CAT 6A. Reference Guide

Transcription

1 CAT 6A Reference Guide

2 Thank you for choosing Leviton Network Solutions. Our copper, fiber, power, and Connected Home solutions are ideal for today's most demanding applications, consistently exceeding our customers expectations. Leviton CAT 6A structured cabling solutions are no exception. UTP extreme 6A channel- and component-rated performance options plus a shielded solution meet the needs of any application. Our component-rated UTP CAT 6A connectivity solution is the first in the industry to achieve third party verification through Intertek/ETL. Our channel-rated UTP solution balances economy with Leviton performance. And shielded connectivity delivers the signal isolation and data security essential in government, gaming, medical, and financial installations.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH UNDERSTANDING CAT 6A Standards Leviton CAT 6A Expertise Leviton CAT 6A Systems HORIZONTAL CABLING CAT 6A Cable Types Routing & Handling Pathways & Spaces TELECOMMUNICATIONS ROOM Patch Panels Cable Management Products Cable Assemblies Managing Cords WORK AREA Cabling Workstation CH 5 CH 6 CH 7 CH 8 CH DATA CENTER APPLICATIONS Pathways & Spaces New CAT 6A DC Solutions CAT 6A TERMINATION Tips 110-Style Patch Panels UTP Connectors Shielded Connectors CAT 6A TESTING Performance Tests AXT Testing LEVITON PART NUMBERS GLOSSARY

4 1. INTRODUCTION Understanding CAT 6A Equipment, design and planning, and installation practices for CAT 6A projects are all significantly different from previous generation structured cabling systems. Use this guide to gain a better understanding of these unique requirements, which will in turn help you accurately bid jobs and shorten installation time. The final result will be a high-performance system that supports today s requirements and provides a smooth migration path toward 10G network performance.

5 CH. 1 INTRO STANDARDS The Category 6A (Augmented Category 6) standard addresses the performance demands of 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T). Several organizations detail aspects of the standard, but all define 6A performance as up to 500 MHz and a maximum distance of 100 meters (328 feet). CAT 6A is backward compatible with CAT 6, 5e, 5, and 3 performance and applications. Organization: TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) Standard: 568-C.2 (replaces 568-B.2-10) Defines: Performance requirements for CAT 6A channels, permanent links, and components Organization: ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard: 11801; Class E A Specification Defines: Class E A cabling and component performance requirements for customer premises. ISO equivalent of CAT 6A; commonly specified outside of North America Organization: IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Standard: 802.3an Defines: Channel performance for 10GBASE-T Ethernet over balanced twisted pair cables leviton.com/cat6a

6 CH. 1 INTRO LEVITON CAT 6A EXPERTISE Technical Support & Applications Engineering When you need assistance with your next CAT 6A project, from selecting the best products for an application to tips on building or installing a system, contact our technical support team. Team members have extensive training on CAT 6A standards and applications, and can help work through your questions as you complete your first 10G installations. Leviton s expert team of applications engineers provides CAT 6A infrastructure design assistance. Each design is built around the specific needs of your active equipment, network topology, and transmission methods. The unique requirements of facilities such as data centers, government agencies, health care facilities, and high-rise structures are also incorporated. Just as important, the team utilizes its thorough understanding of industry standards and product functionality to plan systems that will accommodate industry trends and future needs. Call or or appeng@leviton.com for technical support or applications engineer assistance. 3

7 CH. 1 INTRO LEVITON CAT 6A EXPERTISE Leviton Contractor Program For guaranteed product performance, choose a Leviton Contractor Program installer. The program builds on contractor experience and knowledge to ensure quality installation of Leviton Network Solutions products. Program installers attend Leviton s training course, which includes the latest structured cabling standards, industry technologies, installation techniques, and field-testing methods. Most importantly, they offer more value to their customers with a lifetime product and performance warranty on qualified projects. Visit leviton.com/lcp or contractorprograms@leviton.com for more information. Contractor Program Specification Support Leviton s nationwide team of specification engineers supports consultants, architects, specifiers, and engineers who design network systems. All team members hold BICSI s RCDD certification, and are members of the Construction Specifications Institute. These engineers thoroughly understand the demands placed on different network environments, and specify only the equipment that will provide optimal performance in each installation. In addition, Leviton offers direct field support and materials for use in bids, design plans, RFPs, and specification documents, including BIM (building information modeling) objects, CAD drawing files, Visio stencils, and bid spec/rfp documents. Visit leviton.com/specteam or specteam@leviton.com for more information. leviton.com/cat6a

8 CH. 1 INTRO LEVITON CAT 6A SYSTEMS Channel-Rated UTP System Component-Rated UTP System Shielded System All category-rated solutions are channel rated, meaning that the end-to-end system has been tested to perform at or above its standard s requirements. Leviton s channel-rated system balances economy with Leviton quality and performance. Our exclusive Cone of Silence helps suppress alien crosstalk, a dual layer wiring scheme label simplifies termination, and patented Retention Force Technology protects against damage from four- or six-pin plugs. Leviton s component-rated system delivers industry-leading performance for today s high bandwidth applications. Componentrated performance is more stringent than channel-rated; each connectivity element is guaranteed to meet or exceed the standard s performance. To provide greater headroom in high-density and short-link installations, Leviton has designed and engineered a component-rated CAT 6A connector with patent-pending triple-stage compensation. An advanced rigid circuit board design, engineered tine geometry, and a flexible circuit provide compensation to minimize the adverse effects of return loss, near end crosstalk, and alien crosstalk. Like our CAT 6A UTP solutions, Leviton s shielded solutions exceed CAT 6A performance standards and protect network traffic from alien crosstalk. Our shielded solutions offer a high level of data security and EMI/RFI protection for government, healthcare, gaming, financial, manufacturing, and other sensitive environments. With shielding, internal data signals are securely contained and isolated from interference. 5

9 CH. 1 INTRO LEVITON CAT 6A SYSTEMS UTP Channel- & Component-Rated QuickPort connectors SlimLine patch cords 110-style patch panels QuickPort patch panels 110-style wiring blocks Shielded Die-cast QuickPort connectors SlimLine patch cords QuickPort patch panels leviton.com/cat6a

10 2. HORIZONTAL CABLING CAT 6 CAT 6A CAT 6A cable is considerably different from previous generation cable. Its larger outside diameter (OD), corresponding larger minimum bend radius, and heavier weight will change installation requirements for routing and handling as well as design of pathways and spaces. How is CAT 6A Cable Unique? TIA standard allows up to.354" outside diameter (OD), a 54% increase over CAT 6 OD average of.23" More than twice the weight of typical CAT 6 cable Tighter twists and larger conductor size than CAT 6 and 5e Typically comes on large reels and requires special reel-handling equipment

11 CAT 6A Cable Types 1st Generation UTP 1st Gen Most 1st generation UTP cable is designed and manufactured with tighter twists, larger conductor size, and more complex center splines than CAT 6 cable. These characteristics increase cable OD and result in heavier cable weight, reduced fill capacity, and a larger bend radius. 2nd Generation UTP 2nd Gen 2nd generation UTP cable also has tighter twists and larger conductors than CAT 6, but incorporates new cable design elements such as filler tubes or non-conductive isolation wraps that allow a smaller cable OD while retaining 6A performance. 2nd generation cable is lighter and offers better performance with a smaller bend radius. Shielded shielded 1st Gen 2nd Gen 1st shielded Gen 2nd Gen Shielded cable provides higher immunity to EMI/RFI and has a smaller OD, typically.29" -.32". However, the cable has a drain wire and foil shield that will increase installation time. In addition, every component in the system must be shielded and properly bonded to ground in order to be effective. Cable Type 5e 6 6A Gen1 6A Gen2 6A Shielded 6A Max Average OD.185".230".330".300".290".354" shielded TECH TIP Maximum Horizontal Cable Distance TIA specifies 90 meters (295 feet) as the maximum permanent link length and 100 meters (328 feet) for maximum channel length. The standards do not specify a minimum length, but 10 feet is recommended to avoid return loss and NEXT issues due to the higher signal frequency. Leviton is the only manufacturer to provide lifetime warranty coverage on qualified installations for a 10 foot permanent link, critical in data center applications. leviton.com/cat6a

12 CH. 2 HORIZ. CABLING ROUTING & HANDLING Larger, heavier CAT 6A cables require modifications to traditional cable routing and handling techniques. Follow the tips here to help ensure a smooth installation. Cable Reels Typically, CAT 6A cable will come on reels instead of in pull boxes and will require racks/carts that can support their larger size. SPOTLIGHT Leviton VELCRO Brand Fasteners Use Leviton's VELCRO Brand fasteners to secure all cable bundles. Our genuine VELCRO Brand products won t crush or damage cables like tie wraps can, and are reusable for moves, adds, and changes. Cable Pulling The maximum pulling tension for a 4-pair balanced twisted pair cable must not exceed 25 lbf (110N). Exceeding this tension will result in transmission degradation and may affect the system s ability to pass certification testing. DO DON'T 9

13 CH. 2 Bend Radius Placement HORIZ. CABLING ROUTING & HANDLING To maintain CAT 6A performance, minimum bend radius should exceed 4x OD for UTP and shielded cable. This radius is significantly larger than CAT 6 and 5e. Plan carefully to ensure there is sufficient space throughout cable runs to maintain proper bend radius. Note: In 568-B.2-10, CAT 6A shielded cable bend radius was 8x OD. Slack Loops TIA recommends storing 10 feet of extra cable in the telecom room and inches above work area installations for re-terminations and to accommodate moves, adds, and changes. Use an extended or figure 8 loop configuration to alleviate cable stress. Cable slack in bundled or excessive loops has been shown to degrade cable performance and is associated with return loss failures. Plan carefully to ensure there is sufficient space and support for heavy CAT 6A cable slack loops. Leviton approved-partner CAT 6A cable may be placed in the same tray with CAT 6, 5e, and other category-rated cables. In addition, Leviton warrants its product performance whether strict combing or randomizing dressing methods are used. As with all cable runs, large or heavy cable bundles should be positioned under other cable to prevent crushing. Follow NEC code for separating power and data cables. TECH TIP Pulling Lubricants To maintain CAT 6A performance, choose spray or wipe lubricants specifically designed for data communications cables. Using other lubricants can degrade performance; the majority of insertion loss failures have been traced back to the use of general purpose lubricants. leviton.com/cat6a

14 CH. 2 Cable Tray Fill Structural & Cable Supports HORIZ. CABLING PATHWAYS & SPACES TIA-569 recommends 25% fill at initial installation and up to 50% with unplanned additions. If a single cable tray will also carry power cables, a physical barrier is required to comply with the NEC. Finally, ensure tray support spacing is sufficient to prevent excessive sagging. Consider solid bottom tray for higher density applications. Conduit Fill A maximum conduit fill ratio of 40% is recommended by TIA-569 standards to accommodate cable bundle bend radius requirements and allow for future expansion. Typical Tray & Conduit Capacity (# of cables) 5e 6 6A 1 6A 2 6A S Average OD.185".230".330".300".290" 2" x 6" " x 8" " x 20" / / / Cable Tray* Conduit** *25% fill ratio **EMT Trade Size. Calculations based on industry standards of 53% capacity for 1 cable, 31% for 2 cables, and 40% for 3 or more cables. Note: 6A 1 = 1st generation, 6A 2 = 2nd generation, 6A s = Shielded Stronger anchors and threaded rods are needed to support heavier CAT 6A cable Use properly sized J hooks and other supports to accommodate bundle size Limit bundles to 50 cables to prevent damage to cables on the bottom Do not exceed cable support manufacturer s recommended capacity Space cable supports randomly between 3 and 4 feet apart to prevent system degradation due to sagging Do not use ceiling support wires or other ceiling components to support communications infrastructure 11

15 CH. 2 Cable Tray Sizing Consolidation Points & Zone Enclosures HORIZ. CABLING PATHWAYS & SPACES To determine the proper tray size based on 25% fill, use the following calculation: Step Instructions Example 1 Determine cable diameter and total number of cables.30" diameter each, 100 cables total 2 Square the cable diameter.30 x.30 =.09 3 Multiply result by number of cables.09 x 100 = 9 4 Multiply result by.785 to factor for cable roundness (This result is the total cross-sectional area of your cables) 9 x.785 = sq in 5 Multiply result by 4 to obtain pathway size at 25% fill x 4 = sq in At 25% fill, a 28 sq in area is needed, so a standard 4" x 8" tray would be adequate. Note: For conduit, size for 40% fill by substituting 2.5 as the multiplier in Step 5 TECH TIP Firestopping CAT 6A cables may require larger firewall penetrations. Always follow applicable national code (e.g. NEC or CEC) or a superceding authorityhaving jurisdiction (AHJ) codes for firestopping requirements. TIA standards allow an optional consolidation point (CP) within a permanent link. A CAT 6A 110 block is Leviton s standard CP solution; density is 1/3 less than CAT blocks (64-pair CAT 6A capacity vs. 96-pair for CAT 6 in the same footprint). Consolidation points may be mounted into a Leviton zone enclosure, which are available in several styles: Ceiling- or floor-mount Plenum-rated Active or passive equipment rated Zone enclosures also accept patch panels and/or active equipment, and are then considered telecom enclosures (TEs). CONSOLIDATION POINT HORIZONTAL UTP CABLE TELECOM ROOM PERMANENT LINK (90m) leviton.com/cat6a CHANNEL (100m)

16 3. TELECOMMUNICATIONS ROOM Organizing cable runs at racks and cabinets is essential to a well-managed network. Larger, heavier CAT 6A cables may require special planning and equipment for a successful installation. Select the best patch panels, cable management, and patch cords or trunks for your application to speed installation and simplify ongoing management.

17 CH Style Shielded VertiGO Zero-U TELECOM ROOM 1RU 24-port flat and angled 2RU 48-port flat and angled 1RU 24-port flat and angled QuickPort 2RU 48-port flat and angled QuickPort 12-port panel only, 3" rear channel, or 6" rear channel Flat 110-style panels are our most popular models; they can be used in a wide variety of applications and offer a standard IDC field with easy punchdown. Shielded panels are ideal for installations where data security and signal isolation are critical, including government agencies, banking, gaming, and hospitals. Patented VertiGO Zero-U panels can be mounted on racks or cabinets, to a ladder tray or wire basket, directly to the wall, under a raised floor, or even onto modular furniture. PATCH PANELS QuickPort Flat, angled, recessed angled, and recessed flat: 1RU 24-port 2RU 48-port 2RU 72-port high-density Flat and angled: 1RU 48-port high-density Our QuickPort panels allow you to color-code your CAT 6A installations, mix-and match media, and to add connectors as more capacity is needed. C1 Ultra QuickPort 2RU 48-port flat composite Our newest panel offers a high-end aesthetic, superior strength, and customization capabilities perfect for data centers and other showroom-style applications. SPOTLIGHT C1 Ultra Composite Patch Panel For the ultimate in panel design and customization capabilities, choose Leviton s new C1 Ultra. Polymer construction has a higher strength-toweight ratio than 16-gauge metal and a look totally unique in the industry. Custom labeling options include A/B switch fabric color-coding, corporate or school logos, or virtually any front panel design. leviton.com/cat6a

18 CH. 3 Vertical Management TELECOM ROOM CABLE MANAGEMENT 8" High-Capacity Versi-Duct 5" Versi-Duct 80" length, standard hinged black cover, front only 80" length, standard hinged black cover, front and rear 80" length, designer hinged grey cover, front only 80" length, designer hinged grey cover, front and rear Center mounting bracket, 8" channel Cable retainer and slack loop organizer, 8" channel High-capacity Versi-Duct is ideal for CAT 6A installations, especially large deployments. Choose a designer cover for a sleek look in showroom environments. Versi-Duct Capacity (# of cables) CAT 6A Gen1 CAT 6A Gen2 CAT 6A Shielded Average OD.330".300".290" Fill Rate 25% 50% 25% 50% 25% 50% 5" Channel Size " Channel Size " length, standard snap-on black cover, front only 80" length, standard snap-on black cover, front and rear 40" length, standard snap-on black cover, front only 40" length, standard snap-on black cover, front and rear Grey snap-on designer cover, front and rear Mounting bracket, 5" channel Choose 5" Versi-Duct for smaller installations where its capacity meets installation needs, including future growth (see capacity chart below). 15

19 CH. 3 TELECOM ROOM CABLE MANAGEMENT Horizontal Management Versi-Duct Rear Cable Management Support Bars Standard Front Cable Management Front only Front and rear 1 and 2RU grey designer covers Bend radius limiters Choose horizontal Versi-Duct as part of a complete Versi-Duct cable management solution, or in installations where aesthetics or large finger spacing are priorities. SPOTLIGHT Standard flat, angled, and recessed angled Extended flat High-density flat Rear manager for active equipment flat Rear support bars complement specific panel styles and are included with all Leviton flat panels. 1, 2, and 4RU managers with metal rings 1 and 2RU managers with plastic saddles SpaceMaker manager Standard front managers complement Leviton panel styles and keep patch cords visible for easy identification. Leviton VELCRO Brand Fasteners 5", 8", and 12" tie wraps in four colors plus plenum-rated maroon Need cable management for use 15' and 75' bulk rolls in four colors plus plenum-rated maroon in air handling spaces? Leviton s large selection of genuine VELCRO 600' bulk rolls Brand fasteners includes several 15" compression straps in four colors styles in plenum-rated maroon. 75' SoftCinch Lite 1/2" wide rolls Utility fasteners including saddle ties, J hooks, workstation loops, and storage rings leviton.com/cat6a

20 CH. 3 Leviton Pre-Terminated Copper Trunks TELECOM ROOM CABLE ASSEMBLIES Copper trunks are part of Leviton s extensive, quick turnaround make-to-order (MTO) program. The custom-configured cable assemblies speed installation at data centers and other large, critical applications. By shifting much of the assembly work to the factory, field installation time is reduced by up to 80%. All Leviton trunks include a braided sleeve with pulling eye to protect terminations during shipment, ensure easy installation, and keep trunk assembly organized. In addition, our pre-terminated trunks are 100% factory tested and shipped with test results and individual cable serial numbers. No further testing is necessary after installation, and qualified installations are eligible for our limited lifetime product and performance warranty. Custom-configuration options: Cable type Breakout and overall length ( feet/90 meters) Jack, plug, or open termination Even or staggered connector alignment Cable and jack color Plenum or riser sleeve SPOTLIGHT Leviton SlimLine Patch Cords Leviton CAT 6A patch cords feature our exclusive SlimLine plug design. The narrow profile plugs reduce congestion in high-density applications. In addition, they feature a strain relief boot for long-term network performance, and a snagless design to prevent tab breakage. An industry-leading outside diameter of.240" further reduces congestion while 26-gauge stranded cable provides maximum flex-life. Cable construction provides excellent alien crosstalk (AXT) suppression and EMI/RFI protection. In fact, the same cord is deployed for UTP and shielded applications. SlimLine patch cords are componentrated for optimum channel performance. The cords are available in 6 standard lengths from 3 to 20 feet, and in 8 popular colors. 17

21 CH. 3 Cable & Cord Dressing Bend Radius TELECOM ROOM Managing CORDS Rear of Rack (cables) Whether routing cables from above or below, symmetrically distribute bundles to feed into each panel from left and right. This will balance the cable bundles, allow easier access to connections, and reduce congestion at the rear of the panels. Leviton rear cable managers, Versi-Duct vertical and horizontal finger duct (front/rear versions), and VELCRO Brand fasteners all support CAT 6A cable at the rear of racks and cabinets. Front of Rack (cords) Symmetrically dress cords and route into cable management. Leviton s CAT 6A cords have been independently and field-tested to ensure 10G performance whether they are strictly combed or randomized in cable managers. Our horizontal ring-type cable managers as well as horizontal and vertical Versi-Duct products help manage patch cords at the front of the rack. To reduce cord bundle sizes, consider using angled patch panels with vertical Versi-Duct. Also consider Leviton SlimLine CAT 6A patch cords; their low-profile will reduce congestion at the face of the patch panel and on high-density switch equipment. To maintain CAT 6A performance, minimum bend radius should exceed 4x OD for both UTP and shielded. For CAT 6A cables, this radius is significantly larger than CAT 6 and 5e. Plan carefully to ensure there is sufficient space to maintain proper bend radius. Note: In 568-B.2-10, CAT 6A shielded cable bend radius was 8x OD. TECH TIP Color Coding Enhance data center and telecom room organization by color-coding connectors and patch cords. Choose from several schemes, depending on application and system management priorities: A/B switch fabric for data center redundancy Connectivity types such as WAN/corporate data, LAN, engineering networks, voice, and more Campus location Company colors leviton.com/cat6a

22 4. WORK AREA Connectivity in the work area requires a finished look, ease of maintenance, and performance, all while meeting installation codes and guidelines. Simplify work area connectivity planning, design, and installation with the following tips.

23 CH. 4 WORK AREA WORK AREA CABLING In-Wall Applications CAT 6A cables require additional depth behind faceplates and at all directional changes to maintain proper bend radius. Before installation, verify that the design allows sufficient depth throughout the run. Drop Ceiling Applications Cable infrastructure must be independently suspended by components designed for this purpose, separate from all other building systems. Do not use ductwork, piping, earthquake bracing, or the drop ceiling grid to suspend cable or cabling support infrastructure. SPOTLIGHT Leviton Consolidation Points & Zone Enclosures Reduce the cost and complexity of moves, adds, and changes with Leviton s consolidation point (CP) solutions. Our TIA-compliant solutions allow businesses to add an interconnection point within a horizontal cabling permanent link. When work areas are modified, cabling need only be reconfigured back to the consolidation point, rather than all the way to the telecom room. Leviton s standard CAT 6A consolidation point solution is our 110-style wiring block. Mount into a Leviton zone enclosure, available in several styles: Ceiling- and floor-mount Plenum-rated Active or passive equipment rated Zone enclosures also accept patch panels and/or active equipment, and are then considered telecom enclosures (TEs). 110-Style Wiring Block Active Ceiling Enclosure Passive Raised-Floor Enclosure leviton.com/cat6a

24 CH. 4 WORK AREA WORKSTATION Junction Boxes and Mud Rings Verify that the connectivity design specifies the proper junction box size before drywall is installed. Consider an oversized junction box to accommodate CAT 6A cabling and bend radius requirements, or use mud rings (box eliminators) instead. Surface Mount Boxes To maintain proper bend radius, consider exiting cable from modular furniture pathways into a surface mount box instead of directly to a faceplate. Leviton s extended depth four-port surface mount box works with most modular furniture and is an excellent solution for larger CAT 6A bend radius requirements. TECH TIP Modular Furniture Installations Cubicle furniture and walls often have restricted wireways. Determine cable capacity before finalizing specifications to verify there is adequate space for cables and bend radius requirements. Consider mocking up a cubicle. Most cubicle installations use surface mount boxes or modular furniture faceplates, which help offset the space restrictions of narrow cubicle walls. 21

25 CH. 4 WORK AREA WORKSTATION SPOTLIGHT Leviton QuickPort Faceplates & Inserts Leviton offers numerous QuickPort opening faceplates to match any décor. Choose from: Standard commercial, Decora or Acenti designer, or Excella British Standard styles Stainless steel construction or thermoplastic in seven popular colors Single- or dual-gang with 1- to 12-port capacity Openings for data connectors or multimedia connectivity With or without ID windows leviton.com/cat6a Standard Commercial Acenti Decora Angled Excella

26 5. DATA CENTER APPLICATIONS Data centers are one of the most critical parts of any data network and thus require the highest levels of performance and reliability. Cabling for data centers differs from horizontal installations in several ways: typical distances, network function, pathways and spaces, and more. CAT 6A cabling may affect requirements for all of these, but especially pathways and spaces. Careful planning and proper specifications will help ensure a successful installation.

27 CH. 5 DATA CENTER PATHWAYS & SPACES Raised Floor vs. Overhead Cable Runs There are three typical data center CAT 6A cable run configurations: power and data cabling both under a raised floor, both overhead, or power below and data overhead. The chosen configuration will affect other data center design elements: If power and communications cable are both overhead, cable trays must be properly sized, separated, and configured to support 6A cables and accommodate power runs. If both are underfloor, pedestals must be higher to accommodate larger 6A cables, room for expansion, segregation from power runs, and proper airflow. SPOTLIGHT Follow best-practice CAT 6A installation guidelines to achieve and maintain optimum performance: Pathways should be sized for 25% initial fill ratio, which allows space for up to 50% fill with future additions. Pathways should be no more than 6" deep; larger deployments may use multiple trays or pathways to support cabling requirements. Space cable bundle supports every three to four feet at irregular intervals. Leviton trunks can be pre-terminated or field terminated. There are numerous advantages to using pre-terminated trunks, including factory testing for alien crosstalk (AXT); see page 17 for a detailed discussion. Leviton Component-Rated Performance Leviton component-rated CAT 6A solutions offer guaranteed performance at permanent link distances as short as 10 feet, which is critical in data center applications. How? With patent-pending triple-stage compensation. An advanced rigid circuit board design, engineered tine geometry, and a flexible circuit combine to enhance permanent link and channel performance, and minimize the adverse effects of near end crosstalk (NEXT), return loss (RL), and alien crosstalk (AXT). leviton.com/cat6a

28 CH. 5 Pre-Terminated Copper Trunks Leviton C1 Ultra Composite Patch Panel DATA CENTER NEW CAT 6A SOLUTIONS Reduce installation time by up to 80% with Leviton make-to-order (MTO) copper trunks. All MTO trunks are 100% factory tested and shipped with test results and individual cable serial numbers. No further testing is necessary after installation, and qualified installations are eligible for our limited lifetime product and performance warranty. Configuration options: Cable type Breakout and overall length (up to 90 meters) Jack, plug, or open termination Even or staggered plug alignment Cable and jack color Plenum or riser sleeve The new Leviton C1 Ultra combines strength and durability with a sleek look ideal for data centers. Polymer construction has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than 16-gauge metal and a look totally unique in the industry. Custom labeling options include A/B switch fabric color-coding, corporate or school logos, or virtually any front panel design. The 2RU 48-port flat QuickPort panel accepts extreme CAT 6A component- or channel-rated connectors. 8" x 8" Versi-Duct Cable Management High-Capacity Versi-Duct is ideal for CAT 6A data center installations. The large channels accommodate larger outside diameter CAT 6A cables, while channel covers help create a finished look in showroom-style installations. Managers can be side or center mounted for optimal space utilization. 80" length with standard hinged black cover, front only or front and rear 80" length with designer hinged grey cover, front only or front and rear Center mounting bracket Cable retainer and slack loop organizer 25

29 CH. 5 Component-Rated Connectors SlimLine Component-Rated Patch Cords DATA CENTER NEW CAT 6A SOLUTIONS For unparalleled performance, choose the extreme CAT 6A component-rated connector the first in the industry to achieve this stringent benchmark. It has the best available performance for short run applications, down to a 10' permanent link. In fact, it's so well designed, it even meets component requirements when loaded in a 1RU 48-port QuickPort panel. Leviton-exclusive features combine to deliver a connector with best-in-class performance and functionality: Patented dual-layer T568A/B label with larger wiring diagrams Patented Cone of Silence and metalized body help suppress alien crosstalk (AXT) Patented Retention Force Technology protects against damage from four- or six-pin plugs Patent-pending triple-stage compensation enhances margin performance and augments AXT suppression Sharper Pair Separation Towers ease conductor separation Conductor retention feature holds wires during termination Leviton SlimLine patch cords feature a narrow profile plug to reduce congestion in high-density data center applications. A wealth of features maximizes performance: Exceptional alien crosstalk suppression and EMI/RFI protection The same cord is used for both UTP and shielded applications Strain relief boot ensures long-term network performance Snagless design prevents tabs breakage during moves, adds, and changes 26-gauge stranded cable and.24" OD provide maximum flexibility SPOTLIGHT Leviton Data Center Specialists Need help with a CAT 6A data center infrastructure project? Our DC specialists provide technical support including design, layout, elevations, pathways, and specifications to support any data center architecture and equipment requirements. Team members average more than two decades of industry experience and have a deep understanding of industry best practices and our customers needs. dcteam@leviton.com for more information. leviton.com/cat6a

30 6. CAT 6A TERMINATION Termination steps for CAT 6A connectors are much the same as for CAT 6, with the major exception of handling the cable s larger OD. To compensate, Leviton has designed several exclusive features into its new CAT 6A connectors to speed termination. Read on for details of these features, other tips for a seamless installation, and for termination instructions for our 110-style panel, UTP connectors, and shielded connector.

31 CH. 6 TERMI- NATION TERMINATION TIPS Extra Cable for Re-terminations TIA recommends storing 10 feet of extra cable in the telecom room and inches above work area installations for re-terminations and to accommodate moves, adds, and changes. Use an extended or figure 8 loop configuration to alleviate cable stress. Cable slack in bundled or excessive loops has been shown to degrade cable performance and is associated with return loss failures. SPOTLIGHT Leviton Palm Termination Tool Use Leviton s Palm Termination Tool to quickly and easily punch down connectors at the jobsite. The Palm Tool offers an ergonomic comfort grip, increased connector stability, and integrated holes that allow rack mounting for QuickPort panel terminations. The Palm Tool is compatible with all CAT 6A/6/5e and standard QuickPort A/V connectors. Component-Rated CAT 6A Channel-Rated CAT 6A Shielded CAT 6A SPOTLIGHT Leviton CAT 6A Connectors All extreme CAT 6A UTP connectors include several features that deliver ease-of-use and superior performance: Patented dual-layer T568A/B label with larger wiring diagrams Patented Cone of Silence and metalized body to help suppress alien crosstalk (AXT) Patented Retention Force Technology protects against damage from four- or six-pin plugs Our component-rated UTP connectors add performanceenhancing features: Patent-pending triple-stage compensation enhances margin performance and augments AXT suppression Sharper Pair Separation Towers ease conductor separation Conductor retention feature holds wires during termination CAT 6A shielded connectors offer superior signal isolation and EMI/RFI protection, a 270 hinge for easy access, no punchdown tool needed, and snap-close cap when termination is complete. leviton.com/cat6a

32 CH. 6 extreme CAT 6A 110-Style Patch Panel Termination TERMI- NATION INSTRUCTIONS Mount the extreme CAT 6A 110-Style Patch Panel to a standard 19" equipment rack or wall-mount bracket, using the provided screws. Determine which color-coded wiring scheme is desired (T568A or T568B). NOTE: The color codes and port numbers are located on the panel labels between termination (IDC) slots. Remove approximately 3" of the jacket and center spline/separator from cable. Route jacketed wire to the termination field so that the jacket is centered near the IDCs (Figure A). CAUTION: Use of mass termination impact tool is not permissible for this product. 5 6 Starting with the middle two pairs (orange/white and green/ white) use your fingers to carefully seat and secure the wires into the IDC slots. Maintain wire pair twisting to within 1/2" of the IDC contact. Then position a 110-style impact tool (set to low impact) perpendicular to the IDC slot, seat and trim the cable. NOTE: If wires appear to be bridged over the IDC, rather than securely seated into the slot, pull out the wires and reseat and repunch them (Figure B). Once the CAT 6A module has been terminated, snap the 3-port retention cap to the back of the connector top and bottom sides. The retention cap can also be broken into single pieces (Figure C). After the panel has been fully terminated, attach the cable management bar to the back of patch panel (Figure D). 29

33 CH. 6 TERMI- NATION A. B. C. D. "Bridged" Wire Retention Dust Cap INSTRUCTIONS Cable Management Bar leviton.com/cat6a

34 CH. 6 TERMI- NATION 1 INSTRUCTIONS extreme CAT 6A Component- and Channel-Rated Connector Termination Remove about 3" of cable jacket and center spline (stiff plastic separator inside CAT 6A cable). Determine whether to use wiring scheme T568A or T568B. Note the associated color codes and connector pin number on the label located between the IDC connector slots (Figure A). Peel back label for T568A wiring. Leave the cable jacket within 1/8" of the connector side, then route the wires for termination using the selected wiring scheme (Figure B). Route cable perpendicular to the IDC field. Ensure there is enough slack in the twisted pairs, and do not place the cable jacket into the termination field. Use your fingers to carefully seat wires into the IDC slots. Maintain wire pair twisting to within 1/2" of the IDC. Set a 110-style impact tool to low and position it perpendicular to the connector. Seat and trim the cable one pair at a time to prevent crushing the inside pairs (Figure C). Place the Cone of Silence over the terminated wires for secure connection and guaranteed CAT 6A performance (Figure D). T568A & T568B WIRING STANDARDS IDC COLOR ASSIGNMENTS CONNECTOR Pin # T568A Wire Colors T568B Wire Colors 1 White/Green White/Orange 2 Green Orange 3 White/Orange White/Green 4 Blue Blue 5 White/Blue White/Blue 6 Orange Green 7 White/Brown White/Brown 8 Brown Brown 31

35 CH. 6 TERMI- NATION A. B. C. D. INSTRUCTIONS extreme CAT 6A extreme CAT 6A extreme CAT 6A leviton.com/cat6a

36 CH. 6 CAT 6A Shielded Connector Termination TERMI- NATION INSTRUCTIONS Strip a minimum of 1.5" of jacket from the end of the cable. For F/UTP cable, pull the foil or braided shield back over the jacket, and wrap the drain wire around the shield. For U/FTP cable, fold the foil from each twisted pair over the jacket and wrap the drain wire around the shield. Insert the wires from the stripped cable into the stuffer cap through the hole (Figure A). Determine whether to use wiring scheme T568A or T568B. Insert the wires into their correct positions per the desired wiring scheme (Figure B). Using a flush cutter, cut the excess wire off as close to the edge of the cap as possible (Figure C). Wire tips should not protrude more than 1/32 of an inch. 5 6 Make sure that arrows on both connector and cap point in the same direction, align the cap with the IDC towers, and press into position. Rotate the cap wings toward each other until they snap closed (Figure D). Ensure that the drain wire is wrapped around the cable and shield. Tie-wrap the drain wire to the shield. Do not overtighten the tie wrap! It should be snug, but not so tight that it crushes the wires (Figure E). 33

37 B A CH. 6 TERMI- NATION A. B. C. B B A INSTRUCTIONS D. E. leviton.com/cat6a

38 7. CAT 6A TESTING Field testing of CAT 6A installations is much like field testing for CAT 5e and CAT 6. However, CAT 6A testing is performed out to the higher frequency of 500 MHz. In addition, CAT 6A adds several tests for alien crosstalk (AXT).

39 CH. 7 CAT 6A Performance Tests Field Testing CAT 6A TESTING PERFORMANCE TESTS Wire map Length Attenuation Propagation delay Delay skew NEXT near-end crosstalk PSNEXT power sum near-end crosstalk FEXT far-end crosstalk ELFEXT (ACRF) equal level far-end crosstalk (attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio, far-end) PSELFEXT (PSACRF) power sum equal level far-end crosstalk (power sum attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio, far-end) Return loss (RL) PSFEXT power sum far-end crosstalk PSACRF power sum attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio, far-end AACRF alien attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio, far-end AFEXT alien far-end crosstalk ANEXT alien near-end crosstalk PSAACRF power sum alien attenuation-tocrosstalk ratio, far-end PSAFEXT power sum alien far-end crosstalk PSANEXT power sum alien near-end crosstalk Use an industry-recognized UL Level 4 field tester capable of testing to 500 MHz. Contact the test equipment manufacturer for any necessary hardware or software upgrades, including AXT testing capabilities, for testing CAT 6A installations. Perform permanent link or channel tests for all installed drops. Upon completion, provide the customer with all test results. leviton.com/cat6a

40 CH. 7 CAT 6A TESTING AXT TESTING PSANEXT PSAACRF Frequency (MHz): (Blue - Worst Case, Green - Average) Frequency (MHz): (Blue - Worst Case, Green - Average) SPOTLIGHT Leviton AXT Performance Alien crosstalk (AXT) can have a serious impact on CAT 6A cabling system performance. Choose Leviton and get guaranteed AXT suppression. Independent 3rd-party and Leviton tests have proven that properly installed Leviton CAT 6A solutions have significant AXT headroom over the standard s requirements, even for permanent links as short as 10 feet. As a result, properly installed Leviton systems with approved cable do not require field alien crosstalk testing. In addition, Leviton pre-terminated, pre-tested trunk cables do not require any field testing. Independent (ETL) Test Results for Leviton Short Channel (30 ft.) CAT 6A System 37

41 CH. 7 CAT 6A TESTING AXT TESTING TECH TIP Is AXT Testing Required? Even though Leviton does not require field AXT testing for its CAT 6A solutions, you may still be required to perform this testing. Read project specifications carefully to determine if they call for field AXT testing. If they do, ask for a waiver based on the proven performance of Leviton s CAT 6A solutions. If the customer won t grant a waiver, you ll need to perform the testing. Read the following AXT Testing Preparation section to gain a better understanding of field AXT testing requirements. AXT Testing Preparation AXT testing measures the unwanted noise coupled to the cable being tested (called the Victim or Disturbed ) by six surrounding cables (called Disturbers ). Two tests need to be performed: The Power Sum Alien Near-end Crosstalk (PSANEXT) test and the Power Sum Alien Attenuation-to-Crosstalk Ratio, Far-end (PSAACRF) test. Results for the remaining AXT tests are taken as part of these two, so although they are not directly provided, a pass result for PSANEXT and PSAACRF ensures passing results for AACRF, AFEXT, ANEXT, and PSAFEXT. A 2% sample of the installed cables is typically recommended; testing the longest cables in the installation will provide the most meaningful results. AXT testing requires special planning, equipment and training: AXT tests are time-consuming! Budget AXT test time into your bid Handheld test instruments (field testers) require an adjunct AXT module A laptop computer is also typically used with the field tester The field tester s AXT application software must be loaded onto the laptop Installation personnel will require training prior to performing AXT testing leviton.com/cat6a

42 8. PART NUMBERS

43 CH STYLE EXTREME 6A Component-Rated Patch Panels QUICKPORT PATCH PANELS PART NUMBERS DESCRIPTION Flat, 1RU, 24-port PART NO. 6A586-U24 DESCRIPTION 1RU, 24-port, black connectors included PART NO. 6910G-U24 Flat, 2RU, 48-port 6A586-U48 1RU, 24-port, empty H24 UTP PATCH PANELS Angled, 1RU, 24-port Angled, 2RU, 48-port C1 ULTRA COMPOSITE Patch Panels QuickPort, flat, 2RU, 48-port, empty VertiGO Zero-U Patch Panels 12-port, panel only, empty 12-port with 3" channel, empty 12-port with 6" channel, empty 6A587-U24 6A587-U48 C1255-H QP QP QP6 FLAT ANGLED RECESSED ANGLED 1RU, 48-port, black connectors included 2RU, 48-port, black connectors included 6910G-D G-U48 2RU, 48-port, empty H48 2RU, 72-port, empty D72 1RU, 24-port, empty H24 1RU, 48-port, empty (for use with 6A10G CAT 6A connectors) D48 2RU, 48-port, empty H48 2RU, 72-port, empty D72 1RU, 24-port, empty 2RU, 48-port, empty 2RU, 72-port, empty 4W256-H24 4W256-H48 4W256-D72 leviton.com/cat6a

44 CH. 8 UTP Shielded PART NUMBERS CONNECTORS DESCRIPTION PART NO. CONNECTORS DESCRIPTION PART NO. extreme 6A component-rated 6A10G-R 6 CAT 6A shielded 6S10G-S6A extreme 6A channel-rated 6110G-R 6 PATCH CORDS PATCH CORDS extreme CAT 6A component-rated SlimLine 6AS10-xx* UTP/SHIELDED extreme 6A component-rated SlimLine CROSS CONNECT extreme 6A 110-style wiring block kit, with legs and C-4 clips, 64-pair = Connector colors: Choose from any of the colors below. White (W) Light Almond (T) Almond (A) Ivory (I) Yellow (Y) Orange (O) 6AS10-xx* 41D6A-1F4 Crimson (C) PATCH PANELS QuickPort, flat, 1RU, 24-port, empty QuickPort, flat, 2RU, 48-port, empty QuickPort, angled, 1RU, 24-port, empty QuickPort, angled, 2RU, 48-port, empty 4S255-S24 4S255-S48 4S256-S24 4S256-S48 xx = Length: (03), (05), (07), (10), (15), or (20) feet. Custom length cords available, call inside sales at or for more information. * = Patch Cord colors: Choose from any of the colors below. Dark Red (R) Purple (P) Blue (L) Green (V) Grey (G) Black (E) Brown (B) White (W) Yellow (Y) Orange (O) Red (R) Blue (L) Green (G) Grey (S) Black (E) 41

45 CH. 8 VERSI-DUCT CABLE MANAGERS VELCRO Brand Fasteners PART NUMBERS CABLE MANAGEMENT 8" X 8" CHANNEL 5" x 4" Channel Horizontal DESCRIPTION FRONT ONLY FRONT & REAR 80" length, standard cover 8980L-VFO 8980L-VFR 80" length, designer cover 8C80L-VFO 8C80L-VFR Center-mount bracket BKT Slack loop organizer SL1 Cable retainer wr1 80" length, standard cover 4980L-VFO 4980L-VFR 40" length, standard cover 4940L-VFO 4940L-VFR Center-mount bracket BKT Designer cover, grey DC 2RU, black cover 492RU-HFO 492RU-HFR 1RU, black cover 491RU-HFO 491RU-HFR 2RU designer cover, grey DC2 1RU designer cover, grey DC1 Cable retainer WR1 DESCRIPTION BLACK COLORS 5" tie wrap * 8" tie wrap * 12" tie wrap * 15' bulk roll * 75' bulk roll * 600' bulk roll " compression strap E * (no maroon) 75' SoftCinch Lite roll 4S115-75E * = Colors: Choose from any of the colors below. Maroon fasteners are plenum-rated. Blue (L) Yellow (Y) Orange (O) Maroon (P) See Leviton s full product catalog for more VELCRO Brand utility fastener part numbers. Leviton offers a wide variety of metal front and rear cable managers. Go online to Leviton.com or see our full product catalog for the complete selection. leviton.com/cat6a

46 9. GLOSSARY

47 10GBASE-T (10 Gigabit baseband over twisted pair) This IEEE standard, 802.3an, defines 10 Gigabit Ethernet running 10Gbps over balanced twistedpair cabling. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) ANSI oversees the creation, circulation and use of standards and guidelines that directly impact businesses in various sectors. ANSI is also actively engaged in accrediting programs that assess conformance to standards. Attenuation The loss of volume during transmission, or decrease in the power of a signal, light beam, or light wave. Attenuation is the opposite of gain and is measured in decibels (db). AWG (American wire gauge) is the standard measuring gauge for nonferrous conductors (i.e., non-iron and non-steel). Gauge measures the diameter of a conductor (thickness of cable). AXT (alien crosstalk) is electromagnetic noise that can occur in a cable run alongside other signalcarrying cables. The term alien arises from the fact that this form of crosstalk occurs between different cables in a group or bundle, rather than between individual wires or circuits within a single cable. Bandwidth The difference between the highest and the lowest frequencies of a transmission channel (path for information transmission). Identifies the amount of data that can be sent through a given channel. Measured in hertz (Hz); higher bandwidth numbers mean higher data capacity. Bend Radius The amount of bend that can occur before a cable may sustain damage or increased attenuation. BICSI (Building Industry Consulting Services International) is a non-profit professional association for the promotion of telecommunications industry standards. Category 5e (enhanced category 5 or CAT 5e) is a standard for balanced twisted pair cable and components supporting signaling rates up to 100 MHz. CAT 5e is intended to support systems up to 1000BASE-T or Gigabit Ethernet up to distances of 100 m (328 ft). Category 6 (CAT 6) is a standard for balanced twisted pair cable and components supporting signaling rates up to 250 MHz. CAT 6 is intended to support systems up to 1000BASE-T or Gigabit Ethernet up to distances of 100 m (328 ft). Category 6A (augmented category 6 or CAT 6A) is a standard for balanced twisted pair cable and components supporting signaling rates up to 500 MHz. CAT 6A is designed to support 10GBASE-T or 10 Gigabit Ethernet up to distances of 100 m (328 ft). Category of Performance Cabling and cabling component standards adopted by the telecommunications industry. leviton.com/cat6a

48 Channel In the horizontal cabling portion of a structured cabling system, the channel contains all of the elements of the permanent link, plus the equipment cords at the horizontal cross-connect (HC) and the patch cords in the work area. Channel-rated Category-rated structured cabling components are said to be channel-rated if, when installed as a system in an industry-defined channel, they meet all of the transmission and noise characteristics defined in the standard. Compare with Component-rated. Compliance A wiring device that meets all characteristics of a standard is said to be in compliance with that standard. Component-rated Category-rated structured cabling components are said to be componentrated if they exceed all of the transmission and noise characteristics defined in the standard for an individual structured cabling component. Component specifications are more stringent than channel specifications and may provide greater permanent link and channel test margins. Compare with Channel-rated. Conductor Any substance, usually a wire or cable, that can carry an electrical current. Connecting Block Also called a terminal block, punch-down block, quick-connect block, or crossconnect block, this plastic block contains metal wiring terminals to establish connections from one group of wires to another. Usually each wire can be connected to several other wires in a bus or common arrangement. There are several types of connecting blocks: 66, 110, etc. Connector A device that connects wires or fibers in cable to equipment or other wires or fibers. Wire and optical connectors most often join transmission media to equipment or cross connects. Connectors are sometimes referred to as jacks; but although all jacks are connectors, not all connectors are jacks. Consolidation Point An optional location between an ER or TR and the workstation for interconnection of horizontal cables. Data Center (DC) A data center is a facility used for housing a large amount of electronic equipment, typically servers, computers, data storage devices, and communications equipment. Data centers are designed to assure that the equipment and data housed in them are protected from environmental hazards and security breaches. Data centers can be private, serving a single company, or a public utility serving a variety of companies. db (decibel) A db is a unit of measure of signal strength, usually the relationship between a transmitted signal and a standard signal source. Every 3dB equals 50% of signal strength, so therefore a 6dB loss is a loss of 75% of total signal strength. 45