CommScope® Enterprise Data Center Design Guide - Public ...

46
Information Outlet
Patch Cord
Modular Panel
110 Wiring Block
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TABLE 10: TWISTED PAIR CHANNEL PERFORMANCE
All values in dB
@ 100 MHz
Insertion Loss
(attenuation) NEXT ACR
Consult local codes as to what type (plenum or non-plenum) of cable to install.
Twisted Pair Outlets and Patch Cords
Twisted pair connectivity components are based around the 8P8C (also known as the RJ-45)
style connector. By definition, any 8P8C/RJ45 plug will fit into any 8P8C/RJ45 jack.
However, like U/UTP cables, twisted pair connectivity components not only have design
differences between Category 5e and 6, but performance differences between manufacturers
as well. When specifying outlets and patch cords, make sure they are specified for the
Category of cable being installed.
CommScope matches cable and components for superior quality connectivity. All three-,
four- and six-connector channels have been third party verified for stated performance.
Outlets
Twisted pair outlets vary in design and manufacturing. Features to look for include a wide
channel between the left/right termination strips (for easier termination and lower crosstalk) and
the ability to be placed in the faceplate at either a 90° or 45° angle. Color-coded outlets are
helpful installation aids. Make sure the cable and outlets match categories (Category 6 cable
with Category 6 outlets). Special tools are available to ease and speed termination.
Patch cords
Patch cords are terminated in male plugs. They come in lengths of 0.9 meters (3 feet) to 15.2
meters (50 feet). Look for cords with a ruggedized plug/cable union to handle repeated
plugging/unplugging and features such as “snag-resistant” latches. Since patch cords are often
the weakest link in the channel and receive the most abuse from network moves, adds and/or
changes, always install high quality factory-built patch cords.
Patch panels
Patch panels are strips of 24 or 48 outlet ports built to fit in a standard 48 cm (19 inch) rack.
The ports may be subdivided into groups of 6.
110 wiring blocks
These are traditional telephony wiring panels that have been updated to work with twisted pair
data cabling. Wiring is terminated by direct connection (‘punched down’) or by the use of a
repositionable connecting block.
PSum
NEXT
PSum
ACR ELFEXT*
PSum
ELFEXT**
Return
Category 6A (500 MHz) 19.1 44.3 25.2 42.3 24.8 27.8 24.8 20.1
Category 6e (550 MHz) 19.6 42.9 23.3 42.1 22.5 29.3 27.3 16.0
Category 6 (400 MHz) 20.2 41.9 21.7 41.1 20.9 27.3 27.3 15.0
Category 6 (250 MHz) 21.3 39.9 18.6 37.1 15.8 23.3 20.3 12.0
Category 5e (350 MHz) 22.1 34.1 12.0 32.6 10.5 22.9 19.9 13.0
Category 5e (200 MHz) 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
Loss