The network wiring system is necessary to support many technologies the schools may wish to use, including distance learning, cable television, media retrieval systems, and wide area network (WAN) connectivity. This document is the network wiring standards established for the Chicago Public Schools, including a standardized cabling system and physical topology network.
The audience for the manual is anyone involved in network wiring projects: school principals, technology coordinators, consultants, and contractors. The benefits of following the standardized system include:
- Maintaining district wide consistency and standardization within the Chicago Public Schools
- Supporting multi-vendor equipment
- Simplifying moves, additions, and changes
- Allowing for future applications -- “future proofing” the cabling system for any forthcoming technologies
- Saving time and money in cable maintenance; the principle cost for maintenance is labor
In summary, network wiring which follows these standards should provide classroom wiring to support LANs and backbone wiring from the Main Distribution Frame (MDF) Room to the classrooms for the next 15-20 years.
The CPS Specifications and Details as listed within the CPS Infrastructure Handbook are those in effect as of July 1, 2025. The Specifications and Details as provided in the Infrastructure Handbook are the General Guidelines to be used on all CPS Projects. However, there are times when the Specifications and Details may be altered due to the needs of a particular Project. Please refer to the Specifications and Details as included in the specific Project Technical Manual issued for all CPS Projects.
Standards Overview
The standards include:
- Six strands of fiber optic cabling and two Category Six Enhanced cables connected to each administrative and instructional area.
- A backbone of multimode fiber optic cable that is star wired from the MDF Room to the classrooms.
- Network cabling that must conform to EIA/TIA telecommunication wiring standards.
- Electrical Standards: This is a supplemental section 16000. Electrical distribution system for the computers must conform to federal, State of Illinois, and City of Chicago Electrical Codes.
- Testing Standards: A critical part of the installation is the testing and verification that all cabling and wiring meet testing standards prior to acceptance of the final product
- Labeling Standards: This will provide districtwide consistency.
Network Wiring Project Components
Successful projects include the following seven components:
- Media Selection
- Termination Components
- Design Criteria
- Installation Techniques
- Certification Testing
- Code Compliance
- Documentation
Please Note:
Any request for a design variance of the Infrastructure Standards must be submitted for approval, in writing, prior to construction to:
Chicago Public Schools
Office of Technology Services
501 W. 35th St., 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60616
Division
- [00 00 00] Project Manual Cover Page
- [00 00 01] Table of Contents
- [00 01 11] Supplemental Project Information
- [00 11 16] Invitation to Bid
- [00 21 13] Instructions to Bidding Contractors
- [00 41 13] Bid Form
- [00 43 00] Form 100 GC MBE Participation
- [00 43 01] Form 101-GC Affidavit
- [00 43 02] Form 102-GC Joint Ventures
- [00 43 05] Form 105-GC Request for Waiver
- [00 43 06] Award Criteria
- [00 43 08] Non-Collusion Affidavit
- [00 73 00] Supplemental Conditions
General
- [01 10 00] Summary of Work
- [01 14 11] Construction Operations and Site Utilization Plan
- [01 30 00] Administrative Requirements
- [01 40 00] Quality Requirements
- [01 70 00] Execution Requirements
- [01 73 29] Cutting and Patching
- [01 77 00] Closeout Procedures
- [01 77 00.01] Closeout Meeting Checklist
- [01 78 00] Closeout Submittals
- [01 78 00.01] Closeout Documents Checklist
- [01 79 00] Demonstration, Training and Commissioning
Firestopping
Electrical
- [26 05 05] Selective Demolition for Electrical
- [26 05 19] Low-Voltage Electrical Power Conductors and Cables
- [26 05 26] Grounding and Bonding for Electrical Systems
- [26 05 29] Hangers and Supports for Electrical Systems
- [26 05 33.13] Conduit for Electrical Systems
- [26 05 33.16] Boxes for Electrical Systems
- [26 05 33.23] Surface Raceways for Electrical Systems
- [26 05 48] Noise and Vibration Control for Electrical Systems
- [26 05 53] Identification for Electrical Systems
- [26 05 73] Power System Studies
- [26 05 83] Wiring Connections
- [26 08 13] Testing of Electrical Systems
- [26 09 11] Battery Monitoring
- [26 09 19] Enclosed Contactors
- [26 09 23] Lighting Control Devices
- [26 09 33] Central Dimming Controls
- [26 09 36] Modular Dimming Controls
- [26 09 43] Lighting Controls
- [26 09 61] Theatrical Lighting Controls
- [26 21 00] Low-Voltage Electrical Service Entrance
- [26 22 00] Low-Voltage Transformers
- [26 24 16] Panelboards
- [26 27 23] Indoor Service Poles
- [26 27 26] Wiring Devices
- [26 28 13] Fuses
- [26 28 16.13] Enclosed Circuit Breakers
- [26 28 16.16] Enclosed Switches
- [26 29 13] Enclosed Controllers
- [26 29 23] Variable-Frequency Motor Controllers
- [26 32 13] Engine Generators
- [26 33 35] Central Battery Inverters
- [26 33 53] Static Uninterruptible Power Supply
- [26 36 00] Transfer Switches
- [26 41 13] Lightning Protection for Structures
- [26 43 00] Surge Protective Devices
- [26 51 00] Interior Lighting
- [26 51 00.01] Interior Lighting Fixture Schedule
- [26 51 00.01A] Interior Lighting Fixture Schedule - Acoustic
- [26 51 00.02] Interior Retrofit Lighting Fixture Schedule
- [26 55 61] Theatrical Lighting
- [26 56 00] Exterior Lighting
- [26 56 00.01] Exterior Lighting Fixture Schedule
- [26 56 68] Exterior Sports Field Lighting
Communications
- [27 05 03] Communications General Requirements
- [27 05 38] Cable Trays for Structured Cabling Systems
- [27 05 53] Identification for Communication Systems
- [27 05 53.01] Identification for Communication Systems Labeling Guidelines
- [27 08 00] Commissioning of Communications
- [27 11 16] Communications Cabinets, Racks, and Enclosures
- [27 13 13] Communications Copper Backbone Cabling
- [27 13 23] Communications Optical Fiber Backbone Cabling
- [27 15 00] Data Communications Horizontal Cabling
- [27 51 00] Distributed Audio-Video Communications Systems
- [27 51 16] Public Address Systems
- [27 51 17] Outdoor Public Address Systems
- [27 51 26] Assistive Listening Device Systems
- [27 53 13] Master Clock Systems
- [27 53 14] Wireless Clock Systems
- [27 53 15] Intercom Master Clock and Program Equipment Interface
- [27 60 13] Wireless Access Points for Data Communications
IT Details
- [ED001] Communications Symbols
- [ED002] Power Symbols
- [ED003] Cable Conduit Fill Chart
- [ED004] Voice Data Workstation Outlet Details
- [ED005] Intercom Administration Station Data Outlet
- [ED006A] Ceiling Mounted Projector Details - New Construction
- [ED006B] Ceiling Mounted Projector Details - Renovation
- [ED007A] Voice Data Workstation Details - Renovation w/ Dedicated Technology Panels (Not IG)
- [ED007B] Voice Data Workstation Details - Renovation w/ IG Power
- [ED008] Voice Data Workstation Details 2 - Renovation
- [ED009] Typical Voice Drop Detail
- [ED010] Audio Visual Symbols
- [ED011A] Smartboard Short Throw Projector Details - New Construction
- [ED011B] Smartboard Short Throw Projector Details - Renovation
- [ED012] Device Count Schedule
- [ED101] Isometric View of MDF Assembly
- [ED102] Standard MDF Room Rack Elevations & Details
- [ED103] Narrow MDF Room Layout
- [ED104] Typical MDF Room Plan
- [ED105] Equipment Rack Installation
- [ED106] 7ft High Double Vertical Cable Organizer
- [ED107] Ground Busbar Kit - Wall Mounted
- [ED108] Voice Cabling Backbone System Schematic
- [ED109] Voice & Data Distribution Diagram
- [ED110] Typical 110 Block Labeling Scheme 24-25 Pair Cables
- [ED111] Typical 110 Block Labeling Scheme for Voice Drops
- [ED112] 110 Block Labeling Scheme for Phone Backbone Cables
- [ED121] Typical Grounding Application for MDF-IDF
- [ed122] Typical Grounding Application for OSP
- [ed130] Standard IDF Room Rack Elevations & Details
- [ED131] Typical IDF Room Plan
- [ED201] Concentrator Enclosure (ACE-QCE-LCE) Detail
- [ED211] Concentrator Enclosure (LCE-QCE) Cabling Schematic
- [ED212] Concentrator Enclosure (ACE) Cabling Schematic
- [ED231] Typical Concentrator Enclosure Cabinet
- [ED232] Typical Grounding Application for Concentrator
- [ED233] CPS Concentrator Wall Mount-19in Rack Mount
- [ED240] IT Enclosure NE-1 Detail
- [ED240-R] IT ENCLOSURE NE-1 DETAIL WIRELESS BRIDGE FOR CAMERA ONLY POLES
- [ED241] IT ENCLOSURE NE-2 DETAIL
- [ED242] IT Enclosure NE-3 Detail - Wireless Bridge for Antenna Pole
- [ED300] Classroom Teaching Wall electrical Box Offsets
- [ED301A] Typical Classroom Teaching Wall (New Construction)
- [ED301B] Typical Classroom Teaching Wall - Renovation
- [ED302] Typical Classroom Rear Wall
- [ED303A] Typical Interior Elevation - Science Lab - New Construction
- [ED303B] Typical Interior Elevation - Science Lab - Renovation
- [ED304A] Typical Computer Lab Layout - 900 sq ft
- [ED304B] Alternate Computer Lab Layout - 900 sq ft
- [ED304C] Alternate Compiuter Layout - 900 Sq Ft
- [ED305A] Typical Library Layout - New Construction
- [ED305B] Typical Library Layout - Renovation
- [ED306] Typical Office-Observation Room Layout
- [ED307A] Typical Science Classroom - New Construction
- [ED307B] Typical Science Classroom - Renovation
- [ED307C] Typical Science Lab _ Prep Room Layout - New Construction
- [ED307D] Typical Science Lab _ Prep Room Layout - Renovation
- [ED309A] Typical Classroom Layout - New Construction
- [ED309B] Typical Classroom Layout - Renovation
- [ED311] Classroom Layout (Exposed Ceiling)
- [ED312] - Typical Classroom with Drop Ceiling - Renovation
- [ED313] Typical Classroom with Drop Ceiling and Attic - Renovation
- [ED314] Computer Lab with Exposed Ceiling - Renovation
- [ED315] Computer Lab with Drop Ceiling - Renovation
- [ED316] Computer Lab with Drop Ceiling and Attic - Renovation
- [ED317] Office with Exposed Ceiling - Renovation
- [ED318] Office with Drop Ceiling
- [ED320A] Typical Art Classroom Layout - New Construction
- [ED320B] Typical Art Classroom Layout - Renovation
- [ED321A] Typical Music Classroom Layout - New Construction
- [ED321B] Typical Music Classroom Layout - Renovation
- [ED323A] Typical Grades Pre-K K Classroom Layout - New Construction
- [ED323B] Typical Grades Pre-K K Classroom Layout - Renovation
- [ED340A] Typical Small Conference Room - Layout
- [ED340B] Typical Small Conference Room - Audiovisual Diagram
- [ED341A] Typical Medium Conference Room - Layout
- [ED341B] Typical Medium and Large Conference Room - Audiovisual Diagram
- [ED342A] Typical Large Conference Room - Layout
- [ED343A] Typical Training Room - Layout
- [ED343B] Typical Training Room - Audiovisual Diagram
- [ED410] Multi-Purpose Sound System Riser Diagram
- [ED411] Microphone Input Detail
- [ED412] Sound System Cabinet Detail
- [ED413] Volume Control Detail
- [ED414] Sound System - Speaker Mounting Support
- [ED801] Kronos Detail Outlet
- [ED803] New Construction Intercom Schematic Riser Diagram
- [ED804] Existing Renovation Intercom Schematic Riser Diagram
- [ED823-1] IP Door Intercom Series 1 System Detail
- [ED823-2] IP Door Intercom Series 2 System Detail
- [ED825A] Intercom Bollard
- [ED850] Typical Mounting Requirements for Surface Mounted Metal Raceway
- [ED851] Typical Detail for Wiremold Raceway
- [ED852] Internal/External Elbow
- [ED853] Flat Elbow / T Cabling Lay
- [ED854] Conduit Room Entrance Capital Improvement Program
- [ED855] WAP Raceway - Downward Floor to Floor Feed
- [ED856] WAP - Raceway Downward Feed (Ceiling)
- [ED857] WAP Raceway - Downward Feed (Wall)
- [ED858] Voice Data Raceway Floor Feed
- [ED859] Voice Data Raceway Floor to Ceiling Feed
- [ED860] WAP Raceway - Floor to Ceiling Feed (Wall)
- [ED861] Wireless Access Installation Detail-Model
- [ED862] WIRELESS ANTENNA DETAIL
- [ED862-M] WIRELESS ANTENNA DETAIL BUILDING ROOF LOCATION
- [ED862-R] WIRELESS ANTENNA DETAIL - NEMA ENCLOSURE LIGHT POLE
- [ED870] Concrete Insert Capital Improvement Program
- [ED871] Typical Single Conduit Hanger
- [ED872] Typical Single Row Conduit Hanger (Trapeze)
- [ED880] Telecommunication Hand Hole
- [ED908] Typical Sub Panel Main Circuit Breaker
- [ED909] Typical Sub Panel Main Lug Only
- [ED910] ISO. Ground Receptacles Diagram
- [ED911] Typical 20A Isolated Ground Receptacles