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Technical Specifications for the Installation of UTP Cabling (09/2006)

1. Introduction

Information Services and Technology (IST) currently specifies the installation and use of plenum rated (CMP) Category 5E (Cat5E) Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable to support voice and data communication services on the Berkeley campus.

The standard UTP communications cabling required for use on the Berkeley campus shall be of a specific type and must be installed according to the following standards and specifications. The standards for communications cable may be more restrictive than those normally encountered by cable installers. In general the requirements include:

2. General

Cables shall be installed in unbroken segments from Telecommunications Rooms (TR) to individual communication outlet locations. In the TR, cables shall be terminated on 110-style cross-connect blocks from specified manufacturers designated for voice and data communication service. At each workspace location cables shall be terminated in a wall mounted TIA/EIA 568A compliant communications outlet from specified manufacturers. All installed cabling runs shall be tested for compliance with specified parameters, documentation provided, and both ends of each cable run shall be labeled. Test results must be verified for compliance and entered into the CNS database prior to activation of cables for voice or data use.

3. Cable Type

All installed cable shall be 100 ohm, 4 pair, unshielded twisted pair (UTP), #24 AWG solid copper inside wire which meets or exceeds ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B.2-2001 standards for UL Category 5E cable, (Belden part number 1701A, or equivalent). Cable insulation jackets are to be color coded for the service type; blue for data and white for voice applications.

Cable jackets shall be legibly marked with the following information:

Cable specification sheets for all cable must be provided to Network Development/Communication and Network Services, (510) 643-5954 prior to installation.

4. Physical Installation

Where cable pathways transition from horizontal to vertical, there shall be installed an appropriate ‘waterfall’ component to provide minimum bend radius. No cable or cable support structure may be installed in any fashion that might prevent maintenance of or access to any utility facility.

4.1 General Topology

Cabling between TR and communication outlet locations shall be made as individual home runs. No intermediate punch down blocks or splices may be installed or utilized between the TR and the communications outlet. It is imperative that only the specified plenum rated Category 5E cable be used in all cabling and that the factory twist be maintained throughout the runs.

4.2 Concealed Cabling

All cabling shall be installed inside walls or ceiling spaces wherever possible. Within office spaces any exposed cable-run must be enclosed in appropriate raceway, as described below.

 

4.3 Maximum Length

The maximum length of any cable run shall not exceed 89 meters, (295 feet).

4.4 Securing Exposed Cables

All exposed cables shall be dressed neatly and physically secured to prevent accidental dislocation or damage. It is not permissible to secure cabling to the outside of conduit or to gas, plumbing, steam, or any other functional pipes. Cables shall not be secured to any utility structures. No staples may be used to secure cables to any surface.

Since modern twisted pair cabling must be expected to carry high signal rates, it is necessary to avoid stressing the wire. Tight 90-degree bends are not permissible, and no plastic “cinch-type” tie-wraps are to be used. Care should be taken to avoid routing cables within 18 inches of electrical noise generating devices such as transformers and light ballasts.

5. Cable Termination

Cables shall be terminated on 110-style cross-connect blocks in the TR and on communications outlets at the office locations.

5.1 110-Style Cross Connect Blocks and Hardware

The following 110-style cross-connect blocks and associated materials are specified for use on the U.C. Berkeley campus. Exact configurations must be cleared with CNS/Network Development prior to installation.

 

5.1.1 Siemon

Siemon S110AW1-100, 100 pair type 110 wiring block
Siemon S110AW1-300, 300 pair type 110 wiring block
Siemon S110-HLDR, Plastic label holder

5.1.2.1 110-Type Field Termination Towers (Kits)

110PB2-300FT (w/ 300pair) (ComCode 107 058 810)
110PB2-900FT (w/ 900 pair) (ComCode 107 058 869)

5.2 Communications Outlets (CO's)

Each cable shall be terminated at the user location on the specified communications outlet.

5.2.1 Specifications

The specified communications outlets have spaces for multiple adapter inserts. Typical office outlet configuration will contain two data jacks and one voice jack. The data insert is to be installed in the topmost space, or the left-most space for horizontal mountings. For voice applications the insert is to be installed in the lower or right-most space for horizontal mounting. Blank inserts shall be installed in all unused jack appearance locations.

IST has standardized on the use of several communication outlets for campus installation. Products from Panduit and Avaya are authorized for installation. As part numbers are subject to change without notice, contractor is to obtain IST approval for use of any parts not listed. Clearance as to type to be installed must be obtained from IST's Network Development unit, (510) 643-5954, prior to the installation of outlets. Communications outlets for installation at Berkeley shall consist of the following.

5.2.1.1 Flush Mount/Furniture Mounted

For flush mounting in recessed wall boxes use:

5.2.1.2 Surface Mount

For surface mounting use either:

5.2.1.3 Blanks and Dust Covers


5.2.2 Location

Where possible, the communications outlet shall be located so that its horizontal centerline is 18 inches above floor level or 12 inches above permanent bench surfaces. In no case shall it be installed lower than 12 inches above floor level without prior written approval from the Network Development unit, (510) 643-5954. Surface mounted outlets are acceptable if well secured. Recessed outlets are preferred and require metal-mounting boxes in any wall designated as a fire barrier.

Outlets shall not be mounted on temporary, movable, or removable surfaces, doors, or access hatches. This restriction does not apply to modular furniture. (e.g. Steel Case 9000)

5.2.3 Adapter Inserts

A variety of inserts are available to make the specified communications outlets usable for different wiring applications. For all installations, unless specified otherwise, the default installed insert shall be the one designated for Category 5E, T568A wiring. It is critical that only those specified below be used.

5.3 Telecommunication Rooms Station Cable Termination

In the TR all cables shall be terminated on horizontally mounted 110-style cross-connect blocks firmly connected to a plywood backboard. Where necessary, a new fire-rated 3/4" plywood panel, properly painted and inspected by IST, shall be firmly anchored to the wall to accommodate mounting of the blocks. Voice and Data block fields shall be separate, but adjacent. Data blocks shall be located adjacent to any existing data wiring blocks. Network Development staff must approve the proposed locations of all blocks and/or plywood backboards before installation begins.

Each cable shall be left with a service loop (“figure 8”) of approximately five (5) feet in the overhead cable pathway in the TR to facilitate future changes.

At the 110-style cross-connect block, it is imperative that the twist of each individual pair be maintained up to the connection point. Only the minimum amount of sheath shall be removed at each connection point. There shall never be more than one half inch of unsheathed Category 5E UTP cable at the termination location.

5.4 Outlet Station Cable Termination

At the communications outlet "service slack" of approximately six (6) inches shall be provided to facilitate future changes or re-termination.

There shall never be more than one half inch of unsheathed Category 5E UTP cable at the workstation termination location.

6. Labeling

Each individual cable and communications outlet shall be labeled. Cable labels shall be attached from between 6 and 9 inches from both cable ends. Labels must be machine printed with permanent black ink on laminated white label material. Installers must check with CNS staff for the next available cable I.D. in rooms where existing cables are located. Installers shall label each copper station cable and its associated 568A jack at the telecommunication outlet as well as at the associated 110-style cross-connect block designation strip with a unique identifier in compliance with the following format. The intended format and label material must be cleared or provided by the Network Development unit before labeling begins.

  1. The Telecommunication Room (TR) Number where the station cable is terminated on the 110-style block.
  2. The End User Room Number in which the four pair cable is terminated on the Telecommunication Outlet.
  3. A three-digit serial number, reset to 001 for each room, which sequentially identifies each Telecommunication cable in a room. Where possible, sequential numbers are assigned within a room starting with 001 at the first cable to the left of the main entry door and proceeding in a clockwise direction around the room.
  4. An alphabetic character to designate whether the jack will be found in the telecommunication closet’s 110 data ('D' designation) or voice ('V' designation) field.
  5. Example: the following label describes a cable from the TR in room 5143 to user room 679. The cable is the second cable in that room. (TR 5143, user room 679, cable number two, terminated in the Data field)

    6. In the TR, each punch-down connection shall be labeled on the designation strip and on the cable jacket with an appropriate, machine made, permanently attached label using the same scheme as above.

    6.1 TR Designation Strips

    TR designation strips covers shall be clear plastic. Designation strips must be machine printed with permanent black ink on white background.

7. Compliance Testing

8. Exceptions

IST must approve any exceptions to the above specifications in writing before work begins.

Communication cabling specifications and usage are dynamic in nature. IST reserves the right to change specifications and practices as changes in technology warrant. The most recent published versions of the UCB/IST UTP installation specifications can be found on-line at:

http://ist.berkeley.edu/is/nso/pm-sd/standards/utp-cabling

It is incumbent upon consultants, designers, and cable installers to check with IST prior to planning and installation to ensure that current specifications and practices are understood and met.

Requests for clarification or exceptions to these specifications are to be directed to the Network Development unit, (510) 643-5954.

9. Related Specifications


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