Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 8.9
Cross-connect wire for Category 6. (Courtesy The Siemon Company.)
although the insulation may be a little stiffer to provide additional resistance to
abrasion and cuts.
Cross-connect wire (it is usually not called cable) is available in 1-, 2-, 3-, and
4-pair configurations. The pairs are usually color coded in the same manner as reg-
ular jacketed cables. The complete color code for these cables is shown in Chapter
5, but the short version is blue, orange, green, and brown pairs, each paired with
a white wire. If you have only one pair, the blue pair (blue/white marking) is usu-
ally used. However, single-pair cable is also available in a blue/yellow combination,
as that is often used for telco central-office lines, as well as other uses. If you are
doing LAN wiring, you will want to use two pairs of 4-pair cross-connect wire that
is color-coded the same as the station cable. To implement the full TIA-568-C, a 4-
pair wiring system will require 4-pair cross-connect wire, unless you make two
runs of two pairs for each cross-connect. That standard suggests that cross-connect
wire consist of pairs with one wire having white insulation and another having a
distinct color such as red or blue. The normal color code scheme complies with that
recommendation.
Cross-Connect Wire Size and Type
Cross-connect wire is available in various wire gauges including 22 AWG to 26
AWG, but the most commonly used gauge is 24 AWG, as with jacketed station
cables. The wire guidelines in TIA-568-C state that standard-compliant UTP hori-
