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FS Bulk Network Cables: Multi-Standard Compliance for Superior Performance and Reliability

VincentUpdated at Jun 14th 20241 min read

In 2024, copper cables are still widely utilized due to their superior electrical conductivity, heat resistance, and cost benefits. For large-scale horizontal cabling and Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications, bulk network cables remain the preferred choice. The common standards for bulk Ethernet cables include ANSI/TIA 568, ISO/IEC 11801, and IEEE 802.3, with common certifications being UL and CPR certifications. This article will discuss these three standards, the specifics of these two certifications, and why we recommend purchasing cables that comply with these standards and certifications.
Three Cable Standards for Ethernet Bulk Network Cables
To purchase high-quality bulk network cables and get the most value for your money, you should look for three key cable standards: ANSI/TIA 568, ISO/IEC 11801, and IEEE 802.3. These standards can usually be found on the cable jacket or packaging. Here is a detailed explanation of these standards, including their issuing organizations, applicable ranges, and purposes.
What Is the ANSI/TIA 568 Standard?
Established by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the ANSI/TIA 568 standard is predominantly applied in North America, especially within the United States. Its purpose is to offer comprehensive guidelines for the design, installation, and maintenance of telecommunications cabling infrastructure in commercial buildings, ensuring compatibility and support for a broad spectrum of both existing and future networking technologies.
What Is the ISO/IEC 11801 Standard?
The ISO/IEC 11801 standard is jointly developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and it shares a similar purpose with the ANSI/TIA 568 standard. However, ISO/IEC 11801 is a global standard for generic cabling in customer premises, which is not only applicable to commercial buildings but also includes industrial buildings, residential buildings, data centers, and more.
What Is the IEEE 802.3 Standard?
The IEEE 802.3 standard, developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), is a comprehensive standard for wired Local Area Networks (LANs) applied globally. The IEEE 802.3ab standard stipulates the data rate support for different categories of Ethernet cables, ranging from 100BASE-T to 25/40BASE-T. Additionally, it specifies the technical requirements for network equipment, including electrical characteristics, signal transmission methods, connector types, data frame formats, and flow control.
The table below summarizes the content stipulated by these three standards.
TIA-568
ISO 11801
IEEE 802.3ab Standard
100BASE-T
1000BASE-T
2.5GBASE-T
5GBASE-T
10GBASE-T
25/40GBASE-T
Cat5
Class C
/
/
/
/
/
Cat5e
Class D
Long-distance transmission is unstable
Long-distance transmission is unstable.
/
/
Cat6
Class E
Long-distance transmission is unstable.
55 meters
/
Cat6a
Class EA
/
/
Class F
/
/
Class FA
/
Cat8
Class ⅠⅡ
30 meters
You can purchase bulk network cables from FS ranging from Cat5e to the latest Cat8, all of which have passed the three standards mentioned above.
Category
Appearance
ANSI/TIA-568.2-D
×
ISO/IEC 11801
IEEE 802.3 af/at/bt
Note: Cat7 and Cat7a were not officially recognized by TIA and were generally only used outside the United States. Cat8 was published with ANSI/TIA‑568‑C.2‑1 to meet the performance specification intended by Cat7.
Two Cable Certifications for Bulk Network Cables
When purchasing bulk network cable, it's crucial to ensure the cable complies with the standards mentioned above and verify if it has obtained UL and CPR certifications. The UL certification is recognized in North America, whereas the CPR certification is in Europe. These certifications are pivotal in determining if the cable's safety standards are up to par.
What Is the UL Certification?
UL stands for Underwriter Laboratories, a third-party certification company that's been around for over a century. It is dedicated to ensuring the safety and reliability of electrical products used by Americans in their everyday activities. Networking cables that have passed UL certification indicate that their performance and safety have been independently tested and verified to meet safety standards.
UL certification is primarily applied in the North American market. It specifies PVC (polyvinyl chloride) cable fire-resistance ratings, mainly including CM, CMR, and CMP.
The following table summarizes the UL-certified bulk Ethernet cable options offered by FS:
Cable Type
Shielding
Fire Rating
Product ID
Fire safety
Compliance
U/UTP
PVC CM
C5EUTPPVC
CM<CMR<CMP
CMP: UL910
CMR: UL1666
CMP: UL1581
CMX: UL1581
PVC CMR
PVC CMP
F/UTP
PVC CM
C5EFTPPVC
PVC CMR
U/UTP
PVC CM
C6UTPPVC
PVC CMR
PVC CMP
F/UTP
PVC CM
C6FTPPVC
PVC CMR
SF/UTP
PVC CMR
C6SFTPPVC
U/UTP
PVC CMR
C6AUTPPVC
U/FTP
PVC CMR
C6ASTPPVC
F/UTP
PVC CMR
C6AFTPPVC
S/FTP
PVC CMR
C6ASFTPPVC
S/FTP
PVC CMR
C7SFTPPVC
S/FTP
PVC CMR
C8SFTPPVC
What Is the CPR Certification?
The CPR (Construction Product Regulation) is a regulation issued by the European Union, and it has been in force since 1st July 2016. It applies to all products intended to be used permanently in construction.
The CPR assesses the safety and performance of cables when exposed to fire. Based on the test results, the fire resistance of cables is classified into seven levels: Aca, B1ca, B2ca, Cca, Dca, Eca, and Fca. Aca and B1ca are not applied to LSZH communication cables. This practice standardizes the flammability levels of copper cables and optical fibers across Europe.
Euroclass (ca)
Classification Criteria
Additional Criteria
AVCP System
A
Combustion Gross Heat
(EN ISO 1716)
/
System 1+
B1
Heat Release Flame Spread
EN 50399
Flame Propagadation
EN 60332-1-2
Smoke Production (s1a, s1b, s2, s3)
EN 50399, EN 61034-2
Acidity (a1, a2, a3)
EN 60754-2
Flame Drop (d0, d1, d2)
EN 50399
B2
C
D
System 3
E
Flame Propagadation
(EN 60332-1-2)
/
F
/
/
System 4
The following table summarizes the bulk Ethernet cable options from FS that have passed CPR testing and meet B2ca, Cca, and Dca fire safety standards.
Cable Type
Shielding
EuroClass
Compliance
Fire safety
AWG
Product ID
U/UTP
LSZH Dca
B2ca/Cca/Dca:
EN 50399
EN 60332-1-2
EN 61034-2
EN 60754-2
Eca:
EN 60332-1-2
B2ca>Cca>Dca>Eca
24
C5EUTPLSZHD
U/UTP
LSZH B2ca
23
C6UTPLSZHB
LSZH Cca
23
C6UTPLSZHC
LSZH Dca
24
C6UTPLSZHD
LSZH Eca
24
C6UTPLSZHE
F/UTP
LSZH B2ca
23
C6FTPLSZHB
LSZH Eca
23
C6FTPLSZHE
U/UTP
LSZH B2ca
23
C6AUTPLSZHB
LSZH Dca
23
C6AUTPLSZHD
LSZH Eca
23
C6AUTPLSZHE
S/FTP
LSZH Cca
23
C6ASFTPLSZHC
F/UTP
LSZH Dca
23
C6AFTPLSZHD
F/FTP
LSZH Dca
23
C6AFFTPLSZHD
S/FTP
LSZH Dca
23
C7SFTPLSZHD
S/FTP
LSZH Cca
23
C7ASFTPLSZHC
S/FTP
LSZH Dca
23
C8SFTPLSZHD
Note: FS's LSZH bulk network cables are available for sale exclusively in the European region.
FS Bulk Network Cables Compliant With Multiple Standards and Certifications
FS, a leading provider in the ICT sector, offers a comprehensive range of bulk network cables that adhere to the stringent requirements of the ANSI/TIA-568.2-D standard, the latest revision published in 2018. These bulk network cables, which also meet the global ISO/IEC 11801 standard and the advanced PoE capabilities of IEEE 802.3 af/at/bt standards, are designed to deliver seamless connectivity and reliability for our customers. Bulk network cables sold in the Eastern United States have all passed UL certification. LSZH bulk network cables sold in Europe have all passed CPR testing, meeting the required fire safety classifications for market access.
Why Buying FS Bulk Network Cables Compliant With Multiple Standards is a Good Investment
Purchasing network cables that comply with the ANSI/TIA 568, ISO/IEC 11801, and IEEE 802.3 standards, and have obtained UL or CPR certifications can offer several benefits:
Ensure Personal Safety and Property Security
Network cables that pass these standards and certifications offer enhanced safety in both construction projects and industrial applications, safeguarding lives and property. For enterprises, this also helps to prevent penalties that may arise from using non-compliant, substandard network cables.
Reliable Performance in Various Environments
FS bulk Ethernet cables meet the ANSI/TIA 568 standard and comply with the ISO/IEC 11801 standard, ensuring their applicability and high performance globally. By adhering to these international standards, FS cables can provide reliable performance in various environments.
Offer You a Future-Proof Solution
The network must grow year over year, and as a data center owner or contractor, you certainly do not want network demands to outpace the performance of your cables too early due to technological advancements. FS bulk network cables compliant with ANSI/TIA 568 and ISO/IEC 11801 standards can meet these demands. These standards encompass a variety of cables from Cat5e with speeds up to 1 Gbps to Cat8 with speeds up to 40 Gbps, enabling customers to select cables that meet their future requirements.
Lower Maintenance Costs and Incident Rates
FS bulk network cables meeting these standards indicate that they have undergone rigorous quality testing before reaching your delivery destination, meeting industry-recognized benchmarks for cable performance and reliability. This reliability reduces the risk of network failures due to defective cabling, thereby lowering maintenance costs and incident rates.
Simplify Your Installation and Cabling Work
Supporting PoE is a key feature of the IEEE 802.3 standard. FS bulk network cables compliant with this standard can transmit data signals while also providing power to network devices. This eliminates the need for separate power lines to be connected to the devices, saving both effort and costs.
Allow Flexible Device Placement
Another benefit you can gain from buying PoE-supported FS bulk network cables is that they allow more flexible network device deployment, as device placement is no longer constrained by power outlet locations, enabling more freedom in choosing installation sites.
Power Devices With Different Power Requirements
FS bulk network cables comply with the IEEE 802.3 af/at/bt standards, ensuring they meet the power requirements of devices, whether they are low-power or high-power applications, thereby providing a stable power supply.
IEEE 802.3af
IEEE 802.3at
IEEE 802.3bt
Max Power
15.4W
30W
60W
Power to PD
12.95W
25.5W
51W
Typical Applications
IP Phone
Video Phone
MGMT Devices
Conclusion
Choosing the right network cables is crucial for network cabling projects. FS bulk network cables, compliant with ANSI/TIA 568, ISO/IEC11801, and IEEE 802.3 standards provide customers with reliable, high-performance network solutions. By meeting future network growth demands, enhancing economic benefits, and ensuring the quality of cabling systems, FS series bulk network cables emerge as the intelligent choice for your network cabling projects.