Maximum number of connectors (TIA/EIA)

[deRost]

Is there a maximum number of connectors that can be used on a single run? What I mean is, can I go from switch to patch-panel to spider-box to wall-jack to workstation? Would this violate TIA/EIA standards? How firm are these standards?

 

[jkelley10]

You can do what you're suggesting. Horizontal cabling would be run from your telecommunications room patch panels to a consolidation point. Cabling would then be run from that consolidation point to the individual workstation outlets. Usually the consolidation point is a 110 block or similar IDC termination. Essentially it's a splice point, but since EIA/TIA forbids splices in the horizontal link they call it a consolidation point. Hope this helps.

 

[cableprofessor]

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1 permits three connection in the permanent link configuration, the fixed portion of your cabling link. A connection at each end and a consolidation point. The consolidation point can be a 110 style block or an RJ45 jack. It cannot be used for a point of administration, this must still come from the telecommunications room.

The channel permits the addition of a service panel as well, but generally this is not done and more connectors means more issues.