Installation Guide
Page 37 of 41
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE
August 13, 2018
TG02 Rev.13
Communications 800.551.8948 | Fax 800.249.9938 | SuperiorEssex.com
The following table lists the typical tests performed on balanced twisted pair cabling systems.
–
Parameter CAT 3 CAT 5e CAT 6 CAT 6A
Wire Map
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Length
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Insertion Loss (Attenuation)
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Propagation Delay ✔¹
✔ ✔ ✔
Delay Skew ✔¹
✔ ✔ ✔
NEXT (Near-end crosstalk) Loss
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
PSNEXT (Power sum near-end crosstalk) Loss ✔²
✔ ✔ ✔
Return Loss
✔ ✔ ✔
ACRF (Attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio, far-end) Loss
✔ ✔ ✔
PSACRF (Power sum attenuation-to-crosstalk far-end) Loss
✔ ✔ ✔
AFEXT (Alien far-end crosstalk) Loss ✔³
ANEXT (Alien near-end crosstalk) Loss ✔³
PSAACRF (Power sum attenuation to alien crosstalk ratio far-end) ✔³
Average PSAACRF ✔³
PSANEXT (Power sum alien near-end crosstalk) Loss ✔³
Average PSANEXT ✔³
¹Not required for backbone Category 3 cabling.
²Not required for horizontal Category 3 cabling.
³Indicates test parameters that may be based on either manufacturer certification or field test results.
Testing Guidelines and Procedures
This section contains general guidelines and descriptions for each of the tests in the previous table.
Specific instructions and associated calculations can be found in the BICSI Information Transport
Systems Installation Methods Manual and TIA/EIA-568, along with its various addenda.
• Set the Proper NVP
Many test sets contain cable libraries that allow the user to select a generic cable type (such
as Category 6 UTP) and/or specific cable (such as Superior Essex NextGain CMP) that
automatically loads pre-set cable parameters, including NVP. However, parameters are subject to
change and should be verified against the applicable product data sheet. This is especially true
of NVP which has significant affect on length measurement. To ensure the most accurate length
measurement, verify and set the proper NVP for the cable being tested.
• Wire Map or Continuity Testing
Continuity Testing is the most basic test to establish proper cabling installation. It is also referred to as
a Wire Map test when utilizing handheld testers. Continuity testing evaluates the following elements:
• Open circuits
• Short circuits
• Improper termination
• Drain wire continuity (if applicable)