ANSI/TIA/EIA-570 Residential Cabling Standard

GRADES OF RESIDENTIAL CABLING

When choosing a cabling system for residential use, a grading system is used. Each grade supports various applications and services. The grading system does not apply to home automation and security systems so the designer/installer should consult the manufacturer's recommendations.

Table 1: Residential Grading System

Grade 1 Grade 2
Services Supported Telephone, Satellite, CATV, data Telephone, Satellite, CATV, Data, Multimedia and other advanced services.
Cable Types Twisted pair, coaxial Twisted pair, coaxial cable, optional fiber optic cable
Topology Star Star
Minimum Outlet Configuration 1 4-pair UTP Category 3 or higher and 1 75 ohm coaxial cable 2-4 pair UTP Category 5 or higher (5e recommended) and 2 75 ohm coaxial cable.

SINGLE RESIDENTIAL UNIT CABLING SYSTEM

Demarcation Point

The demarcation point is the interface point between the telephone company and/or other network providers and the customer facilities. The demarc point may be located inside or outside of the house depending on the local regulations. More and more demarc points are becoming a NID, or Network Interface Device. This is a small box where the access provider can disconnect the customer services and test the access providers circuit in the event of a trouble report (See ADO below). Once the AP proves their circuits are functioning properly, the home owner then has to check the internal wiring for any problems. The AP must be notified if the total length of cabling from the demarcation point to the furthest outlet exceeds 150 m (492 ft).

Auxiliary Disconnect Outlet (ADO)

An auxiliary disconnect outlet (ADO) provides the means for the tenant to disconnect from an access provider for troubleshooting purposes. The ADO shall be installed if there is not already a disconnection method, or the existing location is not easily accessible by the owner/tenant. Where possible the ADO and distribution device (DD) should be located indoors.

Auxiliary Disconnect Outlet Cable

These are the cables that connect the ADO to the demarcation point. In multi unit facilities the cable may extend from the floor serving terminal to the ADO in the tenants unit.

Distribution Device (DD)

The DD is the central point to which all horizontal cables are terminated and cross connected to the various services used by the owner. The DD houses all of the cables and hardware required to affect proper termination and cross connection. Space for surge suppression should be located next to, or within the DD for each conductive cable entering or leaving the building. Access to the building electrical ground shall be provided within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the DD, and in accordance with applicable local and/or national codes. The DD may consist of a passive cross-connect facility, or an active cross-connect facility, or both.

Location Requirements

The DD:
shall be installed in a accessible location inside the tenant's space
should be centralized to minimize the length of outlet cables
may be mounted on a backboard, or recessed between stud spaces
Table 2: Space Allocation

Number of Outlets/Connectors Grade 1 Grade 2
1-8 410 mm (16") wide
610 mm (24") high 815 mm (32") wide
915 mm (36") high
9-16 410 mm (16") wide
915 mm (36") high 815 mm (32") wide
915 mm (36") high
17-24 410 mm (16") wide
1220 mm (48") high 815 mm (32") wide
1220 mm (48") high
24 plus 410 mm (16") wide
1525 mm (60") high 815 mm (32") wide
1525 mm 1525 mm (60") high

Note:There are manufacturers of home structured media products who offer a box to locate the various media and services. These boxes can be located between studs (normally 16" centers) and therefore the above table would not pertain to their products. However check with the manufacturer for specifications on terminating planned and future services.

Electrical Power

An electrical outlet:
should be installed regardless of the grade of service
should be a dedicated 15 Amp, 120 Volt, non-switchable duplex electrical outlet located within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the DD
should be at a convenient height
shall be in compliance with applicable codes
Outlet Cable

Outlet cables are the same as horizontal cables found in commercial buildings. They connect the DD to the telecommunications outlets. As in commercial cabling a transition point or consolidation point may be used. (See also Training-Work Area Outlets) As in commercial applications, the length of the cable itself shall not exceed 90 m (295 ft), and the total length of the Outlet Cable and patch cords shall not exceed 100 m (328 ft)

Recognized Cables

Recognized outlet cable includes:

4-Pair UTP (ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2)
50/125 mm multi-mode fiber
62.5/125 mm multi-mode fiber
Singlemode fiber
Series 6 coaxial (SCTE IPS-SP-001)
Cabling Topology for Outlet Connectors

Outlet cabling shall be placed in a star topology.

Cabling for Fixed Devices

Certain fixed devices, such as intercom, security system keypads, sensors and smoke detectors may be hard-wired to the fixed device controller. Fixed devices may be cabled using a star, loop, or daisy-chain topology according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Outlet Locations

A minimum of one outlet location shall be cabled in each of the following rooms (where applicable):

kitchen
each bedroom
family/great room
den/study

it is recommended that an outlet be located in every room, if possible
Outlets:
should be planned to prevent the need for extension cords
should be provided within unbroken wall spaces of 3.7 m (12 ft) or more
should be provided so that no point along the floor line in any wall space is more than 7.6 m (25 ft), in other words, where a wall is broken by a doorway, entranceway or other opening (at the floor level), the distance between that opening and an outlet must be less than 7.6 m (25 ft), when measured horizontally, from an outlet location in that space shall be mounted at heights in accordance with applicable codes

Outlet Cable Pathways

In new construction, pathways that conceal the cable shall be used as a means for placing outlet cable between a DD and the telecommunications outlet box or mounting bracket. Where possible pathways that conceal the cable are also recommended for remodeling construction. This can be accomplished by placing the cables in wall studs and ceiling joists before the walls and ceilings are sheathed. If the cabling system is large enough, other pathways may be required such as a tray system. See ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A for other types of pathways.

Telecommunications Outlet Connector

The telecommunications outlet connector shall:
be compatible with the media provided at that location
have application specific components such as splitters, amplifiers and impedance matching devices placed external to the telecommunications outlet connector.
Equipment Cords, Patch Cords and Jumpers

Equipment cords extend from the telecommunications outlet connector to the terminal equipment connector, or from the DD to electronic equipment. Patch cords or jumpers are used for interconnections or cross-connections at the DD. For each channel (see Copper Testing-Channel), a total of 10 m (33 ft) is allowed for equipment cords and patch cords or jumpers.

MULTI-TENANT/CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE

In multi-tenant dwellings:
the demarcation point may be located at either the entrance point of the building or in the individual tenant space access to shared-use space shall be controlled by the building owner or agent the access provider shall be notified at the design stage to accommodate transmission requirements when the total length of cabling from the demarcation point to the furthest outlet exceeds 150 m (492 ft)
grounding and bonding shall be performed in accordance with applicable electrical codes (see ANSI/TIA/EIA-607)

Entrance Facility

The entrance facility:

is made up of the telecommunications service entrance to the building, including the entrance point through the building wall and continuing to the main terminal space or equipment room may contain the backbone pathways that link to other buildings in campus situations (multiple buildings on the same property, eg: home and detached garage may also include antenna entrances may require primary protection depending on local requirements should provide for surge protection for all conductive cables leaving or entering the building shall provide access to the building's electrical ground with 1.5 m (5 ft) of the conductive cables
All access providers shall be contacted to establish their requirements. For further information about entrance facilities, see ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A.

Main Terminal Space

The main terminal space may:
be co-located with the entrance facility also be used to house active equipment
house the demarcation point, ADO cable, and backbone cable house the associated pathways, protection devices, and any other equipment needed to provide a connection from the access providers' access lines

Equipment Room

An equipment room:
may house the entrance facility, the main terminal space, and a floor serving terminal typically houses more equipment than a floor serving terminal and it has different space requirements requires other support facilities such as power, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
For more information on equipment rooms, see ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A.

Floor Serving Terminal

The floor serving terminal is the space where backbone and ADO cables terminate.

A floor serving terminal:

should be located on each floor, or every third floor
should be in a common area and easily accessible
shall be sized in accordance with table 2
should be able to be expanded in size to accommodate additional hardware.
Table 3: Floor Serving Terminal Space Requirements

Grade 1 Grade 2
Minimum space for first 5 tenants 370 mm (14.5 in) wide
610 mm (24 in) high 775 mm (30.5 in) wide
610 mm(24 in) high
Minimum space for each additional unit 32270 sq. mm
(50 sq. in) 64540 sq, mm
(I00 sq. in)

Backbone Pathways

Planning of the pathways should provide for additional capacity to accommodate future media requirements, thereby reducing possible construction interference.

lntrabuilding Backbone Pathways

lntrabuilding pathways use conduits, sleeves, slots, or cable trays as a means for placing backbone cable. Where backbone cable extends from the main terminal space to a floorserving terminal space, a minimum of one 100 (4) trade size conduit or sleeve shall be provided for each backbone pathway. Where cable bundles with an equivalent diameter of 25 mm (1 in) or less extend through each apartment closet, a minimum of one 40 (1-1/2) trade size conduit or sleeve shall be provided for the backbone pathways. For more information on intrabuilding backbone pathways, see ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A.

Interbuilding Telecommunications Backbone Pathways

lnterbuilding telecommunications backbone pathways provide a means of interconnecting separate buildings. Routing for these pathways may be:

underground
buried
aerial
tunnels
For more information on interbuilding telecommunications backbone pathways, see ANSI/TIA/EIA-758.

Backbone Cabling

Recognized Cables

Recognized backbone cables include:
100-ohm twisted-pair (ANSI/TIA/EIA-758 and ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B)
50/125 µm multi-mode fiber
62.5/125 µm multi-mode fiber
Singlemode fiber
Hard-line coaxial (SCTE IPS-SP-100)
Series 6 and 11 coaxial (SCTE IPS-SP-001)

Topology

When using twisted pair and optical fiber, a star topology should be implemented. Coaxial backbone cable may be implemented using a star or bus topology.

lnterbuilding Cabling Protection

When buildings are connected with interbuilding cabling, the applicable fusing and voltage protection codes shall be followed. (see Entrance Protection Training Module)

COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS

Cable and associated components shall be suitable for use in the environment to which they are exposed (e.g., ultra-violet (UV) resistant cable, listed cable).

Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) Cabling

UTP cable, equipment cords, patch cords and backbone cable shall meet all specifications for the appropriate category within ANSI/TIA/EIA-568B.2.

Aerial Service Drop Wire

Aerial service drop wire is typically a small diameter, low pair-count cable with limited unsupported span distances. It is used to feed a small number of pairs from a higher pair-count cable into a single location. The maximum span length shall not exceed 60 m (195 ft). Aerial service drop wire shall meet the requirements of ANSI/ICEA 5-89-648.

UTP Connecting Hardware

All connecting hardware used with UTP cable shall meet the transmission and reliability requirements of ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2 At outlet locations, UTP cable shall be terminated on an eight-position T568A telecommunications outlet connector.

Eight-Position Telecommunications Outlet/Connector

The eight-position telecommunications outlet/connector shall:
comply with the modular interface requirements of IEC 60603-7
comply with T568A as specified in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2. (see Wiring Scheme Training Module)
be able to withstand 200 insertions and meet the contact resistance requirements of within ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B when mated to an eight position plug
have the latching surface in the outlet connector be set back so that the outlet/connector will not "capture" the plug clip.
Six-Position Telecommunications Connector (plug)

The tab width for a six-position plug shall be 6 mm (0.238 in) to 6.2 mm (0.243 in) in order to prevent damage to the 8 pin jack when inserting a 6 position plug.

OPTICAL FIBER CABLES

Cable Transmission Performance

The interbuilding telecommunications cable shall comply with ANSI/ICEA S 87-640. Outlet and intrabuilding optical fiber telecommunications cable shall comply with ANSl/ICEA S-83-596. Each cabled fiber shall meet the graded performance specifications of ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.3.

Physical Cable Specifications

The optical fiber cable construction shall consist of 50/125 µm, or 62.5/125 µm multimode optical fibers or singlemode optical fibers, or a combination of these media. When fiber types are combineed within a cable the cable shall be identifiable in accordance with ANSI/TIA/EIA-598-A. The cable shall be listed and marked as required under the applicable electrical code and local building code requirements.

Outlet and Intrabuilding Cable Specifications

See- Installation Requirements for Outlet and Intrabuilding Cable

Interbuilding Optical Fiber Cable Specifications

Interbuilding fiber optic cable shall:
meet with ANSI/ICEA S-87-640
have a water-block construction
have a minimum pull strength of 2670 N (600 lbft)
not exceed the bend radius recommendation provided by the cable manufacturer. In the abscence of a recommendation from the manufacturer, then the cable bend radius shall not exceed 20 times the cable's outside diameter when subjected to tensile loading up to the cable's rated limit, or 10 times the cable's outside diameter when not subjected to a tensile load.

Drop Cable

Drop cables are typically small diameter, low fiber count cables with limited unsupported span distances. They are used to feed a small number of fibers from a higher fiber count cable into a single location, Drop cable shall have a minimum pull strength of 1335 N (300 lb/ft).

Equipment and Patch Cords

These cords are used to connect optical fiber links at cross-connects and interconnects, and as equipment cords used to connect telecommunications equipment to outlet or backbone cabling.

Patch Cord Cable

The optical fiber patch cord shall:
be a two-fiber cable, of the same fiber type as the optical fiber cabling
indoor construction

Patch Cord Connectors

The connector on an optical fiber patch cord allows for connection and reconnection, and ensures that polarity is maintained. Patch cord connectors shall meet the requirements of Annex A of the original standards documentation.

Termination Configuration

Proper polarity of optical patch cords shall be maintained by using a cross over orientation, whether they are used for interconnection or cross connection. In a cross over orientation of a two-fiber cable, each termination position is labelled as Position A and Position B. When two cords are joined together via an adapter, Position A on one cord is terminated with Position B on the other cords. Each end of the fiber cord shall be identified with the position designation. For simplex connectors, the connector that plugs into the receiver shall be considered Position A, and the connector that plugs into the transmitter shall be considered Position B.

CONNECTING HARDWARE

Duplex and multi-fiber connector designs may be used provided that the connector design meets the performance requirements specified within Annex A of the original specification documents, and ANSI/TIA/EIA-604 .

An adapter is the device used to join two like fiber optic connectors. The most often used adapters are the SC and the ST. Hybrid adapters, although not popular, are used to join two different fiber optic connectors.

Connector and Adapter

The connector and adapter shall:
be capable of simplex, or duplex, or multi-fiber optical fiber connection
shall meet the requirements specified in Annex A of the original standards documentation labelled as positions "A" and "B" and labelled either in the factory or field

Identification

The multimode strain relief boot, and multimode adapter shall be beigh in color. The singlemode strain relief boot and singlemode adapter shall be blue in color.

Telecommunications Outlet

The telecommunications outlet shall:
house two optical fibers and their connectors
have the ability to secure the optical fiber cable
provide for a bend radius of no less than 25 mm (1 in).

Optical fiber splice

Optical fiber splices, fusion or mechanical, shall not exceed a maximum optical attenuation of 0.3 dB when measured in accordance with standard factory or field testing methods.

75-0hm Coaxial Cabling

Many coaxial cables are prefixed with the letters "RG". These letters, according to Newton's Telecom Dictionary stand for Radio Guide and was established by the United States military. The "Series" designation is used in this standard to ensure a consistent grade of performance. Cable performance is much more important in today's applications than ever before. Applications such as voice and data require proper shielding to prevent noise on the return path. The SCTE speicifes a minimum shield construction consisting of a laminated metal tape and a 60% coverage braid, i.e. a dual shield construction. Broadband services extending up to 1 GHz, coaxial cables with tri-shield or quad shield construction are recommended.

Coaxial cable, other than backbone:
shall be either Series 6 or Series 11 per the corresponding specifications within SCTE IPS-SP-001.

Coaxial Equipment and Patch Cords Shall:
be assembled from Series 59 or Series 6 coaxial cable
be fitted with "F" male connectors
be one-hundred percent tested for electrical continuity
shall satisfy the Series 59 requirements of Bellcore, GR-1503-CORE and SCTE IPS-SP-404
be installed according to SCTE IPS-SP-401.

Coaxial Backbone Cable

Coaxial backbone cable shall:
be either Series 6, Series 11, or Hard-line Trunk cable.
meet the corresponding specifications within SCTE IPS-SP-001 for Series 6 and Series 11 cable
meet the requirements of SCTE IPS-SP-100 for Hard Line Trunk cable.

COAXIAL CONNECTING HARDWARE

Coaxial Cable, Outlet and Distribution Device Connectors

Series 59, Series 6, and Series 11 cables shall be connectorized with an "F" type connector compliant with SCTE IPS-SP-401.
Hard-line Trunk cables may be connected with an "N" type connector.
cable at the outlet and DD shall be fitted with a female "F" connector compliant with SCTE IPS-SP-401.

Coaxial Outlet and Distribution Device Termination

An impedance matching 75-Ohm termination cap or device should be attached to each:
unused coaxial outlet/connector
unused energized coaxial connector that is part of the connecting block, splitter, amplifier, or similar electronic equipment.

INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

premises cabling shall be disconnected at the demarcation point or ADO during any cabling operations
other electrical sources (e.g., a low voltage transformer) shall also be disconnected
testing premise cabling shall follow Annex B of the original standards documentation.

Cable Placement

Cable should be placed:
in a well ordered fashion to facilitate fault correction and moves, adds and changes.
to eliminate cable stress such as that caused by tension in suspended cable runs
avoiding tightly cinched bundled cables so as not to exceed the minimum bend radius requirements of the cable so as not to deform the cable's outer jacket
All cabling shall comply with applicable codes and regulations.

Other Installation Requirements

pathways shall be firestopped as per applicable building codes.
secondary protectors shall be installed in series with the indoor telecommunications cabling between the primary protector and the distribution device secondary protectors shall be listed for the purpose and shall be compatible with the primary protector.

Grounding and Bonding

Grounding and bonding systems are an integral part of the specific signal or telecommunication cabling system that they protect. In addition to helping protect personnel and equipment from hazardous voltages, a proper grounding and bonding system may improve electromagnetic compatibility. Improper grounding and bonding can produce induced voltages that can disrupt other telecommunications circuits. Grounding and bonding shall meet the requirements and practices of applicable authorities or codes.

Separation Distance from Electrical Power

Separation of telecommunications cable with respect to electrical power conductors shall:
meet applicable electrical codes
have a minimum of 50mm (2 in) separation when cables with metallic components are placed alongside unshielded electrical power conductors inside wall space or ceiling space.

Reducing Noise Coupling

Interference from electrical power wiring and motors or transformers may be reduced by:
keeping branch circuit conductors taped, sheathed, bundled, taped or twisted together using surge protectors
using enclosed, grounded metallic raceway or conduit
crossing communications cable and electrical cable at 90 degrees.
Administration

Cabling systems shall be installed in accordance with color-coding, labeling, and documentation specified in ANSI/TIA/EIA-606.

100-0hm UTP Cabling Shall:
have a minimum bend radius of 4 times the OD of the cable
use a maximum pulling tension of 110N (25 lbf)

Connecting hardware termination

Connecting hardware should:
be terminated with connecting hardware of the same category or higher.
meet the minimum performance of components and cables of the system. A Category 3 component on a Category 5e system renders the system to Category 3 levels.
have the performance category marked on the connecting hardware or noted in the telecommunications records.
only have as much cable jacket stripped back as required to terminate connecting hardware.

Connecting hardware termination shall:
have a minimum of 200 mm (8 in) of excess cable shall be stored at each outlet.
have a maximum untwisting of the pairs for Category 5 and 5e cables no greater than .5" and no greater than 75mm (3 in) for Category 3 cables.
Cross-Connect Jumpers and Patch Cords

Should be:
the same category or higher as the outlet cables to which they connect.
factory terminated.

OPTICAL FIBER

Outlet and Intrabuilding Cable

Shall:
not have a bend radius smaller than the manufacturer's recommended minimum bend radius for the cable.
not have 2- and 4-fiber cables installed with a bend radius less than 25mm (1 in) under no-load conditions.
not have 2- and 4-fiber cables intended to be pulled through pathways during installation installed with a bend radius less than 50 mm (2 in) under a minimum pull load of 222 N (50 ft/lb).
not exceed the manufacturer's bend radius recommendation for intrabuilding cables.
If a recommendation is not provided or known, then the cable bend radius shall not exceed 15 times the cable's outside diameter when subjected to tensile loading up to the cable's rated limit, or 20 times the cable's outside diameter when not subjected to a tensile load.

Interbuilding Cable

Interbuilding backbone optical fiber cables shall:
not exceed the bend radius recommendation provided by the cable manufacturer.
have a bend radius of 20 times the OD of the cable under the rated tensile load, and 10 times the OD under no load conditions where the bend radius parameters are unknown.

Connecting Hardware Termination

Fiber optic cable terminations shall:
be contained in a telecommunications outlet box or mounting bracket.
have a minimum of 1 m (3.3 ft) of two-strand optical fiber cable, or two buffered optical fibers accessible for termination purposes.
have the correct adapter orientation and optical fiber cabling in order to maintain the overall polarity of the sysem.
be installed so as to pair an odd numbered fiber with the next consecutive even numbered fiber (i.e., fiber I with 2, 3 with 4, and so forth) to form two fiber transmission paths. The odd numbered fibers will be deemed to be Position A at one end and Position B at the other end, and the even numbered fibers will be Position B at one end and Position A at the other end.

Patch Cords

Patch cords will designated with a Postion A and a Position B to maintain overall system polarity. When patch cords are two simplex connectors, one connector shall be labeled A and the other B. When the electronics interface is a duplex connector, the connector that plugs into the receiver shall be considered Position A, and the connector that plugs into the transmitter shall be considered Position B.

75 OHM COAXIAL CABLE

Minimum Bend Radius

The minimum bend radius shall:
not be less than 20 times the OD of the cable when being pulled.
not be less than 10 times the OD of the cable when placing or dressing the cablel
be reduced if recommended by the manufacturer.
Table 4: Maximum Pulling Tension for Coaxial Cable

Cable Type Maximum Pulling Tension
Series 6 150 N (35 Ibf)
Series 11 400 N (90 Ibf)
Hard Line See Manufacturer Recommendations

Connecting Hardware Termination

A minimum of 200 mm (8 in) of excess cable slack should be provided at each outlet.

Patch cords

Series 59 and Series 6 cable shall be used for patch cords and cross-connect jumpers. Factory terminated patch cords and jumpers are recommended, If assembled by the installer, care must be taken that the proper size 'F type connector is used.