"Cat 6" (Level 7) UTP: AMP vs. Belden?

[p...@pdq.net]

I'm installing a structured wiring system where I will run dual RG6 + dual
"Cat 6" to every outlet. I see that major cable manufacturers (AMP, Belden,
Berk- Tek, Lucent, Siemon, etc) already have Level 7 cables supposedly
meeting or exceeding all proposed Category 6 specs.

In my case, I'd like to compare the AMP NetConnect Quantum Cat 6 cable system
and the Belden MediaTwist (cable only). The MediaTwist uses Belden's "flat"
crescent-shaped design and bonded pairs for stability, whereas the Quantum
cable has the standard round shape and non-bonded pairs for easier stripping
and terminating. I think(?) both are similarly rated to 200MHz+ with
positive powersum ACR, but the MediaTwist is further specified out to about
400MHz (vs. 300MHz for the Quantum), though I don't know how important this
really is for multimedia shared-sheath applications (that high a frequency
range with any UTP would probably be functionally useless in the real world).

Anyways, I suppose if I'm using the AMP Quantum jacks I should go ahead and
use the Quantum cable as well, yes? I'd really appreciate any suggestions,
though. If possible, please email me a copy of all replies.

Thanks,

Paulus K. Lukman
p...@pdq.net

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[Wookiee]

I've done some testing on an HP network analyzer on several cat 6 solutions,
and so far the AMP Quantum setup has performed the best. Whatever you do,
it is very important to stick with one vendor for the whole cat6 system. To
achieve the best performance the manufacturers are tuning the plug and jack
together. Using brand A with B will result in poor performance, and in some
cases performance that is less than Cat5.
p...@pdq.net wrote in message <7gtc63$v7k$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>...

[Paul Vanderlaan]

Hmmm.... I hate answering this stuff since I hate people who peddle their
wares in news groups.

It's obvious who I would prefer you use as a cable supplier :)

However, putting the cable aside for a min. I will address Wookiee's
comments. I would probably disagree with his assessment as to who performs
the best. Primarily because of the old fashion methods of qualifying
performance. Let's not forget that there are several new requirements for
the operation of these high speed channels. Some of these requirements are
now more important than the old standbys due to the advent of cornstalk
cancellation and other full duplex transmission. The comment that brand A
in Brand B may result in Brand F performance was true in the early inception
of Cat6 development. However, the hardware manufacturers have gone a long
way to address this problem.

I have one word for you "Patch-cords" (all right maybe its two.)

They will be the primary item that makes or breaks your channel performance.
(presuming that your connecting hardware is compliant.) Also note that
these cords play a large part in the results of a channel test-off. It
doesn't do you much good to draw water through a coffee straw attached to a
garden hose.

--
Paul Vanderlaan
Product Development Engineer
Belden Wire and Cable
---An ethical person ought to do more than he's required to do and less than
he's allowed to do. Michael Josephson

Wookiee <wooki...@home.com> wrote in message
news:81vY2.8596$tm6....@news.rdc1.sdca.home.com...

[p...@pdq.net]

> Paul Vanderlaan
> Product Development Engineer
> Belden Wire and Cable

Hi Paul, thanks for the info. I just thought I'd also take this
opportunity to ask if you know about Belden's broadband coax cables.
As I had asked in a recent thread "RG6 coax with 2GHz bandwidth?", do
you know why Belden doesn't make an RG6 "DBS" (2.25GHz) cable with
Duobond Plus shielding? They only have "DBS" cables with Duobond II
dual shielding, and their regular RG6 cables with Duobond Plus/Duobond
IV shielding are only tested to 1GHz.

Is it possible to order a custom cable from Belden? I was told that
they only make custom cables in 50,000ft+ runs?

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[Jeffery Powell]

The answer here is obvious.
AMP manufactures the Quantum system which is an end to end solution, where
each and every component (including patch-cord) is engineered together to
deliver the "rated" bandwidth.
Since Belden only makes cable and must depend on the "manufacturer of the
week" connectorization (like putting a Ford carburetor on a Dodge), I am not
surprised by Mr. Vanderlaan's response.
Additionally, AMP warrants their components 5 years right out of the box and
has 2 different 15-year warranties available. If there is ever a problem,
there is ONE manufacturer to deal with, not the finger pointing of "Partner
Products" [it must be the cable--><--it must be the connector] and the end
user is screwed....protect your investment, buy a system.

Regards,
Jeff Powell
Communications Engineer
(Not employed by AMP)

<p...@pdq.net> wrote in message news:7hi3pc$ppi$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...