Please reference ‘BB9’ when ordering.
Cabling
Copper Cabling Introduction
specifications, and applications.
Shielded (STP) vs. unshielded (UTP), solid vs. stranded
The design of twisted-pair cabling can make a big difference in how Black Box Explains
well a network functions. This is where the choice between STP and UTP,
as well as solid and stranded cable, comes into play.
Power over Ethernet (PoE).
As a general rule, use STP in environments with high amounts
What is PoE and how does it work?
of EMI/RFI. In electrically quiet environments, opt for UTP.
The seemingly universal network connection, twisted-pair Ethernet
Solid-conductor cable should be used for longer-distance horizontal
cabling, also plays another role: providing electrical power to low-
and backbone cable runs. Use it for runs between two wiring closets or
wattage network devices. Power over Ethernet (PoE) was ratified
from the wiring closet to a wallplate. Solid cable shouldn’t be bent, flexed,
by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) as the
or twisted repeatedly. Stranded-conductor cable, on the other hand, is
802.3af-2003 standard. It defines the specifications for low-level
more flexible and should be used for shorter runs like those from wallplates
power delivery— roughly 13 watts at 48 VDC— over twisted-pair
to NICs or patch panels to hubs and other rackmounted equipment.
cable to PoE devices such as IP phones, wireless access points,
A broken rule — video over CAT5 cable
cameras, and speakers.
As a general rule, more advanced cabling standards can handle
The way it works is simple. Ethernet cable that meets CAT5
applications and speeds that work on older standards. For instance,
(or better) standards consists of four twisted pairs of cable. Two pairs
CAT5e or CAT6 cable should be able to do anything solid-conductor
are used to transmit data on Ethernet networks, and the remaining
CAT5 can do — and significantly more. Although this backwards
two pairs are available for power. PoE offers two ways to send power
compatibility holds true in most cases, there is a notable exception
over the remaining wires. The first sends the electricity through the
when it comes to video applications.
spare pair. The second uses the data pairs for both power and data.
CAT5e and CAT6 cables have tighter cable twists — and more of them
PoE applications and benefits:
— than CAT5. Because of this, the distance a signal has to travel is different
s 0 O % W O R K S F O R V I D E O S U R V E I L L A N C E B U I L D I N G M A N A G E M E N T V I D E O
for each pair. This isn’t a problem with data, but with high-resolution
kiosks, smart signs, and many other Ethernet systems and devices.
analogue video, you’ll have problems with colour separation (skew) because
s 3 A V E M O N E Y B Y E L I M I N A T I N G T H E N E E D T O R U N E L E C T R I C A L W I R I N G
the red, green, and blue signals will arrive at slightly different times. In this
in areas where you don’t have readily available electrical power.
case, less really is more and it’s a good argument for keeping some of
s ) F Y O U R , ! . I S P R O T E C T E D F R O M P O W E R F A I L U R E B Y A 5 0 3 C O N N E C T E D
your CAT5 cabling while upgrading other parts of your network.
PoE devices are also protected.
Black Box Explains
Component vs. channel testing.
Buyer’s Guide
|
CAT5e vs. CAT6 Cable
When using a CAT6 system, the full specification includes testing
CAT5e CAT6
each part individually and in an end-to-end-channel. Because CAT6
Standard TIA-568-B.2 TIA-568-B.2-1
is an open standard, products from different vendors should work
Frequency 100 MHz 250 MHz
together.
Attenuation (max. at 100 MHz)
Channel testing includes patch cable, bulk cable, jacks,
Cable 22.0 dB 19.8 dB
patch panels, etc. These tests cover a number of measurements, Connector 0.4 dB 0.2 dB
including: attenuation, NEXT, PS-NEXT, ACR, PS-ACR, EL-FEXT, Channel 24.0 dB 21.3 dB
PS-ELFEXT, and Return Loss. Products that are tested together NEXT (min. at 100 MHz)
should work together as specified. In theory, products from
Cable 35.3 dB 44.3 dB
all manufacturers are interchangeable. But, if products from
Connector 43.0 dB 54.0 dB
different manufacturers are inserted in a channel, end-to-end
Channel 30.1 dB 39.9 dB
CAT6 performance may be compromised.
PS-NEXT (min. at 100 MHz) Channel 27.1 dB 37.1 dB
Component testing, on the other hand, is much stricter even
EL-FEXT (min. at 100 MHz)
though only two characteristics are measured: crosstalk and return
Cable 23.8 dB 27.8 dB
loss. Although all CAT6 products should be interchangeable, products
Connector 35.1 dB 43.1 dB
labeled as component are guaranteed to perform to a CAT6 level in
Channel 17.4 dB 23.3 dB
PS-ELFEXT (min. at 100 MHz) Channel 14.4 dB 20.3 dB
a channel with products from different manufacturers.
Return Loss (min. at 100 MHz)
Cable 20.1 dB 20.1 dB
NOTE: In attenuation testing, the lower the number, the better.
Connector 20.0 dB 24.0 dB
For all other electrical measurements testing, the higher the number,
Channel 10.0 dB 12.0 dB
the better.
Characteristic Impedance 100 ± 15 ohms 100 ± 15 ohms
Delay Skew (max. per 100 m) 45 ns 45 ns
Australia:
www.blackbox.com.au – Sales 1300-73-4455 – Tech Support 1300-73-5566. 61
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