KnowledgeBase: Unshielded Twisted Pair Cabling Installation Practices

UTP CABLING INSTALLATION PRACTICES

• To avoid stretching, pulling tension should not exceed 110N (25 lb ƒ ) for 4-pair cables.
• Installed bend radii shall not exceed: 
       - 4 times the cable diameter for horizontal UTP cables.
       - 10 times the cable diameter for multi-pair backbone UTP cables.
• Avoid cable stress, as caused by: 
       - cable twist during pulling or installation 
       - tension in suspended cable runs 
       - tightly cinched cable ties or staples 
       - tight bend radii
• Horizontal cables should be used with connecting hardware and patch cords (or jumpers) of the same performance category or higher.
• Important Note: Installed UTP cabling shall be classified by the least performing component in the link.

Do’s:

• Use connecting hardware that is compatible with the installed cable.
• Terminate each horizontal cable on a dedicated telecommunications outlet.
• Locate the main cross-connect near the center of the building to limit cable distances.
• Maintain the twist of horizontal and backbone cable pairs up to the point of termination.
• Tie and dress horizontal cables neatly and with a minimum bend radius of 4 times the cable diameter.
• Place cabling at a sufficient distance from equipment that may generate high levels of electromagnetic interference.

Don’ts:

• Do not use connecting hardware that is of a lower category than the cable being used.
• Do not create multiple appearances of the same cable at several distribution points (called bridged taps).
• Do not locate cross-connects where cable distances will exceed the maximum.
• Do not leave any wire pairs untwisted.
• Do not over-tighten cable ties, use staples, or make sharp bends with cables.
• Do not place cable near equipment that may generate high levels of electromagnetic interference.