New cabling standard, TIA-568.2-D, recognizes 28-AWG patch cords

The Telecommunications Industry Association’s (TIA) TR-42.7 Copper Cabling Systems Subcommittee recently approved for publication a revision to the 568 cabling standard that will recognize 28-AWG patch cords. The ANSI/TIA-568.2-D Balanced Twisted-Pair Telecommunications Cabling and Components Standard was authorized for publication during the TR-42.7’s meeting the week of June 11-15, 2018. It will replace ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 and is expected to be published within the next month.
Panduit introduced 28-AWG patch cords, was instrumental in driving the adoption of 28-AWG solutions, and participated in the development of 568.2-D standard. The company released a statement announcing the standard approval and the relevance of including 28-AWG patch cords in the document.
”This represents the culmination of two years of work by a broad spectrum of companies and individuals,” said Frank Straka, Panduit product line manager and member of TR-42.7. “The industry has adopted 28 AWG and sees the value. It’s nice that we have a new standard that reflects that.”
Panduit added that the inclusion of 28-AWG cords in the standard means two things: “Patch cords can be made from 28-AWG cable,” and, “Maximum channel length must be de-rated from their maximum 100-meter length when using 28-AWG patch cords. For example, 10 meters of AWG patch cord can be used with 82.5 meters of horizontal cable for a 92.5-meter channel.”
Panduit points out that horizontal cable with 28-AWG conductors is not included in the updated standard. Cable gauges of 22-24 AWG will still be required for standard-compliant horizontal cable.
“Panduit launched the first 28-AWG patch cords to the market in 2011,” the company added. “Since that time, the market has quickly adopted the reduced-diameter patch cords, which have met all performance standards, but were considered non-compliant because of the wire gauge.”