GENERAL CABLING CONSIDERATIONS
Page 2-2
page 5) UTP cables also meet these requirements. However, signal
integrity relies not only upon the quality of the cable but also upon
the quality of the connections. The connectors or terminators used
add considerable losses and may drive signal attenuation below
performance requirements. Choose and install connectors with
care.
Noise can be caused either by crosstalk or by externally imposed
influences. Crosstalk is interference caused by signal coupling
between the different cable pairs contained within a multi-pair
cable bundle; avoid mixing Token Ring signals with other
applications (voice, video, etc.) within the same cable. Outside
systems (motors, switching equipment, fluorescent lighting, high
amperage equipment) also may produce electrical interference and
cause noise. The number and quality of cable connections
contribute considerably to noise levels. If noise induced errors are
suspected, it may be necessary to re-route cabling away from
potential noise sources, or to ensure that the electrical wiring in the
area is properly wired and grounded, or to replace connectors
along affected segments.
Total attenuation is reduced by lobe length reductions, cable
upgrades, and connector improvements.
2.1.2 Installation Recommendations
In addition to complying with the cable specifications presented in
Sections 2.2 and 2.3, the cabling installation should comply with the
following recommendations to obtain optimum performance from
the network:
•
UTP cabling should be free of splices, stubs, or bridged taps.
No more than two punch-down blocks should exist between
TCU ports and wall outlets.
•
Metal troughs, ducts, etc. carrying Token Ring signals should be
properly grounded.
•
Cables should be routed away from sources of electrical noise,
such as power lines, fluorescent lights, electric motors, radio
interference, and heavy machinery.
