| There are two type of copper cable used for | | | | metres at each end for terminating for the |
| creating a network they are referred to as | | | | equipment and the data cabinet. |
| Category 5e and Category 6, once you know the | | | | When "pulling cables" or inserting them into ducts, |
| basics anyone can install a data network either in | | | | the best working practice is to pull intermittently |
| an office or at home. | | | | at the cable to prevent any damage to the cable |
| These two categories are made up of either UTP | | | | on installation. |
| (Unshielded Twisted Pair), or in the USA ScTP | | | | Bend radius. |
| (Shielded Twisted Pair) also called FTP (Foil | | | | When installing network cables ensure that any |
| shielded Twisted Pair) in Europe. | | | | bends follow the next couple of points, 4 pair |
| Now let us look at the two categories, Cat 5e | | | | cable has a bend radius of 1" minimum, any |
| & Cat 6, each category has a set of specific | | | | smaller and it will have detrimental effect on the |
| performance criteria for the cables, connectors | | | | network. |
| and hardware for each: | | | | Two common areas were this may happen is at |
| Category 5e - is perfect for transmitting | | | | the work station, when the cable exits the wall |
| characteristics of up to 100 MHz. It is different to | | | | and is terminated on to the back plate, too often |
| Category 5, by having 3 db tighter NEXT (Near | | | | the cables are jammed back into the back box, a |
| End Cross Talk). This is when there is some | | | | better solution is to work the cable back down |
| interference form one unshielded twisted pair | | | | the wall cavity. The other area is in the |
| cable to another UTP cable, usually running parallel | | | | telecommunications closet, were tight radiuses are |
| with each other. | | | | created to try and cram as much cable into a |
| Category 6 - this has transmission characteristics | | | | wiring closet as possible, a better option is to |
| of 250 MHz and less NEXT is experienced with | | | | have a wide sweeping curves. |
| Cat 6 cabling than Cat 5e. | | | | Termination. |
| Cable length. | | | | Modular jacks are used to the correct |
| One thing to remember is cable length, as this is | | | | manufacturer's colour coding, as well as the |
| very important. The maximum horizontal cable | | | | correct termination tool. The colour code can |
| length for Category 5e is 90 metres or 295 feet. | | | | either be T568A or T568B. During the termination |
| 10 metres is allowed for cords in the work area | | | | process, you must ensure that the same pin to |
| and for patch cords in the telecommunications | | | | pair combination otherwise, you will end up with |
| closet. | | | | crossed pairs. Only untwist the cables 0.5 inch |
| Category 6 cable lengths can are similar in | | | | from the striped end, to avoid NEXT with |
| horizontal runs being at a maximum of 90 metre | | | | adjacent cable pairs. |
| or 295 feet. However this 90 metres excludes 5 | | | | |