TE CHN ICA L REFERENCE TR103 Patch Cord Wiring Guide Introduction Panduit is a leading supplier of structured cabling systems and Unified Physical Infrastructure (UPI), enabling the physical infrastructure to be scalable, flexible, and easily manageable, while supporting Ethernet communications at ever-increasing data rates. Panduit is aware of confusion in the marketplace regarding patch cord wiring schemes and when they should be employed. These wiring schemes include T568A, T568B, crossover (flipped), and rolled (roll-over).The purpose of this technical reference is to eliminate any confusion, by providing an overview of each wiring scheme as well as typical deployment strategies in structured cabling systems. T568A & T568B Wiring T568A and T568B wiring schemes are defined in the ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 standard for 4-pair (8-position, 8-conductor) RJ45 interfaces. T568A and T568B are straight-through wiring schemes. Each conductor inside the patch cable connects to the same pin on both modular plug ends. As shown in the illustration below, the only difference between T568A and T568B is the orientation of the green and orange pairs. When used in traditional fashion, there is no functional difference between patch cords with T568A or T568B wiring schemes. Both wiring schemes are acceptable in network topologies, and are essentially interchangeable. T568A is the default wiring scheme in ANSI/TIA-568-C.2, with T568B listed as being optional. ANSI/TIA-568-C.2, is the most popular wiring scheme in modern installations. T568B is also consistent with the older AT&T 258A wiring scheme that many installers are already accustomed to. The US Government has standardized on T568A. It is the required wiring scheme for all government installations and in all performance categories. Although completely interchangeable in traditional plug-to-plug form, installers must be cognizant of the patch cord wiring scheme if they cut the patch cord to terminate a jack module on one end. This technique is often used when the modular plug is connected to a switch, and the jack module is installed in a modular patch panel. To web: www.panduit.com e-mail: cs panduit.com phone: 800-777-3300 page 1 TE CHN ICA L REFERENCE TR103 ensure the jack-to-plug link transmits Ethernet traffic, the jack module must be terminated using the same wiring scheme as the patch cord modular plug. Installers appreciate that the termination cap on all Panduit jack modules includes a wire map label that illustrates the correct conductor positions for T568A and T568B termination. Panduit manufactures a complete line of patch cords in Category 6A, 6, and 5e performance categories. These include UTP, shielded, standard diameter, small diameter (SD), in CM and/or LSZH flame ratings. The table below summarizes Panduits patch cord offerings and the part numbers for each cord wired T568A or T568B. T568A & T568B Wiring Patch Cord Part Numbers Standard T568 Alternate T568 Patch Cord Type Part Number Part Number Wire Scheme Wire Scheme Cat 6A UTP (CM) T568B UTP6A**xx T568A UTP6A**xxA/N Cat 6A UTP (LSZH) T568B UTP6AL**xx T568A UTP6AL**xxA/N Cat 6A SD UTP (CM) T568B UTP6ASD**xx T568A UTP6ASD**xxA/N Cat 6A SD UTP (LSZH) T568B UTP6ASDL**xx T568A UTP6ASDL**xxA/N Cat 6A Shielded (CM/LSZH) T568B STP6X**xx T568A STP6X**xxA/N Cat 6 UTP (CM) T568B UTPSP**xxY T568A UTPSP**xxA/NY Cat 6 UTP (LSZH) T568B UTPSPL**xxY T568A UTPSPL**xxA/NY Cat 6 SD UTP (CM/LSZH) T568B UTP28SP**xx T568A UTP28SP**xxA/N Cat 5e UTP (CM) T568A UTPCH**xxY T568B UTPCH**xxB/NY Cat 5e UTP (LSZH) T568A UTPCHL**xxY T568B UTPCHL**xxB/NY Cat 5e SD UTP (CM/LSZH) T568A UTP28CH**xx T568B UTP28CH**xxB/N Cat 5e Shielded (CM/LSZH) T568A STPCH**Bxx T568B STPCH**BxxB/N ** = Length xx = Color Code /N = Non-Standard Part Number Panduits standard Category 5e patch cords are wired T568A at the factory with standard Category 6A and Category 6 patch cords are wired T568B. Through extensive validation testing, Panduit confirmed improved Near End Cross Talk (NEXT) margins were obtained by wiring higher bandwidth cords to T568B. The reason relates to the pair lays within the patch cable, and how the conductors are manipulated into position within the modular plugs. web: www.panduit.com e-mail: cs panduit.com phone: 800-777-3300 page 2