Fluke CableAnalyzer DSX-5000, Technical Reference Handbook, Page: 152 / 700

Versiv Series Cabling Certification Product Family
Technical Reference Handbook
116
Insertion Loss
Insertion loss is the loss of signal strength over the cabling, as
shown in Figure 46. Insertion loss is caused by the DC resistance of
the copper wire and connecting hardware, the impedance of the
twisted pairs, and by leakage of electrical energy through the
cable’s insulation. Lower values of insertion loss mean better
cabling performance.
At higher frequencies, signals tend to travel only near the surface
of a conductor. This “skin effect”, along with the cabling’s
inductance and capacitance, cause insertion loss to increase with
frequency.
Figure 47 shows the insertion loss plot. If the insertion loss test
passed, the tester puts the cursor at the worst value. If the test
failed, the cursor is at the worst margin.
GPU81.EPS
Figure 46. Insertion Loss is a Decrease in Signal Strength
Signal
output
Signal
input
Insertion loss