Glossary

A USOC code identifying an eight-pin modular plug or jack used with unshielded twisted-pair cable. Officially, an RJ-45 connector is a telephone connector designed for voice-grade circuits. Only RJ-45-type connectors with better signal handling characteristics are called eight-pin connectors in most standards documents, though most people continue to use the RJ-45 name for all eight-pin connectors.

RJ-45 (Registered Jack 45) – standard for connecting UTP cabling. They are inexpensive and easy to install onto UTP cable.  Used to connect devices transmitting data over local-area networks (LAN), especially Ethernets.

A launch that limits a laser

A conductor composed of groups of twisted strands.

A device that connects two networks and allows packets to be transmitted and received between them. A router may also determine the best path for data packets from source to destination. Routers primarily operate on Layer 3 (the Network layer) of the OSI model.

A function of the network layer that involves moving data throughout a network. Data passes through several network segments using routers that can select the path the data takes.

In telecommunications, RS-232 is a standard for serial communication transmission of data. It formally defines the signals connecting between a DTE (data terminal equipment) such as a computer terminal, and a DCE (data circuit-terminating equipment, originally defined as data communication equipment), such as a modem, printers, mice, data storage, uninterruptible power supplies, and other peripheral devices.

The four-wire interface of an ISDN terminal adapter. The S/T interface is a reference point in ISDN.

A circuit that samples an analog signal such as a voltage level and then holds the voltage level long enough for the analog-to-digital (A/D) converter to change the level to a numerical value.

With FDDI networks, denotes a station that attaches to only one of two rings in a dual-ring environment.

An optical-fiber connector made from molded plastic using push-pull mechanics for joining to a fiber adapter. The SC connector has a 2.5mm ferrule push-pull latching mechanism and can be snapped together to form duplex and multifiber connectors. SC connectors are the preferred fiber-optic cable for premises cabling and are recognized by the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B standard for structured cabling.

A cable-testing device that uses TDR methods to detect cable transmission anomalies and error conditions.

(1) A property of glass that causes light to deflect from the fiber and contributes to losses. (2) The redirection of light caused by atomic structures and particles along the light

Schuko plug - European mains plug (DIN49441/CEE7). Two pins with two earth points. Nickel plated. N.B. this is the plug used in Europe instead of a UK 3 pin mains plug.

See Shielded cable
Screened cable can be a foil (FTP) or braid screen (STP).

A tool used to mark an object prior to some type of drilling or cutting.