CAT6 Install

[MasterofNone]

Currently loking into opening a small satellite office for some of our high end users. As this will be a complete refit, was thinking of future proofing and installing CAT6. Whilst the discussions about the merits of such are taking place with our networks department, I need to clarify a few things.

Another cabling friend advised that any CAT6 install should not be cable tied and velco straps should be used instead.

Does anybody else have any wise words or would you suggest a course to point out differing install proceedures?

 

[Bobg1]

Even if you were using cat 5, I would advise against the use of cable ties. It is far to easy to pull them to tight and if you need to remove them, can you do it without any strain against the cables.
Vecro ties are quite easy to work with and they can be removed and reused without chance of damage to the cables.

 

[Servamatic]

If you have intentions of running gigabit, stay away from combing and bundling cables.
Alien Crosstalk can be an issue if cables are running parallel and bundled for more than about 5 feet.
Keep the jacket as close as possible to termination without exceeding bend radius.
Also, if you do go with Cat 6, make sure ALL components are warranted to work together by a single manufacturer.
There are still issues with interoperability in Cat 6.
If you are not contemplating moving to gigabit in the next 3 years, save yourself some money and install Cat 5e. New technology in 3 years may mean recabling, and Cat 6 is more expensive than Cat 5e.


Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[Jtodd]

On the cost issue of Cat5e vs. Cat6, it's down to about 5-10% difference. I've gotten boxes of Cat 6 cable (medium grade) for right about $100. So I think it's real close to being a non-issue when deciding between 5e and 6. Especially when you factor in life span. If you are planning on moving or re-cabling in 5 or less years, yeah 5e MIGHT be the way to go, still depends on usage. If there is any indication of the installed cable of lasting more than 5 years, my opinion is that it absolutely should be Cat6.

One thing to note, when comparing prices, my low end products are like Leviton and AMP. I will only used products from the well known major brands. I've become a firm believer in you get what you pay for in this industry.

As for Velcro vs. cable ties...standards and industry groups strongly suggest Velcro. I won't argue with it, but I still use cable ties a lot. You have to be careful with them, and my guess is most people aren't careful. The standards do say that if you use cable ties, you can't deform the geometry of the cable. In my case, I can take the time to make sure that I'm using them properly, so I'll still use them. If I where working for a contractor and had to maximize every minute, I'd only be using Velcro.

I think though that the biggest issue with Cat6 is termination practices, both at the jack and at the patch paenl. It's imperative to follow all the rules, the biggest being jacket removal and pair untwist. These two will kill a Cat6 install faster than a bag of wire ties.

Related to that, make sure that the person/s installing know what they're doing.

My $0.02

Justin T. Clausen
Physical Layer Implementation
California State University, Monterey Bay

 

[Bobg1]

"These two will kill a Cat6 install faster than a bag of wire ties."

Justin, I like that one.

 

[MasterofNone]

Thanks everyone for their comments. Never had a problem with cable ties myself when installing CAT5e, but am aware of failure issues if used incorrectly. I'm more interested in the different termination rules if any.

I personally have the jacket removed as close to termination as possible and keep the twist upto the termination point, but is there a substantual difference in terminating rules and proceedures which any of you have gained from experience?

Given that I have installed cat5 and then cat5e for numerous years, is this enough to see me through a successful install of cat6 or should I attend any cources you might know of, or even better literature for best practise (I'm not talking about the cat6 white paper).

One further point which a number of you will know and might be able to inform me of is, are there any additional tests which a fluke 4300 will carryout on cat6 as opposed to cat5e and if so what might produce failure of these tests.

Any help or links gratefully received

Cheers

 

[Jtodd]

<<I personally have the jacket removed as close to termination as possible and keep the twist upto the termination point, but is there a substantual difference in terminating rules and proceedures which any of you have gained from experience?>>

Cat5e and Cat6 should be installed the same way, so no you really don't need extra training. The issue is a lot of people install 5e the way they installed Cat5 or even Cat3, and to some extent, they could get away with it (still pass certification). But with Cat6 you can't get away with it. The tolerances are too tight, especially if you are using lower grade stuff. Go high end, and you get more fudge-factor on your installation quality.

The only rules and proceedures I say are; do it right, the way its supposed to, don't cut corners. Basically that's it.

Justin T. Clausen
Physical Layer Implementation
California State University, Monterey Bay

 

[Servamatic]

Justin

If Cat 6 is around $100.00 / 1000' I would say that is a big difference when Cat 5e is around $50.00 / 1000'.

All Cat 6 components tend to be higher than Cat 5e components from what I can see. Add them all up and it is not a minor difference.



Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[Jtodd]

Who's Cat5e cable are you getting for $50? I'm not talking about stuff you can get at Home Depot. Now I will say that I haven't been in a HD since I&quot;ve heard they sell cabling stuff, so I don't know what they carry, but my guess is, it's not top of the line stuff. Chance has it, I am planning a trip there this evening and will take a look.

Justin T. Clausen
Physical Layer Implementation
California State University, Monterey Bay

 

[daronwilson]

First, cable ties got a bad rap. Folks started pulling them tight like they used to on phone cabling, and it caused problems. Yes velcro prevents that over pressuring from occuring, however, the fault is not the product as much as the installation. Keep in mind that using narrow skinny cable ties for support could cause you some problems, as well as small drive rings or support rings with 1/4&quot; or smaller supports. These small supports cause the cable to become deformed as the weight of it and other cables push down. We routinely use cable ties for keeping cables in line, but not for supporting and definately don't over tighten them.

Second, if you think Cat6 is going to futureproof your install, I've still got some Worldcom stock for you. One of the best ways to futureproof is to enhance your raceway system so that future upgrades (yes, there will always be upgrades to the media) are easy to place. We're already replacing fiber that was installed as 'future proof' years ago that is not going to run gigabit ethernet where they need it.

Good Luck!


It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[jeffmoss26]

HD sells Leviton residential cabling products and General Cable Cat3 and Cat5e. They also sell Ideal and Harris tools

jeff moss

 

[Servamatic]

The Cat 5e I am referring to is from my local distributor, and you can choose from Coleman or Genesis, and for a couple bucks more Commscope. All American made cables, and exceed Cat 5e specs.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[Jtodd]

I&quot;ve never heard of Coleman or Genesis, so I can't make any comments on them. And what does it say what Commscope thinks of their cable (not to mention their connection with Siemon) now that they've bought the SYSTIMAX line from Avaya?

As for Leviton or General at HD, both of those would be last on my list. I'm not convinced of quality and performance.

For reference, when I'm looking for prices I'm compairing SYSTIMAX, Beldin, Berktek, and Nordx cable.
Parts are Panduit, SYSTIMAX, Nordx, Hubbell.

Justin T. Clausen
Physical Layer Implementation
California State University, Monterey Bay

 

[Servamatic]

UMMMM...As a former App Engineer for Leviton, don't shortchange the quality.
I spent many hours making sure the products I worked on would do everything we claimed and more, and other than a few pieces I would put them up against most any brand on the market.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[Jtodd]

Yes, I'll admit that over the last year or so, that the Leviton stuff has improved. But old biases die hard. But at least they are on the list still. Infact, we had a small project done here recently that ended up being Leviton (despite my coments) and all has gone well. I'm reserving final judgement until I get the printed test results. But everything did pass CAT6.

Justin T. Clausen
Physical Layer Implementation
California State University, Monterey Bay

 

[Servamatic]

Well, the Cat 6 patch panel was the last project I worked on, it does have a few of my ideas in it, and I ran the initial tests on it. It should have darn good margins.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[daronwilson]

While there are many personal preferences on wire manufacturer, there are a couple things that might be considered in deciding what brand to use.

Independant testing - there are agencies that will randomly pull from the stock and test the cable. Graybar participates in such a program, so that the products in their VIP program give you some assurance of quality. When they have a product that can't pass, it is pulled from the program. Many 'off shore' products may be stamped Cat5e or something, but unless you know the manufacturer is reputable or it is verified, you really don't know what you are getting.

Brand Names - there are manufacturers that have a reputation with wire. Belden probably comes to mind right away as a manufacturer that is well known for more types of wire than almost any other. Others like General, Genesis, Coleman, Mohawk, etc. that have been making product for some time and doing so sucessfully should be capable of delivering the product.

Performance Solutions - this is probably one of the best. It can be real easy to find out which wire manufacturers your hardware manufacture recognises. For example if you use Panduit, and you want panduit to warranty your installation, then you must select the wire from the approved manufactures.

Most of the brand name thing is personal preference. There are recognized low tier manufacturers in the business, and there are many high end solutions as well. I likely won't use Leviton because it's one of those 'sold at home depot' kind of solutions, and by being available to the public in blister packs, it isn't what I want to represent.

Good Luck!

It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[Servamatic]

By being sold at HD, if you have to do a job over a weekend, which is when many cutovers are done, and you get surprised with an extra or two, you can run to HD and get parts that perform.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[jeffmoss26]

I use Leviton products all the time and I am very impressed with them. I have never had any problems and I found the products much lower in cost than Nordx, Panduit, Ortronics, etc. I tend to use General or Commscope cable.

jeff moss

 

[rpearson]

Use proper cabling support,no cable ties on Horizontal runs,dress the rack\patch panel with velcro if possible,or use loose fitted, quality tie wraps.