For data center and enterprise deployments, pre-terminated copper trunk cable is a wonderful choice to achieve simple and quick installation. It can fit most patch panel port densities and improve better airflow and cable management. With the right upfront panning and coordination, these copper trunk cables can offer major benefits over terminating twisted-pair cables in the field. This article will take you to explore the pre-terminated copper trunk cable.

What Is Pre-terminated Copper Trunk Cable?

Pre-terminated copper trunk cable is a kind of cable which has gone through the same procedures with other cables. But their connectors have already been terminated, properly polished, and the entire cable assembly tested on either both or one end in factory. Copper trunk cables are typically comprised of bundles of 6, 8, or 12. Since they are bundled together, there is no need to worry about cable mess. Pre-terminated copper trunk cables provide a quick “plug-and-play” solution for links between switches, servers, patch panels and zone distribution areas in the data center.

Advantages of Pre-terminated Copper Trunk Cable

• Increase speed of deployment

Compared to field terminations, pre-terminated cabling can reduce installation time by up to 75 percent.

• Improve cable management

Pre-terminated solutions are ideal for data centers, which are designed with consistent distances between cabinets and rows.

• Remove the need for transmission performance testing

For pre-terminated copper trunk cable, the transmission testing is performed by manufacturer before shipment.

• Avoid time-wasting rework

Pre-terminated copper trunk cables are terminated in factory, and many of them are provided in a cassette format. This format allows installers to “plug and play” multiple connections with one cassette, which reduce installation time obviously.

Termination Types of Trunk Cable

When selecting copper trunk cables, to choose a right termination type is a very important step, which is based on the layout of the data center or telecommunications room. it's worth noting that the accessibility of the active equipment (including servers, switches, etc.) and the proper patching solution should be considered during the process of selection. Generally, there are four common termination types: jack-to-jack, jack-to-plug, plug-to-plug and jack-to-open. Different types have different requirements for installation. The following will introduce these four termination types respectively:

Jack to Jack: This termination type is typically used in cabinet-to-cabinet permanent link trunk. In general, it is installed into empty patch panels on both ends in common interconnect and cross connect architectures. The use of patch cords is used to complete the connectivity between the active equipment and the physical layer.

Jack to Plug: Typically used for in-cabinet or cabinet-to-cabinet equipment cord harnesses, the jack-to-plug type is installed into the patch panels on one end and switch ports on the other end for switch port replication applications, eliminating one cross-connect point by having the cable plug directly into the active equipment.

Plug to plug: Typically used to make a direct connection between active equipment, e.g. server to switch, eliminating cross-connect capabilities. It can also be used in an open-space work area as a bundled patch cord group.

Jack to Open: This type is similar to jack-to-jack configuration, but one end should be cut to length and field-terminated to a target termination place, such as 110-style panel, patch panel or wall plate. Field testing of the drops is necessary after the cables have been terminated in this case.

Deployment Considerations 1. Copper Cable Type

Copper trunk cables using Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat7 cables are all available in the market.

2. Cable Count

The most commonly used copper cables usually have 6 or 12 cables in one bound. Higher or lower cable counts are also available.

3. Breakout Length

Breakout length refers to the dimension from the end of the braided sleeve to connectors at the end of the cables. This dimension is part of the overall length, not in addition to the length measurement. The primary consideration for breakout length is to have flexibility to route the cables as needed.

4.  Proper Length

For pre-terminated copper trunk cable assemblies, length is a very important parameter to be ordered which help users to achieve the best performance.

5. PVC VS. LSZH

You must consider the fire ratings of materials to minimize danger in the event of a fire. Most data centers are a riser environment, where airflow is not a consideration. The jacket of cables is an important point when selecting pre-teminated copper trunk cables. The purpose of the jacket is to protect the wiring from physical damage, moisture, ozone and ultraviolet rays. PVC is made of polyvinyl chloride that gives off heavy black smoke, hydrochloric acid and other toxic gases when it burns. While LSZH has a flame-resistant jacket that doesn’t emit toxic fumes even if it burns. Both cables are excellent in performance, so it depends on the situation whether you choose LSZH or PVC.

FS Pre-terminated Copper Trunk Cable Solution

FS.COM provides a lot of Cat5e/Cat6/Cat7 pre-terminated trunk cable with plug-to-plug or jack-to-jack termination type. And FS.COM copper trunks include a braided mesh sleeve whose properties match that of the cable jacket. This ensures that the binding material does not degrade the suitability of the product in a plenum environment. The following table lists the main solutions.

Summary

Pre-terminated copper trunk cable assemblies are an ideal solution for data center infrastructures and backbone applications where cable distances are reasonably predictable and can be easily determined. They play an important role in reducing installation time and cost, helping you deploy a reliable, easy-to-use copper trunking system.