Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 8.3
IDC patch-panel termination.
Patch panels are connecting hardware, as far as the standards are concerned,
and must be performance rated according to the category of operation you intend.
Older-style panels paid little or no attention to preserving the pairing and twist of
wires between the termination points and the modular jacks. You could get a nice
glitch on a tester when you looked at an older patch panel in a LAN link.
Fortunately, most modern panels are rated for Category 3, 5e, or 6 operation. The
TIA-568-C standard, as well as others, requires that all connecting hardware be
marked as to its category of performance. Either the markings may be the words
“Category
n
” or “Cat
n
,” where
n
is the category number 3, 5e, or 6, or they may
be a large capital letter “C” with the category number enclosed. If you do not see
the marking, you should consider the panel unrated, and not suitable for LAN
wiring use. Some manufacturers are providing a small category rating note along
with the panel, certifying the category of performance. The only problem with this
method is that it may be impossible to determine the rating of the panel after instal-
lation. You could provide the postinstallation assurance by affixing the notice to the
rear of the panel, if a clear area is available. Still, clear factory marking of the cate-
gory is the best bet.
