Project Description
Local area networks (LANs) have historically been designed in a way that ensures all end devices are within 100 meters (m) of a telecommunications room (TRs) to comply with industry cabling standards. Now with the adoption of smart building technologies, more devices than ever are being connected to and powered by the network. Today’s LAN environments commonly encounter situations where a connected end device is located too far from the nearest TR to maintain the 100 m distance limitation.
It has long been known that twisted-pair copper cabling is one standards-based option for connecting devices beyond 100 m, but there is confusion in the industry about the distances that twisted-pair copper cables can reliably support at various transmission speeds and remote powering levels. To strategically address scenarios where a device is located beyond 100 m with reduced risk, ICT professionals need to understand the pros and cons of the various options, technical factors involved, and key considerations surrounding testing to help them identify reality and navigate claims.