TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Premises Cable Installation Guideline Table of Contents About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chapter 6 - Cable Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Customer Service and Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Preparing for Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Chapter 1 - Introduction . . . . .
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 About This Guide Overview The Premises Cable Installation Guideline contains recommendations for handling and installing Superior Essex premises copper and fiber cable products in enterprise environments. These guidelines are designed to help ensure a successful installation. Failure to adhere to any of the applicable guidelines may void the product warranty.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Chapter 1 - Introduction Superior Essex Premises Communications Cables The premises cable product line from Superior Essex includes nearly every type of copper and fiber cable used for voice and data communications inside buildings. From 3600 pair copper riser cable to high performance Category 6A and optical fiber cables, Superior Essex is able to supply virtually all of the cabling needs for an enterprise or campus installation.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Chapter 2 - Telecommunication Standards Telecommunication Standards govern the installation and handling practices of cabling materials. This section provides commonly used standards of the American National Standards Institute/ Telecommunications Industry Association (ANSI/TIA). TIA-568 TIA-568 is one of the most commonly used standard sets in this industry.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 The bulk of the standards define cable types, distances, connectors, cable system architectures, cable termination standards and performance characteristics, cable installation requirements, and methods of testing installed cable. The main standard is broken down as follows: Standard Description Overview TIA-568-C.0 Defines generic requirements for all types of customer premises TIA-568-C.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Chapter 3 - Typical Infrastructure Components As defined by TIA/EIA, a structured cabling system consists of six infrastructure subsections: Entrance Facility, Equipment Room, Telecommunications Room, Backbone Cabling, Horizontal Cabling and Work Area.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 ERs are used to: • Accommodate portions of common control equipment such as voice, intrusion detection, data, video, fire alarm, energy management, etc. • Provide work space for service employees. • Provide for termination and cross-connection of backbone and horizontal cables. Telecommunications Room The Telecommunications Room (TR) houses the connection point between the building backbone and horizontal distribution pathways.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Horizontal Pathways and Cabling Horizontal Pathways and Cabling provide the method of conveying signals between the telecommunications outlet/connector in the Work Area (WA) and the HC. This kind of cabling and its connecting hardware are known as a link. The cable is known as “horizontal” because that is the primary orientation of the cabling. However, horizontal pathways include the horizontal and vertical route of the cable, including support structures.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Chapter 4 - Structured Cabling Topology Basic Topology Topology is the physical or communication path layout of a network or internetwork. Three basic topologies include: • Star • Bus • Ring From these three, a number of hybrid topologies have evolved: • • • • Tree Star-wired ring Clustered star Hierarchical star TIA/EIA-568 mandates that the physical topology is the star topology.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Bus Topology Bus topology is a network architecture in which a set of clients are connected via a shared communications line called a bus. There are several common instances of the bus architecture, including one in the motherboard of most computers.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Hybrid Topology The hybrid topology scheme combines multiple topologies into one large topology. The hybrid network is common in large wide-area networks. Because each topology has its own strengths and weaknesses, several different types can be combined for maximum effectiveness. Advantages Disadvantages • One company can combine the benefits of several different types of topologies. • Workgroup efficiency and traffic can be customized.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Chapter 5 - Media Some networks utilize only one type of cable, while other networks use a variety of cable types. The type of cable chosen for a network is related to the network's topology, protocol, and size. Understanding the characteristics of different types of cable and how they relate to other aspects of a network is necessary for the installation of a successful network.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Balanced Twisted Pair Copper Cable Media Balanced twisted pair cable is a form of wiring in which two conductors are wound together (“twisted”) for the purposes of canceling out electromagnetic interference (EMI) from external sources and crosstalk from neighboring conductors. “Balanced” twisted pair simply means that both conductors of a pair have matched electrical and physical properties.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Shielded Twisted-Pair Shielded Twisted-Pair copper cable features a metallic shield to prevent electrostatic or electromagnetic coupling. This shielding effect significantly reduces the instances of interferencerelated network problems. As with UTP, four-pair cables are typically used for horizontal cabling and higher pair counts are often used for backbone cabling.
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TECHNICAL GUIDELINE (50 or 62.5 µm) AugustCore 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Cladding (125 µm) Single Mode Fiber (SMF) Due primarily to the small core size, SMF requires high end lasers and precise components, which typically result in overall higher system costs. However, the distance and bandwidth capabilities make SMF the primary choice for long haul networks.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Chapter 6 - Cable Installation Preparing for Installation Communications cables are designed with installation in mind. That being said, there are certain limitations to cable performance that must be respected during installation. In general, the four most critical characteristics to remain mindful of are tensile strength, bend radius, crush resistance, and temperature rating. These characteristics vary among cables types, sizes, and even manufacturers.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Pulling Tension Many cables are pulled into position. When pulling a cable, it is critical to 1) attach the pulling line in the correct manner; 2) avoid exceeding the maximum tensile strength of the cable; and 3) relieve the pulling tension once the cables are in place. In premises applications, lubricants are generally not necessary or recommended.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Superior Essex optical fiber cables often exceed these minimum requirements. If needed, refer to the product specifications in the catalog or at SuperiorEssex.com. Of equal importance is the method of pulling line attachment. The pulling line must be attached to the strength yarns underneath the jacket and not the jacket itself. See Technical Guideline, Using a Pulling Grip on Fiber Optic Cable, for further information.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 • Beware of the cable-tie/clamp. Over-zealous cinching of cable ties or clamps is certain to wreak havoc on communication cables. Use hook and loop fasteners instead, which should always be applied loosely as well. • Avoid stepping on or running over cables with vehicles and equipment. • Beware of other locations that may constrict cables or conductors and put them at risk for damage.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 • On-Grade/Below-Grade Conduit Slab-on grade construction where pathways are installed underground or in concrete slabs in direct contact with soil (e.g., sand and gravel) is considered a wet location. See Technical Guideline, Copper Twisted Pair for Below-Grade Conduit, if installing twisted pair copper in this type of location. • Sunlight Most premises cables are designed to be used in areas shielded from direct sunlight.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 • Fishtape Method A fish tape is a tool used by electricians to route new wiring through walls. Made of a narrow band of spring steel, by careful manipulation, the tape can be "fished" (guided) through the confined spaces within wall cavities. Once guided through, the new wiring can be pulled into the wall by attaching it to the end of the fish tape and pulling the tape back from whence it came.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Miscellaneous • Any other structures, such as walls or joists that the cable passes through, must support the cable similarly (may require sleeves). • Bundling: • Cables of different categories should not be bundled together. • Cable should not be tightly bundled anywhere. • Hook and loop straps are recommended; but traditional cable ties are not. • UTP cables should not be “dressed” or “combed”, especially within 20 feet of the patch panel.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Horizontal Cable Pulling Within Conduit Step 1 2 Action Verify the cable(s) type and length. Attach the cable(s) to the pull string – using correct method is critical! (see Pulling Tension subsection earlier in this chapter) 3 Identify the cable(s) at the pull end. 4 In premises applications, lubricants are generally not necessary or recommended. However, if a lubricant is deemed necessary, use one that is specifically designed for the task at hand.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Pulling Backbone in Vertical Pathway – From Bottom Up Step Action 1 Verify the cable(s) type and length. If installing multiple cables, plan to install the largest/heaviest cable first. 2 Position cable reels into place and secure the pulling area.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Chapter 7 - Cable Termination and Splicing Correct cable termination and splicing practices are vital for the complete and accurate transfer of both analog and digital information signals. Proper procedures will save time and improve the quality of the job. Although there are common standards to ensure interoperability between cable and connectivity, many connectivity and associated equipment features are manufacturer specific.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Four-Pair Horizontal Four-pair horizontal cables primarily utilize the 8P8C modular jack or plug. 8P8C Modular Jack 8P8C Plug In most scenarios, cabling is terminated on jacks and the plugs come pre-installed on patch cords to complete the connection. However, field-installable plugs are available and, if used, should be installed based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Shielded connectors should be used with U/FTP or F/UTP cable.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Longitudinal Striping consists of striping the length of each conductor with the color of its mating conductor (in a blue/white pair, the blue conductor would have a longitudinal white stripe along its length, the white conductor would have a blue stripe).
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 The cable jacket should also be left intact as close as possible to the termination point. For some terminations, it is critical to punch pairs down in order, so that the other pairs can be kept out of the way. Attempting to position all pairs before commencing punchdown will lead to crushed conductors.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Terminating F/UTP and U/FTP Cable Step Action 1 Verify that appropriate termination components have been selected, particularly in regards to performance category. 2 Arrange the wiring scheme and organize cable by destination (i.e., rack, panel, etc.). Avoid dressing or combing the cable, especially in high-performance applications, which can enable alien crosstalk.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Terminating F/UTP and U/FTP Cable Step Action At this point, refer to connectivity manufacturers installation instructions for direction on drain wire termination as this requirement differs based on connector. 6 7 Note: For connectors requiring the drain wire to be wrapped around the foil, wrap the drain wire around the foil and install a tie-wrap snuggly around the drain wire and foil to hold it securely in place. Do not over‑tighten the tie-wrap.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Splicing Twisted-Pair Cable Step Action Install the closure per the closure manufacturer’s instructions, including but not limited to the following: 5 • When the shield bond connectors are installed, connect the permanent bond across the splice opening before beginning to splice the conductors. If the permanent bond cannot be placed at this time, a temporary bond strap should be placed between the two cables to prevent the potential for electric shock.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Loose-Tube vs. Tight-Buffer Two broad classifications of optical fiber cable are loose-tube and tight-buffer. Loose-tube cable designs are constructed with the optical fiber(s) loosely placed within a protective tube. This design is seen more often in outside plant (OSP) applications. However, many OSP loosetube cables terminate indoors. In addition, there is growing use of indoor and indoor/outdoor cables in loose-tube designs.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Fiber Cable Splicing In general, splices are best avoided and often can be due to the relatively short distances typical of premises networks. If splices are required, fusion splices are recommended due to lower attenuation. However, mechanical splices are allowed. All fusion splices should be protected by a splice sleeve. All splices should be housed in a splice tray. All outdoor splices should be stored in an environmentally suitable splice closure.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Chapter 8 - Testing Testing verifies that installation has been completed in accordance with all of the terms and conditions of the contract and industry standards. The complete testing process consists of three distinct phases: visual verification; test measurements; and documentation. 1. Visual Verification Visual verification includes inspection of all pathways and spaces (where possible), telecommunications closets, and equipment rooms.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Test Equipment Field test equipment is used as most appropriate and cost-effective for the type of cables being installed. Many test sets are capable of performing all required tests, while others are designed to perform a few tests or even a single specific test. A comprehensive listing of test equipment can be found in the BICSI Telecommunications Cabling Installation Manual.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 The following table lists the typical tests performed on balanced twisted pair cabling systems.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Wire map field testers, or Pair Scanners, are most practical to measure direct current loop resistance of twisted pair and F/UTP. To test using the pair scanner, perform the following: Step Action 1 Disconnect equipment. 2 Attach pair scanner to one end of cabling. 3 Diagnose and repair faulty cabling. 4 Scan a second time. 5 Document the test results.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 Other Test Parameters Description PSANEXT Loss PSANEXT (power sum alien near-end crosstalk) loss is the power sum of the unwanted signal coupling from multiple disturbing pairs of one or more 4-pair channels, permanent links, or components to a disturbed pair of another 4-pair channel, permanent link, or component, measured at the near-end. Average PSANEXT Loss Average PSANEXT loss is the mean of the PSANEXT loss measurements.
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TECHNICAL GUIDELINE August 13, 2018 TG02 Rev.13 If using an OTDR for certification testing in a premises cable environment, there are several important factors to consider: • Though OTDR’s can test from a single end, all fibers should be tested from both ends to ensure the fiber is compliant end to end. OTDR’s have a blind spot at the measuring end (which can hide problems).
