For Immediate Release
July 20, 2006
Connectivity Designs Eliminate Grounding Concerns for Screened and Shielded Network Cabling
Siemon's™ category 7 TERA® and 10G 6A™ F/UTP end-to-end 10Gb/s copper cabling systems offer integrated grounding features.
Watertown, CT — In July 2006, the IEEE 802.3an standard for the 10GBASE-T application operating over copper network cabling will be official. The strict performance requirements dictated by these standards, specifically those surrounding the control of alien crosstalk, have increased interest in screened and shielded cabling. Unlike category 6A UTP cables, which control alien crosstalk through larger cable diameters and the resulting increase in conductor separation, screened and shielded cables eliminate crosstalk by encasing pairs in metal foil, either with an overall foil (F/UTP) or individually foil-wrapped pairs and overall braided shield (S/FTP).
While screened and shielded systems offer superior alien crosstalk performance in smaller cable diameters than UTP and can reclaim pathway space, they must be grounded for proper performance. In primarily UTP markets such as the US, confusion regarding grounding practices has caused some to avoid these solutions. To address this, Siemon has developed a line of Quick-Ground™ connectors and patch panels for both its fully shielded category 7/class F TERA and screened category 6A 10G 6A F/UTP systems.
As part of their tool-less termination features, both TERA and 10G 6A F/UTP MAX™ outlets automatically terminate the shield or screen of their respective S/FTP and F/UTP cable, providing ground continuity to the outlet body. In the telecommunications room or data center, the TERA-MAX patch panel provides additional, integrated ground continuity.
As TERA or 10G 6A F/UTP modules are snapped into TERA-MAX panels, they are automatically connected to a ground point, without additional steps. All that is required to complete the ground is a 6-gauge wire connection from the TERA-MAX's provided ground lug to the equipment rack. Provided that the simple grounding and bonding standards have been followed for the active equipment, these simple steps are all that is required for grounding a screened or shielded system. For more information on grounding and bonding of screened and shielded systems, please see Siemon's whitepaper at: http://www.siemon.com/us/white_papers/06-07-20-grounding.asp
"Having sold screened and shielded cabling solutions globally and into high-noise environments in historically UTP markets for years, we continually saw the performance benefits of these systems, particularly in 10Gb/s applications," explains Tony Veatch, Siemon's Product Manager. "But there were places where the idea of grounding still presented uncertainty." Veatch's research indicated that many people misunderstood grounding, assuming that complex additional steps and expertise were required as well as increased installation times.
"That just isn't true," Veatch explains. "Both TERA and 10G 6A F/UTP take the guesswork out of grounding. Through standard installation practices, the grounding of the cabling plant is covered in about the same time as one would expect to install a category 6A UTP system." A time study performed at Siemon Labs reinforces Veatch's assertion, showing termination times of less than 3 minutes for both TERA and 10G 6A F/UTP outlets. For videos detailing termination for TERA and 10G 6A F/UTP outlets visit http://www.siemon.com/us/download/installation.asp#videos.
TERA and 10G 6A F/UTP solutions are a part of Siemon's comprehensive line of 10Gb/s capable cabling systems. This line includes end-to-end solutions in UTP, F/UTP, Category 7/Class F TERA and XGLO® fiber optic configurations.
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- About Siemon
- Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specializing in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, with global offices, manufacturing and service partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) category 5e, category 6 (Class E), augmented category 6/category 6A(Class EA) and category 7/7A (Class F/FA), and multimode and singlemode fiber cabling systems available. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, from patch cords to patch panels, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company's long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.
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