RuggedCom M2100 - Manual (Page 19)

2. Installation
RuggedCom® RuggedSwitch® 19 M2100 Installation Guide Rev 1.0
RuggedCom also does not recommended to use these ports to interface to field devices across
distances which could produce high levels of ground potential rise, (i.e. greater than 2500V) during line
to ground fault conditions.
2.7. Gigabit Ethernet 1000Base-TX Cabling
Recommendations
The IEEE 802.3ab Gigabit Ethernet standard defines 1000 Mbit/s Ethernet communications over
distances of up to 100 meters using all 4 pairs in 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 communication, new and pre-existing communication paths should be
verified for TIA/EIA-568-A compliance.
Table 2.5, “Cabling Categories And 1000Base-TX Compliance”
summarizes the relevant cabling standards.
Cabling
Category
1000Base-
TX Compliant
Required Action
< 5 No New wiring infrastructure required.
5 Yes Verify TIA/EIA-568-A compliance.
5e Yes
No action required. New installations should be designed with Category 5e or
higher.
6 Yes No action required.
> 6 Yes Connector and wiring standards to be determined.
Table 2.5. Cabling Categories And 1000Base-TX Compliance
Follow these recommendations for copper data cabling in high electrical noise environments:
• Data cable lengths should be as short as possible - ideally limited to 3m (10') 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 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.