EN 50173-3:2007

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2008
Informacijska tehnologija - Univerzalni sistemi polaganja kablov - 3. del:
Industrijska okolja
Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 3: Industrial premises
Informationstechnik - Anwendungsneutrale Kommunikationskabelanlagen - Teil 3:
Industriell genutzte Standorte
Technologies de l'information - Systemes de câblage générique - Partie 3: Bâtiments du
secteur industriel
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50173-3:2007
ICS:
33.040.50 Vodi, zveze in tokokrogi Lines, connections and
circuits
35.110 Omreževanje Networking
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 50173-3
NORME EUROPÉENNE
September 2007
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 35.110
English version
Information technology -
Generic cabling systems -
Part 3: Industrial premises
Technologies de l'information -  Informationstechnik -
Systèmes de câblage générique - Anwendungsneutrale
Partie 3: Bâtiments du secteur industriel Kommunikationskabelanlagen -
Teil 3: Industriell genutzte Standorte

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2007-09-01. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and
notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2007 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 50173-3:2007 E
Foreword
This European Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee CENELEC TC 215, Electrotechnical
aspects of telecommunication equipment.
The text of the draft was submitted to the formal vote and was approved by CENELEC as EN 50173-3 on
2007-09-01.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2008-09-01
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2010-09-01
The European Standards EN 50173:1995 and EN 50173-1:2002 have been developed to enable the
application-independent cabling to support ICT applications in office premises. Their basic principles, however,
are applicable to other types of applications and in other types of premises.
TC 215 has decided to establish relevant European Standards which address the specific requirements of
these premises. In order to point out the commonalities of these cabling design standards, these EN are
published as individual parts of the series EN 50173, thus also acknowledging that standards users recognize
the designation “EN 50173” as a synonym for generic cabling design.
At the time of publication of this European Standard, series EN 50173 comprises the following standards:
EN 50173-1 Information technology – Generic cabling systems – Part 1: General requirements
EN 50173-2 Information technology – Generic cabling systems – Part 2: Office premises
EN 50173-3 Information technology – Generic cabling systems – Part 3: Industrial premises
EN 50173-4 Information technology – Generic cabling systems – Part 4: Homes
EN 50173-5 Information technology – Generic cabling systems – Part 5: Data centres
This European Standard, EN 50173-3, contains specific requirements for generic cabling systems intended to
be operated in industrial premises, referencing the general requirements of EN 50173-1:2007. It is based upon
but is not identical to ISO/IEC 24702:2006, Information technology - Generic cabling - Industrial premises.

- 3 - EN 50173-3:2007
Contents
Introduction .5
1 Scope and conformance .9
1.1 Scope.9
1.2 Conformance.9
2 Normative references .10
3 Definitions and abbreviations.10
3.1 Definitions.10
3.2 Abbreviations.11
4 Structure of the generic cabling system in industrial premises.12
4.1 General .12
4.2 Functional elements.12
4.3 Cabling subsystems.12
4.4 Interconnection of subsystems.15
4.5 Accommodation of functional elements.16
4.6 Interfaces .17
4.7 Dimensioning and configuring .17
5 Channel performance in industrial premises.19
5.1 General .19
5.2 Environmental performance .20
5.3 Transmission performance.20
6 Reference implementations in industrial premises.22
6.1 General .22
6.2 Balanced cabling .22
6.3 Optical fibre cabling .24
7 Cable requirements in industrial premises.26
7.1 General .26
7.2 Balanced cables .26
7.3 Optical fibre cables .27
8 Connecting hardware requirements in industrial premises.27
8.1 General requirements .27
8.2 Connecting hardware for balanced cabling.27
8.3 Connecting hardware for optical fibre cabling.28
9 Requirements for cords and jumpers in industrial premises .29
9.1 General .29
9.2 Jumpers .29
9.3 Balanced cords.29
9.4 Optical fibre cords.29
Annex A (normative) Permanent link performance limits.30
Annex B (normative) Reference implementations that do not conform to Clause 4.32
Annex C (informative) Alternative cabling implementations .36
Bibliography .38

Figures
Figure 1 - Cabling specified by EN 50173-3 and its relationship to OSI reference model layers . 6
Figure 2 - Schematic relationship between the EN 50173 series and other relevant standards. 7
Figure 3 - Configuration of apparatus-based functional elements within industrial premises. 13
Figure 4 - Structure of generic cabling for industrial environment. 13
Figure 5 - Hierarchical structure of generic cabling for industrial premises. 15
Figure 6 - Inter-relationship of functional elements in an installation with
diversity for protection against failure. 15
Figure 7 - Accommodation of functional elements . 16
Figure 8 - Test and equipment interfaces . 17
Figure 9 - Transmission performance of a channel. 19
Figure 10 - Example of a system showing the location of cabling interfaces
and extent of associated channel . 20
Figure 11 - Intermediate cabling models. 23
Figure 12 - Combined optical fibre intermediate/floor channels. 25
Figure A.1 - Permanent link options . 30
Figure B.1 - Channel configurations with no connections . 32
Figure B.2 - Channel configurations with balanced cabling inter-connections . 33
Figure B.3 - Channel configurations with balanced cabling bulkhead connections . 34
Figure C.1 - Alternative channel configurations . 36
Tables
Table 1 - Contextual relationship between EN 50173 series and other standards relevant for information
technology cabling systems . 8
Table 2 - Intermediate cabling channel equations.23
Table 3 - Channel length equations for plastic and plastic clad silica optical fibre cabling.26
Table B.1 - Channel equations for balanced cabling.34
Table B.2 - Channel equations for bulkhead connections .35
Table C.1 - Alternative channel equations.37

- 5 - EN 50173-3:2007
Introduction
The importance of the information technology cabling infrastructure is similar to that of other utilities such as
heating, lighting and electricity supplies. As with other utilities, interruptions to service can have serious impact.
Poor quality of service due to lack of planning, use of inappropriate components, incorrect installation, poor
administration or inadequate support can threaten an organisation's effectiveness.
Historically, the cabling within premises comprised both application-specific and multipurpose networks.
Standards within the EN 50173 series have enabled a controlled migration to generic cabling (with an
associated reduction in the use of application-specific cabling) and supported the development of high data
rate applications based upon defined cabling models.
This European Standard, EN 50173-3, recognizes the benefit of generic cabling to interconnect several pieces
of apparatus within industrial premises (within and between structures and buildings) and is to be read in
conjunction with EN 50173-1.
This European Standard provides, for industrial premises:
a) users with an application independent generic cabling system and an open market for cabling components;
b) requirements for infrastructures that support critical automation, process control and monitoring applications
in a range of industrial environments;
c) users with a flexible cabling scheme such that modifications are both easy and economical;
d) building professionals (for example, architects), production and control engineers with guidance allowing the
accommodation of cabling both before specific requirements are known, i.e. in the initial planning either for
construction or refurbishment, and for further deployment as the requirements of specific industrial areas
are defined;
e) industry and standardisation bodies with a cabling system which supports current products and provides a
basis for future product development and applications standardisation.
This European Standard specifies multi-vendor cabling, and is related to:
- the associated standard covering general requirements for generic cabling within premises (EN 50173-1);
- standards for cabling components developed by Technical Committees of CENELEC and/or IEC;
- standards for the quality assurance and installation of information technology cabling (series EN 50174)
and testing of installed cabling (EN 50346);
- applications developed by the technical bodies of IEC (including the subcommittees of ISO/IEC JTC 1),
study groups of ITU-T and CENELEC TC 65CX “Fieldbus”.
Within this European Standard the cabling, defined between the interfaces shown in Figure 1, contains
passive components only.
The applications listed in EN 50173-1:2007, Annex F, have been analysed to determine the requirements for a
generic cabling system. These requirements, together with statistics concerning premises geography from
different countries and the models described in Clause 6, have been used to develop the requirements for
cabling components and to stipulate their arrangement into cabling systems. As a result, generic cabling
defined within this European Standard is targeted at, but not limited to, industrial premises.
It is anticipated that the generic cabling system meeting the minimum requirements of this European Standard
will have a life expectancy consistent with other infrastructures within industrial premises.

Figure 1 shows the relationship of generic cabling to the OSI reference model.
OSOSII
RREEFEFERERENCENCE
MOMODELDEL
LALAYERYERSS
APPLAPPLICICATATIOIONN
HIHIGHEGHERR L LAAYYEERSRS HHIIGGHHERER L LAYERAYERSS
PPRRESENESENTTAATITIOONN
SESSSESSIOIONN
LLLLCC or or LLLLCC o orr
OTOTHEHER MR MAAC C CLCLIIEENTNT OTOTHEHER MR MAAC CLC CLIIEENTNT
TTRRANANSPSPOORRTT
MMEEDIDIAA A ACCECCESSSS MMEEDDIIA AA ACCCCESS ESS
CONTCONTROLROL CONTCONTROLROL
NENETTWWOORRKK
(M(MAACC)) (M(MAC)AC)
DADATTAA L LIINKNK PHPHYSICYSICAALL PHPHYYSSIICCAALL
(PHY)(PHY) (P(PHYHY))
PHPHYYSSIICCAALL
MDIMDI MDIMDI
EENN 501 50173-73-3 I3 Inntteerrffaceace
CACABLBLIINNGG
Figure 1 - Cabling specified by EN 50173-3 and its relationship to OSI reference model layers
Figure 2 and Table 1 show the schematic and contextual relationships between the standards produced by
TC 215 for information technology cabling, namely:
1) this and other parts of the EN 50173 series;
2) application dependent cabling design (e.g. EN 50098 series);
3) installation (EN 50174 series);
4) testing of installed cabling (EN 50346);
5) equipotential bonding requirements (EN 50310).

- 7 - EN 50173-3:2007
ENEN 500 50098-98-1:1: CCuuststomomerer pr prememiisseses EENN 50173-50173-2:2: I Innffoorrmmatatiion ton teecchnolhnology:ogy:
cablcabliing fng foorr i innffoorrmmatatiion on tteecchhnnoollogy -ogy - GGenereneriicc c cablabliing ng -- OOffffiicce pre prememiisseses
IISSDDNN basi basicc accesaccesss
ENEN 50173-50173-3:3: I Innffoorrmmatatiion ton teechnolchnologyogy::
EENN 50098-50098-2:2: C Cuuststomomerer pr prememiisses es GGenereneriicc cabl cabliing ng -- IIndustndustrriiaall prprememiisseses
ENEN 50173- 50173-1:1: I Innffoorrmmatatiion on tteechnolchnologyogy::
cablcabliing fng foorr i innffoorrmmatatiion on tteechnolchnology -ogy -
ENEN 50173- 50173-4:4: IInnffoorrmmatatiion ton teechnolchnology:ogy: GGenereneriicc cabl cabliing ng -- GGenereneralal r requiequirreemmententss
2048 2048 kbikbitt//ss I ISSDDNN pr priimmararyy ac access and cess and
GGenereneriicc c cablabliing -ng - HHomomeses
lleaseased led liine netne netwwoorrkk i inntteerrffacacee
ENEN 50173- 50173-5:5: IInnffoorrmmatatiion ton teechnolchnology:ogy:
GGenereneriicc cabl cabliing -ng - DDatata a centcentrreess
ENEN 50174- 50174-1:1: IInnffoorrmmaattiion ton teechchnolnology.ogy.
CCablabliing ing innssttalalllaattiion on -- SSpecpeciiffiiccatatiion and on and
qualqualiittyy assur assuranceance
EENN 50174-50174-2:2: I Innffoorrmmatatiion ton teecchnolhnology.ogy. ENEN 50310: 50310: Appl Appliiccatatiion ofon of eqequiuipotpotententiiaall
CCablabliing ing innssttalalllaattiion on -- IInstnstaallllatatiion on bondibonding and ng and eareartthhiinngg iin buin buillddiings wngs wiitthh
plplannianning anng and prd practactiicesces iinnsiside de buibuillddiingsngs iinnffoorrmmatatiion ton teechnolchnology ogy equiequipmpmentent
EENN 50174-50174-3:3: I Innffoorrmmatatiion ton teecchnolhnology.ogy.
CCablabliing ing innssttalalllaattiion on -- IInstnstaallllatatiion on
plplannianning anng and prd practactiicesces outoutsiside de buibuillddiingsngs
ENEN 50346:50346: I Innffoorrmmatatiion ton teechnolchnologyogy.
CCablabliing ing innssttalalllaattiion on --
TestTestiing ofng of i innststalallled ed cablcabliinngg

Figure 2 - Schematic relationship between the EN 50173 series and other relevant Standards

Table 1 - Contextual relationship between EN 50173 series and other Standards relevant for information
technology cabling systems
Building design Generic cabling Specification phase Installation phase Operation phase
phase design phase
EN 50310 EN 50173 series EN 50174-1 EN 50174-1
except
EN 50173-4
5.2: Common bonding 4: Structure 4: Requirements for 5: Requirements for
network (CBN) within installers premises owners
5: Channel
a building
performance 5: Requirements for
6.3: AC distribution premises owners
7: Cable requirements
system and bonding
of the protective
8: Connecting
conductor (TN-S)
hardware
requirements
9: Requirements for
cords and jumpers
A: Link performance
limits
Planning phase
and
EN 50173-4 EN 50174-2 EN 50174-2
4 and 5: Structure 5: Requirements for 4: Requirements for
planning installations installers of
6: Channel
of information information
performance
technology cabling technology cabling
8: Cable requirements
6: Segregation of 6: Segregation of
metallic information metallic information
9: Connecting
technology and mains technology and mains
hardware
power cabling power cabling
requirements
7: Additional
10: Requirements for
considerations
cords and jumpers
A: Link performance
limits
and and
EN 50174-3 EN 50174-3
and and
(for equipotential (for equipotential
bonding) bonding)
EN 50310 EN 50310
5.2: Common bonding 5.2: Common bonding
network (CBN) within network (CBN) within
a building a building
6.3: AC distribution 6.3: AC distribution
system and bonding system and bonding
of the protective of the protective
conductor (TN-S) conductor (TN-S)
and
EN 50346
4: General
requirements
5: Test parameters for
balanced cabling
6: Test parameters for
optical fibre cabling
- 9 - EN 50173-3:2007
1 Scope and conformance
1.1 Scope
This European Standard specifies generic cabling that supports a wide range of communications services
including automation, process control and monitoring applications for use within industrial premises comprising
single or multiple buildings on a campus. It covers balanced cabling and optical fibre cabling.
This European Standard is based upon and references the requirements of EN 50173-1. This European
Standard contains additional requirements that are appropriate to industrial premises in which the maximum
distance over which communications services have to be distributed is 10 000 m. The principles of this
European Standard may also be applied to installations that do not fall within this range.
In addition to the requirements of EN 50173-1, this European Standard specifies:
a) a modified structure and configuration for generic cabling within industrial premises in which information
technology applications are used to support process monitoring and control functions;
b) implementation options;
c) additional requirements that reflect the range of operating environments within industrial premises.
Safety (electrical safety and protection, optical power, fire, etc.) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
requirements are outside the scope of this European Standard and are covered by other Standards and
regulations. However, information given in this European Standard may be of assistance in meeting these
Standards and regulations.
1.2 Conformance
For a cabling system to conform to this European Standard:
a) the structure and configuration shall conform to the requirements of Clause 4;
b) the interfaces to the cabling at the telecommunications outlet shall conform to the requirements of
Clause 8 with respect to mating interfaces and performance;
c) connecting hardware at other places in the cabling structure shall conform to the requirements of
Clause 8;
1)
d) the performance of channels shall conform to the applicable transmission performance requirements of
Clause 5. This shall be achieved by one of the following:
- a channel design and implementation ensuring that the prescribed channel performance Class of
Clause 5 is met;
- attachment of appropriate components to a permanent link design meeting the prescribed perfor-
mance Class of Annex A. Channel performance shall be assured where a channel is created by
adding more than one cord to either end of a permanent link meeting the requirements of Annex A;
- using the reference implementations of Clause 6 and compatible cabling components conforming to
the requirements of Clauses 7, 8 and 9, based upon a statistical approach of performance modelling.
e) local regulations concerning safety and electromagnetic emissions shall be met.
———————
1)
This term, as defined in EN 50173-1, refers to the passive cabling between the interfaces described in Clauses 4 and 5. Different
definitions of the term “channel” as given in other standards are not applicable in this European Standard.

In addition the following requirements of the EN 50174 series of Standards shall be met:
f) installation specification and quality planning to address:
- the test parameters to be measured;
- the sampling levels to be applied;
- the treatment of channels or links which fail to meet requirements or for which test results lie within the
relevant measurement accuracy;
g) administration;
h) installation.
Test methods to verify conformance with the channel and link requirements of Clause 5 and Annex A
respectively are specified in EN 50346. Neither this Standard nor EN 50174-1 specify the test and sampling
levels to be adopted.
Specifications marked "ffs" (for further study) in EN 50173-1 are preliminary and are not required for
conformance to this European Standard.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 50173-1:2007, Information technology – Generic cabling systems – Part 1: General requirements
EN 50174-1, Information technology – Cabling installation – Part 1: Specification and quality assurance
EN 50174-2, Information technology – Cabling installation – Part 2: Installation planning and practices inside
buildings
EN 50174-3, Information technology – Cabling installation – Part 3: Installation planning and practices outside
buildings
EN 61076-3-106:2006, Connectors for electronic equipment - Product requirements - Part 3-106: Rectangular
connectors - Detail specification for protective housings for use with 8-way shielded and unshielded
connectors for industrial environments incorporating the IEC 60603-7 series interface (IEC 61076-3-106:2006)
EN 61754-20, Fibre optic connector interfaces – Part 20: Type LC connector family (IEC 61754-20)
3 Definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard the following definitions apply in addition to those of EN 50173-1.
3.1.1
apparatus
one or more pieces of equipment having specific and defined overall functions within industrial premises
served by one or more network interfaces
3.1.2
apparatus attachment cord
cord used to connect a telecommunications outlet (TO) to a network interface

- 11 - EN 50173-3:2007
3.1.3
automation island
cabling together with active and passive components within apparatus served by a network interface
3.1.4
bulkhead
a wall or barrier which maintains the ingress and climatic environmental classifications applicable on either side
3.1.5
floor cable
cable connecting the floor distributor to the intermediate distributor
3.1.6
intermediate cable
cable connecting the intermediate distributor to the telecommunications outlet (TO)
3.1.7
intermediate distributor
the distributor used to make connections between the intermediate cable, other cabling subsystems and active
equipment
3.1.8
network interface
the interface between the apparatus attachment cabling and the apparatus or the automation island network
3.1.9
telecommunications
branch of technology concerned with the transmission, emission and reception of signs, signals, writing,
images and sounds; that is, information of any nature by cable, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems
NOTE The term “telecommunications” has no legal meaning when used in this document; in the context of this Standard the term
“telecommunications” includes the transmission of information in support of automation, process control and monitoring applications.
3.1.10
telecommunications outlet (TO)
a fixed connecting device where the intermediate cable terminates and which provides the interface to the
apparatus attachment cord
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this European Standard the following abbreviations apply in addition to those of
EN 50173-1.
ID intermediate distributor
NI network interface
TO telecommunications outlet
4 Structure of the generic cabling system in industrial premises
4.1 General
This clause identifies the functional elements of generic cabling for industrial premises, describes how they are
connected together to form subsystems and identifies the interfaces at which application-specific components
are connected. Applications listed in EN 50173-1:2007, Annex F, are supported by connecting active
equipment at the TOs and the distributors.
In general, all functional elements, subsystems and interfaces from the campus distributor to the floor
distributor as described in EN 50173-1 are applicable.
4.2 Functional elements
In addition to the distributors specified in EN 50173-1 this Standard specifies the following functional elements
and interfaces of generic cabling for industrial premises:
a) floor cable;
b) intermediate distributor (ID);
c) intermediate cable;
d) telecommunications outlet (TO);
e) network interface (NI).
As shown in Figure 3, an ID is able to serve TOs on separate pieces of apparatus or multiple TOs on a single
piece of apparatus. The type and nature of the apparatus cabling are beyond the scope of this European
Standard.
Groups of the functional elements are connected together to form cabling subsystems.
4.3 Cabling subsystems
4.3.1 General structure
Generic cabling schemes for industrial premises contain up to four cabling subsystems: campus backbone,
building backbone, floor and intermediate. In addition, cabling is necessary to connect telecommunication,
process control and monitoring equipment to the generic cabling but this cabling is application-specific and
therefore not specified by this European Standard. The composition of the subsystems is described in 4.3.2,
4.3.3, 4.3.4 and 4.3.5. The cabling subsystems are connected together to create a generic cabling structure as
shown in Figure 4.
The distributors provide the means to configure the cabling to support different topologies such as bus, star
and ring. Campus, building and floor distributors can also be used to support cabling in accordance with
EN 50173-1.
- 13 - EN 50173-3:2007
ApApppaarraatutuss
NINI
IDID
TOTO
AuAutotommaattiioonn
NINI
isisllaanndd
TOTO
SySysstteemm
((ccoonntatainininingg m muultipltiplele
pipiececeess of of a appapparraattuus)s)
ApApppaarraatutuss
NINI
IDID
TOTO
AuAutotommaattiioonn
NINI
isisllaanndd
TOTO
Figure 3 - Configuration of apparatus-based functional elements within industrial premises

CCDD BDBD FDFD IIDD TOTO
AutAutoommaattiionon
NINI
isislalanndd
CaCammppuuss FlFloooorr IInntteerrmmediediatatee
BuiBuilldiding ng
bacbackkbboone ne ccaabblinlingg ccaabblinlingg
bacbackkbboneone
ApparApparatatusus
ccaabblinlingg subsysubsysstteemm subsysubsysstteemm
cacablbliinngg
atatttaachmchmeentnt
susubsbsyysstteemm
subsubssyysstteemm
cablcabliing ng
GGeenneerriic cac cablbliing ng ssyyststemem

Figure 4 - Structure of generic cabling for industrial environment
The number and type of subsystems that are included in a generic cabling implementation depends upon the
size and structure of the campus, building and the strategy of the user.
Connections between cabling subsystems are either active, requiring application-specific equipment, or
passive. Connection to application-specific equipment adopts either an interconnect or a cross-connect
approach (see EN 50173-1). Passive connections between cabling subsystems shall be achieved using cross-
connections generally by way of either patch cords or jumpers.
Examples of more complex equipment connection systems that are not in accordance with this clause are
described in Annex B and Annex C as follows:
- Annex B describes reference implementations, using the components Clauses 7, 8 and 9, which deliver
transmission performance in accordance with the Classes of Clause 5.

- Annex C describes reference implementations, using the components Clauses 7, 8 and 9 that are
capable of delivering transmission performance in accordance with the Classes of Clause 5 but are not
able to be supported in a normative manner by this standard.
4.3.2 Campus backbone cabling subsystem
EN 50173-1 specifies requirements for campus backbone cabling subsystems.
4.3.3 Building backbone cabling subsystem
EN 50173-1 specifies requirements for building backbone cabling subsystems.
4.3.4 Floor cabling subsystem
The floor cabling subsystem extends from a floor distributor (FD) to the intermediate distributor (ID) connected
to it. The subsystem includes:
a) the floor cables;
b) the mechanical termination of the floor cables including the connecting hardware (e.g. of interconnect or
cross-connect) at both the FD and IDs together with associated patch cords and/or jumpers;
c) any passive connections to the building backbone cabling.
Although equipment cords are included in a channel, they are not considered part of the cabling subsystem
because they are application-specific.
The floor cable may also interconnect IDs. However, such connections shall be in addition to those required for
the basic hierarchical topology.
4.3.5 Intermediate cabling subsystem
The intermediate cabling subsystem extends from an ID to the TO(s) connected to it. The subsystem includes:
a) the intermediate cables;
b) the mechanical termination of the intermediate cables including the connections at the TO and the ID
together with associated patch cords and/or jumpers at the ID;
c) the TO.
Although equipment cords and apparatus attachment cords are included in a channel, they are not considered
part of the cabling subsystem because they are application-specific.
Connections between an intermediate and floor cabling subsystem are either active, requiring application-
specific equipment, or passive using either a cross-connect or interconnect approach as defined in
EN 50173-1.
Intermediate cables shall be continuous from the ID to the TO(s).
4.3.6 Centralized cabling structure
Centralized cabling structures combine backbone, floor and intermediate channels. The channels are provided
by passive connections in the distributors. The connections are achieved by using either cross-connections or
interconnections. In addition, for centralised optical fibre cabling, it is possible to create connections at the
distributors using splices although this reduces the ability of the cabling to support re-configuration.

- 15 - EN 50173-3:2007
4.3.7 Design objectives
Generic cabling for industrial premises shall be designed in accordance with the objectives given in
EN 50173-1 and shall operate within the environmental conditions defined in Clause 5.
4.4 Interconnection of subsystems
In industrial generic cabling, the functional elements of the cabling subsystems are interconnected to form a
hierarchical structure as shown in Figure 5.
CD
Campus backbone
cabling subsystem
BD BD
Building backbone
cabling subsystem
FD FD FD FD
Floor
cabling subsystem
ID ID ID ID
Intermediate
cabling subsystem
TO TO TO TO
optional cables
Figure 5 - Hierarchical structure of generic cabling for industrial premises
ID
TO
11-1
TO
NI
TO Automation
island
TO
FD
NI
1-1
TO
TO
ID
11-2
TO
BD TO
ID
TO
12-1
CD
TO
TO
FD
TO
1-2
BD
TO
TO
ID
12-2
TO
TO
Figure 6 - Inter-relationship of functional elements in an installation with diversity for protection against failure

In certain circumstances, for example for security or reliability reasons, redundancy can be built into a cabling
design. Figure 6 is a schematic showing one of many possible examples of the connection of functional
elements within the structured framework to provide such redundancy. This might form the basis for the design
of generic cabling for a building, providing some protection against such hazards as fire damage or the failure
of the external network feeder cable.
4.5 Accommodation of functional elements
Figure 7 shows an example of how the functional elements are accommodated in a building.
FDs and IDs are typically located in industrial enclosures, equipment rooms, telecommunication rooms or
adjacent to, on or within, apparatus. Other distributors are typically located in equipment rooms or
telecommunications rooms as detailed in EN 50173-1.
Cables are routed using pathways. A variety of cable management systems can be used to support the cables
within the pathways including ducts, conduits and tray. Requirements for the pathways and the cable
management systems within them are provided in the EN 50174 series.
TOs are generally located on the fixed building structure or within or on apparatus.
ID
TO TO
TO
FD/BD
Building ID
TO
entrance
ID
facility
ID
Campus
backbone
TO
cable
ID/FD
TO
CD/BD
FD
ID
ID
TO
ID
TO
ID
TO
External network Building entrance facility

Figure 7 – Accommodation of functional elements

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4.6 Interfaces
4.6.1 Equipment interfaces and test interfaces
Equipment interfaces to generic cabling are located at the ends of each subsystem. Any distributor may have
an equipment interface to an external service at any port.
Test interfaces to generic cabling are located at the ends of each subsystem.
Figure 8 shows the potential equipment and test interfaces.
a) Intera) Intermmediediate cablate cablinging
EIEI EIEI EIEI
EQEQPP CC CC CC CC CC NINI
TOTO
TITI TTII TITI TITI
EEII EIEI EIEI EIEI
b) Flb) Floor caoor cablingbling
EQEQPP CC CC CC CC CC CC EQPEQP
TTII TITI TITI TTII
Figure 8 - Test and equipment interfaces
4.6.2 Channels and links
The transmission performance of generic cabling between specific test interfaces is detailed in Clause 5 for
channels and Annex A for permanent links.
The channel is the transmission path between active equipment interfaces. A typical channel would consist of
the intermediate cabling subsystem together with apparatus attachment and equipment cords. For longer
reach services the channel would be formed by the connection of two or more subsystems (again with
apparatus attachment and equipment cords). It is important that the generic cabling channel is designed to
meet the required Class of performance for the applications that are to be supported. The channel excludes
the mated connection at the active equipment.
4.6.3 External network interface
See EN 50173-1.
4.7 Dimensioning and configuring
4.7.1 General
EN 50173-1 specifies requirements for dimensioning and configuration for functional elements of generic
cabling. The following subclauses specify additional and/or modified requirements for generic cabling for
industrial premises.
4.7.2 Distributors
Usually there would be one campus distributor per campus. However, the number of BDs, FDs and IDs shall
be determined by the size of the building, the floor space and the disposition of apparatus.
If the premises comprise only a single building that is small enough to be served by a single BD, there is no
need for a campus backbone cabling subsystem.
The design of distributors shall ensure that the lengths of patch cords, jumpers and equipment cords are
minimised and administration should ensure that the design lengths are maintained during operation.
Distributors should be located such that the resulting cable lengths are consistent with the channel
performance requirements of Clause 5.
Where the components of Clauses 7, 8 and 9 are used the distributors shall be located in accordance with the
reference implementations of Clause 6. Where other components are used, distributors shall be located so
that the desired performance Class of Clause 5 is delivered.
The functions of multiple distributors may be combined.
4.7.3 Cables
Cable types used in the reference implementations of Clause 6 are given in Clause 7. Hardware for connecting
cables shall only provide direct onward attachment for each conductor and shall not provide any contact
between more than one incoming or outgoing conductor (e.g. bridge taps shall not be used).
4.7.4 Apparatus attachment and equipment cords
The apparatus attachment cord connects the TO to the network interface. Equipment cords connect active
equipment to the generic cabling at distributors. Both are non-permanent and application-specific.
Assumptions have been made concerning the length and the transmission performance of these cords; the
assumptions are identified when relevant.
The performance contribution of these cords shall be taken into account in the design of the channel. Clause 6
provides guidance on cord lengths for reference implementations of generic cabling.
4.7.5 Patch cords and jumpers
Patch cords and jumpers are used within cross-connect implementations at distributors. The performance
contribution of these cords shall be taken into account in the design of the channel. Clause 6 provides
guidance on cord/jumper lengths for reference implementations of generic cabling.
4.7.6 Telecommunications outlet (TO)
The design of generic cabling for industrial premises should provide for TOs to be installed and located
according to the requirements of the apparatus. A high density of TOs will enhance the ability of the cabling to
accommodate changes. TOs may be presented singly, or in groups.
a) each apparatus network shall be served by a minimum of one TO;
b) the TO shall be configured with either balanced cable terminated in accordance with 8.2 or optical fibres
terminated in accordance with 8.3;
c) where balanced cable is used, a 4 pair balanced cable should be terminated at the TO;
- 2 pairs per TO, terminated in accordance with 8.2.2.1, may be used, however this may require pair
reassignment and will not support some applications (see EN 50173-1);

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- 2 pairs per TO, terminated in accord
...