Valparaiso University
Electronic Information Services
Standard Operating Procedure
Number 5.3.1.4.3

General
Cabling constitutes the most vital part of the wiring infrastructure and often the most neglected and overlooked part. Bad cabling is responsible for failed data transmission or poor network performance in almost all cases and is the most expensive part to replace. For this reason we require in all new installations that cabling is installed in accordance with ANSI/EIA/TIA wiring specifications and is installed by NetClear Channel Solution certified installers using NetClear Channel Solution certified and tested parts (installer must contact EIS for level verification; latest level available at time of installation will be required). ANY DEVIATION FROM THIS MUST BE APPROVED IN WRITING BY EIS.

Capacity
While these specifications are designed to accomodate future expansion, we expect the average life of a new installation to be 25 years and over that time the need for additional facilities may become apparent. Building headroom into cabling installations when doing a new construction project has proven to be far more cost effective than retrofitting.

Supplies
Based on our experience of the past quality of service and products received, EIS has chosen Anixter International as the telecommunications parts and cabling supplier. Anixter is the world's leading Communications Products and Wire & Cable distribution company and provides comprehensive sales and customer support services.

Installer
The telecommunications contractor must be a company specializing in communication cabling installation. At least 30-percent of the copper installation and termination crew must be certified by BICSI, Berk-Tek or Ortronics with a Technicians Level of Training.

Installation

• Maximum horizontal cable length shall be 90 meters
• Cable shall have no physical defects such as cuts, tears or bulges in the outer jacket. Cables with defects must be replaced.
• Do not install cable with more than 110N (25 lbs) pull force, as specified in ANSI/TIA/EIA and BICSI TDDM practices. Utilize appropriate cable lubricant in sufficient quantity to reduce pulling friction to acceptable levels on long pulls inside conduit, pulls of multiple cables into a single small bore conduit, on conduit runs greater than 100 lineal feet with bends of opposing directions, and in conduit runs that exceed 180 degrees of accumulated bends. Use of tensile rated cords (i.e. fishing line) should be used for difficult or questionable pulls - to judge to go/no-go condition of the conduit and pulling setup.
• Cables jackets that are chaffed or burned exposing internal conductor insulation or have any bare copper ("shiners") must be replaced.

Termination

• Cables must be dressed and terminated in accordance with the recommendations made in the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B standard, manufacturer's recommendations and best industry practices (Ortronics recommendation on cable route to patch panel is mandatory).
• Pair untwist at the termination shall not exceed 13 mm (0.5 inch).
• Bend radius of the cable in the termination area shall not exceed 4 times the outside diameter of the cable.
• Cables shall be neatly bundled and dressed to their respective panels or blocks. Each panel or block shall be fed by an individual bundle separated and dressed back to the point of cable entrance into the rack or frame.
• The cable jacket shall be maintained as close as possible to the termination point.
• Each cable must be clearly labeled on the cable jacket behind the patch panel at a location that can be viewed without removing the bundle support ties. Cables labeled within the bundle, where the label is obscured from view are not be acceptable.
• A pull cord (nylon; 1/8" minimum) shall be co-installed with all cable installed in any conduit.

Testing
All twisted-pair copper cable links shall be tested for continuity, pair reversals, shorts, opens and performance as indicated below.

• Horizontal cabling must be tested using a Level III test unit for category 6 performance compliance. The basic tests are:
  • Wire Map
  • Length
  • Attenuation
  • NEXT (Near end crosstalk)
  • Return Loss
  • ELFEXT Loss
  • Propagation Delay
  • Delay skew
  • PSNEXT (Power sum near-end crosstalk loss)
  • PSELFEXT (Power sum equal level far-end crosstalk loss)
• All cabling must be tested and certified to meet the latest revision of the NetClear Channel Requirements. Electrical specifications are available at http://www.netclear-channel.com .
• EIS may request a random re-test of up to 10% of the installation at no additional cost to verify the documented findings. If the test results contract the documentation submitted by the contractor, additional testing can be requested to the extent determined necessary by EIS, including a 100% re-test. This re-test shall be at no additional cost to the Owner.

Documentation:

• Upon completion of the installation, the telecommunications contractor must provide three (3) full documentation sets (both in print and electronic format; check for acceptable file formats) to EIS.
• Documentation shall be submitted within ten (10) working days of the completion of each installation (including testing) phase (e.g. subsystem, cable type, area, floor, etc.). This is inclusive of all test result and draft as-built drawings. Draft drawings may include annotations done by hand. Machine generated (final) copies of all drawings must be submitted within 30 working days of the completion of each testing phase.
• As built drawings are to include cable routes and outlet locations. Outlet locations shall be identified by their labelled name. Numbering, icons, and drawing conventions used shall be consistent throughout all documentation provided.

Warranty:
The system must be warranted for 25 years as outlined in the NetClear warranty ( http://www.netclear-channel.com ). Upon completion of the installation the contractor must provide EIS with numbered certificate from Ortronics or Berk-Tek registering the installation.