2. 2 3M Telecommunications Solutions for Networks
Your ideal partner for Category 6A
There is now a clear pathway to migration
towards high-speed 10Gb/s copper cabling in
horizontal ‘to the desktop’ networks and in data
centres, thanks to the introduction of the Class
EA and Category 6A cabling standards. So it is
no surprise that many organisations are looking
at taking their existing local area network cabling
systems to a new level that will last for years
to come.
This is why it is vital to make the right choice of product and
to work with a partner that has the experience and expertise
to support you every step of the way. Whether a system owner,
an installer, consultant or systems integrator, 3M is your ideal
solutions provider for Category 6A, with end-to-end systems that
are fast and easy to install and will perform in even the most
demanding of ‘mission-critical’ situations. Marketed under the
Volition brand name, all 3M cabling solutions are backed by a
flexible range of consultancy and project support services.
A proven track record you can trust
3M has a track record that is hard to rival, spanning over
40 years of network design and product innovation. From the
Lloyds building in the City of London to the Bird’s Nest in Beijing,
3M has installed high-calibre cabling solutions across the world,
for many of the biggest global organisations and in some of
the most demanding situations imaginable. Employing some of
the best experts in the industry, 3M has for many years worked
closely with the industry associations tasked with creating
international cabling standards.
Global knowledge, local expertise
The company is renowned for its commitment to research and
development, so customers and partners can always be sure that
3M is at the leading edge of innovation, as well as the assurance
that 3M has a strong focus on environmental issues and adhering
to relevant legislation. Established as one of Europe’s leading
providers of cabling systems, 3M also understands market needs
on a local level, with offices in over 80 countries worldwide.
Total lifetime service & support
Excellent technology is critical, but customer and channel
partner service is equally important, from pre-installation
onwards. That’s why 3M provides a broad range of support
options for every stage of a system’s life, including network
design and project support, on-site assistance, certified installer
training and advice on systems upgrades. Every system is backed
by a 25-year warranty and 3M has built a robust supply chain,
with locally held stock, trusted distributors and rapid-response
customer service teams.
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3. 3M Telecommunications Solutions for Networks 3
A total solution
3M provides a single port of call for the entire cabling system,
with a comprehensive range of RJ45 jacks, twisted pair copper
cables and RJ45 patch cables. Innovative features integrated into
the range support rapid installation at a consistent high quality,
while at the same time ensuring long-term superior performance
of the cabling system.
All 3M Volition products have been tested and verified wherever
feasible, with particular consideration for environment, health
and safety issues.
Highlights:
• High-performance at 10Gb/s
• Excellent immunity against alien crosstalk
• Single one-stop system solution
• Ease of installation
• Consistently high installation yield
• Re-usable jacks
• Space-saving small system size
• 25-year warranty
• Standards compliance
• Ongoing support services available
Working in partnership to your benefit by
collaborating with leading organisations.
Range overview
Working in partnership to your benefit
Collaborating with some of the leading industry organisations in
the communications marketplace means that we can offer our
customers and partners an even greater breadth of expertise
and resources. 3M is an HP Alliance One Partner and a member
of the CISCO Developer Network programme, the combination
of 3M’s solutions expertise and the portfolio of business
technologies of HP and Cisco together facilitate the delivery
of better results through a common customer approach. The
company is also a long-established participant in and supporter
of industry associations and user groups such as BICSI,
FIA and the IET.
Introducing Volition™
Category 6A Cabling System
The latest addition to the Volition range is a system specifically
designed to optimise 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections on twisted
pairs (10GBASE-T) in compliance with cabling standards ISO/IEC
11801 and TIA/EIA 568C for Class EA and Category 6A,
for channel and permanent link configurations.
High-performance: low crosstalk
Optimal performance is integral to the design of Volition. One of
the big concerns about Category 6A is that its inherent nature
means a very real risk of increased interference caused by alien
cross talk (AXT). This is particularly the case in cable routes,
RJ45 jacks and patching racks. The shielded 3M Category 6A
solution addresses this challenge with excellent reduction of the
effects of AXT over the entire channel. This means that customers
can be assured of optimal performance in the network.
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4. 4 3M Telecommunications Solutions for Networks
Rapid installation and superior connections
K6A jacks means that they can be connected to Category
6A and Category 7 cables without needing any special tools.
A simple one-click enclosure allows more multiple connections
to be completed in less time while ensuring a consistently high
installation yield, helped by the integral cable guide. A built-in
dust shutter helps prevent any contamination.
Furthermore, the jacks are designed to be re-usable, so when
amendments are needed – such as changes in configuration or
system upgrades – these can be carried out with minimal impact.
The insulation displacement connections (IDCs) are compatible
with both solid and stranded cables.
360° Connection helps prevent alien crosstalk
Another differentiating feature of these jacks is the 360°
connection to the cable shield, made possible by the unique
metallic braided cover, giving excellent immunity against
alien cross talk through optimised noise compensation and
cancellation between pairs in neighbouring cables. The way
this distinctive feature works is ingenious but simple, acting
like a Faraday cage around the RJ45 K6A jack.
Last but certainly not least, the jack’s small size means that they
support installation in the frequently confined spaces in which
cabling systems have to be contained.
3M™
Volition™
Range RJ45 K6A Jacks
and peace of mind
With 3M networks“
you get
warranty
”
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5. 3M Telecommunications Solutions for Networks 5
Maximum AXT immunity
When system integrity is vital, it does not pay to cut corners on
patch cables. After all, patch cords are the last link to the user, so
having invested in a high-performance cabling system, it makes
sense to use the best patch cables available.
Volition patch cables from 3M have been designed to give
excellent immunity against alien crosstalk (AXT) up to 500MHz.
They also reduce the effect of AXT in patching racks where there
are many adjacent links close together.
All cables are supplied with a general braid and screen per pair
with Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSOH) sheaths.
Patch panels
Easy installation, flexible design
The designers behind the Volition Category 6A Cabling System
have applied their ingenuity to every detail. The patch panels
in the range are a good example: their modular design means
that they are easy to install on standard 19" racks, with up to
24 RJ45 ports in any one unit of rack space.
All Volition patch panels in the range have an earth stud, which
permits continuity of earth with the RJ45 K6A jacks.
Easy to assemble
Like all components within 3M cabling systems, the face
plates have been designed to support fast, easy and error-free
installation. The design supports simple assembly and a wide
range of options are available, including modular and one-
piece keystones for tool-less K5e, K6 and K6a tool-less jacks.
LJ6C, European specification (50 x 50mm), adapters and voice
adapters are all supported.
Patch cables Faceplates
Test Cat 6Afor yourself at
0870 609 4639
www.3M.co.uk/Cat6a
or call
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6. 6 3M Telecommunications Solutions for Networks
Category 6A and Category 7
Not all cables are created equal and their quality can have
considerable impact on a system’s performance. This is why 3M
has put so much emphasis into designing its very own range of
superior quality cables, developed to support easy installation,
reduced crosstalk and minimal environmental impact.
Easy installation
No special installation techniques are required to connect the
cables to Volition K6A RJ45 jacks. Pulling in the cables is easy,
because their outer dimensions are very close in profile to the
current Volition Category 6 cables. Available in 500m and 1000m
reels, the cables are designed to lay flat.
Optimised design
All Volition Category 6A and Category 7 cables have a general
shield and/or a screen per pair. Yet the way they are designed
ensures improved immunity to AXT, but without materially
increasing the footprint of the cable system. These round cables
are able to stack more easily to use minimal space.
Comparative studies show that competitive Category 6A
U/UTP cables have outer diameters larger than those of current
Category 6 cables or are non-round in shape: clearly less than
ideal in confined installation environments. As an example, one
technique for U/UTP involves moving the pairs further apart,
strengthening the outer sheaths, placing an insulator or separator
between the pairs and increasing the twist. Not surprisingly,
this results in a larger outer diameter. Other vendors have
experimented with oval designs, but these are harder to install
and the cable bundles become larger, so defeating the object.
Environmentally aware
The Volition Category 6A FUTP cable provides the best
‘Eco Profile’ of the whole range of Volition shielded cables
for Category 6A and Category 7. The ‘Eco Profile’ is about
measuring all the parameters influencing the environmental
impact of the cable design, manufacturing, shipping and use.
The Volition Category 6A FUTP cable has a significantly lower
impact on the environment than FFTP or SFTP cables in terms
of: energy consumption, greenhouse effect, impoverished natural
resources, hazardous waste, water toxicity, air acidification,
air toxicity, creation of photo-chemical ozone, destruction
of ozone layer.
The comparative ‘Eco Profile’ analysis between Volition Category
6A FUTP cable and competitive UUTP cables has shown that,
despite the presence of the aluminium shielding foil, the Volition
Category 6A FUTP cable has a total comparable impact on the
environment. All Volition cables in this range have Low Smoke
Zero Halogen (LSOH) sheath.
3M™
Enterprise Networks Solutions extended
25-year warranty
As such a crucial part of a company’s communications system,
customers need to be confident that the network will work to
specification from commissioning to the end of its lifetime.
3M Telecommunications offers an extended 25-year warranty*
for the entire range of passive permanent link components in the
Volition and Fibre Interconnect ranges that they will continue to
perform to ISO/IEC 11801, EN50173 and TIA/EIA 568 standards
in force at the time of installation. The warranty is extended
through 3M partner installers and systems integrators who
support the warranty in the field, backed by 3M technical support.
*Terms and conditions apply.
Introducing our high-specification cables
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7. 3M Telecommunications Solutions for Networks 7
Product list, part numbers
Jack
3M Reference Description Dimension Units per Box
VOL-OCK6A-SE8 3M Volition RJ45 K6A Jack, STP, with straight cable entry (bag of 8)
17 x 25 x 35(d) +
Flexible Braid
8
VOL-OCK6A-SEB 3M Volition RJ45 K6A Jack, STP, with straight cable entry (bulk)
18 x 25 x 35(d) +
Flexible Braid
8
Horizontal Cable – Sold in 500m and 1000m drums
3M Reference Description Dimension Units per Box
VOL-6AFL4-500 Cat 6A 100 ohms F/UTP LSZH 4 pair cable 500m Box
VOL-6AFL4-1000 Cat 6A 100 ohms F/UTP LSZH 4 pair cable 1000m Drum
VOL-6AUFL4-1000 Cat 6A 100 ohms U/FTP LSZH 4 pair cable 1000m Drum
VOL-6AFFL4-1000 Cat 6A 100 ohms F/FTP LSZH 4 pair cable 1000m Drum
VOL-10SFL4-500 Cat 7 10G 100 ohm S/FTP LSZH 4 pair cable 500m Box
VOL-10SFL4-1000 Cat 7 10G 100 ohm S/FTP LSZH 4 pair cable 1000m Drum
Patch Cords
3M Reference Description Dimension Units per Box
VOL-6ASFL-L1 3M Volition RJ45 Cat.6A SFTP LSOH Patch Cord 1 m Turquoise 1m 1
VOL-6ASFL-L2 3M Volition RJ45 Cat.6A SFTP LSOH Patch Cord 2 m Turquoise 2m 1
VOL-6ASFL-L3 3M Volition RJ45 Cat.6A SFTP LSOH Patch Cord 3 m Turquoise 3m 1
VOL-6ASFL-L5 3M Volition RJ45 Cat.6A SFTP LSOH Patch Cord 5 m Turquoise 5m 1
Patch Panels
3M Reference Description Dimension Units per Box
VOL-PPCB-F24K Panel for 24 ports, keystone, 1U, black aluminium 1U x 19" x 100 1
VOL-PPCB-F48K Panel for 48 ports, keystone, 2U, black aluminium 2U x 19" x 118 1
VOL-PPCBHD-F32K Panel for 32 ports, keystone, 1U, black aluminium 1U x 19" x 100 1
Face Plates
3M Reference Description Dimension Units per Box
VOL-EF-F-1K Euro Flat Adapter 25 x 50 25
VOL-EF-A-1K Euro Angled Adapter 25 x 50 25
VOL-EFUK-1K Euro Faceplate Single Gang Single Port 86 x 86 25
VOL-EFUK-2K Euro Faceplate Single Gang Dual Port 86 x 86 25
VOL-EFUK-4K Euro Faceplate Double Gang Quad Port 86 x 172 12
VOL-EF-BEV-2K Euro Bevelled Faceplate Single Gang Dual Port 86 x 86 25
VOL-EF-BEV-4K Euro Bevelled Faceplate Double Gang Quad Port 86 x 172 12
VOL-EF-BLANK-12.5*50 Euro Blanking Plate 12.5 x 50 200
VOL-EF-BLANK-25*50 Euro Blanking Plate 25 x 50 120
VOL-LJ6C-F-1K LJ6C Flat Adapter 25 x 38.7 25
VOL-LJ6C-A-1K LJ6C Angled Adapter 25 x 38.7 25
VOL-FPUK-LJ6C-F1K LJ6 Flat Faceplate Single Port 86 x 86 25
VOL-FPUK-LJ6C-F2K LJ6 Flat Faceplate Dual Port 86 x 86 25
VOL-FPUK-LJ6C-F4K LJ6 Flat Faceplate Quad Port 86 x 172 12
VOL-LJ6C-F1K BLANK LJ6C Adaptor Blank 25 x 38.7 100
VOL-CHUK-1K Keystone RJ45 Faceplate White Single Port 86 x 86 200
VOL-CHUK-2K Keystone RJ45 Faceplate White Dual Port 86 x 86 200
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