Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 1.3
Hierarchy of structured wiring.
ple, if you are installing a Category 5e (TIA/EIA-568-C) facility, you must use
Category 5e rated jacks, cable, patches, and user cords. If you use a cross-connect
field to connect between the station cables and a patch panel, the cross-connect wire
must also be rated Category 5e. The same is true of Category 6—all components
including cables, connectors, and cords must be Category 6 rated to achieve
Category 6 performance. Category 7 is the first standard that allows deviation from
the ubiquitous 8-position modular connector (A.K.A. RJ-45). The connectors and
the cables are quite different in appearance from the lower-rated categories, so a
Category 7 installation is a little easier to spot. But, to the casual eye (and perhaps
