Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This Question of the Day, concerning the question of whether data cabling is truly Cat5 if not tested, is answered by Legrand:
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Question: I recently came onto a job in which the electrical installer had offered to install Cat5e wiring for data and voice. The installation is complete and working but the data wiring has been neither tested nor certified.
1) Is it really Cat5, in that case, or is it just Cat5 rated components connected together?
2) Is it a matter of opinion as to whether an untested / uncertified system is genuinely Cat5, or is there a description of Cat5 (say in EIA/TIA 568) that says each link must be tested and shown to meet the requirements? In short, is the installation Cat5 if not tested?
Answer: Cat5 cabling systems are not recognised or recommended. This is because when the standards were finally ratified, the majority of systems being offered didn't comply, so they created Cat5e to cover the new requirements.
Well, what we have is a range of components that are connected together - ie: RJ 45 outlet, a length of four pair cable, a patch cord and a patch panel to provide connection to the equipment. All these components are manufactured to comply with the performance requirements to achieve the standards laid down for a particular category (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a & Cat7).
Approved data installers for a given structured cabling system are trained to install the system correctly and are required to carry out 100% testing using recognised approved testers, and not just continuity meters. This ensures that no pairs are O/C or are cross-wired. It also ensures that voice, and especially data speeds to support the client's application, can be achieved without errors over the given system. Today, we are requiring up to 1G Ethernet to run over Cat5e & Cat 6 cabling and 10G Ethernet over Cat6a.
To see many more Q & A in Voltimum UK's Experts Area, please click on the link: http://www.voltimum.co.uk/consult.php?universe=consult.index.questions
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Related contacts
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Legrand Electric Ltd.,
Great King Street North,
Birmingham B19 2LF
Tel: 0870 608 9000
Fax: 0870 608 9004
Email: legrand.sales@legrand.co.uk
Web: www.legrand.co.uk |
Legrand
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| Source: Legrand & James Hunt |
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