Maximum length of stranded patch cable and channel requirements acc. to ANSI/TIA 568 C.2

ANSI/TIA 568 C.2 standard specifies the maximum total channel length of 100m and can be achieved on patch cables using 22awg conductor however very few commercial patch cables use this conductor size and range from 28awg to 22awg with most patch cables being 26awg or 24awg. 22awg patch cables are usually restricted to industrial applications or horizontal cables but the channel requirements remain the same.

When cables smaller than *23awg are used the insertion loss is de-rated compared to the horizontal cables by 20% for 24/7awg conductors and 50% for26/7awg conductors. The calculations for CAT5e/CAT6 differ from CAT6a and can be seen in the below calculator. Change the length which you would like to use in the red highlighted field below to see the patch versus horizontal length. In each case using zero will highlight the maximum length according to ANSI/TIA 568.C.2 for each conductor size. T is the total Channel length ,C is the total patch cable length and H is the Horizontal length. You can also see the de-rating factor which is shown as D.

* Clause 6.2.2 of TIA-562.2-D states that de-rating factors should not be applied to 22 and 23awg patch cords . The only way to determine any derating if any should be determined through testing.