal, mounted in wall) Recommended : Panduit's (or an Equivalent Manufacturer) Part Number: MUJC588 or MFPD1EI

RJ45 Cat5 plate/jack for Ethernet Hub Cable Termination (mounted in managers office wall)

Recommended: Panduit's (or an Equivalent Manufacturer) Part Number: MFPD4EL or MFPD1E1

ETHERNET CABLE WIRING CONNECTIONS PRINTER CABLE WIRING CONNECTIONS

Email support questions to support@abacus-pos.com