Overview

IEC 61156-2:2010 is the sectional specification for multicore symmetrical pair/quad cables intended for horizontal floor wiring in buildings. It covers individually screened or unscreened pair/quad constructions, with or without an overall screen, and defines transmission characteristics up to 100 MHz. This third edition (2010) supersedes the 2003 edition and explicitly includes Category 3 and Category 5 cable types. IEC 61156-2 is to be read together with IEC 61156-1:2002 (generic specification).

Key topics and technical requirements

Cable types & construction
- Individually screened or unscreened pair/quad cables; optional overall common screen.
- Conductors: annealed copper, normally solid, nominal diameter 0.50–0.65 mm (up to 0.80 mm if compatible with connectors).
- Insulation: suitable thermoplastic materials; color coding per IEC colour standards.
Electrical characteristics
- Conductor resistance and resistance unbalance.
- Dielectric strength and insulation resistance.
- Mutual capacitance, capacitance unbalance, and transfer impedance for screened elements.
Transmission parameters (to 100 MHz)
- Velocity of propagation (phase velocity), attenuation, NEXT (near-end crosstalk), FEXT (far-end crosstalk), characteristic impedance and structural return loss (SRL).
Mechanical & dimensional tests
- Dimensional tolerances, elongation and tensile strength of conductors/insulation/sheath, bending, crush and impact tests.
Environmental & safety tests
- Thermal ageing, low-temperature bending, flame propagation (single and bunched), smoke generation, acid/halogen gas evolution and combined air-handling space tests.
Operational limits
- Intended for communications voltages/currents only - not to be connected to low-impedance mains supplies.
- Normal operating temperature range: –40 °C to +60 °C; installation recommended between –10 °C and +60 °C.

Applications

IEC 61156-2 is used for specifying and testing balanced pair/quad cables for:

Horizontal building cabling in LANs and voice/data systems (structured cabling).
Premises wiring where transmission performance up to 100 MHz is required.
Environments requiring specific flame, smoke or halogen performance for safety and regulatory compliance.

Who uses this standard

Cable manufacturers designing and certifying pair/quad products.
Test laboratories performing electrical, mechanical and fire/smoke tests.
System integrators, network designers and building specifiers writing procurement and installation requirements.
Authorities and compliance teams ensuring cabling meets building and safety codes.

Related standards

IEC 61156-1:2002 (Generic specification)
IEC 61156-2-1 (Blank detail specification)
IEC 60304 (Insulation colour codes)
ISO/IEC 11801 (structured cabling definitions for horizontal wiring)

Keywords: IEC 61156-2, horizontal floor wiring, symmetrical pair cables, Category 3, Category 5, 100 MHz, structured cabling, cable specification, balanced pair/quad.

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Cable types & construction
- Individually screened or unscreened pair/quad cables; optional overall common screen.
- Conductors: annealed copper, normally solid, nominal diameter 0.50–0.65 mm (up to 0.80 mm if compatible with connectors).
- Insulation: suitable thermoplastic materials; color coding per IEC colour standards.
Electrical characteristics
- Conductor resistance and resistance unbalance.
- Dielectric strength and insulation resistance.
- Mutual capacitance, capacitance unbalance, and transfer impedance for screened elements.
Transmission parameters (to 100 MHz)
- Velocity of propagation (phase velocity), attenuation, NEXT (near-end crosstalk), FEXT (far-end crosstalk), characteristic impedance and structural return loss (SRL).
Mechanical & dimensional tests
- Dimensional tolerances, elongation and tensile strength of conductors/insulation/sheath, bending, crush and impact tests.
Environmental & safety tests
- Thermal ageing, low-temperature bending, flame propagation (single and bunched), smoke generation, acid/halogen gas evolution and combined air-handling space tests.
Operational limits
- Intended for communications voltages/currents only - not to be connected to low-impedance mains supplies.
- Normal operating temperature range: –40 °C to +60 °C; installation recommended between –10 °C and +60 °C.

Applications

IEC 61156-2 is used for specifying and testing balanced pair/quad cables for:

Horizontal building cabling in LANs and voice/data systems (structured cabling).
Premises wiring where transmission performance up to 100 MHz is required.
Environments requiring specific flame, smoke or halogen performance for safety and regulatory compliance.

Who uses this standard

Cable manufacturers designing and certifying pair/quad products.
Test laboratories performing electrical, mechanical and fire/smoke tests.
System integrators, network designers and building specifiers writing procurement and installation requirements.
Authorities and compliance teams ensuring cabling meets building and safety codes.

Related standards

IEC 61156-1:2002 (Generic specification)
IEC 61156-2-1 (Blank detail specification)
IEC 60304 (Insulation colour codes)
ISO/IEC 11801 (structured cabling definitions for horizontal wiring)

Keywords: IEC 61156-2, horizontal floor wiring, symmetrical pair cables, Category 3, Category 5, 100 MHz, structured cabling, cable specification, balanced pair/quad.

IEC 61156-2:2010 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Applications

Who uses this standard

Related standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Applications

Who uses this standard

Related standards

Related standards

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