Independent, third party ETL testing verifies that Siemon’s shielded and UTP Z-MAX™ 6A connecting hardware and cable achieve both component compliance and full channel compliance with the published version of ISO/IEC 11801, performing with headroom on all parameters.
ETL testing verifies that both shielded and UTP versions of Siemon’s Z-MAX 6A connectors and cable exceed all category 6A component performance parameters specified by newly published amendment 2 of ISO/IEC 11801, 2nd edition and both IEC 60603-7-51 and IEC 61156-5 for category 6A connecting hardware and cable.
As the ISO/IEC category 6A component performance requirements are more stringent than those set for category 6A components by TIA-568-C.2, achieving ISO/IEC compliance is considered a stronger indicator of overall category 6A system performance capabilities.
Performed by Intertek, an industry-recognised ETL testing provider, the tests assessed NEXT loss, return loss, insertion loss, FEXT loss, TCL, TCTL, DC resistance, DC resistance unbalance, PSANEXT loss, and PSAFEXT loss performance. The Z-MAX 6A shielded and UTP connecting hardware and cable showed performance headroom across all tested parameters.
In addition to component compliance to the more stringent ISO/IEC requirements, independent 3rd-party testing conducted by UL verifies that Siemon’s Z-MAX 6A shielded and UTP end-to-end systems both exceed category 6A/class EA channel requirements specified by ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 and amendment one of ISO/IEC 11801 2nd edition. Z-MAX channel compliance includes both 100m, 4-connector topologies and short-reach, 5m, 2-connector topologies. This short link capability is particularly beneficial in data centres, where cabling channels are typically shorter. Shorter overall lengths can reduce cabling costs, decrease cable slack and create more easily managed pathways to improve airflow and thermal management.
“Along with the ISO/IEC and TIA category 6A channel test results, this ETL confirmation of component compliance further cements Z-MAX performance leadership,” explained Robert Carlson, Siemon’s vice president of global marketing. “Z-MAX has remained the highest-performing, fastest to terminate, shielded or UTP category 6A system since its launch in January 2009.”
Carlson attributes the Z-MAX 6A connector’s high performance and industry leading termination time to its exclusive linear termination module. The linear Z-MAX termination module eliminates split and crossed pairs and allows conductors to be laced quickly into position without pair crosses, thereby maintaining and protecting cable pair geometry for optimised transmission. This efficient conductor lacing process, combined with the simple, patent-pending Z-TOOL™ allows both shielded and UTP Z-MAX 6A outlets to be terminated in as little as 60 seconds from start to finish, including cable preparation.
The Z-MAX 6A outlet also features exclusive diagonally oriented IDC contact technology. This unique diagonal configuration maximises distance between contacts within side-stacked outlets compared with traditional rectangular contact layouts. Maximising pair-to-pair separation between adjacent outlets minimises alien crosstalk and enables ultra-high density patching, accommodating up to 48 ports within 1U (one rack mount space) in either shielded or UTP options.
Z-MAX 6A is supported by multiple work area faceplates and surface mount options, in addition to a full suite of Siemon data centre cabinet, rack and cable management products. To learn more, visit www.siemon.com/uk/zmax.
Images to accompany this release are available on request from direland@turtleconsulting.com
About Siemon
Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance copper and optical fibre network cabling solutions. With offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers a global service and has a reputation for delivering market leading performance with systems that maximise efficiency and return on investment.
Siemon’s products include the most comprehensive suite of copper available, in both unshielded and shielded twisted-pair, for category 5e, category 6 (Class E), category 6A (Class EA) and category 7/7A (Class F/FA) standards performance. The company’s optical fibre range includes both multimode and singlemode cabling systems. In addition to cabling systems, the company has developed specific and specialised products for network provision in both enterprise and hosted data centre environments, often partnering with other global industry leaders in delivery of complete solutions for these markets. With over 400 patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.
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