Copper Cable Termination Flashcards

What is the FIRST step a technician should perform before terminating a horizontal cable at a telecommunications outlet?

Answer: Label both ends with the port identifier

Labeling both ends before termination ensures accurate identification after the cable is dressed and the workspace is cleared.

A punch-down tool blade is installed backwards. What is the MOST likely result?

Answer: The conductor is seated but not cut

When reversed, the cutting edge faces away from the slot, so the wire is pushed into the IDC slot but the excess is not trimmed.

Which Cat 6A cable construction is required when installed in a plenum air-handling space?

Answer: CMP-rated (plenum) jacket

CMP (Communications Multipurpose Plenum) rated cable is required by NEC Article 800 for installation in plenum air-handling spaces.

What does an IDC (Insulation Displacement Connector) do during termination?

Answer: Pierces the insulation to contact the conductor without stripping

IDC contacts use sharp metal edges that cut through the insulation and make direct electrical contact with the conductor.

Which test parameter verifies that a cable link is free of split pairs AND correctly wired?

Answer: Wire map

The wire map test checks pin-to-pin continuity and identifies split pairs, reversed pairs, shorts, and opens.

A Cat 5e field termination fails the TDR length test showing 110 m on a run measured at 85 m. The MOST probable cause is:

Answer: Incorrect NVP setting on the tester

TDR distance measurements depend on the Nominal Velocity of Propagation (NVP); an incorrect NVP causes the tester to over- or under-report length.

What is the maximum total channel length for a Cat 6 horizontal cabling system per TIA-568?

Answer: 100 m (328 ft)

The TIA-568 channel model allows a maximum of 100 m total, including up to 90 m of horizontal cable and 10 m of patch cords.