What is Structured Cabling?

A carefully implemented structured calling system provides a fully integrated method of transferring data, voice and video signals around a building. Such an infrastructure ensures reliable performance and the flexibility to meet for future growth and change. A structured cabling system designed in accordance with international standards will ensure predictable performance across a broad range of connected equipment. Currently, the majority of installations are carried out to category 5 standard.

What is Category 5?

Category 5 defines the performance of a cable infrastructure capable of supporting a network speed of 100 Mbps. Generally, this is implemented using Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable.

How is Category 5e different?

The test parameters for Category 5 assumes that only two of the four cable pairs will be used. (One pair for transmitting, and one for receiving). Gigabit Ethernet uses all four pairs to transmit data simultaneously. Category 5e (or Enhanced Category 5) specifies a more comprehensive series of tests to measure the effect of transmitting data on all four pairs, particularly with respect to crosstalk, enabling the demands of Gigabit Ethernet to be met.

What about Category 6 & 7?

The standards for Category 6 and 7 have not as yet been ratified.

It is proposed that Category 6 should be capable of a transmission frequency of 200 MHz and would use UTP cable and R145 connectors. At this performance level, it is likely that a 'system solution' would be required and that mixing components from several manufacturers would be unlikely to meet the standard. A number of manufacturers are already producing systems which can meet the proposed Category 6 requirements.

It is proposed that Category 7 will use fully shielded cables (overall shield and individually shielded pairs) and a new connector type in order to achieve 600 MHz capability.

Some technical terms explained:

ACR Attenuation to Cross Talk Ratio

A comparison between the received signal and the Near End Crosstalk on a cable

Attenuation

A measure of the loss of signal strength along a length of cable.

Next Near End Crosstalk

A measure of how much signal is induced from one pair onto adjacent pairs

Power Sum

An indication of the crosstalk across all cable pairs

Propagation Delay

The time taken for a signal to be transmitted along the length of cable.

Return Loss

A measure of the signal reflected along the length of a cable.

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