CAT 6A Reference Guide

Thank you for choosing Leviton Network Solutions. Our copper, fiber, power, and Connected Home solutions are ideal for today's most demanding applications, consistently exceeding our customers’ expectations. Leviton CAT 6A structured cabling solutions are no exception. UTP eXtreme® 6A channel- and component-rated performance options plus a shielded solution meet the needs of any application.

Our component-rated UTP CAT 6A connectivity solution is the first in the industry to achieve third party verification through Intertek/ETL. Our channel-rated UTP solution balances economy with Leviton performance. And shielded connectivity delivers the signal isolation and data security essential in government, gaming, medical, and financial installations.

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TSUNDERSTANDING CAT 6AStandardsLeviton CAT 6A ExpertiseLeviton CAT 6A Systems

HORIZONTAL CABLINGCAT 6A Cable TypesRouting & HandlingPathways & Spaces

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ROOMPatch PanelsCable Management ProductsCable AssembliesManaging Cords

WORK AREACablingWorkstation

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DATA CENTER APPLICATIONSPathways & SpacesNew CAT 6A DC Solutions

CAT 6A TERMINATIONTips110-Style Patch Panels UTP ConnectorsShielded Connectors

CAT 6A TESTINGPerformance TestsAXT Testing

LEVITON PART NUMBERS

GLOSSARY

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INTRODUCTION1.

Understanding CAT 6A

Equipment, design and planning, and installation practices for CAT 6A projects are all significantly different from previous generation structured cabling systems. Use this guide to gain a better understanding of these unique requirements, which will in turn help you accurately bid jobs and shorten installation time. The final result will be a high-performance system that supports today’s requirements and provides a smooth migration path toward 10G network performance.

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Organization: TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association)

Standard: 568-C.2 (replaces 568-B.2-10)

Defines: Performance requirements for CAT 6A channels, permanent links, and components

Organization: IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)

Standard: 802.3an

Defines: Channel performance for 10GBASE-T Ethernet over balanced twisted pair cables

Organization: ISO (International Standards Organization)

Standard: 11801; Class EA Specification

Defines: Class EA cabling and component performance requirements for customer premises. ISO equivalent of CAT 6A; commonly specified outside of North America

The Category 6A (Augmented Category 6) standard addresses the performance demands of 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T). Several organizations detail aspects of the standard, but all define 6A performance as up to 500 MHz and a maximum distance of 100 meters (328 feet). CAT 6A is backward compatible with CAT 6, 5e, 5, and 3 performance and applications.

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Technical Support & Applications Engineering

When you need assistance with your next CAT 6A project, from selecting the best products for an application to tips on building or installing a system, contact our technical support team. Team members have extensive training on CAT 6A standards and applications, and can help work through your questions as you complete your first 10G installations.

Leviton’s expert team of applications engineers provides CAT 6A infrastructure design assistance. Each design is built around the specific needs of your active equipment, network topology, and transmission methods. The unique requirements of facilities such as data centers, government agencies, health care facilities, and high-rise structures are also incorporated. Just as important, the team utilizes its thorough understanding of industry standards and product functionality to plan systems that will accommodate industry trends and future needs.

Call 800.824.3005 or +1.425.486.2222 or email appeng@leviton.com for technical support or applications engineer assistance.

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Specification Support

Leviton’s nationwide team of specification engineers supports consultants, architects, specifiers, and engineers who design network systems. All team members hold BICSI’s RCDD certification, and are members of the Construction Specifications Institute. These engineers thoroughly understand the demands placed on different network environments, and specify only the equipment that will provide optimal performance in each installation. In addition, Leviton offers direct field support and materials for use in bids, design plans, RFPs, and specification documents, including BIM (building information modeling) objects, CAD drawing files, Visio stencils, and bid spec/RFP documents.

Visit leviton.com/specteam or email specteam@leviton.com for more information.

Leviton Contractor Program

For guaranteed product performance, choose a Leviton Contractor Program installer. The program builds on contractor experience and knowledge to ensure quality installation of Leviton Network Solutions products. Program installers attend Leviton’s training course, which includes the latest structured cabling standards, industry technologies, installation techniques, and field-testing methods. Most importantly, they offer more value to their customers with a lifetime product and performance warranty on qualified projects.

Visit leviton.com/lcp or email contractorprograms@leviton.com for more information.

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All category-rated solutions are channel rated, meaning that the end-to-end system has been tested to perform at or above its standard’s requirements. Leviton’s channel-rated system balances economy with Leviton quality and performance. Our exclusive Cone of Silence® helps suppress alien crosstalk, a dual layer wiring scheme label simplifies termination, and patented Retention Force Technology protects against damage from four- or six-pin plugs.

Leviton’s component-rated system delivers industry-leading performance for today’s high bandwidth applications. Component-rated performance is more stringent than channel-rated; each connectivity element is guaranteed to meet or exceed the standard’s performance. To provide greater headroom in high-density and short-link installations, Leviton has designed and engineered a component-rated CAT 6A connector with patent-pending triple-stage compensation. An advanced rigid circuit board design, engineered tine geometry, and a flexible circuit provide compensation to minimize the adverse effects of return loss, near end crosstalk, and alien crosstalk.

Like our CAT 6A UTP solutions, Leviton’s shielded solutions exceed CAT 6A performance standards and protect network traffic from alien crosstalk. Our shielded solutions offer a high level of data security and EMI/RFI protection for government, healthcare, gaming, financial, manufacturing, and other sensitive environments. With shielding, internal data signals are securely contained and isolated from interference.

Channel-Rated UTP System Component-Rated UTP System Shielded SystemLE

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• QuickPort® connectors• SlimLine patch cords• 110-style patch panels• QuickPort patch panels• 110-style wiring blocks

UTP Channel- & Component-Rated

• Die-cast QuickPort connectors • SlimLine patch cords• QuickPort patch panels

Shielded

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CAT 6A cable is considerably different from previous generation cable.Its larger outside diameter (OD), corresponding larger minimum bend radius, and heavier weight will change installation requirements for routing and handling as well as design of pathways and spaces.

How is CAT 6A Cable Unique?

• TIA standard allows up to .354" outside diameter (OD), a 54% increase over CAT 6 OD average of .23"

• More than twice the weight of typical CAT 6 cable• Tighter twists and larger conductor size than CAT 6 and 5e • Typically comes on large reels and requires special reel-handling equipment

CAT 6

CAT 6A

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1st Generation UTP

2nd Generation UTP

2nd generation UTP cable also has tighter twists and larger conductors than CAT 6, but incorporates new cable design elements such as filler tubes or non-conductive isolation wraps that allow a smaller cable OD while retaining 6A performance. 2nd generation cable is lighter and offers better performance with a smaller bend radius.

Shielded

Shielded cable provides higher immunity to EMI/RFI and has a smaller OD, typically .29" - .32". However, the cable has a drain wire and foil shield that will increase installation time. In addition, every component in the system must be shielded and properly bonded to ground in order to be effective.

CAT 6A Cable Types

Most 1st generation UTP cable is designed and manufactured with tighter twists, larger conductor size, and more complex center splines than CAT 6 cable. These characteristics increase cable OD and result in heavier cable weight, reduced fill capacity, and a larger bend radius.

2nd Gen1st Gen shielded

Maximum Horizontal Cable DistanceTIA specifies 90 meters (295 feet) as the maximum permanent link length and 100 meters (328 feet) for maximum channel length.The standards do not specify a minimum length, but 10 feet is recommended to avoid return loss and NEXT issues due to the higher signal frequency. Leviton is the only manufacturer to provide lifetime warranty coverage on qualified installations for a 10 foot permanent link, critical in data center applications.

Cable Type 5e 6 6A Gen1 6A Gen2 6A Shielded 6A Max

Average OD .185" .230" .330" .300" .290" .354"

2nd Gen1st Gen shielded 2nd Gen1st Gen shielded TEC

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Cable Reels

Typically, CAT 6A cable will come on reels instead of in pull boxes and will require racks/carts that can support their larger size.

Cable Pulling

The maximum pulling tension for a 4-pair balanced twisted pair cable must not exceed 25 lbf (110N). Exceeding this tension will result in transmission degradation and may affect the system’s ability to pass certification testing.

Leviton VELCRO® Brand FastenersUse Leviton's VELCRO® Brand fasteners to secure all cable bundles. Our genuine VELCRO® Brand products won’t crush or damage cables like tie wraps can, and are reusable for moves, adds, and changes.

Larger, heavier CAT 6A cables require modifications to traditional cable routing and handling techniques.

Follow the tips here to help ensure a smooth installation.

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CH. 2 Bend Radius

Slack Loops

Placement

To maintain CAT 6A performance, minimum bend radius should exceed 4x OD for UTP and shielded cable. This radius is significantly larger than CAT 6 and 5e. Plan carefully to ensure there is sufficient space throughout cable runs to maintain proper bend radius.

TIA recommends storing 10 feet of extra cable in the telecom room and 12-18 inches above work area installations for re-terminations and to accommodate moves, adds, and changes. Use an extended or figure 8 loop configuration to alleviate cable stress. Cable slack in bundled or excessive loops has been shown to degrade cable performance and is associated with return loss failures. Plan carefully to ensure there is sufficient space and support for heavy CAT 6A cable slack loops.

Leviton approved-partner CAT 6A cable may be placed in the same tray with CAT 6, 5e, and other category-rated cables. In addition, Leviton warrants its product performance whether strict combing or randomizing dressing methods are used. As with all cable runs, large or heavy cable bundles should be positioned under other cable to prevent crushing. Follow NEC code for separating power and data cables.

Pulling LubricantsTo maintain CAT 6A performance, choose spray or wipe lubricants specifically designed for data communications cables. Using other lubricants can degrade performance; the majority of insertion loss failures have been traced back to the use of general purpose lubricants.

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Note: In 568-B.2-10, CAT 6A shielded cable bend radius was 8x OD.

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CH. 2 Cable Tray Fill

TIA-569 recommends 25% fill at initial installation and up to 50% with unplanned additions.If a single cable tray will also carry power cables, a physical barrier is required to comply with the NEC. Finally, ensure tray support spacing is sufficient to prevent excessive sagging. Consider solid bottom tray for higher density applications.

Conduit Fill

Structural & Cable Supports

A maximum conduit fill ratio of 40% is recommended by TIA-569 standards to accommodate cable bundle bend radius requirements and allow for future expansion.

• Stronger anchors and threaded rods are needed to support heavier CAT 6A cable

• Use properly sized J hooks and other supports to accommodate bundle size

• Limit bundles to 50 cables to prevent damage to cables on the bottom

• Do not exceed cable support manufacturer’s recommended capacity

• Space cable supports randomly between 3 and 4 feet apart to prevent system degradation due to sagging

• Do not use ceiling support wires or other ceiling components to support communications infrastructure

Typical Tray & Conduit Capacity (# of cables)

5e 6 6A1 6A2 6AS

Average OD .185" .230" .330" .300" .290"

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* 2" x 6" 111 72 35 42 454" x 8" 298 192 93 113 1216" x 20" 1116 722 350 424 454

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*25% fill ratio

**EMT Trade Size. Calculations based on industry standards of 53% capacity for 1 cable, 31% for 2 cables, and 40% for 3 or more cables.

Note: 6A1 = 1st generation, 6A2 = 2nd generation, 6As = Shielded

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CONSOLIDATION POINT

HORIZONTAL UTP CABLE

PERMANENT LINK (90m)

CHANNEL (100m)

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CH. 2 Consolidation Points & Zone Enclosures

TIA standards allow an optional consolidation point (CP) within a permanent link. A CAT 6A 110 block is Leviton’s standard CP solution; density is 1/3 less than CAT 6 110 blocks (64-pair CAT 6A capacity vs. 96-pair for CAT 6 in the same footprint).

Consolidation points may be mounted into a Leviton zone enclosure, which are available in several styles:

• Ceiling- or floor-mount• Plenum-rated• Active or passive equipment rated

Cable Tray Sizing

To determine the proper tray size based on 25% fill, use the following calculation:

Step Instructions Example

1 Determine cable diameter and total number of cables .30" diameter each, 100 cables total

2 Square the cable diameter .30 x .30 = .09

3 Multiply result by number of cables .09 x 100 = 9

4Multiply result by .785 to factor for cable roundness(This result is the total cross-sectional area of your cables)

9 x .785 = 7.065 sq in

5 Multiply result by 4 to obtain pathway size at 25% fill 7.065 x 4 = 28.26 sq in

At 25% fill, a 28 sq in area is needed, so a standard 4" x 8" tray would be adequate.

Note: For conduit, size for 40% fill by substituting 2.5 as the multiplier in Step 5

Zone enclosures also accept patch panels and/or active equipment, and are then considered telecom enclosures (TEs).

FirestoppingCAT 6A cables may require larger firewall penetrations. Always follow applicable national code (e.g. NEC or CEC) or a superceding authority-having jurisdiction (AHJ) codes for firestopping requirements.T

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Organizing cable runs at racks and cabinets is essential to a well-managed network. Larger, heavier CAT 6A cables may require special planning and equipment for a successful installation. Select the best patch panels, cable management, and patch cords or trunks for your application to speed installation and simplify ongoing management.

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110-Style

C1 Ultra™ QuickPort

• 1RU 24-port flat and angled • 2RU 48-port flat and angled

Our newest panel offers a high-end aesthetic, superior strength, and customization capabilities perfect for data centers and other showroom-style applications.

QuickPort®

Shielded

• 1RU 24-port • 2RU 48-port • 2RU 72-port high-density

Shielded panels are ideal for installations where data security and signal isolation are critical, including government agencies, banking, gaming, and hospitals.

Flat 110-style panels are our most popular models; they can be used in a wide variety of applications and offer a standard IDC field with easy punchdown.

Our QuickPort panels allow you to color-code your CAT 6A installations, mix-and match media, and to add connectors as more capacity is needed.

• 2RU 48-port flat composite

• 1RU 24-port flat and angled QuickPort • 2RU 48-port flat and angled QuickPort

C1 Ultra™ Composite Patch Panel

For the ultimate in panel design and customization capabilities, choose Leviton’s new C1 Ultra. Polymer construction has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than 16-gauge metal and a look totally unique in the industry. Custom labeling options include A/B switch fabric color-coding, corporate or school logos, or virtually any front panel design.

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VertiGO® Zero-U

Patented VertiGO Zero-U panels can be mounted on racks or cabinets, to a ladder tray or wire basket, directly to the wall, under a raised floor, or even onto modular furniture.

• 12-port panel only, 3" rear channel, or 6" rear channel

Flat, angled, recessed angled, and recessed flat:

• 1RU 48-port high-densityFlat and angled:

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CH. 3 Vertical Management

8" High-Capacity Versi-Duct® 5" Versi-Duct®

• 80" length, standard hinged black cover, front only• 80" length, standard hinged black cover, front and rear• 80" length, designer hinged grey cover, front only• 80" length, designer hinged grey cover, front and rear• Center mounting bracket, 8" channel• Cable retainer and slack loop organizer, 8" channel

• 80" length, standard snap-on black cover, front only• 80" length, standard snap-on black cover, front and rear• 40" length, standard snap-on black cover, front only• 40" length, standard snap-on black cover, front and rear• Grey snap-on designer cover, front and rear• Mounting bracket, 5" channel

High-capacity Versi-Duct is ideal for CAT 6A installations, especially large deployments. Choose a designer cover for a sleek look in showroom environments.

Choose 5" Versi-Duct for smaller installations where its capacity meets installation needs, including future growth (see capacity chart below).

Versi-Duct Capacity (# of cables)

CAT 6A Gen1 CAT 6A Gen2 CAT 6A Shielded

Average OD .330" .300" .290"

Fill Rate 25% 50% 25% 50% 25% 50%

5" Channel Size 45 90 55 110 59 118

8" Channel Size 145 290 177 354 190 380CA

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Versi-Duct® Rear Cable Management Support Bars Standard Front Cable Management• Front only • Front and rear • 1 and 2RU grey designer covers• Bend radius limiters

• Standard flat, angled, and recessed angled• Extended flat• High-density flat• Rear manager for active equipment flat

• 1, 2, and 4RU managers with metal rings• 1 and 2RU managers with plastic saddles• SpaceMaker manager

Choose horizontal Versi-Duct as part of a complete Versi-Duct cable management solution, or in installations where aesthetics or large finger spacing are priorities.

Rear support bars complement specific panel styles and are included with all Leviton flat panels.

Standard front managers complement Leviton panel styles and keep patch cords visible for easy identification.

Leviton VELCRO® Brand Fasteners

• 5", 8", and 12" tie wraps in four colors plus plenum-rated maroon • 15' and 75' bulk rolls in four colors plus plenum-rated maroon• 600' bulk rolls • 15" compression straps in four colors• 75' SoftCinch Lite 1/2" wide rolls• Utility fasteners including saddle ties, J hooks, workstation loops, and storage rings

Need cable management for use in air handling spaces? Leviton’s large selection of genuine VELCRO® Brand fasteners includes several styles in plenum-rated maroon.S

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CH. 3 Leviton Pre-Terminated Copper Trunks

Copper trunks are part of Leviton’s extensive, quick turnaround make-to-order (MTO) program. The custom-configured cable assemblies speed installation at data centers and other large, critical applications. By shifting much of the assembly work to the factory, field installation time is reduced by up to 80%.

All Leviton trunks include a braided sleeve with pulling eye to protect terminations during shipment, ensure easy installation, and keep trunk assembly organized. In addition, our pre-terminated trunks are 100% factory tested and shipped with test results and individual cable serial numbers. No further testing is necessary after installation, and qualified installations are eligible for our limited lifetime product and performance warranty.

Custom-configuration options:

• Cable type• Breakout and overall length (10-295 feet/90 meters)• Jack, plug, or open termination• Even or staggered connector alignment• Cable and jack color• Plenum or riser sleeve

Leviton SlimLine Patch Cords

Leviton CAT 6A patch cords feature our exclusive SlimLine plug design. The narrow profile plugs reduce congestion in high-density applications. In addition, they feature a strain relief boot for long-term network performance, and a snagless design to prevent tab breakage. An industry-leading outside diameter of .240" further reduces congestion while 26-gauge stranded cable provides maximum flex-life.

Cable construction provides excellent alien crosstalk (AXT) suppression and EMI/RFI protection. In fact, the same cord is deployed for UTP and shielded applications. SlimLine patch cords are component-rated for optimum channel performance. The cords are available in 6 standard lengths from 3 to 20 feet, and in 8 popular colors.

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Cable & Cord Dressing

Rear of Rack (cables)Whether routing cables from above or below, symmetrically distribute bundles to feed into each panel from left and right. This will balance the cable bundles, allow easier access to connections, and reduce congestion at the rear of the panels. Leviton rear cable managers, Versi-Duct® vertical and horizontal finger duct (front/rear versions), and VELCRO® Brand fasteners all support CAT 6A cable at the rear of racks and cabinets.

Front of Rack (cords)Symmetrically dress cords and route into cable management. Leviton’s CAT 6A cords have been independently and field-tested to ensure 10G performance whether they are strictly combed or randomized in cable managers. Our horizontal ring-type cable managers as well as horizontal and vertical Versi-Duct products help manage patch cords at the front of the rack. To reduce cord bundle sizes, consider using angled patch panels with vertical Versi-Duct. Also consider Leviton SlimLine CAT 6A patch cords; their low-profile will reduce congestion at the face of the patch panel and on high-density switch equipment.

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To maintain CAT 6A performance, minimum bend radius should exceed 4x OD for both UTP and shielded. For CAT 6A cables, this radius is significantly larger than CAT 6 and 5e. Plan carefully to ensure there is sufficient space to maintain proper bend radius.

Color CodingEnhance data center and telecom room organization by color-coding connectors and patch cords. Choose from several schemes, depending on application and system management priorities:

• A/B switch fabric for data center redundancy• Connectivity types such as WAN/corporate data, LAN,

engineering networks, voice, and more• Campus location • Company colors

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Note: In 568-B.2-10, CAT 6A shielded cable bend radius was 8x OD.

TELECOM ROOM

Connectivity in the work area requires a finished look, ease of maintenance, and performance, all while meeting installation codes and guidelines. Simplify work area connectivity planning, design, and installation with the following tips.

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In-Wall Applications

CAT 6A cables require additional depth behind faceplates and at all directional changes to maintain proper bend radius. Before installation, verify that the design allows sufficient depth throughout the run.

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Drop Ceiling Applications

Cable infrastructure must be independently suspended by components designed for this purpose, separate from all other building systems. Do not use ductwork, piping, earthquake bracing, or the drop ceiling grid to suspend cable or cabling support infrastructure.

Leviton Consolidation Points & Zone Enclosures

Reduce the cost and complexity of moves, adds, and changes with Leviton’s consolidation point (CP) solutions. Our TIA-compliant solutions allow businesses to add an interconnection point within a horizontal cabling permanent link. When work areas are modified, cabling need only be reconfigured back to the consolidation point, rather than all the way to the telecom room.

Leviton’s standard CAT 6A consolidation point solution is our 110-style wiring block. Mount into a Leviton zone enclosure, available in several styles:

• Ceiling- and floor-mount• Plenum-rated• Active or passive equipment rated

Zone enclosures also accept patch panels and/or active equipment, and are then considered telecom enclosures (TEs).

Active Ceiling Enclosure

Passive Raised-Floor Enclosure

110-Style Wiring Block

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Junction Boxes and Mud Rings

Verify that the connectivity design specifies the proper junction box size before drywall is installed. Consider an oversized junction box to accommodate CAT 6A cabling and bend radius requirements, or use mud rings (box eliminators) instead.

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To maintain proper bend radius, consider exiting cable from modular furniture pathways into a surface mount box instead of directly to a faceplate. Leviton’s extended depth four-port surface mount box works with most modular furniture and is an excellent solution for larger CAT 6A bend radius requirements.

Modular Furniture Installations Cubicle furniture and walls often have restricted wireways. Determine cable capacity before finalizing specifications to verify there is adequate space for cables and bend radius requirements. Consider mocking up a cubicle. Most cubicle installations use surface mount boxes or modular furniture faceplates, which help offset the space restrictions of narrow cubicle walls.

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Leviton QuickPort® Faceplates & Inserts

Leviton offers numerous QuickPort opening faceplates to match any décor. Choose from:

• Standard commercial, Decora® or Acenti® designer, or Excella™ British Standard styles• Stainless steel construction or thermoplastic in seven popular colors • Single- or dual-gang with 1- to 12-port capacity • Openings for data connectors or multimedia connectivity• With or without ID windows

Standard Commercial Acenti ExcellaAngledDecora

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DATA CENTER APPLICATIONS5.

Data centers are one of the most critical parts of any data network and thus require the highest levels of performance and reliability. Cabling for data centers differs from horizontal installations in several ways: typical distances, network function, pathways and spaces, and more. CAT 6A cabling may affect requirements for all of these, but especially pathways and spaces. Careful planning and proper specifications will help ensure a successful installation.

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Raised Floor vs. Overhead Cable Runs

There are three typical data center CAT 6A cable run configurations: power and data cabling both under a raised floor, both overhead, or power below and data overhead. The chosen configuration will affect other data center design elements:

• If power and communications cable are both overhead, cable trays must be properly sized, separated, and configured to support 6A cables and accommodate power runs.

• If both are underfloor, pedestals must be higher to accommodate larger 6A cables, room for expansion, segregation from power runs, and proper airflow.

Follow best-practice CAT 6A installation guidelines to achieve and maintain optimum performance:

• Pathways should be sized for 25% initial fill ratio, which allows space for up to 50% fill with future additions. Pathways should be no more than 6" deep; larger deployments may use multiple trays or pathways to support cabling requirements.

• Space cable bundle supports every three to four feet at irregular intervals.

• Leviton trunks can be pre-terminated or field terminated. There are numerous advantages to using pre-terminated trunks, including factory testing for alien crosstalk (AXT); see page 17 for a detailed discussion.

Leviton Component-Rated Performance

Leviton component-rated CAT 6A solutions offer guaranteed performance at permanent link distances as short as 10 feet, which is critical in data center applications. How? With patent-pending triple-stage compensation. An advanced rigid circuit board design, engineered tine geometry, and a flexible circuit combine to enhance permanent link and channel performance, and minimize the adverse effects of near end crosstalk (NEXT), return loss (RL), and alien crosstalk (AXT). S

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Pre-Terminated Copper Trunks

Reduce installation time by up to 80% with Leviton make-to-order (MTO) copper trunks. All MTO trunks are 100% factory tested and shipped with test results and individual cable serial numbers. No further testing is necessary after installation, and qualified installations are eligible for our limited lifetime product and performance warranty.

Configuration options:• Cable type• Breakout and overall length (up to

90 meters)• Jack, plug, or open termination• Even or staggered plug alignment• Cable and jack color• Plenum or riser sleeve

Leviton C1 Ultra™ Composite Patch Panel

The new Leviton C1 Ultra combines strength and durability with a sleek look ideal for data centers. Polymer construction has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than 16-gauge metal and a look totally unique in the industry. Custom labeling options include A/B switch fabric color-coding, corporate or school logos, or virtually any front panel design. The 2RU 48-port flat QuickPort® panel accepts eXtreme® CAT 6A component- or channel-rated connectors.

• 80" length with standard hinged black cover, front only or front and rear• 80" length with designer hinged grey cover, front only or front and rear• Center mounting bracket• Cable retainer and slack loop organizer

8" x 8" Versi-Duct® Cable Management

High-Capacity Versi-Duct is ideal for CAT 6A data center installations. The large channels accommodate larger outside diameter CAT 6A cables, while channel covers help create a finished look in showroom-style installations. Managers can be side or center mounted for optimal space utilization.

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Component-Rated Connectors

For unparalleled performance, choose the eXtreme® CAT 6A component-rated connector – the first in the industry to achieve this stringent benchmark. It has the best available performance for short run applications, down to a 10' permanent link. In fact, it's so well designed, it even meets component requirements when loaded in a 1RU 48-port QuickPort® panel.

Leviton-exclusive features combine to deliver a connector with best-in-class performance and functionality:

• Patented dual-layer T568A/B label with larger wiring diagrams• Patented Cone of Silence® and metalized body help suppress

alien crosstalk (AXT)• Patented Retention Force Technology protects against

damage from four- or six-pin plugs• Patent-pending triple-stage compensation enhances margin

performance and augments AXT suppression• Sharper Pair Separation Towers ease conductor separation• Conductor retention feature holds wires during termination

SlimLine Component-Rated Patch Cords

Leviton SlimLine patch cords feature a narrow profile plug to reduce congestion in high-density data center applications. A wealth of features maximizes performance:

• Exceptional alien crosstalk suppression and EMI/RFI protection• The same cord is used for both UTP and shielded applications• Strain relief boot ensures long-term network performance• Snagless design prevents tabs breakage during moves, adds, and changes• 26-gauge stranded cable and .24" OD provide maximum flexibility

Leviton Data Center Specialists

Need help with a CAT 6A data center infrastructure project? Our DC specialists provide technical support including design, layout, elevations, pathways, and specifications to support any data center architecture and equipment requirements. Team members average more than two decades of industry experience and have a deep understanding of industry best practices and our customers needs.

Email dcteam@leviton.com for more information.

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CAT 6A TERMINATION6.

Termination steps for CAT 6A connectors are much the same as for CAT 6, with the major exception of handling the cable’s larger OD. To compensate, Leviton has designed several exclusive features into its new CAT 6A connectors to speed termination. Read on for details of these features, other tips for a seamless installation, and for termination instructions for our 110-style panel, UTP connectors, and shielded connector.

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Component-Rated CAT 6A

Channel-Rated CAT 6A

Shielded CAT 6A

Extra Cable for Re-terminations

TIA recommends storing 10 feet of extra cable in the telecom room and 12-18 inches above work area installations for re-terminations and to accommodate moves, adds, and changes. Use an extended or figure 8 loop configuration to alleviate cable stress. Cable slack in bundled or excessive loops has been shown to degrade cable performance and is associated with return loss failures.

Leviton CAT 6A Connectors

All eXtreme® CAT 6A UTP connectors include several features that deliver ease-of-use and superior performance:

• Patented dual-layer T568A/B label with larger wiring diagrams

• Patented Cone of Silence® and metalized body to help suppress alien crosstalk (AXT)

• Patented Retention Force Technology protects against damage from four- or six-pin plugs

Our component-rated UTP connectors add performance-enhancing features:

• Patent-pending triple-stage compensation enhances margin performance and augments AXT suppression

• Sharper Pair Separation Towers ease conductor separation

• Conductor retention feature holds wires during termination

CAT 6A shielded connectors offer superior signal isolation and EMI/RFI protection, a 270° hinge for easy access, no punchdown tool needed, and snap-close cap when termination is complete.

Leviton Palm Termination Tool

Use Leviton’s Palm Termination Tool to quickly and easily punch down connectors at the jobsite. The Palm Tool offers an ergonomic comfort grip, increased connector stability, and integrated holes that allow rack mounting for QuickPort® panel terminations.The Palm Tool is compatible with all CAT 6A/6/5e and standard QuickPort A/V connectors.

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eXtreme® CAT 6A 110-Style Patch Panel TerminationIN

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TERMI-NATION Mount the eXtreme CAT 6A 110-Style Patch Panel to

a standard 19" equipment rack or wall-mount bracket, using the provided screws.

Determine which color-coded wiring scheme is desired (T568A or T568B).

NOTE: The color codes and port numbers are located on the panel labels between termination (IDC) slots.

Remove approximately 3" of the jacket and center spline/separator from cable.

Route jacketed wire to the termination field so that the jacket is centered near the IDCs (Figure A).

CAUTION: Use of mass termination impact tool is not permissible for this product.

Starting with the middle two pairs (orange/white and green/white) use your fingers to carefully seat and secure the wires into the IDC slots. Maintain wire pair twisting to within 1/2" of the IDC contact. Then position a 110-style impact tool (set to low impact) perpendicular to the IDC slot, seat and trim the cable.

NOTE: If wires appear to be “bridged” over the IDC, rather than securely seated into the slot, pull out the wires and reseat and repunch them (Figure B).

Once the CAT 6A module has been terminated, snap the 3-port retention cap to the back of the connector top and bottom sides. The retention cap can also be broken into single pieces (Figure C).

After the panel has been fully terminated, attach the cable management bar to the back of patch panel (Figure D).

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A. B. C. D.

"Bridged" Wire Retention Dust Cap

Cable Management Bar

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eXtreme® CAT 6A Component- and Channel-Rated Connector TerminationIN

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TERMI-NATION 1

2

3

5

4

T568A & T568B WIRING STANDARDS IDC COLOR ASSIGNMENTS

CONNECTOR PiN #

T568A WiRE COlORs

T568B WiRE COlORs

1 White/Green White/Orange

2 Green Orange

3 White/Orange White/Green

4 Blue Blue

5 White/Blue White/Blue

6 Orange Green

7 White/Brown White/Brown

8 Brown Brown

Remove about 3" of cable jacket and center spline (stiff plastic separator inside CAT 6A cable).

Determine whether to use wiring scheme T568A or T568B. Note the associated color codes and connector pin number on the label located between the IDC connector slots (Figure A). Peel back label for T568A wiring.

Leave the cable jacket within 1/8" of the connector side, then route the wires for termination using the selected wiring scheme (Figure B). Route cable perpendicular to the IDC field. Ensure there is enough slack in the twisted pairs, and do not place the cable jacket into the termination field.

Use your fingers to carefully seat wires into the IDC slots. Maintain wire pair twisting to within 1/2" of the IDC. Set a 110-style impact tool to low and position it perpendicular to the connector. Seat and trim the cable one pair at a time to prevent crushing the inside pairs (Figure C).

Place the Cone of Silence® over the terminated wires for secure connection and guaranteed CAT 6A performance (Figure D).

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CAT 6AeXtreme®

CAT 6A

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CAT 6A Shielded Connector TerminationIN

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TERMI-NATION Strip a minimum of 1.5" of jacket from the end of the

cable. For F/UTP cable, pull the foil or braided shield back over the jacket, and wrap the drain wire around the shield. For U/FTP cable, fold the foil from each twisted pair over the jacket and wrap the drain wire around the shield.

Insert the wires from the stripped cable into the stuffer cap through the hole (Figure A).

Determine whether to use wiring scheme T568A or T568B. Insert the wires into their correct positions per the desired wiring scheme (Figure B).

Using a flush cutter, cut the excess wire off as close to the edge of the cap as possible (Figure C). Wire tips should not protrude more than 1/32 of an inch.

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6

Make sure that arrows on both connector and cap point in the same direction, align the cap with the IDC towers, and press into position. Rotate the cap wings toward each other until they snap closed (Figure D).

Ensure that the drain wire is wrapped around the cable and shield. Tie-wrap the drain wire to the shield. Do not over- tighten the tie wrap! It should be snug, but not so tight that it crushes the wires (Figure E).

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D. E.

CAT 6A TESTING7.

Field testing of CAT 6A installations is much like field testing for CAT 5e and CAT 6. However, CAT 6A testing is performed out to the higher frequency of 500 MHz. In addition, CAT 6A adds several tests for alien crosstalk (AXT).

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CAT 6A TESTING

CAT 6A Performance Tests

• Wire map

• Length

• Attenuation

• Propagation delay

• Delay skew

• NEXT – near-end crosstalk

• PSNEXT – power sum near-end crosstalk

• FEXT – far-end crosstalk

• ELFEXT (ACRF) – equal level far-end crosstalk (attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio, far-end)

• PSELFEXT (PSACRF) – power sum equal level far-end crosstalk (power sum attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio, far-end)

• Return loss (RL)

• PSFEXT – power sum far-end crosstalk

• PSACRF – power sum attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio, far-end

• AACRF – alien attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio, far-end

• AFEXT – alien far-end crosstalk

• ANEXT – alien near-end crosstalk

• PSAACRF – power sum alien attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio, far-end

• PSAFEXT – power sum alien far-end crosstalk

• PSANEXT – power sum alien near-end crosstalk

Field Testing

Use an industry-recognized UL Level 4 field tester capable of testing to 500 MHz. Contact the test equipment manufacturer for any necessary hardware or software upgrades, including AXT testing capabilities, for testing CAT 6A installations. Perform permanent link or channel tests for all installed drops. Upon completion, provide the customer with all test results.

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CH. 7

CAT 6A TESTING

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PSANEXT PSAACRF Leviton AXT Performance

Alien crosstalk (AXT) can have a serious impact on CAT 6A cabling system performance. Choose Leviton and get guaranteed AXT suppression. Independent 3rd-party and Leviton tests have proven that properly installed Leviton CAT 6A solutions have significant AXT headroom over the standard’s requirements, even for permanent links as short as 10 feet. As a result, properly installed Leviton systems with approved cable do not require field alien crosstalk testing. In addition, Leviton pre-terminated, pre-tested trunk cables do not require any field testing.

Independent (ETL) Test Results for Leviton Short Channel (30 ft.) CAT 6A System

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Frequency (MHz): (Blue - Worst Case, Green - Average) Frequency (MHz): (Blue - Worst Case, Green - Average)

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CH. 7

CAT 6A TESTING

AXT Testing Preparation

AXT testing measures the unwanted noise coupled to the cable being tested (called the “Victim” or “Disturbed”) by six surrounding cables (called “Disturbers”). Two tests need to be performed: The Power Sum Alien Near-end Crosstalk (PSANEXT) test and the Power Sum Alien Attenuation-to-Crosstalk Ratio, Far-end (PSAACRF) test. Results for the remaining AXT tests are taken as part of these two, so although they are not directly provided, a “pass” result for PSANEXT and PSAACRF ensures passing results for AACRF, AFEXT, ANEXT, and PSAFEXT. A 2% sample of the installed cables is typically recommended; testing the longest cables in the installation will provide the most meaningful results.

• AXT tests are time-consuming! Budget AXT test time into your bid• Handheld test instruments (field testers) require an adjunct AXT module• A laptop computer is also typically used with the field tester • The field tester’s AXT application software must be loaded onto the laptop• Installation personnel will require training prior to performing AXT testing

AXT testing requires special planning, equipment and training:

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Is AXT Testing Required?

Even though Leviton does not require field AXT testing for its CAT 6A solutions, you may still be required to perform this testing. Read project specifications carefully to determine if they call for field AXT testing. If they do, ask for a waiver based on the proven performance of Leviton’s CAT 6A solutions. If the customer won’t grant a waiver, you’ll need to perform the testing. Read the following “AXT Testing Preparation” section to gain a better understanding of field AXT testing requirements.

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PART NUMBERS8.

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QUICKPORT® PATCH PANELS

DESCRIPTION PART NO.

FLAT

1RU, 24-port, black connectors included 6910G-U24

1RU, 24-port, empty 49255-H24

1RU, 48-port, black connectors included 6910G-D48

2RU, 48-port, black connectors included 6910G-U48

2RU, 48-port, empty 49255-H48

2RU, 72-port, empty 49255-D72

AN

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1RU, 24-port, empty 49256-H24

1RU, 48-port, empty (for use with 6A10G CAT 6A connectors) 49256-D48

2RU, 48-port, empty 49256-H48

2RU, 72-port, empty 49256-D72

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D 1RU, 24-port, empty 4W256-H24

2RU, 48-port, empty 4W256-H48

2RU, 72-port, empty 4W256-D72

110-STYLE EXTREME® 6A COMPONENT-RATED PATCH PANELS

DESCRIPTION PART NO.

Flat, 1RU, 24-port 6A586-U24

Flat, 2RU, 48-port 6A586-U48

Angled, 1RU, 24-port 6A587-U24

Angled, 2RU, 48-port 6A587-U48

C1 ULTRA™ COMPOSITE PATCH PANELS

QuickPort, flat, 2RU, 48-port, empty C1255-H48

VERTIGO® ZERO-U PATCH PANELS

12-port, panel only, empty 49280-QP0

12-port with 3" channel, empty 49280-QP3

12-port with 6" channel, empty 49280-QP6

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CONNECTORS

DESCRIPTION PART NO.

CAT 6A shielded 6S10G-S6A

PATCH CORDS

eXtreme CAT 6A component-rated SlimLine 6AS10-xx*

PATCH PANELS

QuickPort®, flat, 1RU, 24-port, empty 4S255-S24

QuickPort, flat, 2RU, 48-port, empty 4S255-S48

QuickPort, angled, 1RU, 24-port, empty 4S256-S24

QuickPort, angled, 2RU, 48-port, empty 4S256-S48

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PARTNUMBERS

CONNECTORS

DESCRIPTION PART NO.

eXtreme® 6A component-rated 6A10G-R†6

eXtreme 6A channel-rated 6110G-R†6

PATCH CORDS

eXtreme 6A component-rated SlimLine 6AS10-xx*

CROSS CONNECT

eXtreme 6A 110-style wiring block kit, with legs and C-4 clips, 64-pair

41D6A-1F4

UTP Shielded

xx = length: (03), (05), (07), (10), (15), or (20) feet.Custom length cords available, call inside sales at 800.722.2082 or +1.425.486.2222 for more information.

White (W) Yellow (Y) Red (R) Grey (S)Blue (l) Green (G) Black (E)Orange (O) Green (V) Blue (l)Purple (P)

Crimson (C)

Dark Red (R)

Orange (O) Yellow (Y)

Black (E)Grey (G)

Ivory (I)Almond (A)light Almond (T)

Brown (B)

White (W)

† = Connector colors: Choose from any of the colors below.

* = Patch Cord colors: Choose from any of the colors below.

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VERSI-DUCT® CABLE MANAGERS

DESCRIPTION FRONT ONLY FRONT & REAR8"

X 8

" C

HA

NN

EL 80" length, standard cover 8980L-VFO 8980L-VFR

80" length, designer cover 8C80L-VFO 8C80L-VFR

Center-mount bracket – 89265-BKT

Slack loop organizer – 89265-SL1

Cable retainer – 89265-WR1

5" X

4"

CH

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NEL

80" length, standard cover 4980L-VFO 4980L-VFR

40" length, standard cover 4940L-VFO 4940L-VFR

Center-mount bracket – 49265-BKT

Designer cover, grey – 59265-5DC

HO

RIzO

NTA

L

2RU, black cover 492RU-HFO 492RU-HFR

1RU, black cover 491RU-HFO 491RU-HFR

2RU designer cover, grey – 49265-DC2

1RU designer cover, grey – 49265-DC1

Cable retainer – 49265-WR1

VELCRO® BRAND FASTENERS

DESCRIPTION BLACK COLORS

5" tie wrap 43105-005 43105-05*

8" tie wrap 43108-008 43108-08*

12" tie wrap 43112-012 43112-12*

15' bulk roll 43115-015 43115-15*

75' bulk roll 43115-075 43115-75*

600' bulk roll 43115-600 –

15" compression strap 44115-15E 44115-15* (no maroon)

75' SoftCinch Lite roll 4S115-75E –

See leviton’s full product catalog for more VElCRO® Brand utility fastener part numbers.

leviton offers a wide variety of metal front and rear cable managers. Go online to leviton.com or see our full product catalog for the complete selection.

* = Colors: Choose from any of the colors below. Maroon fasteners are plenum-rated.

Maroon (P)Orange (O)Yellow (Y)Blue (L)

GLOSSARY9.

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10GBASE-T (10 Gigabit baseband over twisted pair) This IEEE standard, 802.3an, defines 10 Gigabit Ethernet running 10Gbps over balanced twisted- pair cabling.

ANSI (American National Standards Institute) ANSI oversees the creation, circulation and use of standards and guidelines that directly impact businesses in various sectors. ANSI is also actively engaged in accrediting programs that assess conformance to standards.

Attenuation The loss of volume during transmission, or decrease in the power of a signal, light beam, or light wave. Attenuation is the opposite of gain and is measured in decibels (dB).

AWG (American wire gauge) is the standard measuring gauge for nonferrous conductors (i.e., non-iron and non-steel). Gauge measures the diameter of a conductor (thickness of cable).

AXT (alien crosstalk) is electromagnetic noise that can occur in a cable run alongside other signal-carrying cables. The term “alien” arises from the fact that this form of crosstalk occurs between different cables in a group or bundle, rather than between individual wires or circuits within a single cable.

Bandwidth The difference between the highest and the lowest frequencies of a transmission channel (path for information transmission). Identifies the amount of data that can be sent through a given channel. Measured in hertz (Hz); higher bandwidth numbers mean higher data capacity.

Bend Radius The amount of bend that can occur before a cable may sustain damage or increased attenuation.

BICSI (Building Industry Consulting Services International) is a non-profit professional association for the promotion of telecommunications industry standards.

Category 5e (enhanced category 5 or CAT 5e) is a standard for balanced twisted pair cable and components supporting signaling rates up to 100 MHz. CAT 5e is intended to support systems up to 1000BASE-T or Gigabit Ethernet up to distances of 100 m (328 ft).

Category 6 (CAT 6) is a standard for balanced twisted pair cable and components supporting signaling rates up to 250 MHz. CAT 6 is intended to support systems up to 1000BASE-T or Gigabit Ethernet up to distances of 100 m (328 ft).

Category 6A (augmented category 6 or CAT 6A) is a standard for balanced twisted pair cable and components supporting signaling rates up to 500 MHz. CAT 6A is designed to support 10GBASE-T or 10 Gigabit Ethernet up to distances of 100 m (328 ft).

Category of Performance Cabling and cabling component standards adopted by the telecommunications industry.

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Channel In the horizontal cabling portion of a structured cabling system, the channel contains all of the elements of the permanent link, plus the equipment cords at the horizontal cross-connect (HC) and the patch cords in the work area.

Channel-rated Category-rated structured cabling components are said to be channel-rated if, when installed as a system in an industry-defined channel, they meet all of the transmission and noise characteristics defined in the standard. Compare with Component-rated.

Compliance A wiring device that meets all characteristics of a standard is said to be in compliance with that standard.

Component-rated Category-rated structured cabling components are said to be component-rated if they exceed all of the transmission and noise characteristics defined in the standard for an individual structured cabling component. Component

specifications are more stringent than channel specifications and may provide greater permanent link and channel test margins. Compare with Channel-rated.

Conductor Any substance, usually a wire or cable, that can carry an electrical current.

Connecting Block Also called a terminal block, punch-down block, quick-connect block, or cross-connect block, this plastic block contains metal wiring terminals to establish connections from one group of wires to another. Usually each wire can be connected to several other wires in a bus or common arrangement. There are several types of connecting blocks: 66, 110, etc.

Connector A device that connects wires or fibers in cable to equipment or other wires or fibers. Wire and optical connectors most often join transmission media to equipment or cross connects. Connectors are sometimes referred to as jacks; but although all

jacks are connectors, not all connectors are jacks.

Consolidation Point An optional location between an ER or TR and the workstation for interconnection of horizontal cables.

Data Center (DC) A data center is a facility used for housing a large amount of electronic equipment, typically servers, computers, data storage devices, and communications equipment. Data centers are designed to assure that the equipment and data housed in them are protected from environmental hazards and security breaches. Data centers can be private, serving a single company, or a public “utility” serving a variety of companies.

dB (decibel) A dB is a unit of measure of signal strength, usually the relationship between a transmitted signal and a standard signal source. Every 3dB equals 50% of signal strength, so therefore a 6dB loss is a loss of 75% of total signal strength.

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EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance) The EIA is a trade organization made up of manufacturers that set standards for its member companies.

Ethernet leading local area network (lAN) protocol used for connecting computers, printers, workstations, terminals, etc. within the same building. Ethernet is a physical link and data link protocol that operates over twisted pair wire. See IEEE 802.3x.

ETL (Edison Testing laboratories) is an independent testing, inspection and certification laboratory owned by Intertek that provides electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, benchmark and performance testing. In addition, ETl issues two product safety marks: “listed” and “verified”.

ER (equipment room) is a centralized space that houses telecommunications equipment. ERs generally serve an entire building or campus, while TRs (telecommunication rooms) serve one floor of a building or a portion of a floor. An ER may contain active

equipment, cross-connect equipment, and building systems (e.g. life safety, security, electrical and HVAC).

FCC (Federal Communications Commission) The FCC is an independent United States government agency. It was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.

FTP (foiled twisted pair) is balanced twisted pair cable with an overall foil shield and drain wire. Also called screened twisted pair (ScTP) cable.

F/UTP (foiled screened with unshielded twisted pairs). Overall shielded cable with no shield on individual twisted pairs.

Gain An increase in signaling power when an electric device boosts the signal; measured in decibels (dB).

Gigabit When used to describe data transfer rates, Gigabit refers to 10 to the 9th power (1,000,000,000) bits. Gigabit Ethernet, abbreviated GbE, supports data transfer rates of 1 Gigabit (1,000 megabits) per second. The first Gigabit Ethernet standard (802.3z) was ratified by the IEEE 802.3 Committee in 1998.

HC (horizontal cross-connect) The HC is a location for the cross-connect of horizontal cabling to other cabling and equipment.

IC (intermediate cross-connect) The IC is a cross-connect point located between the MC (main cross-connect) and the HC in interbuilding backbone cabling.

IDC (insulation displacement connection) An IDC allows the termination of a conductor without stripping the conductor’s insulation. When the conductor is inserted into the contact, the insulation is displaced, creating contact between the conductor and the IDC, producing a gas-tight connection.

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IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) is a publishing and standards-making body responsible for many standards used in lANs.

IEEE 802.3 is a collection of IEEE standards defining the physical layer and the media access control (MAC) sublayer of the data link layer of wired Ethernet. This is the most common local area network specification.

IEEE 802.3an is a standard for 10GBASE-T released in 2006 to provide 10 gigabit per second transmission over balanced twisted pair cables up to 100 meters (328 ft).

Impedance The total opposition (i.e. resistance and reactance) a circuit offers to the flow of alternating current. It is measured in ohms, and the lower the ohmic value, the better the quality of the conductor.

Insertion Loss (Il) The difference in the amount of power received before and after something is

inserted into the circuit.

Interconnect A circuit administration point, other than a cross-connect or an information outlet, that provides capability for routing and rerouting circuits. It does not use patch cords or jumper wires, and typically is a jack-and-plug device used in smaller distribution arrangements or that connects circuits in large cables to those in smaller cables.

ISO (International Standards Organization) is the world's largest developer and publisher of international standards. It is a non-governmental organization (NGO) network of national standards institutes in 157 countries, based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Jacket (also cable jacket or sheath) The outer covering applied over internal cable elements for protection.

LAN (local area network) A lAN is a computer network covering a small physical area, generally

a single building or contiguous campus. lANs are characterized by higher data-transfer rates (compared to a WAN or wide area network) and lack of leased telecommunications lines.

Mbps Megabits Per Second. One million bits per second.

MC (main cross-connect) The MC is the cross-connect in the ER (equipment room) for connecting entrance cables, backbone cables and equipment cables.

MHz (megahertz) is a unit of frequency denoting one million hertz (1,000,000 cycles per second).

Mud Ring Industry jargon for a plaster ring/frame mounted in a wall to support a telecommunications outlet such as a faceplate. Essentially, mud rings are backless junction boxes.

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NEC (National Electric Code) The NEC or NFPA 70 (NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association, the organization that publishes the Code) addresses safeguards for people and property from electrical hazards. The NEC also specifies fire resistance and smoke ratings for building materials and is recognized and enforced in the United States. NEC article 800 addresses requirements for communications circuits.

NEXT (near-end crosstalk) Electrical noise coupled from one pair of wires to another within a multi-pair cable.

Part 68 Requirements specifications established by the FCC as the minimum acceptable protection communications equipment must provide the telephone network.

Patch Cord A cord made from 4-pair 100-ohm balanced twisted-pair cable. Patch cords may be shielded or unshielded, depending on the type of system being installed. They are typically wired T568

A or B with an 8-position, 8-conductor (8P8C) plug on each end. Work area and TR patch cords are made from stranded cable, which has better flexibility, durability and longer life than solid-conductor cords.

Patching A means of connecting circuits via cords and connectors that can be easily disconnected and reconnected at another point. May be accomplished by using modular cords connected between jack fields or by patch cord assemblies that plug onto connecting blocks.

Patch Panel A piece of connecting hardware designed for use in a standard 19" equipment rack or cabinet. Standard patch panels have modular jack appearances on the front, and 110-style IDC connections on the rear. Field-configurable patch panels can be loaded with a variety of jacks or other connectors for mixed-media installations, or where the use of various jack colors is desired.

Performance The totality of a communication transmission’s characteristics, including rate of transfer, barriers to peak transfer rate, and comparison to applicable standards. Compare with Compliance. A device can exhibit performance characteristics without being compliant to an industry standard.

Permanent Link In the horizontal cabling portion of a structured cabling system, the permanent link contains the following: the telecommunications outlet (TO), the cabling between the horizontal cross-connect (HC) and the TO, an optional consolidation point (CP), and the connecting hardware at the HC.

Power Sum A test method for four-pair cable whereby the mathematical sum of pair-to-pair crosstalk from three pairs to one pair is measured.

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Premises Telephony term for the space occupied by a customer or authorized/joint user in a building(s) on continuous or contiguous property (except railroad rights of way, etc.) not separated by a public road or highway. Frequently used as “premises-based”.

Premises Wiring System The entire wiring system on the user’s premises, especially the supporting wiring that connects the communications outlets to the network interface jack.

Punchdown Refers to the use of an impact tool that enables installers to make efficient IDC style connections.

RCDD® (Registered Communications Distribution Designer) The RCDD title is a professional credential granted by BICSI. RCDDs have demonstrated a superior level of knowledge of Information Transport Systems (ITS) design and associated disciplines.

Return Loss (Rl) is a measure of the similarity of the impedance of a transmission line and the impedance at its terminations. It is a ratio, expressed in decibels, of the power of the outgoing signal to the power of the signal reflected back.

RJ (registered jack) RJs are telephone and data jacks registered with the FCC. Specific RJs, such as RJ-11 and RJ-45, are widely misused in the telecommunications industry. A much more accurate way to identify a jack is to specify the number of positions (width of opening) and number of conductors. Example: “8-position, 8-conductor (8P8C) jack” or “6-position, 4-conductor (6P4C) jack”.

RU (rack unit) is a unit of measure of vertical space in an equipment rack or cabinet. One rack unit is equal to 1.75 in (45 mm).

Standards Agreed-upon principles of performance. Standards are set by committees working under various trade and international organizations.

Structured Cabling System A structured cabling system (SCS) is defined as the complete collective configuration of cabling and associated hardware that has been installed at a given site to provide a comprehensive telecommunications infrastructure.

TDMM (Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual). The TDMM is a publication from BICSI that is based on internationally accepted industry standards, codes and guidelines. The TDMM addresses the newest methodologies and recommends best practices for the design of structured cabling systems.

TE (Telecommunications Enclosure) Also referred to as a zone enclosure, a TE is a housing for telecommunications equipment, cable terminations, cross-connect cabling, and wireless access points. A TE serves the function of an horizontal cross-connect (HC) for a portion of a building floor and provides access to the building’s backbone and pathways. A TE should supplement, not replace, the requirement for a TR on a building floor.

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TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) The TIA is a trade organization of manufacturers which sets standards for use of its member companies. Formerly fell under the umbrella of EIA. See www.tiaonline.org.

TO (telecommunications outlet) is a connecting device in the work area on which horizontal cable terminates.

TR (telecommunications room) A TR is an architectural space that provides an environmentally suitable and secure area for housing cables, terminations, cross-connects, hardware and telecommunications equipment.

U/FTP also classified as STP (shielded twisted pair), is twisted pair cable with individually foil-screened twisted pairs, but no overall shield.

UL (Underwriters laboratories®) is a privately owned product safety certification organization. Ul also certifies category-rated cable performance and quality.

UTP (unshielded twisted pair), also classified as U/UTP, is overall unshielded twisted pair with unshielded twisted pairs.

Work Area (WA) or workstation, is a building space where occupants interact with telecommunications terminal equipment.

WAN (wide area network) is a computer network that covers a broad geographic area. WANs connect lANs and other networks together. Some are private, but many are built by Internet service providers, who provide connection from organizational lANs to the Internet.

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This guide has been developed consistent with all known applicable cabling practices as defined by the following:

TIA-568-C.0: Generic Telecommunications Cabling for Customer Premises (replaces applicable TIA 568-B standards)TIA-568-C.1: Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard (replaces applicable TIA 568-B standards)TIA-568-C.2: Telecommunications Cabling, Copper Component and Cabling Specifications (replaces applicable TIA 568-B standards) TIA-569-B: Commercial Building Standard for Telecommunications Pathways and SpacesTIA-606-A: Administration Standard for The Telecommunications Infrastructure of Commercial BuildingsTIA-942: Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Data CentersANSI-J-STD-607-A: Commercial Building Grounding and Bonding Requirements for TelecommunicationsIEEE 802.3: Ethernet-based lANs (multiple standards)IEEE 1100: Recommended Practice for Powering and Grounding Electronic EquipmentIntertek/ETL: Applicable verifications ISO 11801: Generic Cabling for Customer Premises (multiple standards)National Electrical Safety Code (NESC): Published by IEEENational Electric Code (NEC, NFPA 70): Published by NFPATelecommunications Distribution Methods Manual (TDMM): Published by BICSIUnderwriter’s Laboratories (UL): Applicable listings and ratings

Always follow superceding national, state, and local codes and regulations.

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© Copyright leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. 2010. All rights reserved. Any reproduction is forbidden without express written permission. Information in this guide is provided to assist in understanding CAT 6A structured cabling systems. All information contained herein is deemed accurate to the best of the company’s knowledge at time of publication and is subject to change without notice.

For leviton warranty information, please visit leviton.com/warranties.

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