C-7cabling guidelines
Factors that affect the return loss are:
• The number of transition points, as there is a connection via an RJ-45 to another
connector, a patch panel, or device at each transition point.
• Removing the jacket that surrounds the four pairs of twisted cable. It is highly
recommended that, when RJ-45 connections are made, this is minimized to 1-1/4
inch (32 mm).
• Untwisting any pair of the twisted-pair cabling. It is important that any untwisting be
minimized to 3/8 inch (10 mm) for RJ-45 connections.
• Cabling or bundling of multiple Category 5 cables.This is regulated by
ANSI/EIA/TIA-568A-3. If not correctly implemented, this can adversely affect all
cabling parameters.
Near End Cross Talk (NEXT)
This is a measure of the signal coupling from one wire to another, within a cable assembly,
or among cables within a bundle. NEXT measures the amount of cross-talk disturbance
energy that is detected at the near end of the link — the end where the transmitter is
located. NEXT measures the amount of energy that is “returned” to the sender end.The
factors that affect NEXT and cross talk are exactly the same as outlined in the Return
Loss section.The cross-talk performance is directly related to the quality of the
cable installation.