The first consideration is whether the cable link will be a permanent link from patch panel to user outlet in one cable run or via a consolidation point. (an area where a cable is terminated and then extended further to the desk area. This set up is called a channel link
Each termination in a link and the introduction of patch leads into a link reduces the overall length that the data cabling links can support
Based on an Ethernet data cabling link
Regardless of data cabling class (cat5e / cat6 / cat6a) all copper cabling standards for a permanent link are set at a maximum length of either
This applies for unshielded and shielded cabling types
Applications such as ADSL / VDSL / Analog Phone can run longer distances as per separate documentation
In contrast to copper data cabling the maximum lengths associated with fibre optic cabling are the distance the cable can be installed to support a certain performance over that distance with that cable. I.e 1gig / 10gig etc
When installing both fibre optic cabling and copper cabling how the cable is pulled and how it is installed especially in how it bends around corners and through spaces will have an effect on the performance of the final installed cable.
The following standards are required when installing both these types of cables
The maximum pulling tension for installing a cat5e / cat6 / cat6a or other 4 pair copper cable is 100N or 25pound force during installation
The minimum inside bend radius should be a maximum four times the diameter of the installed cable. Higher specified cables will have a larger diameter and therefore require a higher allowance of bend radius
The pulling tension for fibre optic cabling should follow the following guidelines
Inside fibre cable with 4 or less fibres 220N / 50lbsf
Inside / outdoor fibre cable upto 12 fibres 1335N / 330lbf
Inside / outdoor fibre cable over 12 fibres 2670N / 600lbf
For bend radius the following maximum bend radius should be maintained for all fibre optic cables
During installation / under load 20 x the outside cable diameter
After installation / no load 10 x the outside cable diameter
The requirement when terminating copper data cables is to terminate with the minimum of untwist in the 4 pairs of transmission cores. If the cores are untwisted too much then the performance is harmed and transmission performance reduces
Category of Cable | Maximum Pair Untwist |
Cat5e
|
13mm / 0.5inches |
Cat6
|
13mm / 0.5inches |
Cat6a
|
13mm / 0.5inches |
Termination of fibre optic cabling will depend on the termination method chosen. Termination methods can include
Termination practices will depend on manufacturer recommendations particular to their product
The performance of the overall link is only as good as the weakest part of the overall link.
Therefore for a cat6a link every component needs to be of a cat6a product.
This includes
If any of the above elements are not of the same standard then the overall link its reduced to the lowest denominator. I.e. a cat5e patch leads in a cat6a termination will render the overall performance to a cat5e system as per the limitations in the tables above
As a final note keeping a shielded link consistent will also have the same effect by using non shielded components in a shielded cabling link