Cat 5 Wiring Guide

3/4/2010

Lynn Hughes
Area Manager Network Process and Quality
[email protected]
(770) 429-3681

Alex Usher
Sr. Tech Support Analysis Network - U-verse
[email protected]
(770) 427-3536
What is Networking allows one computer to send information to and receive information from another.
Category 5 Category 5 wire is a twisted pair cable with 4 pairs used to link computers together.
Wire
Twisted-pair cable consists of copper wires surrounded by an insulator. Two wires are twisted
together (the twisting prevents interference problems) to form a pair, and the pair forms a circuit
that can transmit data. A cable is a bundle of one or more twisted pairs surrounded by an insulator.

Unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) is the most commonly used type of twisted-pair cable. Shielded
twisted-pair (STP) provides protection against crosstalk. Twisted-pair cable is now commonly used
in Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, token ring, and other network topologies.

Category 5 is a balanced 100-ohm cable with associated connecting hardware whose transmission
characteristics are specified up to 100 MHz. It is used by 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T installations.
The cable normally has four pairs of copper wire. Category 5 is the most popular cable used in new
installations today.

10BASE-T 10BASE-T is the IEEE 802.3 standard for Ethernet signaling over unshielded twisted-pair wire at 10
Standard Mbps.

Ethernet, the most widely used network protocol, uses 10BASE-T as its primary cabling scheme.
Ethernet's characteristics include:
• Data rate of 10 Mbps
• Maximum end-node separation of 2.0 kilometers (1.24 miles) using fiber-optic cable
• Broadcast architecture
• Specific media access control (MAC) scheme

The specified networking technology for Ethernet is its MAC protocol, called Carrier Sense Multiple
Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD). Ethernet uses CSMA/CD to prevent network failures
when two devices try to access the network at the same time.

10BASE-T The 10BASE-T designation indicates a signaling speed of 10 Mbps and twisted-pair wiring. Base
Specification denotes baseband, which is a technology that transmits signals as direct-current pulses rather than
as modulated signals on separate carrier frequencies.

The 10BASE-T 802.3 specification calls for a central hub with nodes wired in a star topology using
unshielded twisted-pair cable. Each node has a separate cable run that must not exceed 100
meters (328 feet) from the node to the hub.

100BASE-T The 100BASE-T Fast Ethernet standard defines a network architecture based on the 10BASE-T
Standard standard that retains almost all elements of the original IEEE 802.3 Ethernet specification, while
greatly increasing the network's overall throughput.

100BASE-T has the following similarities to 10BASE-T:

• Uses the same CSMA/CD access method and MAC functions
• Retains a hub-based architecture
• Runs over unshielded twisted-pair or fiber-optic cable
• Retains the 100-meter maximum cable standard to the desktop
• Employs the same network management tools
100BASE-T 100BASE-T media specifications, which include 100BASE-TX, 100BASE-T4, and 100BASE-FX, allow
Specification Fast Ethernet to run on the most common Ethernet wiring, including Categories 3, 4, and 5
unshielded twisted-pair, shielded twisted-pair, and fiber-optic.

Wiring When we refer to a jack or a patch panel's wiring connection, we refer to either the EIA/TIA 568A,
Schemes or EIA/TIA 568B wiring scheme, which dictates the pin assignments to the pairs of Cat5 cable. It is
very important to note that there is no difference in performance between the two wiring schemes,
so long as both the jack and the punch down block are wired for the same scheme (A or B).

Cables Most cables are wired as straight through cables. This means that the RJ45 plug on one end of the
cable is configured the same on the other end, using either 568A or 568B. This is the normal cable
used to connect a PC to a hub or switch.

A cross over cable is one that is configured as 568A on one end and 568B on the other. These type
cables are used to connect two PCs together without using a hub or switch. It can also be used to
join two hubs or switches together or connect a modem or router to an existing hub or switch.

Jacks Ethernet jacks have 8 conductors even though only 4 are used for data transmission. The following
photos demonstrate the proper way of connecting the cable to the jack. Notice how little wire is
exposed from the sheath and that the category 5 twists in the pairs are maintained as close to the
jack’s connector as possible.

Lay the pairs in the connector with the sheath close to the jack
connector. The color code used must be the same configuration as the
RJ45 plug on the other end.

Once the pairs are punched down and trimmed, the jack can be
snapped into the faceplate. Avoid excess wire looped in the outlet
box. Loop the slack in the cable with no sharp bends keeping a
smooth curve in the loops.
Recommended Cabling Practices

Cat 5 cable requires careful and precise installation to maximize efficiency and system performance. Anything that kinks
the cable or disturbs the precise alignment of the wire pairs inside the cable has the potential to create future
performance issues. The following installation practices can help minimize such problems.

When using Cat5 Cabling you MUST:

Choose either 568A or 568B wiring standard, before you begin your installation. Wire all jacks and patch panels
for the same wiring scheme (A or B).

Run all cables in a "Star" configuration. “Star” is defined as a homerun from the hub or router to each PC
location. Use only one cable per PC (maximum length of each run is 328 feet).

Keep cat 5 cables as far away as possible from potential sources of EMI (electrical cables, transformers, light
fixtures, etc.) as possible.

Always label every termination point. Use a unique number for each cable segment. This will make moves,
adds, changes, and troubleshooting as simple as possible.

Maintain the twists of the pairs all the way to the point of termination, or no more than 0.5" (one half inch)
untwisted

Make gradual bends of the cable, where necessary. No sharper than a 1" radius (about the diameter of a half-
dollar).

Dress the cables neatly with cable ties. Use low to moderate pressure. Tie and dress horizontal cables neatly
and with a minimum bend radius of 4 times the cable diameter.

Always test every installed segment with a cable tester. "Toning" alone, is not an acceptable test. Use an
approved category-5 cable tester. (SmartClass and HTT both have this functionality)

Always install jacks in such a way as to prevent dust and other contaminants from settling on the contacts. The
contacts (pins) of the jack should face up on flush mounted plates, or left, right, or down (never up) on surface
mount boxes.

Always leave 5-10 feet of slack on the cables, neatly coiled up in the ceiling or nearest concealed place.

When using Cat5 Cabling, DO NOT:

Mix 568A and 568B wiring on the same installation.

Tie cables to electrical conduits, or lay cables on electrical fixtures.

Use staples on category-5 cable that crimp the cable tightly. The common T-18 and T-25 cable staples are not
recommended for category-5 cable. Use plastic stand-off cable staples such as the T-59 staple.

Allow the cable to be sharply bent, or kinked, at any time. This can cause permanent damage to the cables'
interior.

Twist pairs around each other.

Remove more than 1" of jacket or insulation when terminating.

Splice or bridge category-5 cable at any point. There should never be multiple appearances of the same
category 5 cable.

Over tighten cable ties. Use hooks and Velcro cable ties.

Use excessive force when pulling cable.

Use oil, or any other lubricant, not specifically designed for cable pulling. Oil or other lubricants can cause
damage to the insulation.

Install cable that is supported by the ceiling tiles (this is unsafe, and is a violation of the building codes).

Never install cables "taught" in the ceiling, or elsewhere. A good installation should have the cables loose, but
never sagging.

Step on or run over category-5 cable.
 Connectors

Cut and fold to use as a Pocket Guide