ISO/IEC 11801:1995(E) 

Introduction 

The ISO/IEC 11801 Standard defines a generic cabling system which is
application independent and supports an open market for cabling
components. It is designed to provide users with a flexible cabling scheme
such that changes are both easy and economical to implement. The Standard
is also designed to provide architects with guidance on the design of cabling
systems for implementation in buildings where user requirements cannot be
foreseen, i.e. in the initial planning either for construction or refurbishment.
In addition, it provides the industry with a cabling system which will support
current active equipment and provides a basis for future developments of
such equipment, i.e. ATM 155Mbps / 622Mbps. 

It is anticipated that the generic cabling system defined by this Standard will
have a life expectancy in excess of ten years. 

ISO/IEC 11801 specifies cabling for use within commercial premises which
may comprise of single or multiple buildings on a campus. It covers balanced
copper cabling and optical fibre cabling. The principles of this standard may
be applied to installations that do not fall within this range. 

This International Standard specifies: 

a) the structure and minimum configuration for generic cabling;

b) implementation requirements;

c) performance requirements for individual cabling links;

d) conformance requirements and verification procedures.

Cables and cords used to connect application specific equipment to the
generic cabling system are outside of the scope of this standard. Since they
have significant effect on transmission characteristics of the channel,
assumptions and guidance are provided on their performance and length.
Safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements are outside the
scope of this standard and are covered by other standards and regulations.
However, information given in this standard may be of assistance in meeting
these standards and regulations. (See references to transfer impedance and
LCL - Longitudinal Conversion Loss) 

Conformance to ISO/IEC 11801 

For a cabling installation to conform to this standard, the configuration shall
conform to the following:- 

Structure of Generic Cabling System 
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) 

Where applicable, International standards on electromagnetic emission and
immunity (such as CISPR 22 or European Standards EN 50081-1, EN
50082-1, EN 55022, EN 55024) shall be taken into account when designing a
generic cabling system. 

PREMISES CABLING IS CONSIDERED A PASSIVE SYSTEM AND CANNOT BE
TESTED FOR EMC COMPLIANCE INDIVIDUALLY. 

Application specific equipment which is designed for one or more media is
required to meet relevant EMC standards on this media. Many of these
standards are currently being developed.