Chapter 20: Residential Cabling BICSI 13th ed

Residential Demarcation Points (DPs)

Residential cabling responsibilities have shifted from the access provider (AP) to end users—
owners of homes, MDUs, and campuses.

Grades of Residential Telecommunications Cabling

There are two grades of residential premises telecommunications cabling. These two grades
have been established based upon services that are expected to be supported within residential
units and to assist in the selection of the cabling infrastructure (see Table 20.1):

• Grade 1 residential telecommunications cabling provides a generic cabling system that

meets the minimum requirements for telecommunications services (e.g., telephone,
satellite, community antenna TV [CATV], data services, multimedia telecommunications
services). Grade 1 residential cabling provides one 4-pair balanced twisted-pair cable and
associated connectors that meet or exceed the requirements for category 5e and one
75-ohm Series-6 coaxial cable. Installation of category 6 cable in place of category 5e
cable is recommended.

NOTE: The balanced twisted-pair cable and coaxial cable do not have to be terminated at the same
location (e.g., wall telephone location). However, a minimum of one 4-pair balanced twisted-pair cable
and one 75-ohm Series-6 coaxial cable shall be installed to all other outlets.

Grade 2 residential telecommunications cabling provides a generic cabling system that meets the requirements
for current and developing basic, advanced, and multimedia telecommunications services.

The cabling associated with both grades of residential cabling is to be placed in a star topology. In addition, the
length of each outlet cable is not to exceed ≈90 meters (m [300 feet (ft)]). This length allows an operational
length of ≈100 m (328 ft), including an ≈10 m (33 ft) allowance for patch cords or jumper wire and equipment
cords.

NOTES: Each living area should be cabled with at least one telecommunications outlet.
A living area is defined as any room in which voice/data/video applications may be used.

It is recommended that multiple telecommunications outlets be installed in each living area to

allow for flexible furniture configurations and to reduce the use of long equipment cords.
Chapter 20: Residential Cabling BICSI 13th ed

Demarcation Point (DP)

The demarcation point (DP) is the point of interface between the AP and the owner of homes,
MDUs, and campuses. The DP may be evidenced by an NID that is provided and installed by
the AP and may contain an entrance bridge. For single-family residences, the DP is usually
located on the outside of an exterior building wall. Contact the AP to determine the proper DP
location.

Q: What are the Backbone Cable:

Ans: Recommended Cables

Recommended backbone cables include:

• 100 ohm balanced twisted-pair.
• Multimode optical fiber.
• Singlemode optical fiber.
• Trunk, feeder, and distribution coaxial cable.
Chapter 20: Residential Cabling BICSI 13th ed

Q: Which Topology shall be use for residential cabling.

Ans: twisted-pair cabling star topology should be implemented.

Coaxial backbone cable may be implemented using a star, bus, or star and bus topology.

Optical fiber cabling may be implemented in a star or ring topology.

Auxiliary Disconnect Outlet (ADO) Cable

Auxiliary disconnect outlet (ADO) cable extends from the backbone termination or the NID to
an ADO, which typically resides in the DD.

Balanced Twisted-Pair

Balanced twisted-pair ADO cable should:

• Use a minimum of category 5e cable, although category 6 is recommended.
• Accommodate a minimum of two 4-pair cables per living unit to provide for:

– Telephone lines. – Data (e.g., modems). – Security.

The tenant’s needs will determine the proper number of pairs required for the ADO cable.

Coaxial Auxiliary Disconnect Outlet (ADO) Cable

Coaxial ADO cable should:

• Use Series-6 coaxial cable.
• Accommodate a minimum of two coaxial cables per living unit to provide for:
– Telephone lines. – Data. – CATV. – Satellite (e.g., install more than two coaxial cables).
– Security. – Multimedia service.

Optical Fiber Auxiliary Disconnect Outlet (ADO) Cable

Optical fiber ADO cable should:

• Use multimode, singlemode, or both types of cable.
• Accommodate a minimum of four strands per living unit to provide for:
– Telephone lines. – Data. – CATV. – Security. – Multimedia service.

Auxiliary Disconnect Outlet (ADO)

The ADO provides the means for the tenant to disconnect from an AP and provides
terminations for connection to the premises cabling.

Design ADOs for:

• A minimum of eight balanced twisted-pairs.
• A minimum of two coaxial cables.
• Four optical fiber strands.

The ADO and DD usually are collocated and can be combined in a single unit. Install the ADO
in the end user’s (e.g., tenant’s) premises at a readily accessible location. Consider allowing
for growth of additional ADOs.

Note: for the installation of a surge protection device for each conductive cable entering or leaving
the building. Provide access to the building electrical ground within ≈1.52 m (5 ft) of the DD
and in accordance with applicable codes.
Chapter 20: Residential Cabling BICSI 13th ed

Terminate balanced
twisted-pair outlet
cable and ADO cable
on insulation
displacement
contact (IDC)
termination blocks
or with 8-position,
8-contact (8P8C)
plugs to facilitate
quick disconnect and
line of demarcation.

Coaxial cable is
typically terminated
with F-connectors.

guidance for planning the wall space that should be allocated for the DD and associated equipment.
Many DDs are sized to fit within the stud spacing in a wall ≈368 millimeters (mm [14.5 inches (in)]) and
may be as tall as ≈1370 mm (54 in).

A dedicated 15-ampere (A), 120 volt alternating current (Vac) nominal, no switchable duplex electrical
outlet shall be provided within ≈1.52 m (5 ft) of the DD.

Telecommunications Outlet Cable

Telecommunications outlet cable provides the transmission path from the DD to the telecommunications
outlet. The length of each outlet cable shall not exceed ≈90 m (295 ft).
Chapter 20: Residential Cabling BICSI 13th ed

Recommended Cables
Recommended outlet cable includes:
• 4-Pair 100-ohm balanced twisted-pair category 5e, although category 6 is recommended.
• Multimode optical fiber. • Singlemode optical fiber. • Series-6 coaxial.

Cabling Topology for Telecommunications Outlets

Install outlet cable according to star topology (see Figure 20.2), in which:
• One or more outlet cable runs extend from the DD to each telecommunications outlet.
• A tenant located on more than one floor is cabled from a single DD serving that tenant.
Chapter 20: Residential Cabling BICSI 13th ed

Entrance Facility (EF)

The entrance facility (EF) consists of the telecommunications service entrance to the building,
including the entrance point through the building wall and continuing to the common
equipment room (CER). The EF may contain the backbone pathways that link to other
buildings in campus situations. Antenna entrances also may be included as part of the EF.
Primary protection is required on metallic cables. Provisions should be made for the
installation of a surge protection device for each conductive cable entering or leaving the

EF. Access to the building electrical ground shall be provided within ≈1.52 m (5 ft) of the
conductive cable terminations in the EF in accordance with applicable codes.
NOTE: All of the design and construction of EFs for residential cabling shall meet or exceed
applicable codes, standards, regulations, and authority having jurisdiction rulings.

If active equipment is placed within the CTR, dedicated, unstitched electrical power
outlet(s) shall be provided within ≈1.52 m (5 ft) in the CTR. The height of the electrical
outlet(s) should be suitable for the equipment being installed and shall be in compliance with
applicable codes.
Chapter 20: Residential Cabling BICSI 13th ed

NOTES:
1. One 27 metric designator (1 trade size) electrical metallic tubing conduit to each unit. Conduit
may be in slab or ceiling space.
2. One 27 metric designator (1 trade size) rigid PVC Type 2 or metallic conduit.
3. All conduits are to be limited to two 90-degree sweeping bends.
4. Size and location are to be determined by the AP.
5. Provide and install all ducts and conduits with a pull cord.
6. CATV is in a separate conduit system to mitigate potential pulling problems.
7. One 27 metric designator (1 trade size) PVC conduit to accepted ground grid.
Chapter 20: Residential Cabling BICSI 13th ed

Outlet and Auxiliary Disconnect Outlet (ADO) Cabling

Install mounting hardware for:

• Telecommunications outlets at the same height as nearby electrical outlets.

• Wall-mounted telephone jacks ≈1220 mm to ≈1320 mm (48 in to 52 in) above the floor.

NOTE: Adjust the locations of wall-mounted jacks to accommodate elderly tenants or thers with special
needs.

To minimize electrical interference, do not place long runs of outlet or ADO cable close or
parallel to electrical power cabling.

NOTE: Seal the holes after installing the cable.

Install plastic bushings on holes drilled through metal studs to prevent damage to the cable
sheath. Pull cable through joists and studs carefully to avoid damaging the cable.
Do not run cable on the exterior of buildings.

When installing the DD:

• Mount the device securely at the planned location.
• Terminate all outlet cabling in the DD on IDC or 8P8C plug/jack hardware.
• Provision the device for 20 to 50 percent growth in the number of cable runs terminated.

Connect all auxiliary equipment (e.g., transformers used for electrical power on otherwise vacant outlet
cable pairs) at the DD. The DD cabling shall ensure that external voltage sources are not applied to the
network interface through the ADO cable.

Telecommunications Outlets
For balanced twisted-pair cabling, terminate the connector-pin configurations as shown in Figure 20.11.
Using the T568A configuration will accommodate many telecommunications services, including one-line
and two-line telephone sets.
Chapter 20: Residential Cabling BICSI 13th ed

For these reasons, telecommunications cabling shall be acceptance tested.

Acceptance testing includes visual examination of all cabling and verification of all cabling
and qualification of copper cabling for data cabling or certification of copper or optical fiber
cabling for data cabling.

Verification testing is generally performed in two steps:

• Prior to the installation of insulation and drywall
• During the trim-out stage of the cabling after painting

NOTE: Performing either a qualification test or certification of data cable generally negates
the need for verification testing during the trim-out stage.

Verification testing of the cabling shall be performed to ensure proper end-to-end connectivity.
Coaxial cable shall be verified to ensure continuity.

Twisted-pair cabling test shall include:

• Wire map. • Length. • Continuity to the remote end. • Shorts between any two or more conductors.
• Crossed pairs. • Reversed pairs. • Split pairs. • Any other mis wiring.

The permanent link refers to the permanent part of the cabling installed (e.g., cable up to ≈90 m [300
ft] from the DD to the outlet and the connectors) without patch cords installed on each end of the cable.

Administration, including labeling, identification, and documentation, shall be performed for

the telecommunications cabling. Labels shall be mechanically printed.
Administration for single-dwelling residences can range from a simple label affixed to the
inside of the DD identifying each cabling run to blueprints indicating telecommunications
outlet locations and identifying cable runs. Cable runs from the DD to the telecommunications
outlet shall be labeled on each end of the cable. This may be accomplished by affixing
suitable identification tags or labels.

Telecommunications outlet labeling is desired, but is not a requirement, because of

aesthetic considerations in the living space. Icons or labels may be mounted on the
faceplate of each telecommunications outlet, which denote the intended application for each
telecommunications outlet cable.

At a minimum, provide a label within the DD denoting each cable run. Identify each cable
run by room and wall locations. For example, B1-N could denote a telecommunications
outlet/connector on the north wall of bedroom one. If telecommunications outlets/connectors
are not labeled, consider including simple floor plans at the DD that provide a graphic
correlation between physical telecommunications outlet locations and outlet designations.