Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
In this chapter, we begin to go through the chain of wiring devices that make up a
LAN wiring connection. The first item in our list is the outlet placed at the work-
station area. The TIA-568-C standard requires that each work area be provided
with two outlet jacks. One jack must be a 4-pair 100-ohm UTP or STP connection
of Category 5e or better. (TIA-568-B required Cat 3 or better.) The other jack may
be Category 5e or higher 4-pair 100-ohm UTP/STP connection, or it may be either
a 2-fiber 50/125 µm or a 2-fiber 62.5/125 µm fiber optic connection.
The work area outlet is referred to by several names. The TIA-568-C standard
refers to the outlet as a telecommunications outlet/connector in the work area, to
emphasize that it must include the actual connector jack itself. We refer to the out-
let in this topic by the name work area outlet or station outlet . This usage implies
that the connector jack is not directly attached to the workstation or other network
device. Such an attachment is made by an additional cable called a user cord or
equipment cord . The modular or other jack typically attaches to a mounting plate
or faceplate, which mounts in an enclosure. The entire assembly—the jack, plate,
and enclosure—forms the station outlet.
We will cover the mountings and jack types first. We will also discuss mount-
ing methods for the jack/faceplate assemblies, including surface and flush mount-
ings. Finally, we will detail outlet identification and workmanship issues.
Outlet Jack Mountings
The connector jack at the work area outlet is mounted in several ways. We will
cover the mounting first because it is useful to have an understanding of connector-
mounting methods when we actually begin to discuss the jack types in the next sec-
tion. In this discussion of jack mountings, we are actually talking about the
faceplate/jack assembly in those instances where a separate faceplate is used.
Flush Mounts
Flush-mounted jacks are the familiar wall-mounted jacks we often associate with
commercial telecommunications wiring. This type of jack arrangement places the
jack faceplate flush (or even) with the wall. Typically, the jack extends into the wall
and mounts via machine screws to an underlying outlet box or mounting ring.
Mounting Rings and Outlet Boxes. The mounting ring or outlet box provides a
secure location for mounting the work area outlet. Several types of each are avail-
able. Generally, either type of mounting is acceptable.
Telecommunications wiring is a low-voltage, low-amperage wiring that is not
required to be routed in conduit or mounted in an enclosure by the NEC . However,
Search WWH ::




Custom Search