FIELD PERFORMANCE TESTING OF COPPER PERMANENT LINKS AND CHANNEL Class D, Class E, Class EA (10GBE) Changes from Version 14; Cable Specs modified for Fluke DTX 1200 & 1800 to Cat UTP Cable Specs modified for Fluke DTX 1800 on TrueNet Cat UTP PL & Ch specs updated to Draft 3.0 for Cat 0-55m and 55-100m Cable Spec updated to ADC Cu10G – A6TR CMR for 0-100m Pg 10 Pg 11 Pg 11 Pg 11 Issued Version 15 Released 08.05.2006 This is a living document and is subject to change This document is available as a free download from the ADC KRONE web site www.adckrone.com.au [On the right-hand side], Online Tools, Technical publications, ADC KRONE Specifications “Field Performance Testing of Copper Permanent Links” ADC KRONE AUSTRALIA Ver 15 Field Performance Testing V15 060508 Page of 11 Performance Testing of Permanent Links and Channels There are distinct areas of cable testing; Certification, Qualification and Verification Certification is the most rigorous of all cable testing and uses the “Pass/Fail” criteria in one of the AS/NZS 3080, ISO/IEC 11801 or TIA/EIA 568 standards The remainder of this document deals with Certification Testing and it is a requirement for an ADC KRONE Warranty Qualification testing allows technicians to troubleshoot and qualify network cabling for suitability to a particular technology eg 100BASE-T, GBE, VoIP Verification testing determines basic continuity functions eg wiremap, short circuits Permanent Links And Channels The fundamental building blocks for a telecommunications system are the permanent links (PL) and channels (Ch) The field testers needed for PL testing must nullify the effects of the test leads resulting in plug connector ends that are less than 50 mm long The plug connector ends are also required to meet performance criteria that are electrically “centred” This means that, as tester manufacturers produce these “centred” plugs, new plugs will have to be bought for use with the hand-held testers to obtain accurate PL test results This requirement only applies to PL testing Channel testing still uses the Vendor’s patch cords, which are to be left in place after testing The configuration of the Permanent Link and Channel is shown below Measurement, Permanent Link 90m Max CP FD Measurement, Channel TO 100m Max Remember; Cat (Australia & Internationally) = Cat 5e (North America) Field Performance Testing V15 060508 Page of 11 Passive Testing With Hand-Held Field Testers There are currently three levels of hand-held field tester: Level 2e – for testing up to Class D Level – for testing up to Class E Level – for testing up to Class F and the draft 10GBE benchmark Level 2e Testers This accuracy level was introduced to achieve the requirements for Class D It included those parameters necessary to allow data transmission on four pairs simultaneously, as in Gigabit Ethernet These parameters included FEXT, RL and the calculations for ELFEXT and all POWERSUM parameters Most level 2e testers now only have limited support from their manufacturers Level 2e testers are no longer accepted by ADC KRONE for full Class D performance testing ADC KRONE strongly recommends that your Level 2e tester be upgraded to a Level tester to test for Class D performance using Cat components Level Testers This accuracy level is associated with the requirements of Class E testing Software upgrades are the mechanism used to keep the tester up to date with accuracy and performance requirements These testers are complicated instruments and each manufacturer uses different complex mathematical algorithms in their software to achieve the necessary accuracy and performance measurements The following Level testers are accepted by ADC KRONE for testing Class E performance, using Cat components: OmniScanner & 2 Agilent WireScope WS350 & FrameScope FS350 FLUKE DSP 4000/4100/4300 DTX-1200/1800 Level testers also acceptable LANTEK testers are not accepted for an ADC KRONE Warranty Level Testers This accuracy level is a requirement of Augmented Cat 6, Class EA and Class F testing These testers can be used on any of the lower Class installations and still perform at the high Level accuracy The following Level testers are accepted by ADC KRONE for testing of Class E and Class EA (Augmented Cat 6) performance for 10Gigabit Ethernet Fluke DTX-1200 Fluke DTX-1800 up to 350 MHz up to 900 MHz Field Performance Testing V15 060508 - OK for Class E (250 MHz) - OK for Class EA (500 MHz) and 10GBE Page of 11 Class E Warranty Testing Using Cat Components After testers have been in the field for some time, handling and maintenance issues can arise from extended use The Level & testers need to be discussed individually as each one has unique features OmniScanner & The OmniScanner & have the same base unit with one main difference: the OmniScanner has an external memory card for storing and forwarding test results: a very handy feature to keep the tester working on-site; the OmniScanner does not The ability to test Class E Permanent Links between the two units is the same, provided they have the latest software version loaded The testing of Class E permanent links and channels necessitates using the correct adaptor head listed at the back of this document The PL test heads for the OmniScanner now the Universal Permanent Link Adaptor head & lead, and the same Personality Module as used with the Fluke DSP 4000 series This means the unit has a 50 mm lead (ie the Personality Module) thereby complying with the international requirements for test equipment The PL test head for the ADC KRONE FMK and KM8 RJ45 solution must be the Universal Permanent Link Adaptor + PM06 personality module Agilent WireScope WS350 and FrameScope 350 The WS350 and the new FrameScope 350 work well and many installers like their ease of use, consistent readings and high accuracy They have the facility for a removable memory card, but if the Compact Flash card is inserted while the unit is turned off, the unit may lock up during the next boot sequence Both units support both Class E Channel and Permanent Link testing as well as other performance analysis capability As with all manufacturers’ tester units, they should be checked for cable wear at the adaptor interface plugs, which may cause results on RL to vary A poor result on RL should be investigated by using a different set of adaptor heads or a newer tester The PL test heads contain a chip that allows the unit to zero out the effects of the test leads there by making it an effective “50 mm lead” Use the generic PL test head and leads for testing the ADC KRONE FMK and KM8 RJ45 sockets To test HighBand8 installations, use a N2604A-055A HighBand8 on the jumpered fields one end, and the generic RJ45 PL test head at the TO To test installations using Highband 25 modules, obtain the appropriate patch cords and test the installation as a Channel Field Performance Testing V15 060508 Page of 11 Fluke DSP 4000, 4100, 4300 and DTX-1200, 1800 The difference between the 4000, 4100 and 4300 models is primarily the facility for external memory All units give good results for testing Class E Permanent Links and Channels ADC KRONE recommends these testers undergo a regular (monthly) PCAL calibration The DTX-1800 is a Level tester that tests out to 900 MHz and will meet Class EA (500 MHz) “10GBE benchmark” performance requirements DTX-1200 is a Level tester that tests out to 350 MHz and tests for Class E (250 MHz) performance requirements (not Class EA) Class E and 10GBE Permanent Link heads must have the right Personality Module fitted The standard personality module PM06 comes shipped with the DSP4100, 4300 and DTX The PM06 module replaces the PM25 and PM01 Sometimes on the DTX the seating of the PL heads onto the tester is not correct resulting in incorrectly high readings and high dc resistance readings Simply re-seat the PL head onto the tester and re-test The PL test head for the ADC KRONE KM8 RJ45 socket is the generic PL test head LIA101 + PM06 To test a PL on HighBand8 jumpered installations, use the LIA 101 + PM06 test lead on the Remote at the TO, and use LIA 101 + PM14A (the HB8 personality module) at the cross-connect field Fluke Test Adaptors DSP-LIA042 and DSP-LIA042A, when used at the Highband IDC module end of a permanent link, are supported by Fluke Networks and by ADC KRONE Australia as acceptable adaptors for testing of permanent links to Class D performance But with the release of the PM14A, they are now NOT acceptable for testing Class E permanent links ADC KRONE Cat patch cords must be used at both ends of a horizontal run to make up a channel that meets the Cat channel performance test requirements To test permanent link installations using HighBand 25 modules, use the new PM15A (the HB25 personality module) DSP4300 & DTX memory cards can be MMC (Multi Media Card) 16 MB holding 300 full test records, or MMC 32 MB holding 600 full test records Do not use SDMMC cards as they are too thick to fit into the slot Field Performance Testing V15 060508 Page of 11 Mistakes In The Field Common To All Testers Out of Manufacturer’s Calibration All testers should be calibrated by the manufacturer’s representative at least 1/year Yes, that means they are not available for about 10 days, so plan around this necessary annual event Periodically the self-calibration Before the start of each new job site, then 1/week to retain confidence in the tester readings Batteries Not Fully Charged If the battery level drops below 25%, there can be false or inconsistent readings Fluke have a discharge/recharge procedure available on their Knowledge Base section of their web site Incorrect NVP Setting on the Tester NVP is essential to calculating the correct length Do not simply use the default NVP Selecting the correct cable type on the tester will automatically select the correct NVP See the tables at the back of this document If the NVP is set HIGHER than specified for the cable, the tester length reading will be HIGHER than actual, by approx 1.35 m /1%NVP Eg If the NVP is 2% HIGHER than specified, the tester length reading is approx 2.7 m HIGHER than the actual length “Star-Pass” Not Turned On Some testers not have the ”Star-Pass” warning enabled on the tester settings This results in a false feeling of confidence while testing because no warnings are sounded indicating that the run needs attention It is better to find & fix these while staff are on site than to find out back in the office and have to return to site ADC KRONE does not accept “Star-Passes” for an ADC KRONE Warranty without consultation For example, some “Star Pass” situations may be acceptable Incorrect Test Set-up & Performance Setting Select the Test Set-up and Performance Level to the ADC KRONE Warranty requirements as set out in the Warranty Application Form and the builder’s project specification If these requirements conflict with each other, contact ADC KRONE to get advice before you spend days of testing time that may have to be repeated ADC KRONE requirements are listed in the following tables They are the latest AS/NZS 3080 PL & Ch requirements for Class D or E performance, or alternatively the ISO 11801 performance standards Field Performance Testing V15 060508 Page of 11 If the default North American (TIA) Cat5E performance standards are selected, then not all the required testing and calculations may be done (Eg Cat5e standard does not require ACR or PSACR, but Class D standard does Some testers the calculations anyway for Cat 5e, but using Class D ensures the calculations are done.) Wear On Test Leads & Test Plugs All of the testers have issues with Permanent Link lead and plug wear The coiling and uncoiling of test leads during their use over time will induce unwanted RL and crosstalk Tester manufacturers have specifically addressed this issue with better leads like flat test cable for their DSP & OMNI testers or the special round leads on the WireScope, FrameScope and DTX testers When test failures occur, a new set of heads and test leads should be used to confirm the failure dB & dB Rules in Testing IL = Insertion Loss (previously Attenuation) dB rule means that if IL