OBJECTIVES 1. State the advantages that come from establishing industrial cabling standards. 2. Identify the standards that specifically apply to cable installation. 3. Describe the basic operation of the telephone system in the United States. 4. Identify the wire types used in telephone systems. 5. Describe the accepted color coding strategies that are commonly used in telephone installations. 6. Identify typical physical topologies, and state the advantages and disadvantages for each. 7. List the accepted logical topologies. 8. State the general instructions for running copper cabling. 9. Given a specific application, identify the grade of cabling that would be appropriate. 10. Identify Type-66 and Type-110 insulation displacement connectors. 11. Identify the various types of modular jacks that are commonly used with telecommunications systems. Figure 2-1: Basic Telco Organization Figure 2-2: Analog Waveform Figure 2-3: Digital Waveform Table 2-1: Decimal Column Values Table 2-2: Binary Column Values Table 2-3: Digital to Binary Conversion Table Table 2-3: Digital to Binary Conversion Table (continued) Table 2-3: Digital to Binary Conversion Table (continued) Figure 2-4: Square Wave Noise Figure 2-5: Frequency Components of a 1kHz Square Wave Figure 2-6: Harmonic Distortion with Inadequate Bandwidth Figure 2-7: Flat 4-Conductor Telephone Cable Figure 2-8: 24AWG UTP Telephone Cable Figure 2-9: Noise Distortion of a Data Signal The solid-color twisted pair marking system method uses one color to identify each of six wires. Pair #1: Green/Red (tip/ring). Pair #2: Black/Yellow (tip/ring). Pair #3: White/Blue (tip/ring). The standard color-coding method uses bandstriped twisted pair markings: Pair #1: White/Blue. The tip wire is predominantly white with blue bands. The ring wire is predominantly blue with white bands. Pair #2: White/Orange. The tip wire is primarily white with orange bands. The ring wire is primarily orange with white bands. Pair #3: White/Green. The tip wire is mostly white with green bands. The ring wire is mostly green with white bands. The standard color-coding method uses bandstriped twisted pair markings: (continued) Pair #4: White/Brown. The tip wire is predominantly white with brown bands. The ring wire is predominantly brown with white bands. Figure 2-10: Color Coded Wire Table 2-4: Color Coding for 25-Pair Cables Figure 2-11: UTP Connectors for Telephone and Data Wiring Figure 2-12: Coaxial Cable Figure 2-13: Thicknet Connection Figure 2-14: Attachment Unit Interface Figure 2-15: Intrusive Tap Figure 2-16: Vampire Tap Figure 2-17: Thinnet Arrangement LAB 1 OBJECTIVES Cable Identification To identify the cable types provided with this course To identify the parts that make up the Thicknet active tap kit CAT5 UTP CAT5 STP Type-1A STP RG58 Coax RG6 Coax RG8 Coax Figure 2-18: Cable Types Thicknet Active Tap Kit Figure 2-18: Thicknet Tap (continued) TIP The cable’s jacket should indicate that it is a Category 5 cable, and it may be either light gray, or white, in color. TIP The cable’s jacket should indicate that it is a shielded Category 5 cable, and it may be blue in color. TIP The cable’s jacket should indicate that it is a shielded cable, specified for IBM, and it will probably be black in color. The cable itself may appear somewhat flattened. TIP This cable’s jacket should indicate that it is designed for cable television transmission (CATV designation), and will probably display its 75-ohm impedance as well. It is normally black in color. TIP RG58 is probably the smallest diameter cable in the sample set. Its jacket should be black, and will be marked with the RG58 designation. TIP RG8 is probably the largest diameter cable in the sample set. Its jacket should be yellow or orange, and may be marked with the Ethernet designation. It will also indicate an impedance of 50 ohms. TIP The AMP Thicknet tap kit is basically composed of the clamp assembly, pressure block, button-head socket screw (tightened with the included hex wrench), braid terminators (2), tap body, and a probe assembly. An application tool is used to drill through the cable to the center conductor and to thread the probe assembly. LAB 1 QUESTIONS 1 Which one of the cable types included in this lab procedure is used for cable television transmission? LAB 1 QUESTIONS 2 Concerning the installation of the Thicknet active tap, what is the purpose for the hex wrench included in the kit? LAB 1 QUESTIONS 3 According to the instruction sheet for the installation of the Thicknet active tap, what are the two purposes for which the application tool is used? LAB 1 QUESTIONS 4 What is the diameter of the RG8 coaxial cable around which the Thicknet active tap must clamp? LAB 1 QUESTIONS 5 What was the impedance of the following cable types that you examined during this lab? (a) CAT5 UTP cable (b) CAT5 STP cable (c) Type-1A STP cable (d) RG6 coaxial cable (e) RG58 coaxial cable (f) RG8 coaxial cable LAB 1 QUESTIONS 6 What would you expect the color of the outer jacket for RG8 coaxial cable to be? LAB 1 QUESTIONS 7 Which of the cable types from the samples you examined possessed the smallest diameter? Some advantages of the star topology include: 1 If one wire run is damaged, it will not affect the other devices in that system. 2 It is easy to locate a problem in the system. 3 Additions and changes can be made very easily, without interfering with the rest of the system. Figure 2-19: Star Topology The advantages of a bus topology are: 1 The bus topology is passive (it does not actively move the data signal). Therefore, if one device fails, it does not affect the others. 2 The system does not have to be shut down in order to add other devices. Figure 2-20: Bus Topology The disadvantages of a bus topology are: 1 If a cut should occur in the wire, the entire network will be brought down. The connected devices will work in stand-alone mode, but will not be able to communicate with each other. 2 Only one device can transmit at any one time. The more devices on a cable run, the slower the network. Disadvantages of the ring topology are: 1 If any additions are to be made to the system, the system must be shut down. 2 If a break occurs in the cable, the entire system shuts down. Figure 2-21: Combination of Star and Bus Topology The following general tips for running network cable will help you become acquainted with basic data cabling concepts: Never put a splice behind a wall or in an area where it cannot be accessed. Always test the cable runs after the installation is complete. If possible, avoid placing splices on cable runs altogether. If there is a real problem, pull a new cable. The following general tips for running network cable will help you to become acquainted with basic data cabling concepts: (continued) Do not pull 4-pair cable with more than 25 pounds of pulling force. Do not run data cables in parallel with any type of electrical cables. The following general tips for running network cable will help you to become acquainted with basic data cabling concepts: (continued) Maintain the following separation between telecommunications wiring and other types of wiring: Electrical bare light, or power of any voltage Electrical open wiring under 300 volts Electrical wires in conduit, or in armored or nonmetallic sheath cable/power ground wires Radio and television antenna lead and ground wires Open signal/control wiring under 300 volts Community television systems coaxial cables, with grounded shield Telephone service drop wire, aerial or buried Neon signs, and associated wiring from transformer Fluorescent lighting Lightning wire 5 feet 2 inches none 2 inches none none 2 inches 6 inches 5 inches 6 feet The following general tips for running network cable will help you to become acquainted with basic data cabling concepts: (continued) Minimum separations between residential and light commercial telecommunications wiring are specified in TIA/EIA 570. When in doubt, use the rule of sixes: Six feet of separation between telephone wiring and open high-voltage wiring, lightning grounding wire, or grounding rods Six inches of separation from all other highvoltage wire, unless in conduit The following general tips for running network cable will help you to become acquainted with basic data cabling concepts: (continued) Never bend the cable sharply, or cut the sheath intended to protect the conductors. Always maintain correct polarity. Always maintain the line number with respect to the pair number. Always use plastic, nonmetallic staples. Always leave a pull cord in the conduit for future cable pulls. The following general tips for running network cable will help you to become acquainted with basic data cabling concepts: (continued) Never run voltage and telecommunication cables in the same conduit. If possible, avoid running telecommunication cables under carpeting to avoid damage, or slow degradation, to the cable. Try to run cabling through the inner walls rather than the outer walls if possible. The following general tips for running network cable will help you to become acquainted with basic data cabling concepts: (continued) Do not run Telco wiring parallel to electrical wiring. Instead, always cross electrical wiring at 90-degree angles. Also, never share bore holes with any electrical wiring. Avoid running wire near known sources of heat. Always conceal wire runs. Do not leave wire runs exposed. Always leave a one- to three-foot service loop of wire slack at outlets, or termination points, for later additions, changes, or repairs. The following are general tips for the installation of telecommunication outlets: Never share bore holes with any type of electrical wiring. All data cabling outlets should be set up to handle either two 100-ohm UTP cables, or one 100-ohm UTP cable and one cable of the following: 2-pair, 150-ohm STP 2-strand, 62.5/125-micron optical fiber The following are general tips for the installation of telecommunication outlets: (continued) Place Telco outlets at the same wall height as electrical outlets, but no closer than 12 inches, keeping in mind that they should not share the same stud space. Always consider the current layout of the furniture, and how it could be rearranged when you are installing telecommunication outlets. LAB 2 OBJECTIVE Cable Examinations To examine the construction and makeup of the various cable types provided with this course TIP Try not to damage any of the inside wires as you make the slit. Figure 2-22: Examining the Contents of CAT5 UTP TIP Recall your reading about twistedpair cable, and the purpose for the twisting. TIP You will want to use the 24-gauge marking position on the wire stripper. TIP Try to depict the twist, as well as the color markings, for each of the pairs. Identify the tip and ring, and don’t worry if your drawing doesn’t win any art awards. TIP Try not to damage any of the inside wires as you make the slit. Figure 2-23: Examining the Contents of CAT5 STP Figure 2-24: Examining the Contents of Type-1A STP TIP See if you can do this without putting any nicks in the center conductor. The wire stripper will help to remove the insulation once the cut has been made. Figure 2-25: Examining the Contents of RG6 TIP Although the center conductor for RG6 is obviously solid, some types of coaxial cable use stranded conductor. These coaxial types are generally more flexible than those with solid center conductors. Figure 2-26: Examining the Contents of RG58 Figure 2-27: Examining the Contents of RG8 LAB 2 QUESTIONS 1 What is the significance of any differences in the number of twists per inch between the pairs in UTP/STP cable? LAB 2 QUESTIONS 2 In 4-pair UTP/STP which wire, tip or ring, is mostly white? LAB 2 QUESTIONS 3 When comparing RG6, RG58, and RG8, which type of coaxial cable contains the most shielding? Figure 1-28: Binding Post Termination The general tips on binding post connections are as follows: Never nick the conductors when removing the sheath. Conductors always wind clockwise, between the two washers. Ensure that the insulation does not get caught under the screw terminals. Always trim off the excess bare wire to avoid shorting out the connection. The general tips on binding post connections are as follows: (continued) Always leave additional slack wire in case future repairs are required. Do not overtighten the screw terminals, or the wire could break off. In addition, the threads will strip out. Figure 2-29: Impact or Punch-down Tool Figure 2-30: Standard and CAT5 Pair Spacing Figure 2-31: Impact or Punch-down Tool with Blades Figure 2-32: Electricians’ Scissors Figure 2-33: Diagonal Cutting Pliers Figure 2-34: Slotted-head Screwdriver Figure 2-35: Phillips-head Screwdriver Figure 2-36: Wire Stripper Figure 2-37: RG8 Wire Stripper Figure 2-38: Tone Generator and Signal Probe Figure 2-39: MODAPT® Test Adapter Figure 2-40: Modular Crimpers LAB 3 OBJECTIVE Tool Identification To properly identify common tools used for CAT5 and coaxial cable installations Cable Stripper, RG58/RG6 Cable Stripper, RG8/CAT5 Wire Stripper, CAT5 Punch-down Tool, Steel Figure 2-41: Common Tools for Cable Installations Punch-down Tool, Plastic Punch-down Blades, 110/66 Electrical Tape Twine Figure 2-41: Common Tools for Cable Installations (continued) Electricians’ Scissors Pliers, Diagonal Cutting Utility Knife Screwdriver, Slotted-Head Figure 2-41: Common Tools for Cable Installations (continued) Screwdriver, Phillips-Head Insertion/Extraction Tool Pliers, Needle-nose Pliers, Groove-joint Wrench, Adjustable Dental Pick Figure 2-41: Common Tools for Cable Installations (continued) Crimping Tool, RJ45 Crimping Tool, RG58/RG6 Crimping Tool, Pin Nippers, End-Cutting Figure 2-41: Common Tools for Cable Installations (continued) Fish Tape, Steel Thicknet Application Tool Hex Wrench Pencils, Colored (set) Figure 2-41: Common Tools for Cable Installations (continued) Label Markers Tension Scale/Tape Measure Cable Tester, Continuity-type Multimeter, Digital Figure 2-41: Common Tools for Cable Installations (continued) Level II Testers Figure 2-41: Common Tools for Cable Installations (continued) LAB 3 QUESTIONS 1 How many different types of cable or wire strippers are included in the tool list? LAB 3 QUESTIONS 2 What are the two types of punch-down blades provided with this course? LAB 3 QUESTIONS 3 Identify a tool reviewed in the text that is not supplied for this course. LAB 3 QUESTIONS 4 How many different types of crimpers are included in the tool list? Some FCC USOC test requirements address the mating of: 6-position plugs with 6-position jacks 4-position plugs with 6-position jacks 8-position plugs with 8-position jacks 6-position plugs with 8-position jacks Figure 2-42: RJ11 Jack (a) and Plug (b) Figure 2-43: USOC RJ11 Figure 2-44: USOC RJ14 Figure 2-45: Telco 8P8C Figure 2-46: RJ45 Jack (a) and Plug (b) Figure 2-47: TIA/EIA T568A Plug The tip and ring assignments for TIA/EIA T568A are: Pin 1 = T3 Pin 2 = R3 Pin 3 = T2 Pin 4 = R1 Pin 5 = T1 Pin 6 = R2 Pin 7 = T4 Pin 8 = R4 Figure 2-48: TIA/EIA T568B Plug The tip and ring assignments for TIA/EIA T568B are: Pin 1 = T2 Pin 2 = R2 Pin 3 = T3 Pin 4 = R1 Pin 5 = T1 Pin 6 = R3 Pin 7 = T4 Pin 8 = R4 Figure 2-49: Telco Outlet Telecommunications outlets should meet the following criteria: At least two station cable pairs must be connected at every installed outlet. The minimum number usable termination points at the wiring closet is 3 per user. Outlets may be recessed, flush-mounted, or surface-mounted. When installed on building exteriors, outlets must be weather resistant. For quality installations, keep the following suggestions in mind: Always use the minimum number of connections possible. Each additional connection to the system will degrade its overall performance. During installations, always install additional modular jacks, as well as service loops, to prepare the system for future upgrades, changes, moves, and repairs. For quality installations, keep the following suggestions in mind: (continued) All installations must be performed in a neat and orderly fashion. Documentation should include information as to where all outlets and cable runs are located, and should use a clearly understandable method of labeling the cable runs. Always install cables that are rated at the highest data speeds currently available, and never connect cables to any equipment or connector that is rated lower than that specified for the category of wire being used by the system. For quality installations, keep the following suggestions in mind: (continued) Once all of the telecommunications components have been installed, the entire system (cabling runs and associated equipment) must be tested for proper performance. LAB 4 OBJECTIVE Terminating CAT5 with RJ45/T568A Jacks To properly terminate CAT5 UTP cable onto CAT5-compliant RJ45 termination jacks using the T568A configuration Figure 2-50: Untwisting the Cable Pairs TIP Keep the individual pairs grouped together for ease of identification, because some tip wires may not have any visible trace of color and may appear to be solid white. TIP Look on the jack cap first for a manufacturer’s color code. If you find one, use it, because some jacks are manufactured with internal cross connections. For stop-end jacks, make sure that the conductors are inserted so that the cable jacket resides inside of the jack cap, with the tips of the wires inserted to the very end of the cap. zzzzzzzzzzzzz Figure 2-51: Inserting Wires in a Straight-through Jack Cap TIP For stop-end jacks, insert the jack cap/ housing combination into the crimping tool, apply pressure to the cable to make sure that the conductors remain inserted to the very ends of the jack, and apply firm, even pressure to the crimping tool to attach the jack. TIP Snap jacks can be pried apart, using a slotted-head screwdriver, and reused for practice. Stop-end jacks must be clipped off, thrown away, and replaced in order to practice on the same piece of cable. If you must clip the cable ends to remove stop-end jacks for practice purposes, under no circumstances allow the cable to become shorter than four feet (48 inches) long. This cable will be used for later labs. If necessary, practice using pieces of scrap cable. TIP The tension scale/tape measure is exactly one meter long. Measure the cable to the 3-foot marker, place the start of the measure at that point, and measure at least 12 more inches beyond it. If the total length of the cable is less than four feet, you will have to discard it (or add it to the practice cable scrap pile) and try again using a new piece of cable. You may reuse the jacks if they are the snap type. LAB 4 QUESTIONS 1 What is the purpose of twisting the cable pairs in CAT5 cable? LAB 4 QUESTIONS 2 List the pin/pair configuration for the TIA/EIA T568A standard. LAB 4 QUESTIONS 3 What is the minimum length required for the completed T568A terminated CAT5 cable in this lab? LAB 5 OBJECTIVE Terminating CAT5 with RJ45/T568B Jacks To properly terminate CAT5 UTP cable onto CAT5-compliant RJ45 termination jacks using the T568B configuration TIP Keep the individual pairs grouped together for ease of identification, because some tip wires may not have any visible trace of color and may appear to be solid white. TIP Look on the jack cap first for a manufacturer’s color code. If you find one, use it, because some jacks are manufactured with internal cross connections. For stop-end jacks, insert the conductors so that the cable jacket resides inside of the jack cap, and the tips of the wires reach to the very end of the cap. Figure 2-52: Trimming Excess Cable Figure 2-53: Crimping the Jack Housing TIP For stop-end jacks, insert the jack cap/housing combination into the crimping tool, apply pressure to the cable to keep the conductors inserted to the very ends of the jack, and apply firm, even pressure to the crimping tool to attach the jack. Figure 2-54: Using the Crimping Tool TIP Snap jacks can be pried apart, using a slotted-head screwdriver, and reused for practice. Stop-end jacks must be clipped off, and thrown away, and replaced in order to practice on the same piece of cable. If you must clip the cable ends to remove stop-end jacks for practice purposes, under no circumstances allow the cable to become shorter than four feet (48 inches) long. This cable will be used for later labs. If necessary, practice using pieces of scrap cable. TIP The tension scale/tape measure is exactly one meter long. Measure the cable to the 3-foot marker, place the start of the measure at that point, and measure at least 12 more inches beyond it. If the total length of the cable is less than four feet, you will have to discard it (or add it to the practice cable scrap pile) and try again using a new piece of cable. You may reuse the jacks if they are the snap type. LAB 5 QUESTIONS 1 List the advantages/disadvantages of straight-through versus stop-end termination jacks. LAB 5 QUESTIONS 2 List the pin/pair configuration for the TIA/EIA T568B standard. LAB 6 OBJECTIVE Terminating CAT5 with RJ45/T568A Plugs To properly terminate CAT5 UTP cable with two RJ45 modular plugs, using the T568A configuration TIP Keep the individual pairs grouped together for ease of identification, because some tip wires may not have any visible trace of color and may appear to be solid white. Figure 2-55: Trimming the CAT5 Conductors Figure 2-56: Inserting the CAT5 Conductors Figure 2-57: Trimming the CAT5 Conductors Figure 2-58: Resting the Cable Sheath Figure 2-59: Testing CAT5 Plug and Jack Cables for T568A TIP In order to practice on the same piece of cable, a crimped RJ45 modular plug or jack must be clipped off, thrown away, and replaced. If you must clip the cable ends to remove RJ45 plugs or jacks for practice purposes, under no circumstances allow the cable to become shorter than four feet (48 inches) long. This cable will be used for later labs. If necessary, practice making terminations using pieces of scrap cable. TIP The tension scale/tape measure is exactly one meter long. Measure the cable to the 3-foot marker, place the start of the measure at that point, and measure at least 12 more inches beyond it. If the total length of any cable is less than four feet, you will have to discard it (or add it to the practice cable scrap pile) and try again using a new piece of cable. You must discard the used RJ45 modular jacks or plugs, if they have been crimped. LAB 6 QUESTIONS 1 When arranging the cable colors for the TIA/EIA T568A configuration, what happens to pairs 1, 3, and 4? LAB 6 QUESTIONS 2 When inserting CAT5 conductors into a RJ45 plug, is the tab facing up or down? LAB 6 QUESTIONS 3 What differences exist in the cable color arrangements between a T568A plug configuration and a T568A jack configuration? LAB 6 QUESTIONS 4 What use can be made of a CAT5 cable terminated with a T568A plug at one end and a T568A jack at the other? LAB 7 OBJECTIVE Terminating CAT5 with RJ45/T568B Plugs To properly terminate CAT5 UTP cable with two RJ45 modular plugs, using the T568B configuration TIP Keep the individual pairs grouped together for identification. Some tip wires may not have any visible trace of color, and may appear to be solid white. Figure 2-60: Grouping Individual Pairs Figure 2-61: Resting the Cable Sheath Figure 2-62: Testing CAT5 Plug and Jack Cables for T568B TIP In order to practice on the same piece of cable, a crimped RJ45 modular plug or jack must be clipped off, thrown away, and replaced. If you must clip the cable ends to remove RJ45 plugs or jacks for practice purposes, under no circumstances allow the cable to become shorter than four feet (48 inches) long. This cable will be used for later labs. If necessary, practice making terminations using pieces of scrap cable. TIP The tension scale/tape measure is exactly one meter long. Measure the cable to the 3-foot marker, place the start of the measure at that point, and measure at least 12 more inches beyond it. If the total length of any cable is less than four feet, you will have to discard it (or add it to the practice cable scrap pile) and try again using a new piece of cable. You must discard the used RJ45 modular jacks or plugs, if they have been crimped. LAB 7 QUESTIONS 1 When arranging the cable colors for the TIA/EIA T568B configuration, are there any instances of white wires without any visible alternate color? LAB 7 QUESTIONS 2 Why is it necessary to apply pressure to the cable before attaching the RJ45 modular plug with the crimping tool? LAB 7 QUESTIONS 3 How can you visually identify which RJ45 wiring scheme (TIA/EIA T568A or T568B) a given cable is using? LAB 7 QUESTIONS 4 What is the biggest difference between snap-type and crimp-type RJ45 jack or plug connectors? LAB 7 QUESTIONS 5 Which cable would be less likely to have a problem, a single CAT5 cable that is long enough to reach from a computer to a wall jack, or a composite cable made up of several shorter sections connected through CAT5 plugs or jacks? REVIEW QUESTIONS 1 State two benefits of standardization. REVIEW QUESTIONS 2 What is the analog voice bandwidth of a telephone line? REVIEW QUESTIONS 3 Describe two methods of implementing color coding. REVIEW QUESTIONS 4 What is the maximum pulling force recommended for pulling a 4-wire cable through a conduit? REVIEW QUESTIONS 5 How far should a telecommunication cable be located away from a fluorescent light REVIEW QUESTIONS 6 What type of topology is employed for residential telecommunication wiring? REVIEW QUESTIONS 7 Should cabling be run under carpeting? Explain. REVIEW QUESTIONS 8 How are type-66 IDC blocks for CAT4 and CAT5 different? REVIEW QUESTIONS 9 When using a binding post connection, in which direction should the wire be oriented? REVIEW QUESTIONS 10 What action should be taken after all of the communication components have been installed?