1. Every cabling link in the installation shall be tested in accordance with the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) standard ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1 (March 2001) Section 11.2: 100-Ohm twisted-pair transmission performance and field test requirements.

2. The installed twisted-pair horizontal links shall be tested from the IDF in the telecommunications room to the telecommunication wall outlet in the work area against the "Permanent Link" performance limits specification as defined in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1 (March 2001).

3. 100% of the installed cabling links must be tested and must pass the requirements of the standards mentioned in I.A.2 above and as further detailed in Section I.B. Any failing link must be diagnosed and corrected. The corrective action shall be followed with a new test to prove that the corrected link meets the performance requirements. The final and passing result of the tests for all links shall be provided in the test results documentation in accordance with Section I.C below.

4. Trained technicians who have successfully attended an appropriate training program and have obtained a certificate as proof thereof shall execute the tests. Appropriate training programs include but are not limited to installation certification programs provided by BICSI or the ACP (Association of Cabling Professionals).

5. The test equipment (tester) shall comply with or exceed the accuracy requirements for enhanced level II (Level II-E) field testers as defined in TIA-568-B; Annex I: Section I.4. The tester including the appropriate interface adapter must meet the specified accuracy requirements. The accuracy requirements for the permanent link test configuration (baseline accuracy plus adapter contribution) are specified in Table I.4 of Annex I of TIA/EIA-568-B.2. (Table I.5 in this TIA document specifies the accuracy requirements for the Channel configuration.)

6. The tester shall be within the calibration period recommended by the vendor in order to achieve the vendor-specified measurement accuracy.

7. The tester interface adapters must be of high quality and the cable shall not show any twisting or kinking resulting from coiling and storing of the tester interface adapters. In order to deliver optimum accuracy preference is given to a permanent link interface adapter for the tester that can be calibrated to extend the reference plane of the Return Loss measurement to the permanent link interface. The contractor shall provide proof that the interface has been calibrated within the period recommended by the vendor. To ensure that normal handling on the job does not cause measurable Return Loss change, the adapter cord cable shall not be of twisted-pair construction.

8. The Pass or Fail condition for the link-under-test is determined by the results of the required individual tests (detailed in Section I.B). Any Fail or Fail* result yields a Fail for the link-under-test. In order to achieve an overall Pass condition, the results for each individual test parameter must Pass or P ass*.

9. A Pass or Fail result for each parameter is determined by comparing the measured values with the specified test limits for that parameter. The test result of a parameter shall be marked with an asterisk (*) when the result is closer to the test limit than the accuracy of the field tester. The field tester manufacturer must provide documentation as an aid to interpret results marked with asterisks. (Reference TIA-568-B; Annex I: Section I.2.2)

10. A representative of the end-user shall be invited to witness field testing. The representative shall be notified of the start date of the testing phase 5 business days before testing commences.

11. A representative of the end-user will select a random sample of 5% of the installed links. The representative (or his authorized delegate) shall test these randomly selected links and the results are to be stored in accordance with the prescriptions in Section I.C. The results obtained shall be compared to the data provided by the installation contractor. If more than 2% of the sample results differ in terms of the pass/fail determination, the installation contractor under supervision of the enduser representative shall repeat 100% testing and the cost shall be borne by the installationcontractor.

B. Performance Test Parameters

The test parameters for Cat 5e are defined in ANSI/TIA/EIA standard 568-B.1; Section 11.2.4 as well as in Annex I; Section I.2.1 "Parameters to be reported." The test of each Cat 5e link shall contain all of the following parameters as detailed below. In order to pass the link test all measurements (at each frequency in the range from 1 MHz through 100 MHz) must meet or exceed the limit value determined in the above -mentioned Cat 5e standard.

[Optional Requirement - can only be combined with option I.C.6.a] in Section I.C.6.] Each parameter shall be measured from 1 through 350 MHz and all of these measurement points are to be recorded in the test results information as detailed in Section I.C.6.

1. Wire Map [as defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.1; Section 11.2.4.2]
Wire Map shall report Pass if the wiring of each wire-pair from end to end is determined to be correct. The Wire Map results shall include the continuity of the shield connection if present.

2. Length [as defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.1; Section 11.2.4.3]]
The field tester shall be capable of measuring length of all pairs of a permanent link or channel based on the propagation delay measurement and the average value for NVP (1). The physical length of the link shall be calculated using the pair with the shortest electrical delay. This length figure shall be reported and shall be used for making the Pass/Fail decision. The Pass/Fail criteria are based on the maximum length allowed for the permanent link configuration (90 meters - 295 ft) or the channel (100 meters - 328 ft) plus 10% to allow for the variation and uncertainty of NVP.

3. Insertion Loss (Attenuation) [as defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.1; Section 11.2.4.4]
Insertion Loss is a measure of signal loss in the permanent link or channel. The term 'Attenuation' has been used to designate 'insertion loss'. Insertion Loss shall be tested from 1 MHz through 100 MHz in maximum step size of 1 MHz. It is preferred to measure attenuation at the same frequency intervals as NEXT Loss in order to provide a more accurate calculation of the Attenuation-to-Crosstalk Ratio (ACR) parameter.
Minimum test results documentation (summary results): Identify the worst wire pair (1 of 4 possible). The test results for the worst wire pair must show the highest attenuation value measured (worst case), the frequency at which this worst case value o ccurs, and the test limit value at this frequency.

4. NEXT Loss, pair-to-pair [as defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.1; Section 11.2.4.5]
Pair-to-pair near-end crosstalk loss (abbreviated as NEXT Loss) shall be tested for each wire pair combination from each end of the link (a total of 12 pair combinations). This parameter is to be measured from 1 through100 MHz. NEXT Loss measures the crosstalk disturbance on a wire pair at the end from which the disturbance signal is transmitted (near-end) on the disturbing pair. The maximum step size for NEXT Loss measurements shall not exceed the maximum step size defined in the standards as shown in Table 1, column 2. A smaller step size more accurately identifies worst case margin conditions (see summary results, below).
TABLE 1

1 Nominal Velocity of Propagation (NVP) expresses the speed of the electrical signals along the cabling link in relation to the speed of light in vacuum (3x108 m/second). Insulation characteristics and twist rate of the wire pair influence NVP in minor ways. Typically, an 'average' value for NVP is published for all four wire-pairs in a data cable.
Minimum test results documentation (summary results): Identify the wire pair combination that exhibits the worst case NEXT margin (2) and the wire pair combination that exhibits the worst value of NEXT (worst case). NEXT is to be measured from each end of the link-under-test. These wire pair combinations must be identified for the tests performed from each end. Each reported case shall include the frequency at which it occurs as well as the test limit value at this frequency.

5. PSNEXT Loss [as defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.1; Section 11.2.4.6]
Power Sum NEXT Loss shall be evaluated and reported for each wire pair from both ends of the link-under-test (a total of 8 results). PSNEXT Loss captures the combined near-end crosstalk effect (statistical) on a wire pair when all other pairs actively transmit signals. Like NEXT this test parameter must be evaluated from 1 through 100 MHz and the step size may not exceed the maximum step size defined in the standards as shown in Table 1, column 2.
Minimum test results documentation (summary results): Identify the wire pair that exhibits the worst case margin and the wire pair that exhibits the worst value for PSNEXT. These wire pairs must be identified for the tests performed from each end. Each reported case shall include the frequency at which it occurs as well as the test limit value at this frequency.

6. ELFEXT Loss, pair-to-pair [as defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.1; Section 11.2.4.7]
Pair-to-pair FEXT Loss shall be measured for each wire-pair combination from both ends of the link-under-test. FEXT Loss measures the unwanted signal coupling (crosstalk disturbance) on a wire pair at the opposite end (far-end) from which the transmitter emits the disturbing signal on the disturbing pair. FEXT is measured to compute ELFEXT Loss that must be evaluated and reported in the test results. ELFEXT measures the relative strength of the far-end crosstalk disturbance relative to the attenuated signal that arrives at the end of the link. This test yields 24 wire-pair combinations. ELFEXT is to be measured from 1 through 100 MHz and the maximum step size for FEXT Loss measurements shall not exceed the maximum step size defined in the standards as shown in Table 1, column 2.
Minimum test results documentation (summary results): Identify the wire pair combination that exhibits the worst case margin and the wire pair combination that exhibits the worst value for ELFEXT. These wire pairs must be identified for the tests performed from each end. Each reported case shall include the frequency at which it occurs as well as the test limit value at this frequency.

7. PSELFEXT Loss [as defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.1; Section 11.2.4.8]
Power Sum ELFEXT is a calculated parameter that combines the effect of the FEXT disturbance from three wire pairs on the fourth one. This test yields 8 wire-pair combinations. Each wire-pair is evaluated from 1 through 100 MHz in frequency increments that do not exceed the maximum step size defined in the standards as shown in Table 1, column 2.
Minimum test results documentation (summary results): Identify the wire pair that exhibits the worst case margin and the wire pair that exhibits the worst value for PSELFEXT. These wire pairs must be identified for the tests performed from each end. Each reported case shall include the frequency at which it occurs as well as the test limit value at this frequency.

8. Return Loss [as defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.1; Section 11.2.4.9]
Return Loss (RL) measures the total energy reflected on each wire pair. Return Loss is to be measured from both ends of the link-under-test for each wire pair. This parameter is also to be measured form 1 through 100 MHz in frequency increments that do not exceed the maximum step size defined in the standards as shown in Table 1, column 2.
Minimum test results documentation (summary results): Identify the wire pair that exhibits the worst case margin and the wire pair that exhibits the worst value for Return Loss. These wire pairs must be identified for the tests performed from each end. Each reported case shall include the frequency at which it occurs as well as the test limit value at this frequency.

9. ACR (Attenuation to crosstalk ratio) [This parameter is not demanded by the standards but may be required in order to obtain the premise wiring vendor's warranty] ACR provides an indication of bandwidth for the two wire-pair network applications. ACR is a computed parameter that is analogous to ELFEXT and expresses the signal to noise ratio for a two wire-pair system. This calculation yields 12 combinations - six from each end of the link. Minimum test results documentation (summary results): Identify the wire pair combination that exhibits the worst case margin and the wire pair combination that exhibits the worst value for ACR. These wire pair combinations must be identified for the tests performed from each end. Each reported case shall include the frequency at which it occurs as well as the test limit value at this frequency.

10. PSACR [This parameter is not required by the standards but may be required in order to obtain the premise wiring vendor's warranty]
The Power Sum version of ACR is based on PSNEXT and takes into account the combined NEXT2 'Margin' designates the difference between the measured value and the corresponding test limit value. For passing links, 'worst case margin' identifies the smallest margin over the entire frequency range; the point at which the measured performance is "closest" to the test limit. disturbance of all adjacent wire pairs on each individual pair. This calculation yields 8 combinations - one for each wire pair from both ends of the link.
Minimum test results documentation (summary results): Identify the wire pair that exhibits the worst case margin and the wire pair that exhibits the worst value for PSACR. These wire pairs must be identified for the tests performed from each end. Each reported case shall include the frequency at which it occurs as well as the test limit value at this frequency.

11. Propagation Delay [as defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.1; Section 11.2.4.10]
Propagation delay is the time required for the signal to travel from one of the link to the other. This measurement is to be performed for each of the four wire pairs.
Minimum test results documentation (summary results): Identify the wire pair with the worst case propagation delay. The report shall include the propagation delay value measured as well as the test limit value.

12. Delay Skew [as defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.1; Section 11.2.4.11]
This parameter shows the difference in propagation delay between the four wire pairs. The pair with the shortest propagation delay is the reference pair with a delay skew value of zero.
Minimum test results documentation (summary results): Identify the wire pair with the worst case propagation delay (the longest propagation delay). The report shall include the delay skew value measured as well as the test limit value.

C. Test Result Documentation

1. The test results information for each link shall be recorded in the memory of the field tester upon completion of the test.

2. The test results records saved by the tester shall be transferred into a Windows?-based database utility that allows for the maintenance, inspection and archiving of these test records. A guarantee must be made that the measurement results are transferred to the PC unaltered, i.e., "as saved in the tester" at the end of each test and that these results cannot be modified at a later time. Superior protection in this regard is offered by testers that transfer the numeric measurement data from the tester to the PC in a non-printable format.

3. The database for the completed job shall be stored and delivered on CD-ROM including the software tools required to view, inspect, and print any selection of test reports.

4. A paper copy of the test results shall be provided that lists all the links that have been tested with the following summary information
      a) The identification of the link in accordance with the naming
          convention defined in the overall system documentation
      b) The overall Pass/Fail evaluation of the link-under-test including
           the NEXT Headroom (overall worst case) number
      c) The date and time the test results were saved in the memory of
           the tester

5. General Information to be provided in the electronic data base with the test results information for each link:
      a) The identification of the customer site as specified by the end-
           user
      b) The identification of the link in accordance with the naming
           convention defined in the overall
          system documentation
      c) The overall Pass/Fail evaluation of the link-under-test
      d) The name of the standard selected to execute the stored test
           results
      e) The cable type and the value of NVP used for length
           calculations
      f) The date and time the test results were saved in the memory of
           the tester
      g) The brand name, model and serial number of the tester
      h) The identification of the tester interface
      i) The revision of the tester software and the revision of the test
           standards database in the tester
      j) The test results information must contain information on each of
           the required test parameters that are listed in Section I.B and
           as further detailed below under paragraph I.C.6.

6. The detailed test results data to be provided in the electronic database for each tested link must contain the following information (only one of these two formats must be specified):
      a) The results obtained for each parameter in accordance with the
          description in Section I-B of this document. For each of the
          frequency-dependent test parameters, the value measured at
          every  frequency during the test is stored. In this case, the PC-
          resident database program must be able toprocess the stored
          results to display and print a color graph of the measured
          parameters. The PC-resident software must also provide and
          print the summary numeric information for each test
          parameter as defined and prescribed by the TIA/EIA-568-B.2
          standard document (See Section I-B of  this document). A
          description of the summary numeric test report is repeated
          under option b) below.
      b) For each of the frequency-dependent test parameters, the
          minimum test results documentation shall be stored for each
          wire-pair or wire-pair combination as observed from eachend of
          the link. The minimum test results documentation for each test
          parameter shall be in compliance with the information in
          Section I.B.