Telecommunication Standards: Understanding ANSI/TIA-568
Telecommunication standards play a critical role in ensuring the proper installation and handling of cabling materials. One of the most commonly used standards in the industry is the American National Standards Institute/Telecommunications Industry Association (ANSI/TIA) 568 standard set. This article will provide an overview of the TIA-568 standards and their significance in the industry.
What is TIA-568?
TIA-568 is a set of standards that govern the design, installation, and performance of structured cabling systems for commercial buildings and campus environments. The standard was first introduced in 1991 and has since undergone several revisions, with the most recent version being ANSI/TIA-568-C.0-2009, -C.1-2009, -C.2-2009, -C.3-2008, and -C.4-2011.
The standards define cable types, distances, connectors, cable system architectures, cable termination standards and performance characteristics, cable installation requirements, and methods of testing installed cable. TIA-568 is broken down into several sub-standards that address specific aspects of structured cabling systems.
TIA-568 Pin/Pair Assignments
One of the best-known features of TIA-568 is the pin/pair assignments for eight-conductor 100-Ohm balanced twisted-pair cabling. These assignments are named T568A and T568B and are frequently referred to (erroneously) as TIA-568A and TIA-568B.
TIA-568 Sub-Standards
TIA-568 is broken down into several sub-standards, each addressing a specific aspect of structured cabling systems. The following are the main sub-standards:
TIA-568-C.0: Defines Generic Requirements for All Types of Customer Premises
This standard specifies minimum generic requirements for telecommunications cabling within all types of customer premises. It covers the cabling system structure, topologies and distances, installation, performance, and testing.
TIA-568-C.1: Defines Additional Requirements Specific to Office-Oriented Commercial Building Cabling
This standard builds on TIA-568-C.0 and specifies minimum requirements for telecommunications cabling within office-oriented commercial buildings and between buildings in a campus environment. It defines terms, cabling requirements, distances, telecommunications outlet/connector configurations, physical topology, and provides additional useful information.
TIA-568-C.2: Addresses Components of Balanced Twisted-Pair Cable Systems
This standard specifies minimum requirements for the various components, transmission performance models, and measurement procedures required for the verification of balanced twisted-pair cabling. It also defines field measurement instruments, including reference measurement procedures for all defined parameters. Four-pair and multi-pair balanced cabling systems are covered.
TIA-568-C.3: Addresses Components of Fiber Optic Cable Systems
TIA-568-C.3 specifies minimum performance requirements for components of an optical fiber cabling system (e.g., cable, connectors). It is intended to be used by manufacturers. Recognized cables include:
- 50/125 μm multimode optical fiber cables
- 62.5/125 μm multimode optical fiber cables
- Single-mode optical fiber cables
This standard presents a list of definitions, abbreviations, acronyms, and units of measure.
TIA-568-C.4: Addresses Components of Broadband Coaxial Cable Systems
TIA-568-C.4 specifies minimum performance requirements for components of a 75-Ohm broadband coaxial cabling system (e.g., cable, connectors), including transmission, mechanical, and compatibility requirements. It also includes cabling installation and connector termination procedures, as well as field testing.