Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The testing of installed cable is a critical part of the process of creating a successful struc-
tured cabling system. The major reason to specify a standards-based LAN wiring scheme
is to ensure that your installed cable will meet the needed level of performance for your
intended use. There are three basic requirements for providing a cabling system that will
meet TIA-568-C performance standards. First, you must design a structured cable plant
that will meet the desired performance criteria when the other two requirements are met.
Second, you must use cable and connecting components that are certified to the proper
level of performance. Third, you must employ proper installation methods so that the
performance potentials of the cabling and components are achieved.
This is a long way of saying that a well-designed LAN wiring system, using the
proper cable and connectors, and installed with good workmanship, will operate at
the expected level of performance. Previous chapters in this topic have described all
of these key concepts, individually. This chapter will explore the ways in which you
can verify the proper operation of your installed cable system.
We will discuss some of the ways in which cable and components are certified
to a particular level of performance by their manufacturers. In addition, we will see
how you can perform inspection and testing to ensure that your installed cable plant
meets the required performance levels. Next, we will talk about the test equipment
you will need to verify your installation. Finally, we will show how to use that test
equipment to do cable performance testing and link certification.
The primary standard for LAN performance certification in the United States and
many other countries is TIA-568. The full name of the latest version of the standard
is TIA-658-C,
Commercial Building Telecommunications Wiring Standard
. Several
other standards bodies, including the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and
the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), have similar or coordi-
nated standards, such as CSA-T529 and ISO/IEC IS-11801.
As cabling performance levels increased, the TIA realized that additional informa-
tion and guidelines were necessary to ensure a properly functioning cable link. It was
important to identify those factors that allow an installed cable link to meet the desired
category of performance. Likewise, testing techniques were needed to certify the per-
formance levels of individual cabling components, such as connecting hardware and
even patch cords. The TIA has continually issued documents called Telecommunications
Systems Bulletins (TSBs) to provide supplementary information and procedures.
TSBs have provided the critical testing methods and standards to cover per-
formance testing of installed cable. A very key early supplement, TSB-67 1995,
Transmission Performance Specifications for Field Testing of Unshielded Twisted-
