Small cells continue to be one of our industry’s most rapidly growing applications. Multiple trends and reasons spur the growth in small cell sites, including ever-increasing bandwidth demands, advanced service delivery to more locations, the dynamic flexibility of small cell topologies, and the relative cost-effective nature of the deployments.
These are just a few of the myriad market drivers, yet in nearly every small cell application, there is one common component: equipment enclosures.
Enclosure selection, therefore, is a crucial step in small cell deployment. Issues to consider include:
Size
The most obvious question, but not always the simplest to answer. What equipment is required today? Is there a need for future expansion? Does the installation location dictate the size of the enclosure? Is pole-mounting a requirement? A broad range of options from a single source is a significant advantage.
Aesthetics
Many locations, local governments, or other jurisdictions establish a specific set of rules regarding the appearance of the enclosure. Localities often set forth aesthetic regulations for small cell facilities. Following these is a must.
Rules and Regulations
Similarly, certain applications may have specific requirements, whether these include UL listing, NEMA-rated enclosure construction, or other safety and durability ratings. (Realistically, UL listing should be a standard requirement for any enclosure application.) Choosing a supplier that engineers equipment to key industry standards eliminates any risk in this area.
Power
When it comes to power and battery backup, small cells can present a unique set of challenges. Simple, repeatable, and reliable power configurations are ideal, whether they involve direct internal AC or DC power, DC power conversion, external rectification, power-over-Ethernet (PoE), or other frameworks. Coordinating with local utilities is another crucial component.
Accessibility
Security is a must in small cell applications, yet equipment must be accessible in order to make the installation usable. Intuitive design, coupled with safe and secure construction, is the best combination.
Availability
The nature of small cell installations often demands quick design and deployment. Choosing a supplier that focuses on customer requirements means that you’ll get the enclosure solution you need, when you need it—all with a mission of accelerating installation and service delivery.
Transtector Systems offers a comprehensive range of enclosures engineered for small cell applications—engineered to key industry standards and available for same-day shipping to meet critical deadlines. With a multitude of power options, configuration flexibility, and custom capabilities, Transtector has you covered.
See our small cell power distribution cabinets here. Free download.
