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Archive-name: LANs/cabling-faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 1995/03/05
C A B L I N G F A Q
Version 950305
This is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for the
comp.dcom.cabling newsgroup. Topics covered include the
types of cables (fiber, coax, copper, unshielded twisted
pair-UTP, shielded twisted pair), installation techniques,
standards as well as fire and building safety codes.
Prepared and maintained by Peter Macaulay (pmac@fox.nstn.ca)
Constructive comments/updates are welcomed.
0.1 Recent Updates
The most recent changes are on the top of this list for easier
identification of the new stuff (push down stack). Format of
the version is year, month, day.
950305 - added rtfm.mit.edu approval, cable testing
950124 - added bending radius specs, ISDN cabling
950110 - added headers required for rtfm.mit posting
- expanded references with much help from Evan Gamblin
0.2 Copyright
Copyright (c) 1995 by Peter Macaulay, all rights reserved.
This FAQ may be posted to any USENET newsgroup, on-line service,
or BBS as long as it is posted in its entirety and includes this
copyright statement.
0.3 Disclaimer
This article is provided as is without any express or implied
warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the
accuracy of the information contained in this article, the
author and contributors assume no responsibility for errors
or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the
information contained herein.
THIS DOCUMENT IS A GUIDELINE ONLY -- SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE,
CHECK LOCAL BUILDING CODES AND APPLICABLE STANDARDS.
0.4 Acknowledgments
bhughes@vanbc.wimsey.com (Bill Hughes)
egamblin@ott.hookup.net (Evan Gamblin)
jlundgre@kn.PacBell.COM (John Lundgren)
mikeb@iaccess.za (Mike Barker)
koeman@tc.fluke.COM (Henriecus Koeman)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
0.1 Recent Updates
0.2 Copyright
0.3 Disclaimer
0.4 Acknowledgments
1.0 Cable Types
2.0 Cable Ratings
3.0 National Electrical Code (NEC)
4.0 Not Used (Blank)
5.0 Specific Cable Classifications
6.0 Cable Conductors
7.0 Vendor Specific Suggestions
8.0 Cabling Standards
9.0 Standard EIA/TIA 568
10.0 Birds and Bees (Plugs vs. Jacks)
11.0 Standard Networking Configurations
12.0 Ethernet 10Base-T Cabling
13.0 Category Specifications
14.0 Sources for the EIA/TIA 568 Standards Documents
15.0 Cable Test Equipment
16.0 Cable Testers for Category 5
17.0 Typical Wiring Layout
18.0 How Far Away Should Cable be Installed from an EMI Source
19.0 What is the Minimum Bending Radius for a Cable?
20.0 Fiber Optic Cable
21.0 ISDN Cabling
22.0 Testing Unshielded Twisted Pair Cables
23.0 - 29.0 Not Used (Blank)
30.0 Sources of Additional Information
---------------------------
Subject: 1.0 Cable Types
Communications Cable: primarily for telephone cable
Class 2 Cable: signaling cable primarily for data communications
Riser: vertical shaft used to route cable between floors
Plenum: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) air return
area -- mostly drop ceilings. Also below raised floors
(where the underfloor area is used for ventilation).
------------------------------
Subject: 2.0 Cable Ratings
(Or What Are Those Codes Printed On My Cables?)
In the Hollywood movie _Towering Infernio_ (starring O.J.Simpson)
a fire spread from floor to floor using the building cables. This
will not happen again (we hope) since everyone is using fire rated
cables! These are important specifications if you are responsible
for defining a cable installation.
If interfloor penetrations are properly _firestopped_, the
cables can burn, but the fire will not pass the firestopping.
UL-910, FT-4 and FT-6 say nothing about the type or volume of toxic
combustion products produced. All they cover is performance on a
flamespread test.
THIS DOCUMENT IS A GUIDELINE ONLY -- SEEK PROFESSIONAL
ADVICE, CHECK LOCAL BUILDING CODES AND APPLICABLE STANDARDS.
The US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) revises the
National Electrical Code (NEC) every 3 years. The NEC defines
classifications of cable as per UL tests.
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) defines Premise Communication
Cord (PCC) standards for physical wire tests. These are printed
on the cable as CSA-PCC-FT6.
FT4 = Flame Test 4 is described in CSA C22.2 0.3-1992
FT6 = Flame Test 6 is described in NFPA 262-1985 and ULC S102.4
Physical Wire Tests C22.2 214-M-1990. These CSA documents can
be ordered from the CSA. See sources below.
<<>>
------------------------------
Subject: 3.0 National Electrical Code (NEC)
1993 National Electrical Code
Article 725, Class 2
725-38(b)1 CL2X Class 2 cable, limited use
725-38(b)1 CL2 Class 2 cable
725-38(b)2 CL2R Class 2 riser cable
725-38(b)3 CL2P Class 2 plenum cable
Article 800
800-3(b)1 CMX Communications cable limited use
800-3(b)1 CM Communications cable
800-3(b)2 CMR Communications riser cable
800-3(b)3 CMP Communications plenum cable
OFNP (Optical Fiber Nonconductive Plenum)
OFNR (Optical Fiber Nonconductive Riser)
------------------------------
Subject: 4.0 Not Used (Blank)
------------------------------
Subject: 5.0 Specific Cable Classifications
CMS, CL2X (Restricted Cable) must be enclosed in conduit,
up to 10 feet exposed; must pass UL 1581 VW-1 test
CM, CL2 (General Purpose Cable) for use in areas other
than risers or plenums; must pass UL 1581 vertical tray test
CMR, CL2R (Riser Cable) for cable in vertical shafts;
must pass UL test method 1666
CMP, CL2P (Plenum Cable) for use in plenum areas (air ducts);
must pass UL 910 test for smoke and flame spread
------------------------------
Subject: 6.0 Cable Conductors
Cable conductor gauge is specified as AWG (American Wire Gauge).
A higher number is a smaller diameter. Telephone cable used indoors
is typically 24 or 26 AWG, whereas household electrical wiring is
typically 12 or 14 AWG.
------------------------------
Subject: 7.0 Vendor Specific Suggestions
AMP NETCONNECT Open Cabling System
HP SiteWire
AT&T PDS
DEC MMJ
IBM STP (Type 1, Type 2, etc)
Northern Telcom IBDN
------------------------------
Subject: 8.0 Cabling Standards
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Electronic Industry Association (EIA)
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
Current specification is the ANSI/EIA/TIA-568-1991 Standard
_Commercial Building Telecommunications Wiring Standard_ and
two Tech Sys Bulletins:
_Additional Cable Specifications for Unshielded Twisted-Pair Cables_
EIA/TIA Tech Sys Bulletin TSB-36, Nov 1991
[Transmission Characteristics of Category 3-5 UTP cables]
_Additional Transmission Specifications for UTP Connecting Hardware_
EIA/TIA Tech Sys Bulletin TSB-40A, Dec 1993
(Performance of Connectors and Patch Panels Above 20 MHz)
Extended Specifications for 150-ohm STP Cables and Data
Connectors - EIA/TIA Tech Sys Bulletin TSB-53, 1992 [Type 1A cable]
EIA-570: Residential and Light Commercial Telecommunications
Wiring Standard - EIA/TIA, 1991
EIA-606: Telecommunications Administration Standard for Commercial
Buildings - EIA/TIA (was PN-2290)
EIA-607: - Commercial Building Grounding and Bonding Requirements
for Telecommunications - EIA/TIA
EIA/TIA PN-2840 - [draft for the EIA-568-A standard, incorporating
TSB-36 and -40A, expected in early 1995]
EIA/TIA PN-2840A - [draft for next version of the EIA-568-A standard]
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/
National Fire Protection Assoc. (NFPA):
70 National Electrical Code (1993)
78 Lightning Protection Code
Canadian Standards Association (CSA):
C22.1-1994 Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1
CAN/CSA-T527: Bonding and Grounding for Telecommunications
in Commercial Buildings - Canadian Standards Assoc.
[harmonized with EIA-607]
CAN/CSA-T528: Telecommunications Administration Standards for
Commercial Buildings - CSA, Jan 1993 [harmonized with EIA-606]
CAN/CSA-T529-M91: Design Guidelines for Telecommunications Wiring
System in Commercial Buildings, - CSA [harmonized with EIA-568]
CAN/CSA-T530-M90: Building Facilities, Design Guidelines for
Telecommunications - CSA, 1990 [harmonized with EIA-569]
ISO/IEC 11801: [international equivalent of EIA-568 and CSA T-529,
includes 120 ohm Screened Twisted Pair cable]
IEC 603-7, Part 7 - [Modular connector physical dimensions, mechanical
and electrical characteristics. Level A: 750 mating cycles min;
B: 2,500 min; C: 10,000 min.]
ISO 8877: Information Processing Systems - Interface Connector and
Contact Assignment for ISDN Basic access interface located at
reference points S and T - International Organization for
Standardization [same pin/pair assignments for 8-line modular
connector as EIA T-568A]
National Electrical Safety Code Handbook (NESC):
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)/
American National Standards Institute (ANSI):
C2-1993 National Electrical Safety Code
ISBN 1-55937-210-9 (order # SH15172)
[In USA, governs the area between the property line and the
building entrance]
National Research Council of Canada, Institute for Research in
Construction (NRC-IRC):
National Building Code of Canada (1990) - order NRCC 30619
Supplement to the National Building Code of Canada (1990)
- order NRCC 30629
National Fire Code of Canada (1990) - order NRCC 30621
A Guide to Premises Distribution
- NCR/AT&T order #555-400-021, Apr 1988
Building Network Design - Bell Canada, 1992
The Corporate Cabling Guide - M. McElroy,
Artech House, ISBN 0-89006-663-9, Dec 1992
Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual (1050 pages)
- Building Industries Consulting Service International (BICSI), 1994
Universal Transport System Design Guide, Release II
- Siecor Corp, 1991 [fiber-optic cable plant]
Requirements Beyond Jacks and Cable: an Installation Guide
- Leviton Telecom, Second edition, T15-00004-003, Jan 1994
SiteWire Twisted-pair Installation Guide
- Hewlett-Packard, p/n 5959-2208, Jan 1988
SiteWire Planning Guide - Hewlett-Packard, p/n 5959-2201,
Sept 1989
Tech Ref Guide for Workgroup LANs
- Hewlett-Packard, p/n 5091-0663E, Apr 1991
Tech Ref Guide for Site LANs and MultiSite LANs
- Hewlett-Packard, p/n 5091-0666E, Apr 1991
Understanding Fiber Optics - J. Hecht
Howard Sams & Co., ISBN 0-672-27066-8, 1988
Optical Fiber Communications, I & II - S. Miller
Academic Press, ISBN 0-12-497350-7 & -5
Optical Fiber Splices and Connectors: Theory & Methods -
C. M. Miller, Marcel Dekker, 1986
Principles of Optical Fiber Measurements - D. Marcuse
Academic Press, ISBN 0-12-470-980-X, 1981
Single-Mode Fibers: Fundamentals - E. G. Neumann
Springer-Verlag, ISBN 0-387-18745-6, 1988
CATV Cable Construction Manual, 3rd edition - Comm/Scope Inc., 1980
[Outside Plant tools and procedures: trenching, boring, installing
aerial and buried cable]
Marking Guide: Wire and Cable - Underwriters Labs, 1993
[How to interpret UL cable jacket markings]
------------------------------
Subject: 9.0 Standard EIA/TIA 568
The ANSI/EIA/TIA-568-1991 Standard _Commercial Building
Telecommunications Wiring Standard_ defines pinouts;
9.1 Standard EIA/TIA T568A
(also called ISDN, previously called EIA)
Pin Wire Color
=== ==========
/--T3 1 White/Green
Pair3 \--R3 2 Green
/----------T2 3 White/Orange
/ /-R1 4 Blue
pair2 \ pair1 \-T1 5 White/Blue
\----------R2 6 Orange
/--T4 7 White/Brown
pair4 \--R4 8 Brown
9.2 Standard EIA/TIA T568B
(also called AT&T specification, previously called 258A)
/--T2 1 White/Orange
pair2 \--R2 2 Orange
/----------T3 3 White/Green
/ /-R1 4 Blue
pair3 \ pair1 \-T1 5 White/Blue
\----------R3 6 Green
/--T4 7 White/Brown
pair4 \--R4 8 Brown
9.3 USOC (Universal Service Order Code)
8-pins 6-pins
| |
/-------------T4 1 White/Brown
/ /---------T3 2 1 White/Green
/ / /-----T2 3 2 White/Orange
/ / / /-R1 4 3 Blue
pr4\ pr3\ pr2\ pr1\-T1 5 4 White/Blue
\ \ \-----R2 6 5 Orange
\ \---------R3 7 6 Green
\-------------R4 8 Brown
------------------------------
Subject: 10.0 Birds and Bees (Plugs vs. Jacks)
The EIA/TIA specifies an RJ-45 (ISO 8877) connector for Unshielded
Twisted Pair (UTP) cable. The plug is the male component crimped
on the end of the cable while the jack is the female component in
a wall plate or patch panel, etc. Here is the pin numbering to
answer the question, where is pin one?
Plug Jack
(Looking at connector (Looking at cavity
end with the cable in the wall)
running away from you)
---------- / ----------
| 87654321 | | 12345678 |
|__ __|/ |/_ /_|
|____| |/___|
------------------------------
Subject: 11.0 Standard Networking Configurations
With reference to T568B above;
ATM 155Mbps uses pairs 2 and 4 (pins 1-2, 7-8)
Ethernet 10Base-T uses pairs 2 and 3 (pins 1-2, 3-6)
Ethernet 100Base-T4 uses pairs 2 and 3 (4T+) (pins 1-2, 3-6)
Ethernet 100Base-T8 uses pairs 1,2,3 and 4 (pins 4-5, 1-2, 3-6, 7-8)
Token-Ring uses pairs 1 and 3 (pins 4-5, 3-6)
TP-PMD uses pairs 2 and 4 (pins 1-2, 7-8)
100VG-AnyLAN uses pairs 1,2,3 and 4 (pins 4-5, 1-2, 3-6, 7-8)
------------------------------
Subject: 12.0 Ethernet 10Base-T Cabling
12.1 Ethernet 10Base-T Straight Thru patch cord (T568B colors);
RJ45 Plug RJ45 Plug
========= =========
/--T2 1 ... White/Orange .... 1 TxData +
pair2 \--R2 2 ... Orange .......... 2 TxData -
/----------T3 3 ... White/Green ..... 3 RecvData +
/ R1 4 Blue 4
\ pair3 T1 5 White/Blue 5
\----------R3 6 ... Green ........... 6 RecvData -
T4 7 White/Brown 7
R4 8 Brown 8
12.2 Ethernet 10Base-T Crossover patch cord;
This cable can be used to cascade hubs, or for connecting
two Ethernet stations back-to-back without a hub (ideal for
two station Doom!) Note pin numbering in item 10.0 above.
RJ45 Plug 1 Tx+ -------------- Rx+ 3 RJ45 Plug
2 Tx- -------------- Rx- 6
3 Rx+ -------------- Tx+ 1
6 Rx- -------------- Tx- 2
12.3 Ethernet 10Base-T to USOC Crossover patch cord;
RJ45 8-pin Plug 1 ---White/Orange--- 2 USOC 6-pin Plug
^ 2 ------Orange------ 5 ^
3 ---White/Green---- 1
6 ------Green------- 6
12.4 Crossover Implementation
A simple way to make a crossover patch cable is to take a
dual-jack surface mount box and make the crossover between
the two jacks. This allows using standard patch cables, and
avoids the nuisance of having a crossover cable find its way
into use in place of a regular patch cable.
12.5 Stranded Patch Cables
The color code used in stranded patch cables is different from
solid-conductor cables. For NorTel Digital Patch Cable (DPC),
the coding is;
Pair 1: Green & Red
Pair 2: Yellow & Black
Pair 3: Blue & Orange
Pair 4: Brown & Gray
------------------------------
Subject: 13.0 Category Specifications
EIA/TIA Category Specification provide for the following cable
transmission speeds with specifications (Note prior to Jan94
UL and Anixter developed a LEVEL system which has been dropped
or harmonized with the CATEGORY system);
Category 1 = No performance criteria
Category 2 = Rated to 1 MHz (used for telephone wiring)
Category 3 = Rated to 16 MHz (used for Ethernet 10Base-T)
Category 4 = Rated to 20 MHz (used for Token-Ring, 10Base-T)
Category 5 = Rated to 100 MHz (used for 100Base-T, 10Base-T)
UL LAN Cable Certification Program - Underwriters Laboratories
publication 200-120 30M/3/92, 1992 [characteristics of Cat 3-5 UTP]
------------------------------
Subject: 14.0 Sources for the EIA/TIA 568 Standards Documents
EIA Standards Sales Office -or-
Global Engineering Documents (east or west coast offices)
(See addresses in sources below)
------------------------------
Subject: 15.0 Cable Test Equipment
15.1 DVM
DVM = Digital Volt Meter (measures volts)
15.2 DMM
DMM = Digital Multi Meter (measures volts, ohm, capacitance,
and some measure frequency)
15.3 TDR
TDR = Time Domain Reflectometer (measures cable lengths,
locates impedance mismatches).
15.4 Tone Generator
Tone Generator and Inductive Amplifier = Used to trace cable pairs,
follow cables hidden in walls or ceiling. The tone generator will
typically put a 2 kHz audio tone on the cable under test, the
inductive amp detects and plays this through a built-in speaker.
15.5 Wirmap Tester
Wiremap tester: checks a cable for open or short circuits, reversed
pairs, crossed pairs and split pairs.
A least-cost wiremap type tester that detects split pairs correctly
(using a NEXT test) is the Fluke 610, at $400. MOD-TAP and UNICOM
make a similar device.
15.6 Noise Tester
Noise tests, 10Base-T: the standard sets limits for how often
noise events can occur, and their size, in several frequency ranges.
Various handheld cable testers are able to perform these tests.
15.7 Butt-in
Butt-in set: a telephone handset that when placed in series with a
battery (such as the one in a tone generator), allows voice communication
over a copper cable pair. Can be used for temporary phone service in a
wiring closet.
15.7 Fiber Testing
See section 20.7 for fiber optic test equipment.
------------------------------
Subject: 16.0 Cable Testers for Category 5
_LANcat V_ by Datacom Technologies
Everett, WA
Tel: 800/468-5557
_DSP100_ by Fluke Corporation
P.O. Box 9090
Everett, WA 98206-9090
Tel: 206/356-5400 800/44-FLUKE
_PentaScanner_ by Microtest, Inc
4747 North 22nd St,
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Tel: 602/952-6400 800/526-9675
_WireScope100_ by Scope Communications, Inc
100 Otis St,
Northboro, MA 01532
Tel: 508/393-1236
_LANTech PRO_ by Wavetek, Inc
9145 Balboa Ave
San Diego, CA 92123
Tel: 619/279-2200 800/854-2708
At present some vendors are calling their instruments _CAT 5
conformance_ testing devices. Be aware that there is an on-going
standards process to define field testing of CAT 5 cables. These
standards or guidelines (currently called PN-3287) will not be
complete until the June 1995 timeframe.
The TIA TSB number will be TSB-67 when PN-3287 is approved.
The standard is expected to define two accuracy levels of test
equipment, and provide minimum performance standards for each.
Current test equipment is likely to fall in the lower level. The
higher class (_Accuracy Level II_) is intended for subsequent
generations of test equipment capable of performing the
increasingly numerous and stringent tests now being developed.
------------------------------
Subject: 17.0 Typical Wiring Layout
17.1 Wiring Layout
......Wiring Closet.............. ....User Work Area....
[HUB]<=====>[PANEL]+=====+[BLOCK]+==============+[WALL]<=====>[STATION]
Where ...
HUB = concentrator
PANEL = RJ-45 Modular Patch Panel
BLOCK = Telco Splice Block (Typically 25-pair)
Crossconnect: NorTel BIX1A, AT&T 110 and similar crossconnect
blocks accommodate 4-pair, 25-pair or larger cables on the
same mount. The same type of mount can be used for the voice
field as well as data.
Telephone-only (66) blocks are seldom used except for
low-speed data circuits such as are used for IBM 3270 terminals.
The newer types of crossconnect mentioned above cost about the
same and accommodates growth much better. (The standard AT&T 110
and its BIX equivalent are rated at Cat 5).
LOBE CABLE = Cable run from user wall plate to wiring closet
WALL = User area wall face plate
STATION = User workstation network adapter
=====> = RJ-45 connector
=====+ = Punch down termination (also called an insulation-
displacement/displacing connector, or IDC).
17.2 Crossconnect Field Colors
The color of label used on a crossconnect field identifies the
field's function. The cabling administration standard (CSA T-528
& EIA-606) lists the colors and functions as:
Blue Horizontal voice cables
Brown Interbuilding backbone
Gray Second-level backbone
Green Network connections & auxiliary circuits
Orange Demarcation point, telephone cable from Central Office
Purple First-level backbone
Red Key-type telephone systems
Silver or
White Horizontal data cables, computer & PBX equipment
Yellow Auxiliary, maintenance & security alarms
------------------------------
Subject: 18.0 How Far Away Should Cable be Installed from an EMI Source
Northern Telecom IBDN User Manual contains an Appendix D titled
_UTP Separation Guidelines From EMI Sources_. The values are the
same as the cabling pathways standard, EIA-569, table 4.8-5.
Minimum Separation Distance
from Power Source at 480V or less
CONDITION <2kVA 2-5kVA >5kVA
Unshielded power lines or
electrical equipment in proximity
to open or non-metal pathways 5 in. 12 in. 24 in.
(12.7 cm) (30.5 cm) (61 cm)
Unshielded power lines or
electrical equipment in proximity
to grounded metal conduit pathway 2.5 in. 6 in. 12 in.
(6.4 cm) (15.2 cm) (30.5 cm)
Power lines enclosed in a grounded
metal conduit (or equivalent
shielding) in proximity
to grounded metal conduit pathway - 6 in. 12 in.
- (15.2 cm) (30.5 cm)
Transformers & electric motors <------- 40-in (1.02 m) ----->
Fluorescent lighting <------- 12-in (30.5 cm) ---->
Source: Integrated Building Distribution Network (IBDN) User Manual
- Northern Telecom, doc # IBDN-UM-9105, 1991.
The EIA/TIA working group revising the EIA-569 standard is using the
results of field and lab tests to update the recommendations. The
target date for completion is Dec 1995.
------------------------------
Subject: 19.0 What is the Minimum Bending Radius for a Cable?
According to EIA SP-2840A (a draft version of EIA-568-x) the minimum
bend radius for UTP is 4 x cable outside diameter, about one inch.
For multipair cables the minimum bending radius is 10 x outside
diameter.
SP-2840A gives minimum bend radii for Type 1A Shielded Twisted Pair
(100 Mb/s STP) of 7.5 cm (3-in) for non-plenum cable, 15 cm (6-in)
for the stiffer plenum-rated kind.
For fiber optic cables not in tension, the minimum bend radius is 10 x
diameter; cables loaded in tension may not be bent at less than 20 x
diameter. SP-2840A states that no f/o cable will be bent on a radius
less than 3.0 cm (1.18-in).
The ISO DIS 11801 standard, Section 7.1 General specs for 100 ohm
and 120 ohm balanced cable lists three different minimum bend radii.
Minimum for pulling during installation is 8x cable diameter, min
installed radius is 6x for riser cable, 4x for horizontal.
For fiber optic cables not in tension, the minimum bend radius is
10 x diameter; cables loaded in tension may not be bent at less
than 20 x diameter. SP-2840A states that no f/o cable will be
bent on a radius less than 3.0 cm (1.18-in).
Some manufacturers recommendations differ from the above, so it is
worth checking the spec sheet for the cable you plan to use.
------------------------------
Subject: 20.0 Fiber Optic Cable
20.1 Multimode (MM) Fiber
Step index or graded index fiber. In North America the most common
size is 62.5/125; in Europe, 50/125 is often used. These numbers
represent the diameter of the core (62.5) and diameter of the
cladding (125) in microns. Multimode fiber is typically used in
applications such as local area networks, at distances less than 2 km.
20.2 Single Mode (SM) Fiber
Single mode fiber has a very small core. Typical values are
5-10 microns. Single mode fiber has a much higher capacity and
allows longer distances than multimode fiber. Typically used
for wide area networks such as telephone company switch to switch
connections and cable TV (CATV).
20.3 Loose Buffer
The fiber is contained in a plastic tube for protection.
To give better waterproofing protection to the fiber, the space
between the tubes is sometimes gel-filled. Typical applications
are outside installations. One drawback of loose buffer construction
is a larger bending radius. Gel-filled cable requires the installer
to spend time cleaning and drying the individual cables, and
cleaning up the site afterwards.
20.4 Tight Buffer
Buffer layers of plastic and yarn material are applied over the fiber.
Results in a smaller cable diameter with a smaller bending radius.
Typical applications are patch cords and local area network connections.
At least one mfr. produces this type of cable for inside/outside use.
20.5 Ribbon Cable
Typically 12 coated fibers are bonded together to form a
ribbon. There are higher density ribbons (x100) which have
the advantage of being mass-terminated into array connectors.
A disadvantage is that they are often harder, and require special
tools to terminate and splice.
20.6 Fiber Connectors
There are a lot of different types of connectors, but the ones
commonly found in LAN/MAN/WAN installations are:
FSD - Fixed Shroud Device, such as the FDDI MIC dual-fiber connector.
SC - A push-pull connector. The international standard.
The SC connectors are recommended in SP-2840A. The SC
connector has the advantage (over ST) of being duplexed
into a single connector clip with both transmit/receive fibers.
SMA - Threaded connector, not much used anymore because of losses
that change with each disconnection and reconnection.
ST - Keyed, bayonet-style connector, very commonly used.
20.7 Fiber Optic Test Equipment
Continuity tester: used to identify a fiber, and detect a break.
One type resembles a f/o connector attached to a flashlight.
Fault locator: used to determine exact location of a break.
Works by shining a very bright visible light into the strand.
At the break, this light is visible through the cable jacket.
Tone Generator and Tracer: used to identify a cable midspan or
to locate a strand at its far end. Similar in purpose to the
tone testers used on copper cable. The tone generator imposes
a steady or warbling audio tone on light passing down the cable.
The tracer detects and recovers the tone from light lost through
the cable jacket as a result of bending the cable slightly.
Optical Source and Power Meter: used to measure the end-to-end
loss through a f/o strand, or system of cable, connectors and
patch cables. Measurements are more accurate than an OTDR.
Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR): used to measure the length
of a cable, and detect any flaws in it. Can also be used to measure
end-to-end loss, although less accurately than a power meter.
Fiber Talk set: allows using a pair of f/o strands as a telephone line.
Fiber Optic Testing, standards: see EIA-455-171 (FOTP-171), EIA 526-14.
------------------------------
Subject: 21.0 ISDN Cabling
21.1 ISDN U-loop
ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) is provided by a carrier from
a central office (CO) switch to the customer premise with a
two wire U-loop RJ-45 connector on the center pins 4-5.
RJ45 Plug
=========
1 N/C
2 N/C
3 N/C
4 U-loop network connection
5 U-loop network connection
6 N/C
7 N/C
8 N/C
21.2 ISDN Network Termination (NT)
The Network Termination is a Power Supply and NT1. In North
America this functionality can be provided in the terminal
equipment (i.e. ISDN digital modem) or separate as follows;
________ ________
| Power | | |========== TE
=========| Supply |============| NT1 |
U-loop |________| U+PS2 |________|======== S/T bus
2-wire 4-wire 4-wire
RJ45 Plug for U+PS2
===================
1 N/C
2 N/C
3 N/C
4 U-loop network connection
5 U-loop network connection
6 N/C
7 -48 VDC
8 -48 VDC Return
The ISDN cables can be silver satin patch cables (the kind that
make 10Base-T Ethernet installers cringe). The S/T bus can also
be silver satin but most installers use CAT 3 or CAT 5 with one
drop per terminal equipment. It is true that only 4-wires are
needed on the S/T bus but see below for optional power needs.
21.3 ISDN S/T Bus (Point-to-Point)
One logical terminal is on the S/T bus which can be 1km long.
21.4 ISDN S/T Bus (Short Passive)
Up to eight terminals on the S/T bus which can be within 100 to
200m.
21.5 ISDN S/T Bus (Extended Passive)
Up to eight terminals on the S/T bus which can be up to 500m.
21.6 ISDN S/T Bus (NT1 Star)
Up to eight terminals on the S/T bus which are wired from a
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