Glossary

Any transmission, emission, or reception of signs, signals, writings, images, sounds, or information of any nature by cable, radio, visual, optical, or other electromagnetic systems.

Refers to thick strips of copper or aluminum that conduct electricity within a switchboard, distribution board, substation, or other electrical apparatus in a telecommunications network.

A collection of telecommunications components that together provide the basic support for the distribution of all information within a building or campus. This excludes equipment such as PCs, hubs, switches, routers, phones, PBXs, and other devices attached to the telecommunications infrastructure.

A fixed connecting device where the horizontal cable terminates that provides the interface to the work area cabling. Typically found on the floor or in the wall. Sometimes referred to as a telecommunications outlet/ connector or a wall plate.

An enclosed space for housing telecommunications equipment, cable terminations, and cross-connect cabling used to serve work areas located on the same floor. The telecommunications room is the typical location of the horizontal cross-connect and is distinct from an equipment room because it is considered to be a floorserving (as opposed to building- or campus-serving) facility.

A document released by the TIA to provide guidance or recommendations for a specific TIA standard.

Resistance to pulling or stretching forces.

(1) A point at which information may enter or leave a communications network. (2) A device by means of which wires may be connected to each other.

ISDN customer-premise equipment that is used to connect non-ISDN equipment (computers and phones) to an ISDN interface.

(1) To connect a wire conductor to something, typically a piece of equipment like patch panel, cross-connect, or telecommunications outlet. (2) To add a component such as a connector or a hardware connection to a bare optical fiber end.

A device used on coaxial cable networks that prevents a signal from bouncing off the end of the network cable, which would cause interference with other signals. Its function is to absorb signals on the line, thereby keeping them from bouncing back and being received again by the network or colliding with other signals.

A single- or multi-fiber cable used for connections between an optical fiber and test equipment.

A thermoplastic material with good electrical insulating properties and chemical and heat resistance.

The shortest wavelength at which a single light mode can be propagated in a single-mode fiber. Below the cutoff several modes will propagate; in this case, the fiber is no longer single-mode but multimode.

The temperature range in which a material will perform its function without undue degradation such as signal loss.