Installation
2.8 Gigabit Ethernet 1000Base-Tx Cabling
Recommendations
The IEEE 802.3ab Gigabit Ethernet standard defines 1000Mbit/s Ethernet
communications over distances of up to 100 meters using 4 pairs of category 5 (or
higher) balanced unshielded twisted-pair cabling. For wiring guidelines, system
designers and integrators should refer to the Telecommunications Industry Association
(TIA) TIA/EIA-568-A wiring standard that characterizes minimum cabling performance
specifications required for proper Gigabit Ethernet operation. To ensure reliable, error-
free data communications, new and pre-existing communication paths should be verified
for TIA/EIA-568-A compliance. Table 6 summarizes cabling standards available today
Cabling
Category
1000BaseTx
Compliant
Required action
< 5
No
New wire infrastructure required
5
Yes
Verify TIA/EIA-568-A compliance
5e
Yes
No action required. New installations should be designed
with Category 5e components or higher
6
Yes
No action required
> 6
Yes
Connector and cabling standards to be determined.
Table 6: Cabling categories and 1000BaseTx compliance defined.
In general the following recommendations should be followed for copper data cabling in
high electrical noise environments:
Data cable lengths should be as short as possible, ideally limited to 3m (10ft)
in length. Copper data cables should not be used for inter-building
communications.
Power and data cables should not be run in parallel for long distances, and
ideally should be installed in separate conduits. Power and data cables
should intersect at 90
angles when necessary to reduce inductive coupling.
Shielded/screened cabling can optionally be used. The cable shield should
be grounded at one single point to avoid the generation of ground loops.
RuggedSwitch
®
RSG2100
25
RuggedCom
®
