Network Cable Length

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Is there any proof that 328' is the limit? As in a published test showing a decrease in performance.

And isn't it really odd that the max length falls right on 100 meters?
 
this is the easiest one to find. give me a little more time at work I have it on file.
Category 5 cable
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Cat 5)? Find out more about navigating Wikipedia and finding information ?Jump to: navigation, search

Cat5 patch cableCategory 5 cable, commonly known as Cat 5, is a twisted pair cable type designed for high signal integrity. Many such cables are unshielded but some are shielded. Category 5 has been superseded by the Category 5e specification. This type of cable is often used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet, and is also used to carry many other signals such as basic voice services, token ring, and ATM (at up to 155 Mbit/s, over short distances).

Contents
Revealed content
1 Usage and wiring methods
1.1 Category 5
1.2 Category 5e
1.3 Connectors and other information
2 See also
3 External links



[edit] Usage and wiring methods

8P8C modular plug pin positioning
TIA/EIA-568-B T568A Wiring Pin Pair Wire Color
1 3 1 white/green
2 3 2 green
3 2 1 white/orange
4 1 2 blue
5 1 1 white/blue
6 2 2 orange
7 4 1 white/brown
8 4 2 brown

TIA/EIA-568-B T568B Wiring Pin Pair Wire Color
1 2 1 white/orange
2 2 2 orange
3 3 1 white/green
4 1 2 blue
5 1 1 white/blue
6 3 2 green
7 4 1 white/brown
8 4 2 brown


Image of partially stripped cable showing the twisted pairs.

Image of a Cat 5E Wall outlet showing the two wiring schemes: A for T568A, B for T568B.

[edit] Category 5
The original specification for category 5 cable was defined in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A, with clarification in TSB-95. These documents specified performance characteristics and test requirements for frequencies of up to 100 MHz.

Category 5 cable includes four twisted pairs in a single cable jacket. This use of balanced lines helps preserve a high signal-to-noise ratio despite interference from both external sources and other pairs (this latter form of interference is called crosstalk). It is most commonly used for 100 Mbit/s networks, such as 100BASE-TX Ethernet, although IEEE 802.3ab defines standards for 1000BASE-T - Gigabit Ethernet over category 5 cable. Cat 5 cable typically has three twists per inch of each twisted pair of 24 gauge copper wires within the cable.


[edit] Category 5e
Cat 5e cable is an enhanced version of Cat 5 that adds specifications for far end crosstalk. It was formally defined in 2001 in the TIA/EIA-568-B standard, which no longer recognizes the original Cat 5 specification. Although 1000BASE-T was designed for use with Cat 5 cable, the tighter specifications associated with Cat 5e cable and connectors make it an excellent choice for use with 1000BASE-T. Despite the stricter performance specifications, Cat 5e cable does not enable longer cable distances for Ethernet networks: cables are still limited to a maximum of 328 ft (100 m) in length (normal practice is to limit fixed ("horizontal") cables to 90 m to allow for up to 5 m of patch cable at each end). Cat 5e cable performance characteristics and test methods are defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001.
 
cschmid said:
okay steph what would you use when you are 100ft over what the specs are on the cable?
Click to expand...

fiber

And thanks highwirey. I've been called alot worse, and most of my jobs are on a budget and I make money on them:grin:
 
cschmid said:
this is the easiest one to find. give me a little more time at work I have it on file.
Category 5 cable
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Cat 5)? Find out more about navigating Wikipedia and finding information ?Jump to: navigation, search

Cat5 patch cableCategory 5 cable, commonly known as Cat 5, is a twisted pair cable type designed for high signal integrity. Many such cables are unshielded but some are shielded. Category 5 has been superseded by the Category 5e specification. This type of cable is often used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet, and is also used to carry many other signals such as basic voice services, token ring, and ATM (at up to 155 Mbit/s, over short distances).

Contents
Revealed content
1 Usage and wiring methods
1.1 Category 5
1.2 Category 5e
1.3 Connectors and other information
2 See also
3 External links



[edit] Usage and wiring methods

8P8C modular plug pin positioning
TIA/EIA-568-B T568A Wiring Pin Pair Wire Color
1 3 1 white/green
2 3 2 green
3 2 1 white/orange
4 1 2 blue
5 1 1 white/blue
6 2 2 orange
7 4 1 white/brown
8 4 2 brown

TIA/EIA-568-B T568B Wiring Pin Pair Wire Color
1 2 1 white/orange
2 2 2 orange
3 3 1 white/green
4 1 2 blue
5 1 1 white/blue
6 3 2 green
7 4 1 white/brown
8 4 2 brown


Image of partially stripped cable showing the twisted pairs.

Image of a Cat 5E Wall outlet showing the two wiring schemes: A for T568A, B for T568B.

[edit] Category 5
The original specification for category 5 cable was defined in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A, with clarification in TSB-95. These documents specified performance characteristics and test requirements for frequencies of up to 100 MHz.

Category 5 cable includes four twisted pairs in a single cable jacket. This use of balanced lines helps preserve a high signal-to-noise ratio despite interference from both external sources and other pairs (this latter form of interference is called crosstalk). It is most commonly used for 100 Mbit/s networks, such as 100BASE-TX Ethernet, although IEEE 802.3ab defines standards for 1000BASE-T - Gigabit Ethernet over category 5 cable. Cat 5 cable typically has three twists per inch of each twisted pair of 24 gauge copper wires within the cable.


[edit] Category 5e
Cat 5e cable is an enhanced version of Cat 5 that adds specifications for far end crosstalk. It was formally defined in 2001 in the TIA/EIA-568-B standard, which no longer recognizes the original Cat 5 specification. Although 1000BASE-T was designed for use with Cat 5 cable, the tighter specifications associated with Cat 5e cable and connectors make it an excellent choice for use with 1000BASE-T. Despite the stricter performance specifications, Cat 5e cable does not enable longer cable distances for Ethernet networks: cables are still limited to a maximum of 328 ft (100 m) in length (normal practice is to limit fixed ("horizontal") cables to 90 m to allow for up to 5 m of patch cable at each end). Cat 5e cable performance characteristics and test methods are defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001.
Click to expand...
Revealed content
thanks cschmid, you made my day
 
Is the cable going to stop working when you reach 330 cable feet?
No.


Will you be able to hand your customer passing test results when the job calls for certification and a copy of the results?
No.
 
stephanie royer said:
nope fiber is almost the same price as copper. It's the electronics on either end that drive the price up.
Click to expand...
That is what I was driving at. The fiber is not much good if you can not afford the equipment to connect it.:)
 
cschmid said:
here is some more info

http://www.mohawk-cdt.com/tech/standards568.html

http://www.siemon.com/us/white_papers/07-03-01-demystifying.asp

these are just some of the links and I bet there is an engineer here that works for the phone company that can give you more on the standard. I have no reason to purchase he standard so I can not help with the specifics..
Click to expand...

Some might raise an eyebrow at reading the manufacturer's opinions of the standards.

On another note, is it just me or does the new cat7 \ class f (whatever its called) connectors:
mpc_tera-patch-cords_T4-XXM-BXXL_big.jpg



Look almost eerily similiar to the old Token ring\Type 1 connectors:

BM304C.jpg
 
mkoloj said:
Will you be able to hand your customer passing test results when the job calls for certification and a copy of the results?
No.
Click to expand...

Have you ever tested 420' to know if it would pass or not? I'm just asking, I think it would pass.

I don't question what the standards are. Thanks for posting them.

I would like to see a chart of performance at certain lengths.
 
SmithBuilt said:
Have you ever tested 420' to know if it would pass or not? I'm just asking, I think it would pass.

I don't question what the standards are. Thanks for posting them.

I would like to see a chart of performance at certain lengths.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have tested a cable that was over the 100 m limit (maybe not exactly 420') and the cable failed the length portion of the test, im not talking about a simple continuity test, that would definitely pass, and the cable would probably work.
I am talking about a certification test where things like cross talk, attenuation, length etc. are measured.

In case anyone is not familiar with network cable certification, here is one tester commonly used when job specs call for testing with the results submitted to the customer:

http://www.flukenetworks.com/fnet/en-us/products/DTX+CableAnalyzer+Series/Overview.htm?categorycode=CPTT&PID=50004

With one of these testers I have accurately found where cabling was damaged by the installation of an HVAC duct.
I plugged the tester in and found an open in one of the 8 conductors at a certain length, I measured from the patch panel I was plugged in at and opened a total of one ceiling tile, found where the cabling was pushed up between supports by the HVAC crew and a sharp edge on the duct cut into the cable.
Needless to say the HVAC guy was not too happy about the accuracy of my fancy tester or the bill he received for the replacement of the cabling his crew damaged.
 
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