Enterprise Design Guide - Public - CommScope

Twisted Pair Channel Performance
Twisted pair data cables are designed to TIA/EIA 568 C.2 standards of performance for the
horizontal segment of the network. CommScope offers several cables that meet or exceed these
standards. CommScope cables offer third-party-verified channel performance when used with
matching CommScope connectivity components (next page).
Cable
By definition, all Category 6 and 5e twisted pair cables support gigabit Ethernet. In the real
world, a cable with higher bandwidth will support it better. Network transmission depends
on a signal with as little noise as possible; a noisy signal increases bit-error thus causing
retransmission and slowing the throughput of the link. High bandwidth cables have less noise
as expressed by the higher ACR value. When choosing a twisted pair cable, consider higher
bandwidth cables for longer or higher speed links.
all values in dB
@ 100 MHz
Category 6A
(500 MHz)
Category 6e
(550 MHz)
Category 6
(400 MHz)
Category 6
(250 MHz)
Category 5e
(350 MHz)
Category 5e
(200 MHz)
Insertion loss
(attenuation)
NEXT ACR PSum
NEXT
PSum
ACR
ELFEXT* PSum
ELFEXT**
Return
Loss
19.1 44.3 25.2 42.3 24.8 27.8 24.8 20.1
19.6 42.9 23.3 42.1 22.5 29.3 27.3 16.0
20.2 41.9 21.7 41.1 20.9 27.3 27.3 15.0
21.3 39.9 18.6 37.1 15.8 23.3 20.3 12.0
22.1 34.1 12.0 32.6 10.5 22.9 19.9 13.0
23.5 32.1 8.6 29.1 5.2 19.4 16.4 12.0
*Called ACRF in the Category 6A standard
**Called PSACRF in the Category 6A standard
To support desktops with ‘average’ traffic (see page 70), Category 5e cable works very well.
For heavier traffic, consider Category 6A or enhanced Category 6 cables. Consult local codes
as to what type (plenum or non-plenum) of cable to install (see page 35).
Newer cable designs have
reduced cable diameters
to 7.24 mm (0.285 in),
allowing for both high
performance and greater
cable density
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