| Full title | Information technology. Implementation and operation of customer premises cabling. Part 4: Measurement of end-to-end (E2E) links, modular plug terminated links (MPTLs) and direct attach cabling |
| Publisher | ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 25 |
| Current edition | Edition 2.0 (2021-03) with Corrigendum 1 (2022) |
| Status | Current. Replaced the first edition (2018), which is withdrawn |
| European standard | EN 50697:2022, Measurement of end-to-end links, modular plug terminated links and direct attach cabling, based upon ISO/IEC 14763-4:2021. It replaced EN 50697:2019. |
| Related standards | ISO/IEC 11801-3, ISO/IEC TR 11801-9910, ISO/IEC TR 11801-9907, IEC 61935-1, IEC 61935-2 |
What it covers
ISO/IEC 14763-4 specifies how to measure balanced copper cabling that ends in a plug or connector at each end, where the end connectors are part of the result. It is not a fibre standard.
The introduction gives the reason. Testing a balanced cabling channel to ISO/IEC 11801-1 does not verify the free connector at each end of the channel. This standard measures three cabling structures in a way that includes the performance of their terminating connectors.
| Cabling structure | Defined in | Classes in scope |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end (E2E) link | ISO/IEC 11801-3 | D, E and EA |
| Modular plug terminated link (MPTL) | ISO/IEC TR 11801-9910 | D, E, EA, F, FA, I and II |
| Direct attach cabling | ISO/IEC TR 11801-9907 | D, E, EA, F, FA, I and II |
It covers two-pair and four-pair cabling and the free connectors that terminate them, in both field and laboratory conditions.
What an E2E link is
The E2E link is a cabling configuration from ISO/IEC 11801-3, the industrial premises standard. It is measured from one end connection to the other, and the measurement includes the connectors that terminate the link. Figure 1 of the standard shows the reference planes, with the test interface at each end.
The standard says E2E link testing should be used for installed cabling terminated at both ends with connectors from a defined list. The list includes the IEC 60603-7 series, IEC 61076-2-101 and several IEC 61076-3 connectors.
Performance limits for E2E links are not in this standard. Table 1 points to ISO/IEC 11801-3, where the E2E requirements were added by Amendment 1 to the 2017 edition.
MPTL and direct attach cabling
- An MPTL is defined in ISO/IEC TR 11801-9910, and its performance limits come from that document. The standard shows reference planes for a 2-connection MPTL and a 3-connection MPTL.
- Direct attach cabling is defined in ISO/IEC TR 11801-9907, and its performance limits come from that document.
- MPTL and direct attach testing were added in the 2021 second edition. The 2018 first edition covered only E2E links of Class D (100 MHz) and Class E (250 MHz).
ANSI/TIA-568.2 also recognises the MPTL. See that page for the North American approach.
Test approach
| Clause | Content |
|---|---|
| 4 | Conformance: apply the cabling design standard, meet Clause 5 performance, test to Clause 8, use test heads that meet Clause 9 |
| 5 and 6 | Performance limits by reference (Table 1). Cabling must meet the limits for its designated category and all lower categories |
| 7 | Reference planes for E2E links, MPTLs and direct attach cabling |
| 8 | Laboratory testing and field testing, including requirements for field test equipment and field test parameters |
| 9 | Test head requirements: IEC 60603-7 series, IEC 61076-2-101 and IEC 61076-2-109 |
| Annex A | Informative. Example E2E test head performance for Category 5 and Category 6 (de-embedded NEXT) |
| Annex B | Normative. Test regime for reference performance and installation performance |
The test head matters because it mates with the plug or socket on the cabling under test, and that connection is part of the measured result. The second edition introduced additional requirements for E2E link test head designs.
Normative references include IEC 61935-1:2019 (testing of installed balanced cabling), IEC 61935-2 (testing of cords) and IEC 60512-27-100 (signal integrity tests on IEC 60603-7 series connectors).
Related standards
| Standard | Relationship |
|---|---|
| ISO/IEC 11801-3 | Defines the E2E link and holds its performance limits |
| ISO/IEC TR 11801-9910 | Defines MPTL cabling and its performance limits |
| ISO/IEC TR 11801-9907 | Defines direct attach cabling and its performance limits |
| IEC 61935-1 and IEC 61935-2 | Testing of installed balanced cabling and of cords. Normatively referenced |
| ISO/IEC 11801-1 | General requirements. Channel testing to this standard does not verify the free connector at each end of the channel |
| EN 50697:2022 | European adoption, based upon ISO/IEC 14763-4:2021. Replaced EN 50697:2019 |
What it means in practice
- Use it where installed cabling ends in a plug or connector that mates directly with equipment, and the end connections need to be verified.
- Check the test report names the configuration tested (E2E link, MPTL or direct attach) and the limit source, not a channel or permanent link limit.
- Check the tester uses the correct test head or adapter for the connector type at each end.
- Check the class tested matches the design. E2E link Classes in this standard are D, E and EA.
Related reading: How to read a cable test certificate.