STP connectors

[wdkoenig]

I've run about 100 drops of stp to the workstations using stp. I looked through my notes and am slightly confused about the connectorization. One area of my CISCO classes talks about using STP Connectors will ground the cable making it an antenna but another area said that you were supposed to use the stp connectors and ground both ends...

what am I to do?

 

[daronwilson]

Good Question. I am assuming you are talking about screened twisted pair, which I very rarely use. I'm not sure why you ran it, but since you have it, you probably need to terminate it properly. Normally for shielded cables I would ground one end to start with, and if I had problems I would ground both ends and see if that helped. The whole grounding the shield thing can be very tricky. There are special patch racks, special jacks, special plugs, and special patch cords to maintain the grounding. What ever you decide to do, I would NOT recommend leaving the shield floating. At least ground one end. Why did you run STP?

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

 

[wdkoenig]

using UTP was not an option. this cable carries data for a military lan so the requirements are in stone - of course I'm pulling out cabling that didn't meet these requriements.

I have found my answer in the SYBEC book "Cabling The Complete Guide to Network Wiring" I was wrong when I asked about STP cabling, we are really using FTP. Basically the connectors are wired the same with the addition of ensuring the drain wire and foil make contact with the shielding on the connector. I feel confident that I can meet the requirements and still live to work another crisis!

tia, walt

 

[PassionTek]

I was looking for a posting on this subject of grounding as I find good information pretty scarce.

I have become increasingly confused about grounding STP. Are two ends often necessary? I'm doing a job for a restaurant that has a lot of electrical equipment and chose to use STP for cautionary measures. I have grounded one end of the cables to it's metal box (I'm not using a patch panel) via a copper grounding cable to the nearest grounded metal outlet box. Is this acceptable?

Thanks,

PassionTek

 

[Servamatic]

First thing you need to realize is:
STP and ScTP are NOT the same thing, and trust me, you don't want to be terminating STP if you don't have too.

FTP and ScTP are basically the same thing.

STP is Shielded Twisted Pair which is IBM Token Ring Type cables.

ScTP is Screened Twisted Pair, it has an overall shield whereas STP has shields on the individual pairs and an overall braided shield.

When installing ScTP you need to ground both ends. (True on any Shielded cable)
The grounding at the patch panel is done by bonding the ScTP panel to the rack and Telecomm Grounding System.
At the wall plate it is done by using a ScTP patch cable which plugs into the NIC on the workstation which is grounded via the computer chassis.

Word of caution, when you are ready to plug that patch cord into the NIC, test for voltage between the NIC card and patch cord metal members. If you read more than 1 volt start looking for the cause because you have a difference of potential which will cause the untimely death of something in your system.




Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[Servamatic]

PassionTek....in a word...NO!
Follow the manufacturers specs on the proper jacks and patch panels.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net