IEC 61935-2-21:2021
(Main)Specification for the testing of balanced and coaxial information technology cabling - Part 2-21: Category 6 cords as specified in ISO/IEC 11801-1 - Blank detail specification
Specification for the testing of balanced and coaxial information technology cabling - Part 2-21: Category 6 cords as specified in ISO/IEC 11801-1 - Blank detail specification
IEC 61935-2-21:2021 is a blank detail specification describing cords which are compliant with category 6 cabling requirements, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801-1. ISO/IEC 11801 and ISO/IEC 11801 series definitions and specifications referenced by this blank detail specification are currently covered by ISO/IEC 11801-1.
This document is intended to be used in conjunction with IEC 61935-2, IEC 61156-1, IEC 61156-6, IEC 60603-7-4 and IEC 60603-7-5. The blank detail specification determines the layout and style for detail specifications describing cords with transmission characteristics up to 250 MHz for digital communications. Detail specifications, based on the blank detail specification, can be prepared by a national organization, a manufacturer, or a user.
The test configuration applicable to cords is detailed in IEC 61935-2.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 06-Dec-2021
- Technical Committee
- TC 46 - Cables, wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and microwave passive components and accessories
- Drafting Committee
- WG 9 - TC 46/WG 9
- Current Stage
- PPUB - Publication issued
- Start Date
- 07-Dec-2021
- Completion Date
- 04-Jan-2022
Overview
IEC 61935-2-21:2021 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that provides a blank detail specification for Category 6 cords in IT cabling. It is specifically aligned with the Category 6 cabling requirements defined in ISO/IEC 11801-1, which governs generic cabling systems for customer premises. This standard defines the framework for preparing detailed specifications of balanced cords with transmission capabilities up to 250 MHz, supporting robust digital communication infrastructures.
By offering a standardized layout and style for detail specifications, IEC 61935-2-21 facilitates consistent testing and documentation of Category 6 cords across manufacturers, national organizations, and users. The document works in conjunction with related IEC standards such as IEC 61935-2, IEC 61156-1, IEC 61156-6, and IEC 60603-7 series, which cover cabling components and connector specifications.
Key Topics
- Scope and Purpose: The document provides a blank template to prepare specific detail specifications for Category 6 cords, ensuring compliance with transmission characteristics up to 250 MHz.
- Testing Specification Layout: Defines required sections such as cord description, construction details, characteristics (electrical, mechanical, environmental), and test configurations.
- Cord Description Requirements:
- Specific category designation
- Nominal impedance
- Connector types and conductor materials
- Screening and housing details
- Environmental classifications (MICE: Mechanical, Ingress, Climatic, Electromagnetic)
- Material and Construction Standards: Includes sheath materials, nominal thickness, color coding, maximum diameters, and marking standards.
- Performance Characteristics:
- Electrical: DC resistance, resistance unbalance
- Transmission: insertion loss, near-end crosstalk (NEXT), return loss, propagation delay, differential phase delay (skew)
- Mechanical: tensile strength, bending radii, flexure, twisting, crushing, impact, and shock resistance
- Environmental: water immersion, dust exposure, temperature range
- Test Method References: Detailed references to IEC sectional and generic specifications ensure precise test setups and measurement procedures.
Applications
IEC 61935-2-21 is primarily used by:
- Cable manufacturers to develop and document Category 6 cords that meet international quality and performance standards.
- Testing laboratories to structure and verify compliance tests and performance validation processes.
- National standardization organizations for customizing detailed specifications within their regional or national markets.
- System integrators and end-users seeking standardized Category 6 cords that guarantee reliable, high-speed digital communication in enterprise and data center environments.
Typical applications supported by cords tested under this specification include:
- Structured cabling for office buildings
- Work area connectivity in high-speed networks
- Data transmission systems requiring signal integrity up to 250 MHz bandwidth
- Industrial and commercial environments where standardized cabling reliability is critical
Related Standards
IEC 61935-2-21 is designed to function alongside several key IEC and ISO/IEC standards, including:
- ISO/IEC 11801-1 – Generic cabling for customer premises, defining general cabling requirements.
- IEC 61935-2 – Specifies testing requirements for cords under the ISO/IEC 11801 framework.
- IEC 61156 series – Covers multicore and symmetrical pair/quad cables, detailing generic specifications and sectional specifications for cabling.
- IEC 60603-7 series – Details connector specifications for shielded and unshielded 8-way connectors handling data transmissions up to 250 MHz.
- IEC 60794-1-22 – Optical fibre cable test procedures focusing on environmental tests.
- IEC 62012-1 – Cables for harsh environments with generic specifications.
Together, these standards provide comprehensive guidelines for the design, testing, and certification of high-performance Category 6 cabling components and assemblies.
By implementing IEC 61935-2-21:2021, stakeholders ensure consistent, reliable, and internationally recognized testing and detail specification of Category 6 cords, suited for modern digital communications infrastructure. This facilitates interoperability, quality assurance, and market acceptance across global networks in enterprises and data centers.
Frequently Asked Questions
IEC 61935-2-21:2021 is a standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its full title is "Specification for the testing of balanced and coaxial information technology cabling - Part 2-21: Category 6 cords as specified in ISO/IEC 11801-1 - Blank detail specification". This standard covers: IEC 61935-2-21:2021 is a blank detail specification describing cords which are compliant with category 6 cabling requirements, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801-1. ISO/IEC 11801 and ISO/IEC 11801 series definitions and specifications referenced by this blank detail specification are currently covered by ISO/IEC 11801-1. This document is intended to be used in conjunction with IEC 61935-2, IEC 61156-1, IEC 61156-6, IEC 60603-7-4 and IEC 60603-7-5. The blank detail specification determines the layout and style for detail specifications describing cords with transmission characteristics up to 250 MHz for digital communications. Detail specifications, based on the blank detail specification, can be prepared by a national organization, a manufacturer, or a user. The test configuration applicable to cords is detailed in IEC 61935-2.
IEC 61935-2-21:2021 is a blank detail specification describing cords which are compliant with category 6 cabling requirements, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801-1. ISO/IEC 11801 and ISO/IEC 11801 series definitions and specifications referenced by this blank detail specification are currently covered by ISO/IEC 11801-1. This document is intended to be used in conjunction with IEC 61935-2, IEC 61156-1, IEC 61156-6, IEC 60603-7-4 and IEC 60603-7-5. The blank detail specification determines the layout and style for detail specifications describing cords with transmission characteristics up to 250 MHz for digital communications. Detail specifications, based on the blank detail specification, can be prepared by a national organization, a manufacturer, or a user. The test configuration applicable to cords is detailed in IEC 61935-2.
IEC 61935-2-21:2021 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
IEC 61935-2-21:2021 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
IEC 61935-2-21 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Specification for the testing of balanced and coaxial information technology
cabling –
Part 2-21: Category 6 cords as specified in ISO/IEC 11801‑1 – Blank detail
specification
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IEC 61935-2-21 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Specification for the testing of balanced and coaxial information technology
cabling –
Part 2-21: Category 6 cords as specified in ISO/IEC 11801‑1 – Blank detail
specification
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.120.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-1058-1
– 2 – IEC 61935-2-21:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Guidance for preparation of detail specifications . 6
5 Blank detail specification for cords and work area cords category 6 . 8
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SPECIFICATION FOR THE TESTING OF BALANCED AND COAXIAL
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CABLING –
Part 2-21: Category 6 cords as specified in ISO/IEC 11801‑1 −
Blank detail specification
FOREWORD
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International Standard IEC 61935-2-21 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 46:
Cables, wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and microwave passive components and
accessories.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
46/513/CDV 46/540A/RVC
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
– 4 – IEC 61935-2-21:2021 © IEC 2021
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61935 series, published under the general title Generic cabling
systems – Specification for the testing of balanced communication cabling in accordance with
ISO/IEC 11801, can be found on the IEC website.
Future standards in this series will carry the new general title as cited above. Titles of existing
standards in this series will be updated at the time of the next edition.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates that it
contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding of its
contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.
SPECIFICATION FOR THE TESTING OF BALANCED AND COAXIAL
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CABLING –
Part 2-21: Category 6 cords as specified in ISO/IEC 11801‑1 −
Blank detail specification
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61935 is a blank detail specification describing cords which are compliant with
category 6 cabling requirements, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801-1.
ISO/IEC 11801 and ISO/IEC 11801 series definitions and specifications referenced by this blank
detail specification are currently covered by ISO/IEC 11801-1.
This document is intended to be used in conjunction with IEC 61935-2, IEC 61156-1,
IEC 61156-6, IEC 60603-7-4 and IEC 60603-7-5. The blank detail specification determines the
layout and style for detail specifications describing cords with transmission characteristics up
to 250 MHz for digital communications. Detail specifications, based on the blank detail
specification, can be prepared by a national organization, a manufacturer, or a user.
The test configuration applicable to cords is detailed in IEC 61935-2.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
...










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