C-1cabling guidelines
APPENDIX C: CABLING GUIDELINES
This appendix provides specifications for cables used with the FS726 and
FS750 Switches.
Fast Ethernet Cable Guidelines
Fast Ethernet uses UTP cable, as specified in the IEEE 802.3u standard for 100BASE-TX.
The specification requires Category 5 UTP cable consisting of either two-pair or four-
pair twisted insulated copper conductors bound in a single plastic sheath. Category 5
cable is certified up to 100 MHz bandwidth. 100BASE-TX operation uses one pair of
wires for transmission and the other pair for receiving and for collision detection.
When installing Category 5 UTP cabling, use the following guidelines to ensure that
your cables perform to the following specifications:
• Certification
Make sure that your Category 5 UTP cable has completed the Underwriters’
Laboratories (UL) or Electronic Testing Laboratories (ETL) certification process.
• Termination method
To minimize crosstalk noise, maintain the twist ratio of the cable up to the point of
termination; untwist at any RJ-45 plug or patch panel should not exceed 0.5 inch
(1.5 cm).