Knowing LAN Wiring

The most important aspect of any LAN cabling is its Category rating. The Categories most often seen specified for new installations are Categories 5e, 6, and 6 Augmented. The difference between these ratings can be narrowed down to the amount of data they can carry over a given length. Category 5e is considered to be the minimum required for copper LAN cabling in networks operating at 1000Base-T, better known as Gigabit Ethernet. Categories 6 and 6 Augmented are both certified for networks running at 10 Gigabits, with Cat6 certified for shorter runs and 6 Augmented good for up to 100 meters. Another important consideration when selecting cable for your LAN is whether or not it will be installed in a plenum space, in which case, plenum-rated cable should be used. Plenum-rated cable gives off no toxic smoke when it burns.

The list of suppliers of LAN cabling is quite long. Lucent, Siemon, NORDX/CDT, Belkin, and Commscope are some of the more well known brands that are specified for new installations and retrofits. All of these cable manufacturers offer their products in boxes or reels of 1000 feet in length, un-terminated, and pre-terminated prefab and custom lengths. LAN cabling that requires termination after installation is easier to install, since there are no bulky connectors at either end that can get hung up during the installation. However, the requirement for termination onsite means you have to have qualified technicians to perform the terminations properly. Pre-terminated cabling will have connectors on both ends, snap in place once installed, and some manufacturers will also test and certify the cable for its ability to operate at the required levels. Pre-terminated cabling reduces the chances of human error during the termination process, since they are checked and rechecked before shipping to suppliers.

With the advent of Gigabit and 10Gigabit Ethernet networks, it has become more and more important to observe certain specifications and standards during the installation of your cable plant. The most important of these is the ANSI/EIA/TIA 569 standard which governs cable plant pathways and spaces. Issues such as cable supports and wall penetrations are covered by this standard. The ANSI/EIA/TIA 568 standard covers allowable lengths and proper termination of your LAN cabling. Along with these international standards, your municipality will also have certain codes governing cable installation that must be adhered to.

The wiring that carries the data in your home or office network is known as LAN cabling. There are a number of specifications that the LAN cabling you use must adhere to. There are a number of different brands of cable available for installation and most of these manufacturers offer Ethernet cable that requires installers or technicians to terminate it at both ends and cable that is pre-terminated. Installation of LAN cabling, in order to obtain the most benefit and longest life, must be installed according to certain specifications.