Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The other Category 7 connector is truly non-RJ in its design, although it main-
tains a compact size and a snap-in connection. The non-RJ Category 7 connector
also has the advantage of a frequency range far beyond the RJ-type, at least partially
because it was designed with microwave (
1 GHz) operation in mind. It is likely
that this connector will easily be able to go to the Category 8 performance that is
the next proposed level.
An innovative non-RJ Category 7 connector (shown in Chapter 9) allows the
patch to switch connector pins between conventional Category 6 and below, and the
shielded Category 7 pins. This connector still mates in the same plug/socket space as a
conventional 8-pin modular RJ-type device, and the patches that use this connector can
be used interchangeably with Category 5e/6/AC6 and Category 7 RJ-type patch cords.
Category 7 non-RJ patch panels are essentially arrays of non-RJ Category 7
connectors, snapped into a housing for rack or standoff mounting. An example of
such a patch panel is shown in Fig. 8.11. The cables are terminated directly into the
non-RJ connectors, and the connectors are snapped into the mounting panel. As
with conventional patch panels, the installer must take care not to bend or kink the
horizontal cable that terminates in the patch panel. Additional wire management
devices, including semi-enclosed raceways, should be used to keep the Category 7
horizontal cables stationary, and to route and protect the Category 7 patch cords.
Patch panels that incorporate RJ-style Category 7 connectors (Fig. 8.12) are
terminated and mounted in essentially the same way as conventional Category 6 and
lower patch panels. However, the Category 7 cable's shield termination requires spe-
cial attention. If the shield is not properly terminated at the patch panel, the
integrity of the shield suffers substantially, and the link may not pass a test for
Category 7 performance.
FIGURE 8.11
Non-RJ Category 7 patch module with Tera™ Cat 7 jack insert (see inset). (Courtesy the
Siemon Company.)
