ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B (B.1, B.2 and B.3)

Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard

The latest standard published by TIA is the ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B standard. It is a revision of the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A that was published in 1995. It includes the core document, all five existing addenda and TSB-67, TSB-72, TSB-75 and TSB-95. This standard is published as a 3-part document:

The TIA/EIA-568-B.1 discusses general requirements. It provides information in regards to planning, installing and verifying structured cabling systems in commercial buildings. It also establishes performance parameters for cabling systems such as channels and permanent links. One of the major changes in this document is that it only recognizes Category 5e (or higher category) cabling for the second data outlet.

The TIA/EIA-568-B.2 discusses balanced twisted-pair cabling components. This standard specifies cabling components and transmission requirements for a cabling system.

The TIA/EIA-568-B.3 discusses optical fiber cabling components. This standard specifies components and transmission requirements for optical fiber cabling systems.

The purpose of this standard is to provide the minimum requirements for telecommunications cabling within a commercial building or campus environment.

The standard addresses the six major components of a structured cabling system:



Scope of ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B



ENTRANCE FACILITY
The entrance facility contains the cables, connecting hardware, protection devices and other equipment required to connect outside plant facilities to premise cabling. The components within this room may be used for public or private network connections. The demarcation point between service providers and the customer owned premises cabling is typically located in this room.

MAIN/INTERMEDIATE CROSS-CONNECT
The backbone distribution topology is based on a hierarchical star topology with no more then two levels of cross-connects, the main cross-connect and the intermediate cross-connect. This will allow the possibility to support a variety of application requirements and will provide a maximum flexibility in the backbone cabling system. The horizontal cross-connect in a TR can be cabled directly to the main cross-connect or to an intermediate cross-connect, then to the main cross-connect.


Backbone Distribution in a Hierarchical Star Topology


BACKBONE DISTRIBUTION
The function of the backbone distribution is to provide interconnection between telecommunications rooms, equipment rooms and entrance facilities to serve the needs of tenants in one or multiple buildings.

The components involved in backbone distribution include:

  • Backbone cables
  • Intermediate and main cross-connects
  • Mechanical terminations
  • Patch cords or jumpers for backbone-to-backbone connections.

General Design Guidelines
Planning should consider the maximum amount of backbone cable, media additions (optical fiber) and number of connections required during a period spanning from three to ten years.

Consider the proximity of metallic cables to possible sources of electromagnetic interference.

Topology
The backbone distribution system is to follow a hierarchical star topology.

  • Each horizontal cross-connect in a TR is cabled to a main cross-connect or an intermediate cross-connect and then a main cross-connect.

There cannot be more than two hierarchical levels of cross-connect.

  • At most, one cross-connect can be passed through to go from the horizontal cross-connect to the main cross-connect.
  • Three or fewer cross-connects can be passed through to go from one horizontal cross-connect to a second horizontal cross-connect.

Systems designed for non-star configurations (ring, bus or tree) can usually be accommodated by the hierarchical star topology.

  • If special requirements for bus or ring configurations are expected, it is allowable to cable directly between telecommunications closets.
  • This cabling is in addition to the basic star topology.

Recognized Backbone Distribution Media
Recognized media may be used individually or in combination.
These media are:

  • 100 ohm UTP cable
  • 50/125 µm optical fiber cable
  • 62.5/125 µm optical fiber cable
  • Single-mode optical fiber cable
  • 150 ohm STP-A cable. This media is still a recognized media but is not recommended for new installations

Media Selection Criteria
The choice of backbone distribution media will depend on the characteristics of specific applications. Factors to consider in making a selection include:

  • Flexibility with respect to supported services
  • Required useful life of backbone cable
  • Site size and user population

In-Building and Inter-Building Backbone Cabling Distances
Recommended maximum distances are application and media dependent. It is not assured that all applications will function properly over the specified distances.

Maximum Backbone Distribution Distances
Media Type Horizontal
Cross-Connect
to Main
Cross-Connect 		Horizontal
Cross-Connect
to Intermediate
Cross-Connect 		Main
Cross-Connect
to Intermediate
Cross-Connect
UTP 800 m
(2,624 ft) 		300 m
(984 ft) 		500 m
(1,640 ft)
62.5/125 µm
or 50/125 µm
optical fiber 		2,000 m
(6,560 ft) 		300 m
(984 ft) 		1,700 m
(5,575 ft)
Single-mode
optical fiber 		3,000 m
(9,840 ft) 		300 m
(984 ft) 		2,700 m
(8,855 ft)
  • For high-speed data applications the use of Category 3 or 5e 100 ohm UTP backbone cable shall be limited to a total distance of 90 m (295 ft).
  • The capability of single-mode optical fiber may allow for distance up to 60 km (37 miles), however, this is outside the scope of the standard.

Note: These maximum backbone distribution distances are the values found in the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1 Standard.

HORIZONTAL CROSS-CONNECT
The termination of horizontal cable is the primary function of the horizontal cross-connect that is housed in a telecommunications room. Cable of all media types are terminated on compatible connecting hardware. Backbone cable is also terminated on compatible hardware. Connecting hardware, jumper wire and patch cords are collectively referred to as the horizontal cross-connect.

Telecommunications Room Functions
The primary function is to contain horizontal cable terminations of all recognized types.

Recognized types of backbone cable are also terminated here. Cross-connections of horizontal and backbone terminations using jumper wire or patch cords allow for flexibility to extend services to telecommunications outlet/connectors. The intermediate or main cross-connect for portions of the backbone cabling system may also be found in the telecommunications room separate from the horizontal cross-connect.

Cross-Connections and Interconnections
Moves, add-ons or changes are to be completed by performing cross-connects or interconnects. Cross-connects are connections between horizontal cabling and backbone or equipment connecting hardware. Connections made directly between equipment and horizontal cabling are called interconnects.



HORIZONTAL DISTRIBUTION
Horizontal distribution is the part of the telecommunications cabling system running from the work area to the horizontal cross-connect in the TR.

Horizontal cabling includes:

  • Horizontal distribution cables
  • Telecommunications outlet/connector in the work area
  • Mechanical termination of the cable media
  • Patch cords/jumpers in the TR.

Note: May also include a multi-user telecommunications outlet assembly (MUTOA) or a consolidation point (CP).

General Design Guidelines
The horizontal distribution system must satisfy current requirements and should facilitate ongoing maintenance and relocation. Also consider future equipment and service changes.

  • After installation, horizontal cabling is usually less accessible than other cabling.
  • Horizontal cabling is subject to the greatest amount of activity in the building (approx. 90%).
  • Consider the diversity of possible services/applications to be used. Consider the proximity of cables to possible sources of electromagnetic interference.

Topology
The horizontal distribution system must follow a star topology.

  • The telecommunications outlet/connector in the work area is to be directly connected to a horizontal cross-connect in a telecommunications room located on the same floor as the work area.
  • Bridged taps and splices are not permitted.

Distances
Regardless of the media type used for horizontal distribution, the maximum distance is 90 m (295 ft).

  • This maximum distance is for the amount of cable required to get from the work area outlet to the horizontal cross-connect in the TR.
  • For each horizontal channel a maximum of 10 m (33 ft) is permitted for work area cords, TR patch cords, jumper wires and equipment cords (inclusive).
  • At the horizontal cross-connect, the maximum length of patch cords/jumpers used to connect horizontal cable to equipment or backbone cable is not to exceed 5 m (16 ft).
  • It is recommended that the maximum length of cord used in the work area should not exceed 5 m (16 ft).

Recognized Horizontal Distribution Media
Recognized media may be used individually or in combination.
These media are:

  • Four-pair 100 ohm unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable
  • 50/125 µm optical fiber cable
  • 62.5/125 µm optical fiber cable
  • 150 ohm STP-A (shielded twisted-pair) cable. This media is still a recognized media but is not recommended for new installations.

Hybrid cables (multiple types of media under a single sheath) may be used in the horizontal distribution system if each recognized cable type meets the transmission requirements and color-code specifications for that cable type.

  • 100 ohm UTP cables of mixed categories are not recommended under the same sheath.
  • Crosstalk specifications between cables of a hybrid cable should be met.
  • It must be possible to distinguish hybrid UTP cables from multi-pair UTP backbone cable.
  • Hybrid cable made up of optical fiber and copper conductors may be referred to as composite cable.

Media Selection Criteria
Each work area must be equipped with at least two telecommunications outlets/connectors.

One outlet may be associated with voice and the other with data.

  • The first outlet shall be a 4-pair 100 ohm UTP cable, Category 3 or higher (Category 5e recommended).

The second outlet shall be one of the following media:

  • Four-pair 100 ohm UTP cable Category 5e cable
  • Two-fiber 50/125 µm optical fiber cable
  • Two-fiber 62.5/125 µm optical fiber cable

WORK AREA
Work area components are from the outlet to the work area equipment. It is assumed a maximum of 5 m (16 ft.) is used for the modular cord at the work area. Four-pair UTP cables are terminated in 8-position modular jacks at the work area. The pin/pair assignments are referred to as T568A and T568B.

Work Area Components

Copper telecommunications outlet/connector
Work area components fall outside the scope of the standard. Work area equipment includes a large variety of equipment. Included are telephones, fax machines, data terminals and computers. Work areas are generally considered to be non-permanent, and are expected to change. Therefore, work areas should be designed to be relatively easy to change.

Telecommunications Outlet/Connector
Pin/pair assignment for 100 ohm UTP cable is recommended to follow the T568A or the T568B configuration. These configurations, shown in the illustration below, depict the front view of the telecommunications outlet/connector.

It is important to use only one pin/pair configuration (either T568A or T568B) for any given link or channel, and preferably for the entire building.


Eight-position jack pin/pair assignments

Optical fiber telecommunications outlet/connector
The optical fiber cable used in horizontal cabling shall be terminated at the work area with a duplex optical fiber outlet/connector.

  • The 568SC connector is the recommended connector at the work area
  • Small form factor connector type may also be considered.

Work Area Cords
The horizontal distribution system assumes a maximum cord length of 5 m (16 ft).

Cables and connectors should meet or exceed patch cord recommended requirements.

Special Adaptations
If application specific adaptations such as impedance matching devices are required, they must be external to the telecommunications outlet/connector.

Some commonly used adapters include the following:

  • A special cable or adapter when the equipment connector is different from the outlet/connector
  • "Y" adapters to permit two services to run on a single cable
  • Passive adapters used when the horizontal cable type is different from that required by the equipment
  • Active adapters when connecting devices using different signaling schemes
  • Adapters allowing pair transposition for compatibility purposes
  • Termination resistors


Consider adapter compatibility with premises cabling and equipment. Adapters may have detrimental effects on the transmission performance of the telecommunications cabling system.

HORIZONTAL CABLING FOR OPEN OFFICES
A horizontal cabling termination point (multi-user telecommunications outlet assembly) and/or intermediate horizontal cabling interconnection point (consolidation point) provide more flexibility in open office layouts with modular furniture, where frequent office rearrangements are performed. Both the multi-user telecommunications outlet assembly and the consolidation point shall be located in a fully accessible, permanent location.

Multi-User Telecommunications Outlet Assembly
The multi-user telecommunications outlet assembly (MUTOA) is a termination point for the horizontal cabling, consisting of several telecommunications outlets in a common location. The modular line cord extends from the MUTOA to the terminal equipment without any additional intermediate connections. This configuration allows the open office plan to change without affecting the horizontal cabling.


Multi-User Telecommunications Outlet Assembly

The following guidelines shall be followed when installing a MUTOA;

  • The MUTOA shall not be installed in a ceiling
  • The maximum modular cords length shall be 20 m (66 ft.)
  • The modular cord connecting the MUTOA to the terminal equipment shall be labeled on both ends with a unique identifier
  • A MUTOA shall serve a maximum of twelve work areas
  • The MUTOA shall be marked with the maximum allowable work area cabling (modular cord) length as per the following table:
A
m (ft.) 		B
m (ft.) 		C
m (ft.) 		Total Channel
m (ft.)
5 (16) 90 (295) 5 (16) 100 (328)
5 (16) 85 (279) 9 (30) 99 (325)
5 (16) 80 (262) 13 (44) 98 (322)
5 (16) 75 (246) 17 (57) 97 (319)
5 (16) 70 (230) 22 (72) 97 (319)
Horizontal and Work Area 24 AWG UTP Cabling Lengths


Consolidation Point
The consolidation point (CP) is an interconnection point within the horizontal cabling. The consolidation point performs a "straight-through" intermediate interconnection between the horizontal cabling coming from the horizontal cross-connect and the horizontal cabling going to a MUTOA or the telecommunications outlet in the work area. Cross-connection between these cables is not allowed. A consolidation point may be useful when reconfiguration is frequent. but not so frequent as to require the flexibility of MUTOA.


Consolidation Point

The following guidelines shall be followed when installing a consolidation point;

  • Ensure that the total channel distance is 100 meters (330 ft.) or less
  • It is recommended that the consolidation point be located at least 15m (49 ft.) from the telecommunications room in order to avoid additional NEXT due to short link resonance of multiple connections in close proximity
  • No more than one consolidation point and one MUTOA shall be used within the same horizontal run
  • A CP shall serve a maximum of twelve work areas
Copper Cabling Transmission Performance
Transmission performance depends on:
  • Cable characteristics
  • Connecting hardware
  • Patch cords and cross-connect wiring
  • Number of connections (maximum of four)
  • Installation and maintenance


Channel Test Configuration
Channel testing is used to verify the performance of the overall channel.

The channel includes the following components:

  • Up to 90 m (295 ft.) of horizontal cable
  • Cable between TR and an optional consolidation point and from the consolidation point to the telecommunications outlet
  • Work area cord
  • Telecommunications outlet/connector
  • Cross-Connections in the telecommunications room
  • Patch cord or jumper wire
  • Telecommunications room equipment cord

The total length of equipment cords, patch cords and jumper wires and work area cords is not to exceed 10m (33 ft.)


Channel Test Configuration

Permanent Link
The permanent Link test configuration represents the permanently installed cabling. It includes:

  • Up to 90 m (295 ft.) of horizontal cable
  • Cable between TR and an optional consolidation point and from the consolidation point to the telecommunications outlet
  • A connection at each end of the horizontal cable

The permanent link excludes both the cable portion of the field test instruments cord.


Permanent Link Test Configuration

Parameters discussed in the document for channel and permanent links are:

  • Insertion loss
  • NEXT loss
  • Power sum NEXT
  • ELFEXT loss
  • Power sum ELFEXT
  • Return loss
  • Propagation delay
  • Delay skew

Category 5 Cabling Transmission
Since the minimum requirement for copper cabling systems is now Category 5e cabling systems; in the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1, there is an informative annex that provides cabling transmission performance for Category 5 legacy systems.

The important parameters to meet are the Return Loss and the EXFEXT. If an existing Category 5 installation fails either Return Loss or the ELFEXT parameters given in the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1, annex D, corrective actions should be taken. The document specifies different options to correct the failure. Select the options(s) which is the most appropriate to your solution.

  • Option 1: Replaces the Category 5 patch cords. This will possibly correct Return Loss failures.
  • Option 2: If possible, reconfigure the cross-connect as an interconnect.
  • Option 3: Replace the Category 5 transition point or consolidation connector with a Category 5e transition point or consolidation point connector.
  • Option 4: Replace the Category 5 work area outlet connector with a Category 5e work area outlet connector
  • Option 5: Replace the Category 5 interconnect with a Category 5e interconnect.

Testing should be performed with an enhanced level II (level II-E) field tester or better.


Optical Fiber Cabling Transmission Performance
Minimum recommended performance for a multimode or single-mode optical fiber cabling system are described in this standard.

A typical Link segment is found between the telecommunications outlet/connector and the horizontal cross-connect. The link segment includes.

  • Optical fiber cable (length depends on application)
  • Connectors
  • Splices


Link Configuration


The single performance parameter for optical fiber cabling system is the link attenuation. It is the only parameter that can be affected by the installation and can be tested in the field. Depending on the application, a budget loss is allocated for the link segment.


Centralized Optical Fiber Cabling
The purpose of the centralized optical fiber cabling system is to provide a fiber-to-the-desk cabling system utilizing centralized electrons versus the traditional method of distributing the electronics to the individual floors.

Work area connections are extended to the main cross-connect by utilizing either pull-through cables, an interconnect or a splice in the telecommunications room. Use of an interconnection between the horizontal and backbone cabling provides the greatest flexibility, ease of manageability and can easily be migrated to a cross-connect.

The maximum horizontal cabling length is specified at 90m (295 ft.). The distance of horizontal and backbone cabling combined with work area cords, patch cords and equipment cords is not to exceed 300m (984 ft.).

Centralized cabling systems shall be located within the same building of the work areas being served. All move and change activity shall be performed at the main cross-connect. Horizontal links may be added and removed in the telecommunications room.



When using the pull-through method, the cable is to have a continuous sheath from the work area through the telecommunications room to the centralized cross-connect. The pull-through cable length shall be limited to 300m (984 ft.).

When designing a centralized cabling system, provisions shall be made to allow for the migration from pull-through, interconnect or splice to a cross-connect implementation. To facilitate this migration, sufficient space shall be left in the telecommunication room for additional patch panels. In addition, adequate cable slack shall be left in the telecommunications room to allow for the cables to be moved to the cross-connect location.

Slack can be stored as either cable or unjacketed fibers. When storing slack, provisions shall be made to ensure bend radius limitations are not violated. Cable slack can be stored within an enclosure or on the wall of the telecommunications room. Protective enclosures shall be used when storing slack fibers.

When planning the wall-mount or rack-mount layout, provisions should be made to allow future growth.

When sizing backbone cabling, provisions should be made for future horizontal links thereby minimizing the need for additional backbone cables. The backbone fiber count should be capable of supporting present and future networking technologies. Typically two fibers are required for each application connection required at the work area.

  • Labeling of the centralized cabling system shall follow the requirements as specified in TIA/EIA-606.
  • To ensure correct fiber polarity, the centralized cabling system shall implement the A-B orientation at the work area and B-A orientation at the centralized cross-connect as specified in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1
  • Fibers can be joined by either using re-mateable connectors or splices. If connectors are used, the connector shall meet the specifications as defined in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.3. Fibers may be fusion or mechanically spliced, provided the requirements as specified in ANSI/TIA/EIa-568-B.3 are met.

New Published Addenda:

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2 addendum 1
This addendum provides the Category 6 requirements for channel and permanent links. The Category 6 cabling systems are part of the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B core document and follow all the structured cabling requirements, for example, topology, recognized media type, horizontal and backbone design requirements including the work area.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2 addendum 2
This addendum is a revision of sub-clause 4.3.4.8, 4.4, 4.4.1, 4.4.4.9 and 5.4.3 of the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2 document regarding the NEXT parameter equation for Category 3 cables.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2 addendum 3
This addendum is a revision of clause 1.2.5 regarding additional considerations for insertion loss and return loss pass/fail determination.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.3 addendum 1
The purpose of this addendum is to provide additional transmission performance specifications for 50/125 µm optical fiber cable capable of supporting 10 Gb/s serial transmission up to 300m (984 ft.) using 850 nm nominal wavelength lasers. The fiber is called 850 nm Laser-Optimized 50/125 µm multimode optical fiber cable.