All relevant published and progressing standards are covered by the 3P verification programme. For Cat. 5+, Cat 6 and Cat. 7 connecting hardware the requirements are based on working group documents and standard proposals. These documents appear to be mature, but less fixed than the corresponding documents specifying cable requirements. The reasons for the still ongoing discussion of higher frequency connecting hardware performance are the missing Cat. 7 connector interface, the missing RJ 45 plug specification and the potential technical conflict in having both Cat. 6 performance and intermateability/backwards compatability.

Consequently some modifications of the connecting hardware test programme might occur during progress of standardisation, but the 3P test programmes in question will of course be immediately amended accordingly.

Presently only Cat. 5 connecting hardware have been qualified, and for this performance rating no de-embedded plug requirements have been specified. For Cat. 5+ and Cat. 6 connecting hardware the de-embedded near end crosstalk (de-embedded NEXT) will most probably be specified in the future. Therefore the de-embedded NEXT of the RJ 45 plugs covered by the certification testing in question will be identified in tables 11, 12 and 13.

All qualified connecting hardware types are subjected to a maintenance of qualification programme with retesting of connecting hardware samples taken by 3P directly from the producers production line or final stock. At the same time the quality assurance and production facilities of the producer in question are inspected and approved by 3P during the maintenance visit. A maintenance activity for each producer is performed every 12 months.

The following electrical performance standards apply for each of the five connecting hardware ratings:

Cat. 5:
ISO/IEC Generic Cabling Standard 11801, Category 5
CENELEC Generic Cabling Standard EN 50173, Category 5
ANSI/TIA/EIA Generic Cabling Standard 568-A, Category 5

Cat. 5+:
All Cat. 5 standards referenced above
ISO/IEC JTC 1, SC 25, WG 3 - Orlando 30
TIA SP-3727 Draft Addendum 5 to ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A

Cat. 6:
All Cat. 5+ standards referenced above
TIA SP-3727 Draft Addendum to ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A

Cat. 7:
All Cat. 6 standards referenced above
German Draft Standard Proposal DIN 44312-5

IBM:
IBM Cabling System Technical Interface Specification.
IBM New Specifications for STP Cables and Connectors.

The IBM rating only applies for 150 W connecting hardware.