Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a structured cabling system?
A: A structured cabling system is a set of structured cabling system and connectivity products that integrates the voice, data, and video applications in a building. A structured cabling system should be designed in accordance with international standards to ensure predictable performance across a broad range of connected equipment. Structured cabling system refers to all of the structured cabling and connectiion components that are installed in a logical and hierarchical way. The basic principle of structured cabling is to 'flood wire' a building, offering a three-square-metre grid of useable floor space for each user. This is defined as a work area accommodating a minimum of one data outlet, one voice outlet and two 13A power outlets. The original standard governing the structured cabling system was the 'Commercial Building Telecommunication Wiring Standard EIA/TIA 568, July 1991'. This has now been superseded by International Standard ISO/IEC 11801, which has similar recommendations to the above but also includes a new chapter on Link Performance. This classifies a link that will provide the minimum transmission performance required to support an application within the same class. A structured cabling system provides a flexible and cost-effective way of transmitting voice and data. Structured cabling systems allow moves, changes and upgrades to be made with the minimum amount of disruption just by making connection the wiring. Leading the markets with the highest-quality connectivity products available, we have developed a complete end-to-end structured cabling system. For more information on structured cabling systems, please read the main index entry for “structured cabling system“.
Q: What is the main difference between Category 5e and Category 6?
A: The main difference between Category 5e and Category 6 is in the transmission performance, and in extented the available bandwidth from 100 MHz for Category 5e to 200 MHz for Category 6. This includes better insertion loss, near end crosstalk (NEXT), return loss, and equal level far end crosstalk (ELFEXT). These improvements provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio, allowing higher reliability for current applications and higher data rates for future applications.
Q: Will Category 6 supersede Category 5e?
A: Yes, analyst predictions and independent polls indicate that 80 to 90 percent of all new installations will be cabled with Category 6. The fact that Category 6 link and channel requirements are reverse compatible with Category 5e makes it very easy for customers to choose Category 6 and replace Category 5e in their networks. Applications that worked with Category 5e will also work with Category 6.
Q: What does Category 6 do for my current network in comparision with Category 5e?
A: Because of cables‘ improved transmission performance and superior insolation from external noise, systems operating over Category 6 cabling will have fewer errors for current applications in comparsion with Category 5e. This means fewer re-transmissions of lost or corrupted data packets under certain conditions, which translates into higher reliability for Category 6 networks compared to Category 5e networks.
Q: Should I install Category 5e or Category 6?
A: As in most cases in our technology-driven world, we are always promised that faster is better. However, Category 5e will in the vast majority of cases be perfectly acceptable for most business needs. Correctly installed systems will guarantee a throughput of 100Mbps backed by manufacturer's warranties. In some cases a throughput of 1000Mbps will be achieved. It is therefore imperative to understand your business requirements before making a decision. Category 6, if correctly installed and backed by warranty, will guarantee 1000Mbps.
Q: What is the shortest link that the standard will allow?
A: There is no minimum length limit. The standard is intended to work for all lengths up to 100 metres. There is a guideline in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1 that says the consolidation point should be located at least 15 metres away from the telecommunications room to reduce the effect of connectors in close proximity. This recommendation is based upon worst-case performance calculations for short links with four mated connections in the channel.
Q: Is there any application for CAT6 bulk cable in the residential market?
A: CAT6 cable (sometimes called CAT6 bulk cable in the US market) is becoming a very popular product employed in structured wiring, smart home and home automation systems, home wiring panels, DIY networking kits, and residential wiring cables.CAT6 bulk cable is available in solid or stranded, riser or plenum, packaged in either boxes or spools. There are many applications for CAT6 bulk cable in the residential market.
Q: Why wouldn't I skip Category 6 and go straight to optical fibre?
A: You can certainly do that but will find that a fibre system is still very expensive. Ultimately, economics drive customer decisions, and today optical fibre together with optical transceivers is about wice as expensive as an equivalent system built using Category 6 and associated copper electronics. Installation of copper cabling is more craft-friendly and can be accomplished with simple tools and techniques. Additionally, copper cabling supports the emerging Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) power standard under development by IEEE (802.3af).
Q: When and why should I have fibre optic cable installed?
A: Copper structured cabling solutions are designed to work up to 100 metres in length, which includes all fly and patch leads. Going beyond these set lengths can lead to degradation in data rates, and in extreme cases can flood the network with retries, causing slow network speeds. Multimode fibre solutions are better designed to work up to 2 km in length. In a nutshell, the design and structure of the site will normally dictate the type of cable to be run.
Q. What is low smoke zero halogen (LSOH) cable and should I use it?
A. LSOH is constructed in such a way that in the event of a fire in the building, the cable will not emit any toxic gases. If the building has air conditioning that re-circulates air it would be advisable to choose this option. Smartpac Structured Cabling Engineers will assess your needs and design the right cabling solution.
Q: Is Category 6A a published standard?
A: As at November 2010 there are two sets of published standards: one from ANSI/TIA/EIA and the other from ISO/IEC. Cenelec is also in the process of publishing a standard.
Q: I've used unshielded cabling until now: why should I use shielded cabling for Category 6A?
A: Category 6A is twice the frequency range of Category 6. As the frequency bandwidth of the system increases it becomes much more sensitive to crosstalk between cables (know as alien crosstalk). The simplest and most effective way to protect against alien crosstalk is by shielding the cables, jacks and patch cords. Shielding cabling is very well established in Europe and it is a 'worry free' option. Also there is no need to test alien crosstalk in an installed shielded system.
Q: Why should I use a Category 6A system? What will it give me beyond Category 6?
A: This will depend on the speed of the data network you wish to run on the system during its lifetime. Category 6A will allow speeds up to 10Gb/s over 100m.
Q: Why should I insist on an Application Warranty for my cabling infrastructure?
A: There is much more to cabling system performance than just buying good-quality cable and connection hardware. In order to ensure the full bandwidth potential, a structured cabling system needs to be properly designed, installed, and warranted.
Q: What are the different types of fibre optic cables?
A: Fibre optic cables are typically used to link wiring centers (commonly known as ‘backbone’ cables) or to provide data connections over extended distances. As with copper solutions there are various performance levels available, which can be summarized as follows: 1. Single mode (OS1, OS2). This is used where extended distances are required, i.e >550m for 10-gigabit Ethernet applications as well as emerging applications, such as the 40 Gb/s Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), that will operate at speeds beyond 10Gb/s. 2. Multi mode (OM1 or 62.5/125). Historically the cable of choice for many years in the UK, this was typically installed to link wiring centres within buildings supporting gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbs) up to 275m. 3. Multi mode (OM2 50/125). Offering support for gigabit Ethernet up to 550m, this grade of fibre replaced OM1. It is important to note that OM1 and OM2 fibres should not be mated (i.e. patched) due to the different core sizes. 4. Multi mode (OM3 50/125). Designed specifically for the support of the 10GBASE-SX application at all horizontal work stations, riser, and short length backbone (< 300 m) applications. All new installations should consider this cable the preferred choice.
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