SECTION 16716 - COMMUNICATIONS BACKBONE CABLING

PART 1 - GENERAL
SCHEDULE 0 - SECTION INCLUDES
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - Communications system requirements for backbone optical
fiber cabling
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 1 - Communications system requirements for backbone twisted
pair copper cabling
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2 - Category 3 multi-pair cable
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 3 - Optical fiber cable
SCHEDULE 1 - PRODUCTS SUPPLIES BUT NOT INSTALLED UNDER THIS SECTION
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - See Section 1.9A.
SCHEDULE 2 - RELATED SECTIONS
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - Section 16052 Common Work Results for Communications
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 1 - Section 16710 Structured Cabling
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2 - Section 16714 Communications Equipment Room Fittings
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 3 - Section 16717 Communications Horizontal Cabling
SCHEDULE 3 - REFERENCES
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - ANSI/ICEA S-90-661, Category 3, 5 & 5e Individually
Unshielded Twisted Pair Indoor Cables (With or Without an Overall Shield) for use in
General Purpose and LAN Communications Wiring Systems
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 1 - ANSI/ICEA S-101-699, Category 3 Individually Unshielded
Twisted Pair Indoor Cable for use in General Purpose Non-LAN Telecommunications
Wiring Systems
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2 - ANSI/ICEA S-103-701-2005, Standard for Riser Cables
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 3 - ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B.1- Addendum 4-2003, Commercial Building
Telecommunications Cabling Standard, Part 1: Recognition of Category 6 and 850 nm
Laser-Optimized 50/125 m Multimode Optical Fiber Cabling

COMMUNICATIONS BACKBONE CABLING

16716

PRODUCT DATA SHEET 4 - ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B.2, Category 3 specifications

PRODUCT DATA SHEET 5 - ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B.3- Addendum 1: Additional transmission
performance specifications for 50/125 optical fiber cables
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 6 - ANSI/TIA/EIA 604-3-B-2004, FOCIS 3 Fiber Optic Connector
Intermateabillity Standard, Type SC and SC-APC
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 7 - TIA-455-220-A,
FOTP-220
Measurement of Multimode Fiber in the Time Domain

Differential

Mode

Delay

PRODUCT DATA SHEET 8 - TIA 492-AAAC, Detail Specification for 850 Nanometer LaserOptimized, 50 micron Core Diameter/ 125 Micron Cladding Diameter Class IA GradedIndex Multimode Optical Fibers
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 9 - TIA/EIA TSB140, Additional guidelines for field testing length,
loss and polarity of Optical Fiber Cabling Systems
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 10 - ANSI/TIA 598-C-2005, Optical Fiber Cable Color Coding
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 11 - ANSI Z136.2, ANS For Safe Use
Communication Systems Utilizing Laser Diode and LED Sources

of

Optical

Fiber

PRODUCT DATA SHEET 12 - ICEA S-83-596-2001, Fiber Optic Premises Distribution Cable
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 13 - TIA 526-14-A-2003, Optical Power Loss Measurements of
Installed Multimode Fiber Cable Plant
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 14 - TIA/EIA TSB140, Additional guidelines for field testing length,
loss and polarity of Optical Fiber Cabling Systems
SCHEDULE 4 - DEFINITIONS
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - CAD- Computer Assisted Design
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 1 - Decibel- unit of measurement that expresses the magnitude of
power relative to a specified reference level
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2 - ICEA- Insulated Cable Engineers Association
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 3 - IL- Insertion Loss is a decrease in transmitted power
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 4 - MHz- Megahertz
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 5 - Micron (m)- unit of measure of width which is one millionth of a
meter
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 6 - Multi-mode- optical fiber designed to carry multiple carrier
signals distinguished by frequency or phrase at the same time

COMMUNICATIONS BACKBONE CABLING

16716

PRODUCT DATA SHEET 7 - Nanometer (nm)- unit of measure for light wavelength which is
one billionth of a meter
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 8 - Ohm- measure of electrical resistance or impedance
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 9 - OLTS- Optical Loss Test Set
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 10 - OTDR- Optical Time Domain Reflectometer
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 11 - RL- Return Loss is the ratio, expressed in decibels, of the
power of the outgoing signal to the power of the signal reflected back
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 12 - Tier 1- testing of power loss through an optical fiber expressed
as decibels
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 13 - Tier 2- testing using a backscatter method to capture
characteristics of an optical fiber link
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 14 - TSB- Telecommunications Supplemental Bulletin
SCHEDULE 5 - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - Optical fiber cable and copper backbone components are
expected to provide more than 25 years of continuous operation.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 1 - Optical fiber cable and copper backbone cables are part of the
NextLAN solution from Leviton and SuperiorEssex.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2 - Optical Fiber
2.1
Optical fiber cable provides for the transport of high bandwidth and high speed
networking communications between equipment closets or connection points using
short wavelengths of light.
2.2
Optical fiber cable is protected within a plastic plenum rated innerduct or interlocking
armor for protection and security.
2.3
Optical fiber cable is terminated using fast cure epoxy Subscriber Channel (SC) duplex
connectors as the system interface to network equipment.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 3 - Copper Backbone
3.1
Cabling system is a 100 ohm Category 3 system.
3.2
Cabling system is capable of supporting analog or digital voice applications.
3.3
Cabling system is an open panel system utilizing a 110 style wiring base (block) with
IDC 5 pair clips mounted onto the base.
3.4
Cable system blocks allow for the cross connect of 26-22 AWG solid copper wires
using a 110 impact tool.
SCHEDULE 6 - SUBMITTALS
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - With bid
0.1
Product Data: Provide component descriptions and describe electrical, mechanical and
optical characteristics of components.
COMMUNICATIONS BACKBONE CABLING

16716

PRODUCT DATA SHEET 1 - Prior to installation

1.1
Show pathway, footages and labeling sequence of all cables on As-Built drawing in
CAD prior to starting the Work for approval by Owner.
1.2
Provide a hard copy and soft copy of proposed test results to be submitted in the
testers native format.
1.3
Provide the most current UL or ETL test results showing Category 3 compliance for the
proposed cabling system.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2 - Prior to final acceptance
2.1
Provide a 3 by 3 hard copy and soft CAD copy As-Built of the floor plan showing
pathway, footages and labeling sequence of all optical fiber cables, copper cables,
copper pairs and fiber strands upon Substantial Completion.
2.2
Provide 1 copy of printed and 1 soft copy of all Tier 1 test results in its native format
using an OLTS.
2.3
Provide an affidavit by an Executor of the Communications Contractor that all
backbone copper pairs have been verified for continuity using a hand held tester.
2.4
Provide a warranty statement from the connectivity Manufacturer for applications
assurance and that the Owner is entitled to all rights guaranteed by the warranty.
SCHEDULE 7 - WARRANTY
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - Communications Contractor shall provide a 1 year parts and
labor warranty against defective workmanship and/or system component failure.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 1 - Communications Contractor shall execute a Lifetime
Applications Assurance Warranty for 10GBase-SX up to 300 meters for parts and labor
from the connectivity Manufacturer.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2 - Communications Contractor shall execute a Lifetime
Applications Assurance Warranty for analog / digital voice applications up to 800
meters for parts and labor from the connectivity Manufacturer.
SCHEDULE 8 - MAINTENANCE
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - Extra Materials- Provide to Owner at completion of project
0.1
Two 100 pair 110 blocks with legs
0.2
Forty C5 clips
0.3
Two 110 cross connect wire managers with legs
PART 2 - PRODUCTS
SCHEDULE 0 - MANUFACTURERS
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - SuperiorEssex Laser Optimized optical fiber cable.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 1 - SuperiorEssex multi-pair Category 3 cable.

COMMUNICATIONS BACKBONE CABLING

16716

SCHEDULE 1 - PERFORMANCE
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - Attributes- Optical fiber
1.
Optical cable is a multi-mode Laser Optimized 50 micron optical fiber system.
2.
Optical cable is capable of supporting baseband signaling for high bandwidth
voice, data or video applications using 850 nm or 1300 nm LEDs or VCSELs.
3.
Optical fiber cable is used as part of a cabling system in a panel to panel system
utilizing duplex Subscriber Channel (SC) epoxy connectors coupled through a
ceramic sleeve plastic housing as the interface.
4.
Optical fiber cable shall provide for the continuous operation of transporting short
wavelength light without introducing bit errors onto the transport system.
5.
Optical fiber cable shall be a tight buffered distribution fiber with pull strength
members with an Aqua color.
6.
Optical fiber cable shall have a nominal outer diameter of .52 for with a
completely round dimension for distribution cable.
7.
Optical fiber cable shall have a nominal outer diameter of .58 for with a
completely round dimension for interlocking armored cable.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 1 - Attributes- Copper backbone
1.1
Category 3 cables shall have an Impedance value of 100 ohms and be available in
groups of 100, 200 and 300 pairs.
1.2
All multi-pair Category 3 cables shall utilize band marked insulated conductors.
1.3
All multi-pair Category 3 cables shall be grouped in 25 pairs using color coded subunits.
1.4
Copper cable shall have a nominal outer diameter of .82 for 100 pair, 1.15 for 200
pair and 1.39 for 300 pair with a completely round dimension.
1.5
Copper cable shall have a rip cord applied longitudinally along jacket.
1.6
Copper cable shall have sequential marking of footage.
1.7
Multi-pair cables are terminated onto a 110 open panel system with C5 clips to allow for
the cross connect of 22-26 AWG wire to voice equipment.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2 - Requirements- Optical fiber
2.1
Optical fiber cable shall be SuperiorEssex part # 44024BK01 Teragain Laser Optimized
50 micron distribution fiber or part # L44024Bk1Q Teragain LO50 for interlocking
armored fiber.
2.2
Optical fiber cable shall be an OM3 rated cable capable of supporting 10 Gigabit
Ethernet for 300 meters using 850 nm wavelength.
2.3
Optical fiber cable shall have 24 strands using industry standard color coding.
2.4
Optical fiber cable shall have 900 um jacketing of the individual strands.
2.5
Optical fiber cable shall have a flame retardant and low smoke FEP jacket.
2.6
Optical fiber cable shall be guaranteed to support the application of 10 Gigabit Ethernet
up to 300 meters at a wavelength of 850 nm.
2.7
Optical fiber cable shall support 10GBase-SX applications for the life of the system.
2.8
Optical fiber cable shall be protected inside plenum rated plastic duct or interlocking
armor.
2.9
Optical fiber SC connectors shall have pre-radiused zirconia ferrules.
2.10
Optical fiber SC connectors shall be rated for indoor and outdoor use.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 3 - Requirements- Copper backbone
3.1
Copper cable shall be SuperiorEssex 100 pair part #18-799-36, 200 pair part #18-A9936 or 300 pair part #18-B99-36.
COMMUNICATIONS BACKBONE CABLING

16716

3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6

Copper cable conductors shall be constructed of 24 AWG solid annealed bare high
quality copper inside insulation comprising of Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP).
Multi-pair cables shall contain 100, 200, 400 or 600 conductors and twisted into
multiple 25 pair configurations and unitized using standard color coded configuration.
Copper cabling system shall be guaranteed to support digital and analog voice
applications from .01 MHz up to 16 MHz.
Backbone copper cabling system shall be capable of supporting digital or analog voice
applications for a total distance of 800 meters with equipment cords for the life of the
system.
Cable system shall be guaranteed to not introduce crosstalk for voice applications
during the Life of the system.

PRODUCT DATA SHEET 4 - Criteria- Optical fiber System

4.1
Optical fiber cable shall be capable of exhibiting the following minimum optical
characteristics:
A.
Maximum attenuation of 3.5 dB per kilometer at 850 nm.
B.
Maximum attenuation of 1.25 dB per kilometer at 1300 nm.
C.
Optical cable shall have an effective laser launched modal bandwidth of 2,
000 MHz at 850 nm and 500 MHz at 1300 nm.
D.
Optical fiber cable shall have an Overfilled Launch Bandwidth of 1, 500
MHz/Km.
4.2
Optical fiber multimode SC epoxy connectors used in an optical cabling system shall
be capable of exhibiting the following minimum mechanical characteristics when tested
using the TIA-604 (FOCIS) and TIA-455 (FOTP) set of standards:
A.
Insertion Loss of less than .2 dB
B.
Back reflection better than -25 dB
C.
Connector repeatability of less than .01 dB
D.
Operating temperature of -40 degrees centigrade up to 85 degrees
centigrade
E.
Temperature cycling (loss variation) for Insertion Loss less than .1 dB
F.
Temperature cycling (loss variation) for Return Loss less than 5 dB
G.
Vibration (loss variation) for Insertion Loss of less than .1 dB
H.
Vibration (loss variation) for Return Loss of less than 5 dB
I.
Cable retention greater than 15 foot pounds.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 5 - Criteria- Copper cable system
5.1
Copper backbone cable shall be capable of exhibiting the below minimum electrical
characteristics when tested as a first level, second level or 2 level Channel, using a
Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) with a Level III or Level IV rating, at the frequency
of 16 Megahertz (MHz):
A.
Insertion Loss (IL) / 13.1 dB
B.
Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) / 23 dB
C.
Return Loss (RL) / 10 dB
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 6 - Tests
6.1
Testing shall be performed using a Tier 1 tester such as an OLTS at the wavelength of
850 nm and 1300 nm.
6.2
Test results shall be bi-directional showing a power loss not greater than 2.0 dB as part
of a cabling system.
6.3
One hard copy of all test results shall also be provided to the Owner upon substantial
completion.
COMMUNICATIONS BACKBONE CABLING

16716

6.4
6.5
6.6

All testers used shall be calibrated by the Factory within 1 year to ensure accuracy.
Tier 2 testing using an OTDR is required if the Contractor splices any optical fiber
strands.
Test results for all Category 3 backbone copper multi-pair cables shall be provided as
an excel spreadsheet, hard copy and soft copy, for each pair stating a Pass or Fail
for continuity by the Communications Contractor.

PART 3 - EXECUTION
SCHEDULE 0 - EXAMINATION
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - Verify that pathways and spaces will allow fiber backbone
cables and copper backbone cables to be installed according to manufacturers
recommendations.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 1 - Verify that minimum bend radius of 10X the cables outside
diameter can be achieved in pathways and spaces.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2 - Verify that cables can be properly supported by cable tray or
hooks in ceiling.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 3 - Compare to Contract Drawings and provide written notification
if site conditions deviate from drawings.
SCHEDULE 1 - INSTALLATION
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 0 - Install all components in a neat and workmanlike manner.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 1 - Cabling shall utilize a star topology with no more than 2 levels
of backbone.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2 - Optical fiber cable length shall not exceed 300 meters.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 3 - Copper backbone cable length shall not exceed 500 meters for
the 1st level and 300 meters for the 2 nd level for a total not to exceed distance of 800
meters.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 4 - Install all copper and fiber backbone cables in accordance with
manufacturers recommendations.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 5 - All optical fiber cables shall be installed in appropriately rated
plastic tubing (innerduct) or interlocking armor for protection.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 6 - All backbone communications cables hall be installed in
pathways and spaces designated for communications cables
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 7 - Ensure pulling tension of copper cables do not exceed a pull
load of 25 foot pounds.
COMMUNICATIONS BACKBONE CABLING

16716

PRODUCT DATA SHEET 8 - Ensure pulling tension of optical fiber cables do not exceed a
pull load of 50 foot pounds.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 9 - No splices are permitted in any copper cable.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 10 - Splices used for optical fiber cables shall not exceed .3 dB.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 11 - Optical fiber cables and multipair copper cables shall support
a bend radius of 10 times the cable outside diameter when not subject to tensile load,
and 15 times the cable outside diameter when subject to tensile loading up to the
cables rated limit.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 12 - Contractor shall provide in a quick and timely fashion any
additional materials or labor that may be damaged during the work at no charge to the
owner.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 13 - Pull one additional Mule Tape or Nylon rope when pulling
cables through any conduit.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 14 - Properly support backbone cables in ceiling every 4-5 using
J-Hooks or cable tray.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 15 - Provide 20 of service loop at both equipment closet ends.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 16 - Terminate cables so as not to pull tight on terminating
equipment.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 17 - Ensure that all splice closures for optical fibers are properly
sealed for protection of the cable and splices.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 18 - Neatly and permanently label all backbone cables with the
cable number at both ends and at all splice locations.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 19 - Terminate all pairs, conductors and strands at all ends
according to manufacturers instructions following color code sequence.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 20 - Utilize Velcro in all closets.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 21 - Label all fiber pairs using the 568SC method.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 22 - Firestop all sleeves and conduit opening after the cable
installation is complete.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 23 - All optical fiber cable shall be installed in the fiber panels in
accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 24 - Field test instruments for multimode fiber cabling shall meet
the requirements of TIA-526-14-A.
24.1
Test with an Optical Loss Test Set (OLTS) with a calibration sticker that is within 1 year
of calibration date.

COMMUNICATIONS BACKBONE CABLING

16716

24.2
24.3

24.4
24.5
24.6
24.7

The light source shall meet the launch requirements of ANSI/TIA-455-78-B, TIA-568B.3
and TIA TSB140. This launch condition can be achieved either within the field test
equipment or by use of an external mandrel wrap with a Category 1 light source.
When using a mandrel wrap, the reference jumper should be wrapped in five
non-overlapping turns around a smooth round mandrel (rod) during the reference
calibration of the source to the detector and for all loss measurements in accordance
with TIA-568B.3 and TIA TSB140
Link attenuation testing shall use the One Reference Jumper Method specified by
TIA-526-14-A, Method B, TIA-526-7, Method A.1, TIA-568B.3 and TIA TSB140.
Link attenuation does not include any active devices or passive devices other than
cable, connectors, and splices.
The backbone optical fiber cabling link segment shall be tested in both directions at
both operating wavelengths of 850 nanometers and 1300 nanometers to account for
attenuation deltas associated with wavelength.
Because backbone length and the potential number of splices vary depending upon
site conditions, the link attenuation equation (1) should be used to determine
acceptance values based upon this Standard's component requirement at each of the
applicable wavelengths.
A.
Link Attenuation = Cable Attenuation + Connector Insertion loss + Splice
Insertion loss

PRODUCT DATA SHEET 25 - Total loss budget for any fiber Channel shall not exceed 2.0
dB.
END OF SECTION 16716

COMMUNICATIONS BACKBONE CABLING

16716