A new standard

A new standard (Optional)
4.2.9 This page discusses the new test standards for Category 6 cable.


On June 20, 2002, the Category 6 addition to the TIA-568 standard was published. The official title of the standard is ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-1. This new standard specifies the original set of performance parameters that need to be tested for Ethernet cabling as well as the passing scores for each of these tests. Cables certified as Category 6 cable must pass all ten tests.

Although the Category 6 tests are essentially the same as those specified by the Category 5 standard, Category 6 cable must pass the tests with higher scores to be certified. Category 6 cable must be capable of carrying frequencies up to 250 MHz and must have lower levels of crosstalk and return loss.

A quality cable tester similar to the Fluke DSP-4000 series or Fluke OMNIScanner2 can perform all the test measurements required for Category 5, Category 5e, and Category 6 cable certifications of both permanent links and channel links. Figure shows the Fluke DSP-4100 Cable Analyzer with a DSP-LIA013 Channel/Traffic Adapter for Category 5e.

The Lab Activities will teach students how to use a cable tester.

This page concludes this lesson. The next page will summarize the main points from the module.