Information technology - Cabling installation - Testing of installed cabling

Specifies procedures for testing the transmission performance of installed information technology cabling in premises. These procedures apply to both balanced copper and optical fibre cabling.

Informationstechnik - Installation von Kommunikationsverkabelung - Prüfen installierter Verkabelung

Technologies de l'information - Installation de câblage - Essai des câblages installés

Information technology - Cabling installation - Testing of installed cabling

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Status
Withdrawn
Publication Date
31-Jan-2003
Withdrawal Date
09-Nov-2020
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EN 50346:2003
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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 50346:2003
01-februar-2003
Information technology - Cabling installation - Testing of installed cabling
Information technology - Cabling installation - Testing of installed cabling
Informationstechnik - Installation von Kommunikationsverkabelung - Prüfen installierter
Verkabelung
Technologies de l'information - Installation de câblage - Essai des câblages installés
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50346:2002
ICS:
35.110 Omreževanje Networking
SIST EN 50346:2003 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN 50346:2003

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SIST EN 50346:2003
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50346
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM December 2002

ICS 35.110


English version


Information technology -
Cabling installation -
Testing of installed cabling


Technologies de l'information -  Informationstechnik -
Installation de câblage - Installation von
Essai des câblages installés Kommunikationsverkabelung -
Prüfen installierter Verkabelung






This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2002-11-01. CENELEC members are bound to
comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and
notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels


© 2002 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.

Ref. No. EN 50346:2002 E

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SIST EN 50346:2003
EN 50346:2002 – 2 –
Foreword
This European Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee CENELEC TC 215, Electrotechnical
aspects of telecommunication equipment.
The text of the draft was submitted to the formal vote and was approved by CENELEC as EN 50346 on
2002-11-01.
The following dates were fixed:

- latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
 at national level by publication of an identical
 national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2003-11-01

- latest date by which the national standards conflicting
 with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2005-11-01


Annexes designated “normative” are part of the body of the standard.
In this standard, Annex A is normative.
This standard covers the testing of installed balanced and optical fibre cabling conforming to either series
EN 50173 (generic cabling) or installed cabling conforming to dedicated, application-specific
specifications such as series EN 50098. Thus EN 50346 covers a broader scope than EN 61935-1, which
is restricted to the testing of installed balanced cabling according to EN 50173-1.

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SIST EN 50346:2003
– 3 – EN 50346:2002
Contents
Introduction.5
1 Scope.5
2 Normative references.6
3 Definitions, abbreviations and symbols .7
3.1 Definitions.7
3.2 Abbreviations.8
3.3 Symbols.9
4 General requirements.9
4.1 Location of measurement (test) interfaces.9
4.2 Safety requirements for test procedures .11
4.3 Test system.11
4.4 Normalisation and calibration .13
4.5 Environmental conditions.13
4.6 Test results.13
4.7 Documentation.14
5 Test parameters for balanced copper cabling .15
5.1 Wire map.15
5.2 Length.15
5.3 Propagation delay.15
5.4 Delay skew.15
5.5 Attenuation (insertion loss).15
5.6 Attenuation (insertion loss) deviation .16
5.7 Near end crosstalk loss (NEXT, pair-to-pair and power sum).16
5.8 Equal level far end crosstalk loss (ELFEXT, pair-to-pair and power sum).16
5.9 Attenuation to crosstalk ratio (ACR, pair-to-pair and power sum).17
5.10 Return loss.17
5.11 Unbalance attenuation, near end (LCL) .18
5.12 Coupling attenuation.18
5.13 Direct current (d.c.) loop resistance .18
5.14 Resistance unbalance .18

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SIST EN 50346:2003
EN 50346:2002 – 4 –
6 Test parameters for optical fibre cabling.19
6.1 Propagation delay.19
6.2 Length.20
6.3 Inter-component distance.20
6.4 Attenuation .21
6.5 Return loss.22
Annex A (normative) Test procedures for multimode optical fibre cabling
attenuation measurement.24
Bibliography.29

Figures
Figure 1 - Example of a cabling channel .9
Figure 2 - Example of a cabling link .9
Figure 3 - Reference planes for link and channels (point-to-point) .10
Figure 4 - Reference planes for link and channels (bus configuration).11
Figure 5 - The test system and the cabling under test .12
Figure A.1 - Reference power measurement for method 1.25
Figure A.2 - Reference power measurement for method 2.26
Figure A.3 - Cable plant measurement for methods 1 and 2 .26
Tables
Table 1 - Attenuation test methods .22
Table A.1- Light source characteristics .24
Table A.2 - Light source categorization by CPR value (850 nm wavelength).28
Table A.3 - Light source categorization by CPR value (1 300 nm wavelength).28

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SIST EN 50346:2003
– 5 – EN 50346:2002
Introduction
Within premises, the importance of the information technology cabling infrastructure is similar to that of
other fundamental building utilities such as heating, lighting and mains power supplies. As with other
utilities, interruptions to service can have serious impact. Poor quality of service due to lack of planning,
use of inappropriate components, incorrect installation, poor administration or inadequate support can
threaten an organisation’s effectiveness.
A series of European Standards have been prepared to support the successful installation of information
technology cabling. These are
- for design – EN 50173-1 and relevant application standards (for example, EN 50098-1 and
EN 50098-2),
- for specification, implementation and operation – EN 50174-1, EN 50174-2 and EN 50174-3.
This European Standard specifies the requirements for the testing of installed balanced copper and
optical fibre cabling. Such testing is commonly undertaken at contract interfaces and the requirements of
this standard take the form of defined test procedures ensuring that results obtained are relevant,
repeatable and credible.
These test procedures may be
a) referenced within the installation specification,
b) used during the implementation phase of the installation,
c) used during the operational phase to diagnose application failures at the cabling level.
This standard does not define which tests should be applied or the quantity or percentage of installed
cabling to be tested. The test parameters to be measured and the sampling levels to be applied for a
particular installation should be defined in the installation specification and quality plans for that
installation prepared in accordance with EN 50174-1.
1 Scope
This standard specifies procedures for testing the transmission performance of installed information
technology cabling in premises. These procedures apply to both balanced copper and optical fibre
cabling.
These test procedures may be used for
– acceptance testing against agreed cabling performance limits,
– verification of specific application support,
– the investigation of faults.
These test procedures are not suitable for components or cable assemblies such as patch cords and
equipment cords.

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SIST EN 50346:2003
EN 50346:2002 – 6 –
For each test procedure this standard specifies
a) test parameter,
b) the test method(s),
c) test system,
d) test equipment,
e) cabling interface adaptor,
f) measurement procedure,
g) calibration,
h) interpretation of test results,
i) documentation.
Limits for the parameters under test are specified in relevant cabling and application standards.
2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications
apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated
references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including amendments).
EN 50289-1-6, Communication cables - Specifications for test methods – Part 1-6: Electrical test methods
– Electromagnetic performance
EN 60825-1, Safety of laser products - Part 1: Equipment classification, requirements and user’s guide
(IEC 60825-1:1993)
EN 61280-4-2:1999, Fibre optic communication subsystem basic test procedures – Part 4-2: Fibre optic
cable plant - Single-mode fibre optic cable plant attenuation (IEC 61280-4-2:1999)
EN 61300-3-4, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measure-
ment procedures - Part 3-4: Examinations and measurements – Attenuation (IEC 61300-3-4:2001)
EN 61300-3-6:1997, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-6: Examinations and measurements – Return loss
(IEC 61300-3-6:1997)
EN 61935-1:2000, Generic cabling systems – Specification for the testing of balanced communication
cabling in accordance with EN 50173 - Part 1: Installed cabling (IEC 61935-1:2000)
EN 61935-1:2000/A1:2002, Generic cabling systems – Specification for the testing of balanced
communication cabling in accordance with EN 50173 – Part 1: Installed cabling
(IEC 61935-1:2000/A1:2002)

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SIST EN 50346:2003
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3 Definitions, abbreviations and symbols
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard the following definitions apply:
3.1.1
calibration
set of operations that establish, under specified conditions, the relationship between values of quantities
indicated by a measuring instrument or measuring system and the corresponding values realised by
standards
NOTE 1  The result of a calibration permits either the assignment of values of measurands to the indications or the determination of
corrections with respect to indications
NOTE 2  A calibration may also determine other metrological properties such as the effect of influence quantities
NOTE 3  The result of a calibration may be recorded in a document, sometimes called a calibration certificate or a calibration report
[EN ISO 7500-1:1999, modified]
3.1.2
cabling interface adaptor
test cords and other components used to connect test equipment to the cabling under test
3.1.3
connection
mated device or combination of devices including terminations connecting two cables or cable elements
3.1.4
contract interface
point, in time, at which the responsibility for the supply of the cabling infrastructure passes from one
organization to another
3.1.5
equipment cord
cable assembly enabling the attachment of transmission equipment and terminal equipment to a link
NOTE In the case of EN 50173-1, the equipment cord used to attach terminal equipment at the telecommunications outlet is
termed as the work area cord
3.1.6
fail result
measured value which fails to meet the specified requirement and where the absolute value of the
difference between the measured value and the specified requirement is greater than the stated
measurement accuracy
3.1.7
local test equipment
test equipment used to perform or control the test procedure
3.1.8
marginal result
measured value which differs from the specified requirement by an amount not exceeding the stated
measurement accuracy
3.1.9
normalisation
process of adjusting reference levels within the test system to ensure that the stated test system accuracy
is achieved

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SIST EN 50346:2003
EN 50346:2002 – 8 –
3.1.10
pass result
measured value which meets the specified requirement and where the absolute value of the difference
between the measured value and the specified requirement is greater than the stated measurement
accuracy
3.1.11
remote test equipment
test equipment at the opposite end of the cabling under test to the local test equipment
NOTE Not all tests require the use of remote test equipment
3.1.12
termination point
interface enabling connection to the cabling under test
3.1.13
test cord
cable assembly used either to connect test equipment to the cabling under test or as part of a test
reference measurement
3.1.14
test operator
person or organisation undertaking the test in accordance with instructions provided by the test system
designer
3.1.15
test system
test equipment and cabling interface adaptors necessary to undertake a given test/measurement in
accordance with the requirements of this standard
3.1.16
test system designer
person or organisation which supplies and specifies the test system for a given test procedure
NOTE The test system designer could be the supplier of the test equipment in conjunction the necessary cabling interface
adaptors. Alternatively the test system designer could be an individual who selects the test equipment and defines the requirements
for the cabling interface adaptors
3.2 Abbreviations
ACR Attenuation to crosstalk ratio
CPR Coupled power ratio
EQP Transmission or terminal equipment
ELFEXT Equal level far end crosstalk loss
FWHM Full width half maximum
NEXT Near end crosstalk loss
PSACR Power sum attenuation crosstalk ratio
PSNEXT Power sum near end crosstalk loss
TEST EQP Test equipment

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SIST EN 50346:2003
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3.3 Symbols
Termination point

Connection


4 General requirements
4.1 Location of measurement (test) interfaces
4.1.1 Cabling under test
The cabling under test shall be either a channel or a link. Tests applied to channels are generally used for
application trouble-shooting. Tests applied to links are generally used to verify the initial performance of
the link.
Termination resistors shall be removed from all termination points connected to the cabling under test
unless required by the test method.
4.1.2 Channels
A channel is a specific configuration of fixed cabling and flexible cables (jumpers, patch cords and
equipment cords) to which transmission/terminal equipment is connected (see Figure 1). Although the
equipment cords are terminated at both ends, definitions of channel performance exclude the connection
at the transmission/terminal equipment.
Channel
EQP EQP
Equipment Equipment
cord cord
Patch cord

Figure 1 - Example of a cabling channel
4.1.3 Links
A channel contains one or more cabling links interconnected by jumpers and cords. Although each end of
a link features a termination point, definitions of link performance include the connection at these
termination points (see Figure 2).
Link
EQP EQP
Fixed cabling
Equipment Equipment
cord cord
Patch cord

Figure 2 - Example of a cabling link

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SIST EN 50346:2003
EN 50346:2002 – 10 –
4.1.4 Reference planes for balanced copper and optical fibre cabling (point-to-point)
The accuracy of the test system is defined at its reference plane. The reference planes for channels and
links are defined according to Figure 3.
The test configuration reference plane at each end of a channel is within the equipment cable next to, but
excluding, the connection of the equipment cable into the test equipment.
The test configuration reference plane of a link is within the test cord cable next to, and including, the test
cord connection which mates to the termination point of the link under test.
Reference planes (channel)
TEST TEST
EQP EQP
Equipment Equipment
cord cord
Reference planes (link)
TEST TEST
EQP EQP
Test cord Test cord

Figure 3 - Reference planes for link and channels (point-to-point)
4.1.5 Reference planes for balanced copper cabling (bus)
The test equipment shall be connected to the start and end termination points.
The accuracy of the test system is defined at its reference plane. The reference planes for channels and
links are defined according to Figure 4.
The test configuration reference plane at each end of a channel is within the equipment cord next to, but
excluding, the connection at the test equipment.
The test configuration reference plane of a link is within the test cord next to, and including, the
connection at the termination point of the link under test.

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SIST EN 50346:2003
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Reference planes (channel)
TEST TEST
EQP EQP
Equipment Equipment
cord cord
Reference planes (link)
TEST TEST
EQP EQP
Test cord Test cord


Figure 4 - Reference planes for link and channels (bus configuration)
4.2 Safety requirements for test procedures
4.2.1 Safety
Relevant national and local regulations covering safe working practices shall be observed.
4.2.2 Equipment protection
Transmission and terminal equipment shall be removed from the termination points connected to the
cabling under test.
4.3 Test system
4.3.1 Introduction
This standard specifies test procedures for the measurement of cabling transmission performance on
installed cabling comprising balanced copper or optical fibre cabling. The test methods refer to existing
standards-based procedures where they exist.
The test system shall be specified for each test. The test system comprises local test equipment and
remote test equipment (where required) together with any cabling interface adaptors which enable the
connection of the test equipment to the cabling under test (see Figure 5). The test equipment and cabling
interface adaptors shall be used in accordance with the instructions issued by the test system designer.

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SIST EN 50346:2003
EN 50346:2002 – 12 –
Local cabling Remote cabling
interface interface
adaptor adaptor
(where required (where required
by test method) by test method)
Local test Remote test
equipment equipment
TEST TEST
EQP EQP
Local test Cabling under test
Remote test
system
system
(where required
by test method)

Figure 5 - The test system and the cabling under test
The uncertainty of measurement for a given parameter is the accuracy of the test system. The test
system is defined as the test equipment together with the cabling interface adaptors.
The test equipment and cabling interface adaptors shall be in accordance with 4.3.2 and 4.3.3
respectively.
4.3.2 Test equipment
The appropriate type of test equipment and any specific requirements for that equipment shall be
referenced by the test procedure.
4.3.3 Cabling interface adaptors
The cabling interface adaptors may take the form of test cords, terminations, impedance matching
devices or more complex combinations of components.
For balanced copper cabling, cabling interface adaptors define the number of pairs and the configuration
of those pairs under test in accordance with the relevant cabling or application standard.
For optical fibre cabling, cabling interface adaptors define the number of optical fibres under test in
accordance with the relevant cabling or application standard.
Cabling interface adaptors have an effect on the uncertainty of measurement.
The test system designer shall define a maximum operational lifetime for the cabling interface adaptor
(e.g. a time period or a maximum number of connector mating cycles to the test equipment and/or cabling
under test) or provide a method to determine acceptable adaptor performance.
Where no information exists as to the performance of a particular cabling interface adaptor then it shall be
replaced with products known to meet the required performance.
For optical fibre cabling, temporary index matching materials (gels and/or fluids) in mated connectors
under test shall not be used.

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4.4 Normalisation and calibration
The test system designer shall define a process for the normalisation of the test system in order that the
stated measurement accuracy is achieved. The test operator shall ensure that the test system has been
normalised in accordance with this process prior to the test being undertaken.
The normalisation process shall include a traceable calibration procedure for the test equipment. The test
operator shall have evidence, in the form of a valid calibration certificate, to support the use of the test
equipment at the time the tests are undertaken.
4.5 Environmental conditions
4.5.1 Contamination
The presence of dust, dirt and other contaminants at the interfaces to the cabling under test may produce
misleading results and in some cases damage the cabling under test and/or the cabling interface adaptor.
The mating connector end faces of cabling interface adaptors and the cabling under test shall be cleaned
in accordance with the connecting hardware manufacturers instructions prior to mating.
4.5.2 Test equipment
External effects (for example, environmental, electromagnetic or physical) can affect the test equipment
thereby influencing the measured results. The effects shall either be quantified or eliminated.
4.5.3 Cabling under test
Measurement of attenuation (insertion loss, see 5.5), d.c. loop resistance and related parameters applied
to cabling that will be subjected to high temperatures during operation may produce misleading results if
the tests are conducted at lower temperatures.
Similarly, tests applied to cabling that will be subjected to high levels of electromagnetic interference
during operation may produce misleading results if the tests are conducted where the expected sources
of interference are not present.
Measurements shall either
a) be made under environmental conditions which are representative of the intended operational
environment, or
b) have correction factors applied to the measured results in accordance with manufacturers
specifications in order to reflect the intended operating environment, or
c) be clearly documented as being undertaken in unrepresentative conditions.
4.6 Test results
4.6.1 Generic cabling
Test limits and required results are defined in EN 50173-1.
4.6.2 Application-specific cabling
The application standard or equipment manufacturers’ documentation shall be consulted to determine the
appropriate test limits. The required results shall be consistent with the length and configuration of the
installed cabling.

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EN 50346:2002 – 14 –
4.6.3 Treatment of marginal test results
Marginal results may be treated in a number of ways including:
a) verification of the normalisation of the test system;
b) acceptance of all marginal results;
c) rejection of all marginal results;
d) acceptance of marginal pass results and rejection of marginal fail results;
e) repetition of the measurement using a test system with an improved measurement accuracy.
It is recommended that the approach to be adopted is agreed before the testing is undertaken.
4.7 Documentation
The documentation for each parameter shall include
a) details of the parameter,
b) details of the test system,
c) test equipment,
1) type and manufacturer,
2) serial number and calibration status,
d) details of the cabling interface adaptors (type, reference numbers, manufacturer and relevant
performance),
e) the stated uncertainty of measurement (measurement accuracy),
f) details of the cabling under test,
g) reference numbers,
h) the date of the test (the time of the test may also be recorded),
i) relevant environmental conditions,
j) the presence and location of termination resistors (w
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