Electro/Telecom Industry Trends
NEMA Releases WC 66 Next-Level Cable Standard
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They say the world keeps moving and, if you don't move with it, it will pass you by. In the telecommunications industry today, this adage is more fitting than ever before. With the recent publication of the WC 66 standard, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has established transmission-performance requirements for Category 6 and 7 cable.
This new standard increases twisted-pair copper-cable transmission requirements from the current 100-megahertz bandwidth to 200 MHz for Category 6 and 600 MHz for Category 7. It also raises the technology bar and challenges third-party certifiers to find better ways to test cable performance. "This is an extremely important standard, not only for the wire and cable industry, but for the telecommunication industry, and by extension the public," says NEMA President Malcom O'Hagan.
Developed by the Premise Wiring Subcommittee of the NEMA High Performance Wire and Cable Section, NEMA WC 66 defines minimum electrical performance and allowable conductor sizes, stranding, and shielding for premise wiring cables. The cables may be used for voice, data, and video applications.
Today's computers transmit data at never-before-seen speeds and perform tasks that a few years ago were unimaginable. With technology moving at a 21st century pace, network designers, IT managers, cabling installers, and cable manufacturers all want the best equipment, with the highest-performing cables, and most respectable quality-assurance testing programs available to perform their jobs. The goal of the new NEMA WC 66 is to provide them with just that. Call 800-854-7179 (+303-397-7956) for pricing and additional information.