Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware

ISO= International Organization for Standardization

MHz= Megahertz
TIA= Telecommunications Industry Association

Four-Pair Cables and Multipair Cables

Balanced twisted-pair cable (i.e., 4-pair and multipair):
• Is composed of insulated conductors twisted together to form circuit pairs.
• Generally has a characteristic impedance of 100 ohms (± 15 ohms).
• Has conductor sizes of 22 American wire gauge (AWG) [0.64 millimeter (mm [0.025 inch (in)])] to 26 AWG [0.41
mm (0.016 in)].
• Has an overall sheath designed for applicable environments.
• May have individually screened pairs or overall screen.
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware
Conductor materials are drawn to various sizes described here in millimeters and duplicated in AWG. For example,
a common conductor size for premises cables is 24 AWG [0.51 mm
(0.02 in)].

Selection of dielectric material for conductor insulation involves economics as well as tradeoffs in characteristics
desired for the application and installation environment. An electrically efficient insulation is nearly always desired,
but a tradeoff may be required to obtain insulation capable of meeting fire protection cable requirements (e.g.,
communications riser [CMR] and communications plenum [CMP] rated cables). Similarly, less effective
insulation may be used to secure more physically robust characteristics.

NOTE: Efficient insulation is defined as material where any loss of the transmitted signal
because of loss associated with the insulation is minimal.

Insulating materials can affect the physical size of the completed cable and determine two of the four primary
electrical characteristics of the balanced twisted-pair:
• Mutual capacitance
• Permittivity

Mutual capacitance: depends on the conductor’s insulating material as well as the insulation’s thickness
(diameter). The style and thickness of the dielectric insulation are carefully selected by cable manufacturers and
carefully controlled in the manufacturing process. Insulated conductors are designed to form balanced twisted-pairs,
which form a cable assembly. Once again, the assembling of insulated conductors that are used to form a cable is
carefully
controlled in the manufacturing process. Permittivity indicates the insulation’s ability to transmit (or permit) an
electric field. Permittivity is directly related to electrical susceptibility. A number of styles of dielectric insulation
(e.g., plastics) are used to build a cable. Some of these dielectric insulating materials include:

• Halogenous: – Polyvinyl chloride – Fluorinated ethylene propylene – Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene

– Polychloroprene – Chlorosulfonated polyethylene

• Nonhalogenous:
– Polyethylene – Polyurethane – Polypropylene – Silicone rubber

The insulated conductors in a balanced twisted-pair cable are twisted at a rate and to a pitch that achieve the
manufacturer’s transmission performance objectives.

Typical Applications
Four-pair screened cabling is recognized for use in horizontal and backbone cabling applications. Multipair screened
cabling (i.e., constructed with more than four pairs) is recognized for use in backbone cabling applications only.
Screened cables that offer pair counts starting at 25 pairs and extending up to 400 pairs in premises to beyond 2400
pairs in OSP in increments of 25 pairs are typically used in backbone applications.

Typically have 8-position, 8-contact (8P8C) connectors on the ends.

That are stranded may exhibit 20 percent (ANSI/TIA) to 50 percent (ISO/IEC) more
attenuation than solid conductors.

Note: Screen resistance is critical, and foil screens are not the best choice because screen foil is
usually thin (less than ≈1 mm [0.04 in]).
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware
Design
Four-pair cords may be constructed with solid or stranded conductors. Although patch cord
assemblies are typically double ended and fitted with connecting hardware on each end, patch
cord assemblies may be single ended as well. The term equipment cord is used to distinguish those
cords that directly attach to equipment on one or both ends.

The term patch cord is used to distinguish those cords that attach one set of connecting hardware to
another set of connecting hardware to form a cross-connection, also known as a distributor.
Patch cord assemblies may feature color-coding options, making them easily distinguishable.

Characteristics
Patch cord assemblies and equipment cord assemblies are compliant to the transmission characteristics of the cabling
components to which they attach. These assemblies are available in OSP and premises (ISP) environments. Screened
and unscreened styles are available in most categories of cabling. Consider performance specifications of applicable
standards (i.e., ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 and ISO/IEC 11801 Ed. 2.0).

Optical Fiber Cables(Important)

Overview
Optical fiber cables are used in backbone and horizontal cabling applications. When an all dielectric construction is
desirable, optical fiber cable offers characteristics that can make them the media of choice. Transmission of
information through optical fiber cables is not degraded by crosstalk, ambient noise, lightning, and most EMI
problems. However, like balanced twisted-pair cables, attenuation (loss of signal) and environmental considerations
are of concern for optical fiber cabling systems.

The primary difference between balanced twisted-pair and optical fiber as a transmission medium is that pulses of
light consisting of photons are injected into the optical fiber as opposed to the electron flow in a balanced twisted-
pair-based cabling.

Optical fibers are classified as either singlemode or multimode. Singlemode optical fibers have a relatively small
diameter featuring a core of 8 to 11 micrometers (μm) and a cladding diameter of approximately 125 μm.

(The light is restricted to a single path or mode in singlemode optical fibers,)

Multimode has a larger core diameter (e.g., 50 μm or 62.5 μm) with the cladding of approximately125 μm.

(whereas the larger diameter multimode has many paths or modes).

Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware

Very Important Note:

NOTE: The basic difference between OS1 and OS2 classes of cables is the cable not the transmission performance
of optical fibers used to build them. Typically, OS1 is applied to inside plant tight-buffered cable construction, while
OS2 is applied to loose-tube or blown fiber solutions (where the cabling process applies no stress to the optical
fibers). OS1 cables are based on B1.1, B1.3, or B6_a class optical fibers, and OS2 cables are based on B1.3 or B6_a
optical fibers.

Design
Physical protection is provided through the cable design and yarns that run alongside the optical fiber strands in the
cable. Physical protection is also provided by using different materials for the jacket layers (e.g., glass-reinforced
plastic rods, corrugated steel tape, and steel wire armor).

Environmental protection is provided through materials in the cable jacket. These materials could include water-
blocking gel or tapes to stop migration of water along the inside of the cable and define the fire rating of the jacket
for the application (e.g., indoor or outdoor cables).

The three classification terms used to describe the optical fiber cable are:

• Indoor/outdoor optical fiber cable—Optical fiber cables designed to meet the requirements of both indoor and
outdoor environments to ease the transition from premises (ISP) to OSP often carry a specific fire rating based on
their internal fire performance.
• Indoor optical fiber cable—Cables designed to meet the requirements of indoor environments and carry a specific
fire rating.
• Outdoor optical fiber cable—Cables designed to meet the requirements of outdoor environments and generally
carry no fire rating.
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware
Multimode optical fiber cable(Important)
• Is the most common for backbone and horizontal runs within buildings and campus environments.

• Has a 50 μm or 62.5 μm core and 125 μm cladding diameter.

• May be used for distances up to ≈2000 meters (m [6562 feet (ft)]) for structured cabling systems.
• Supports common wavelengths of 850 nanometers (nm) and 1300 nm.

Singlemode optical fiber cable (see Figure 6.4):

• Is used in riser and campus environments and is not a recognized medium for horizontal applications.
• Has an 8- to 11-μm core, depending on the manufacturer.
• May be used for distances up to ≈3000 m (9840 ft) for structured cabling systems.

NOTE: Distances supported are application dependent.

• Normally uses a laser light source.

• Supports common wavelengths of 1310 nm, 1490 nm, 1550 nm, and 1625 nm.

Note: Consider optical fiber performance specifications defined in applicable standards (i.e., ANSI/ TIA-568-C.3
and ISO/IEC 11801 Ed. 2.0). Multimode and singlemode optical fiber cables should perform as shown in Table 6.5.

Note: The modal bandwidth of a multimode optical fiber is defined as the frequency at which the light pulse
amplitude drops 3 decibels (dB) at an ≈1 kilometer (km (0.6 miles [mi]) distance. Thus, for example, a
typical 50-μm OM2 multimode optical fiber features approximately 500 MHz for an ≈1 km (0.6 mi)
length at a given wavelength (e.g., 850 nm). This is expressed as a modal bandwidth of 500 MHz•km at
850 nm
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware

Loose-Tube Optical Fiber Cables

Loose-tube optical fiber cable (see Figure 6.5):

• Is used primarily outdoors.

• May contain water-blocking elements (e.g., water absorbent tapes or gel) for OSP use.
• Allows the cable jacket to expand and contract with changes in temperature without affecting the optical fibers.
• Has a different cable jacket length to the optical fiber length inside.
• May be singlemode or multimode.
• Has the most common loose-tube optical fiber diameter of 250 μm, although other diameters are available.
• Typically contains buffer tubes with 4, 6, or 12 strands.
• May require furcation tubing to allow direct connectorization (see Figure 6.6).
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware
Loose-Tube Optical Fiber Cables, continued Advantages and Disadvantages

A loose-tube optical fiber cable’s advantages when compared with tight-buffered cables with the same number of
strands are:
• A greater tensile strength and more robust outer jacket.
• A greater resistance to low-temperature effects on attenuation.
• A cable jacket that expands and contracts with changes in temperature without affectingthe optical fiber.

A loose-tube optical fiber cable’s disadvantages when compared with tight-buffered cables with the same number of
strands are:
• A larger outer cable diameter for optical fiber cables with less than 24 strands.
• A greater weight per unit length.
• A larger bend radius.
• A lower impact resistance for individual fiber strands.
• A lower crush resistance for individual fiber strands.
• Cables that require fraction tubing to allow direct connectorization.

A loose-tube optical fiber cable’s typical applications are:

• Long- and short-reach high bit-rate systems for telephony.
• Distribution and local networks for voice, data, and video services.
• Premises intrabuilding and interbuilding installations, including LANs, storage area networks (SANs), data centers,
private branch exchanges (PBXs), video, and various multiplexing uses.

• OSP telephone cable use.

• Security, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning monitoring, and industrial control
systems.

Tight-Buffered Optical Fiber Cables

Tight-buffered optical fiber cable:

• Is primarily used inside buildings.
• May contain water blocking elements to be used in OSP applications.
• When designed for OSP use, allows the cable jacket to expand and contract with changes in temperature without
affecting the fibers.
• Is available with various jacket styles to satisfy the codes for OSP and premises environments.
• Protects the optical fiber by supporting each strand of glass with a buffer coating extruded over the base optical
fiber’s 250-μm acrylate coating. The most common tight-buffer diameter is 900 μm, although other diameters are
available.
• Is easily connectorized for field termination
without the need for furcation tubing.
• May be singlemode or multimode.
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware

Optical Fiber Patch Cords

Singlemode and multimode optical fiber cables that are used in the assembly of optical fiber patch cords (i.e., optical
fiber jumpers) should consist of optical fiber strands of the same type (e.g., 50/125 μm) and transmission
performance characteristics (e.g., OM3) as the optical fiber links to which they interconnect and cross-connect.

Characteristics
Factory-terminated duplex jumpers should comply with optical fiber performance specifications as defined in
applicable standards (i.e., ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 and ISO/IEC 11801 Ed. 2.0).

Coaxial Cables:
Overview
The predominant coaxial cables are Series-6, Series-11, and radio grade (RG) 59. These coaxial cables have a
characteristic impedance of 75 ohms. There may be special backbone applications where a larger diameter cable is
specified (e.g., 0.500, 0.75 [hardline trunk]). While the termination procedures may be similar, special attention must
be paid to the manufacturer’s specific instructions for termination and connectors.

Design
Coaxial cable is unbalanced and consists of a centered inner conductor insulated from a surrounding outer conductor
and an overall jacket. The geometry of such a construction inherently provides reduced external interference and
radiation protection; however, the metallic covering is not a screen—it is a conductor in the circuit.

Series-11U is used in video backbone distribution. It has a lower signal attenuation than Series-6, making it the
preferred choice for longer runs. Series-11U has a(n):
• Characteristic impedance of 75 ohms.
• Coated foil shield over the dielectric to shield against high frequencies.
• Braided shield over the coated foil to shield against low frequencies.
• 18 AWG [1.0 mm (0.039 in)] stranded center conductor. • F- or N-style connector.
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware

Selection of Coaxial Cables

Coaxial cables of each series are available in a variety of configurations including:
• Jacket styles.
• Shield configurations.
• Bandwidths.
• Attenuations.
A coaxial cable cannot be selected by simply identifying the physical size (series); a full understanding of the
application is necessary. Many supply houses and most manufacturers offer consultation services to assist in the
selection of the cable best suited for the job.
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware

Types OFNP
and OFCP
Types OFNP and OFCP nonconductive and conductive optical fiber plenum cables shall be listed as being suitable
for use in ducts, plenums, and other space used for environmental air and shall be listed as having adequate fire-
resistant and low smoke-producing characteristics. (UL910)

Types OFNR and OFCR

Types OFNR and OFCR nonconductive and conductive optical fiber riser cables shall be listed as being suitable for
use in a vertical run in a shaft when penetrating one or more floors and shall be listed as having the fire-resistant
characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor. (UL1666)

Types OFNG and OFCG(UL-1581)

Types OFNG and OFCG nonconductive and conductive general-purpose optical fiber cables shall be listed as being
suitable for general-purpose use, with the exception of risers and plenums, and shall be listed as being resistant to the
spread of fire.

Types OFN and OFC

Types OFN and OFC nonconductive and conductive optical fiber cables shall be listed as being suitable for general-
purpose use, with the exception of risers, plenums, and other spaces used for environmental air, and shall be listed as
being resistant to the spread of fire.

BL = Network-powered broadband communications low-power cables

BM = Network-powered broadband communications medium-power cables
CATV = Community antenna TV cables
CL2 = Remote-control, signaling, and power-limited cables, Class 2
CL3 = Remote-control, signaling, and power-limited cables, Class 3
CM = Communications cables
FPL = Power-limited fire alarm cables
NEC = National Electrical Code
OFC = Conductive optical fiber cables
OFN = Nonconductive optical fiber cables
PLTC = Power-limited tray cables

Note: These specifications often are followed by the abbreviations LS0H or LSZH, defining additional
specifications of the cable sheaths and conductor insulations in terms of emission of dangerous substances at burning
(relevant testing standards IEC 60754, Test on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables, and IEC
61034, Measurement of smoke density of cables burning under defined conditions – Part 1: Test apparatus).
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware

Balanced
Twisted-
Pair Connectors
The insulation displacement contact (IDC) is a gas-tight physical contact between two electrical conductors. IDCs
feature blade or knife shape cuts into the conductors’ surrounding insulation material. During the conductor
termination, the IDC dovetail blades displace conductor insulation, reaching the conductor and cutting into it. IDC
connections typically require a special tool commonly known as a punch-down tool.

Four basic styles of IDC connectors are defined by their design and IDC implementation:

• 110-style • 66-style • BIX-style • LSA-style

NOTE: more detail need to study BICSI-Page:564.

LSA-Style Insulation Displacement Contact (IDC) Connector, continued(Important)

Modular Connectors
Modular connectors are represented by two heterogeneous parts—plug (male connector part) and jack (female
connector part). Plugs and jacks feature a locking mechanism, which allows fixing and easily disconnecting the plug
and the jack in a mated state. Modular connectors are commonly used and are available in various sizes and
configurations. Most popular in telecommunications modular connectors are 4-, 6-, and 8-position connectors:

• 4P4C—4-position and 4-contact connectors are used primarily for telephone handsets cords.
• 6P4C—6-position and 4-contact connectors are used primarily for telephones and modem line cords.
• 6P6C—6-position and 6-contact connectors are used primarily for telephones and modem line cords.
• 8P8C—8-position and 8-contact connector are used for data communication line and patch cords (often incorrectly
referred to as an RJ-45 connector).
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware

Balanced Twisted-Pair Outlets/Connectors

Balanced twisted-pair outlets/connectors serve as the end point of the horizontal cabling andare used to connect
active telecommunications equipment to the cabling at the work areas.Many different styles of telecommunications
outlets/connectors are provided for work areas.For example, locations within a wall cavity can be equipped with
single- or double-gangfaceplates with jack inserts, ranging from low-density single-port to high-density multiport
devices (see Figure 6.23).

• Style of connector module used:

– Block of PCB mounted modular jacks wired to 110-, BIX-, or LSA-style connectors
– Block of PCB mounted modular jacks wired to 50-position miniature ribbon connectors
– Keystone jacks mounted in blank panel openings – Feed-thru jacks.
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware

110-Style Wiring Blocks

The 110-style wiring blocks are used for both voice and data applications and are commonly available in wall- or
rack-mounted units in increments of 50, 100, or 300 pairs. Figure 6.28 illustrates a 96-pair category 6 110-style
wiring block.

LSA-Style Connecting Blocks, continued

Connect modules use a one-piece contact that provides a continuous link between the cable and the cross-connect
wiring. Disconnect modules consist of normally closed two-piece contacts that can be disconnected by inserting a
disconnect plug into the wire pair. This allows temporary or permanent disconnect of the circuit. A test cord can be
inserted into a pair to test circuits both ways when testing is necessary. These modules come in 8-pair or 10-pair
increments (see Figure 6.32).
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware

Balanced Twisted-Pair Splices

A balanced twisted-pair splice is a device that permanently joins conductors. The splicing operation can be
achieved with the following types of connecting hardware:

• Balanced twisted-pair connecting hardware:

– 110-style blocks – 66-style blocks – BIX-style blocks – LSA-style blocks

• Specialized splicing IDC equipment (see Figure 6.34):

– MS2 – Type 710
For details on balanced twisted-pair connectors and connecting hardware, refer to Balanced Twisted-Pair Connectors
and Balanced Twisted-Pair Hardware in this chapter.

Design
Most balanced twisted-pair cable splicing is performed with modular and discrete connectors. These connectors are
used for OSP or intrabuilding use and, depending on the manufacturer, accommodate 19 AWG [0.91 mm (0.036 in)]
to 28 AWG [0.32 mm (0.013 in)] wire. In addition, these connectors are available in several pair sizes (e.g., 1-pair,
5-pair, 10-pair, 25-pair) and should be placed in 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-bank configurations within the splice. Testing
the cable and the splice should be done either during or after construction.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Splice’s advantages are it:

• Is widely used in OSP and premises cabling for connection, splitting, and re-routing of cabling segments.
• Provides a cost-effective method of connection.
• Can be used in a wide range of applications (see Typical Applications). Splice’s disadvantages are:
• Some splice types do not exist in transmission performance categorized versions.
• Additional point of connection in a balanced twisted-pair link or channel may significantly degrade the overall link
or channel transmission performance.

Note: Important.

• Balanced twisted-pair splices are not permitted in structured cabling horizontal subsystems and backbone
subsystems with maximum link or channel length ≈90 m (300 ft )/≈100 m
(328 ft) intended to support high-speed applications (with operation frequency range beyond 1 MHz).

Optical Fiber Connectors

The most common optical fiber interfaces include:
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware
• LC connector—A simplex connector that can be converted to a duplex using a clip. It is keyed, low loss, pull
proof, and wiggle proof. It can be terminated many different ways, including anaerobic (quick cure) adhesive, cleave
and crimp, and hot melt. This is often referred to as a small form factor (SFF) connector.

• Subscriber connector (SC)—A simplex connector that can be converted to a duplex using a clip. It is keyed, low
loss, pull proof, and wiggle proof. It can be terminated many different ways, including anaerobic (quick cure)
adhesive, cleave and crimp, and hot melt.

• Straight tip (ST) compatible—A simplex connector. It is a keyed, low loss connector. It can be terminated many
different ways, including anaerobic (quick cure) adhesive, cleave and crimp, and hot melt.

SFF connectors allow higher density of connection in patch panels and equipment ports. This also allows a lower per
port cost for servers and switches featuring a duplex connector size similar to that of a balanced twisted-pair modular
jack.

Important Note:
OTDRs may be useful in troubleshooting the location of any transmission problems in an optical fiber cabling link.
These transmission problems may include a:

• Break in an optical fiber strand. • Poor termination of optical fiber.

• Contamination of the optical fiber connector or adapter (e.g., dirt, dust, chemical).
• Mismatch of optical fiber styles (e.g., a 50-μm fiber mated to a 62.5-μm fiber).

E.5.4 OTDR trace (EIA/TIA568C)

The OTDR takes multiple measurements and presents the results on a display as a “trace”. The vertical scale
provides relative power level measured in dB while the horizontal scale provides length. The trace can identify fiber
length, and loss events such as connectors, splices and fiber bends. An OTDR is connected to the optical fiber link
with a length of cable that has commonly been called a ‘launch fiber’, ‘dead zone cable’, ‘pulse suppressor’, ‘test
fiber box’ or ‘access jumper’. The length of the launch fiber should follow the OTDR manufacturer’s
recommendation. In the absence of manufacturer recommendations a launch fiber length of 100 m (328 ft) for
multimode and 300 m (984 ft) for single-mode is usually acceptable.

E.6 Documentation
Test results documentation are generally recorded and stored by the test instrument for subsequent downloading to a
personal computer. Documentation that should be recorded for OLTS test results include:
• Date of the test • Test personnel
• Description of the field-test instrument used (including the source CPR Category for multimode measurements);
manufacturer model number and serial number
• Date of the latest field-test instrument calibration
• Type and length of test jumpers
• Fiber identifier (ID)
• Test procedure and method used (TIA-526-14-A, Method B for multimode;
TIA-526-7, Method A.1 for single-mode) to include launch condition description (for multimode, record the mandrel
diameter and number of turns; for single-mode, record the diameter of the mode suppression loop and number of
turns) • Link loss results (including direction) at tested wavelength(s)

Documentation that should be recorded for OTDR test results include:

• Date of the test • Test personnel

• Description of the field-test instrument used; manufacturer model number and serial number
• Date of the latest field-test instrument calibration
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware
• Type and length of launch fiber • Fiber identifier (ID)
• Trace file including OTDR selectable parameters • Tested wavelength(s)

Splices (Optical Fiber Connectors)

There are two primary splicing methods for optical fibers—fusion and mechanical. Both methods are field proven
and have excellent long-term reliability when completed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Splices and
stripped optical fiber cables are protected and secured by a splice closure. When a splice enclosure is used for
splicing inside a building, it is generally secured to a rack or wall. In both cases, the splice closure or enclosure
contains the optical fiber splices in splice trays or organizers, typically in groups of 6, 12, 24, or more
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware
optical fibers per splice tray or organizer.

Splices (Optical Fiber Connectors), continued

Mechanical splices that provide low splice loss (attenuation) characteristics are available. They are easy to work
with and provide an economical approach to long-term interconnection of optical fiber cables. Typically, mechanical
splices are used on optical fibers of the same size and style (e.g., 50/125 μm multimode). Mechanical splices can be
used on both multimode and singlemode cables and can be used to connect optical fibers with different buffer sizes
(e.g., 250 μm used in loose-tube cables, 900 μm used in tight-buffered cables).

See Figure 6.43 for an example of a mechanical splicer.

Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware

Optical Fiber Pigtail Splicing

The splice is typically part of a cross-connect panel located within ERs. The trays usually are
designed for one buffer tube of strands. The connector end of the pigtail is plugged into the
back side of the coupling panel port. A cross-connect jumper for equipment connectivity or to
another cable is plugged into the front side of the port.

Patch Panels and Enclosures

Design
Optical fiber patch panels and enclosures may be divided into two application areas based on
the mounting location. These application areas are:
• Rack mounted. • Wall mounted.

Rack-mounted hardware is installed in standard ≈483 mm (19 in) or ≈584 mm (23 in) racks or cabinets. Rack space
is often available where telecommunications equipment is installed, so this design is commonly used in:
Chapter 6: ITS Cables and Connecting Hardware
• Data centers. • ERs. • Computer rooms. • TRs.

Wall-mounted hardware is used when rack space is not available or equipment must be wall mounted. Wall- and rack-mounted
equipment may be used together (e.g., wall-mounted pigtail splice point with a rack-mounted patch panel).

Characteristics
The splice insertion loss allowance for network cabling standards is 0.3 dB per splice,
regardless of whether it is a mechanical splice or fusion splice, multimode or singlemode.
Using different styles of splice or splicing tools can reliably improve the performance of the
finished splice. Consider optical fiber performance specifications as defined within applicable
standards (e.g., ANSI/TIA-568-C.3, ISO/IEC 11801 Ed. 2.0).

• Aerial drop wire—Used for runs less than 􀂧213 m (699 ft).
• Aerial distribution wire—Used for runs of 􀂧213 m (699 ft) or more.

Multipaired aerial drop 22 AWG Single-paired 18 AWG

Direct-buried service wire—Used for runs less than 􀂧213 m (699 ft).
• Direct-buried distribution wire—Used for runs of 􀂧213 m (699 ft) or more.

• Available in 19 AWG Direct-buried distribution wire is typically:

• 22 gauge and can be used in lieu of cable when only 2 to 4 pairs are needed in a distribution application.