Overview
ISO/IEC TR 11801-9902:2017 is a Technical Report in the ISO/IEC 11801 series that defines and illustrates end-to-end (E2E) link configurations for generic cabling on customer premises. It provides performance specifications to support Class D and Class E balanced cabling channels defined in ISO/IEC 11801-1 and modifies those channel specifications by explicitly including the effect of free connectors (per the interfaces in ISO/IEC 11801-3). Testing guidance is referenced to ISO/IEC 14763-4.
Key topics and requirements
- Definitions and terminology for E2E links, segments, connections and bulkheads.
- Examples and figures showing common E2E configurations (one- to multiple-segment links).
- Performance specifications covering parameters such as:
- Insertion loss and worst‑case insertion limits
- Return loss
- NEXT and PSNEXT (near-end crosstalk)
- ACR-F and PSACR-F (attenuation-to-crosstalk ratios)
- TCL and ELTCTL (transverse conversion loss measures)
- Coupling attenuation, DC loop resistance, propagation delay, delay skew, and DC resistance unbalance
- Tables of worst-case and parameter limits for Class D and Class E E2E links (numerical limits presented in the report).
- Testing and verification: guidance on reference performance testing and installation performance testing of E2E links; test regimes summarized (installation testing references ISO/IEC 14763-4).
- Annex on CP cords: specifications for customer‑premises (CP) cords and their impact on Class D/E performance.
Applications and who uses it
ISO/IEC TR 11801-9902 is practical for:
- Network designers and cabling specifiers who need to define reliable E2E link topologies on customer premises.
- Cabling installers and contractors responsible for field-terminated connectors or pre-terminated E2E assemblies where free connector performance matters.
- Test engineers and commissioning teams performing installation performance verification and acceptance testing.
- Manufacturers and integrators of jacks, plugs, cords and bulkheads who must account for connector effects on channel performance.
- Facility managers and auditors validating that structured cabling meets Class D or Class E performance when free connectors are included.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 11801-1 - generic cabling channel definitions and classes (Class D, E).
- ISO/IEC 11801-3 - interfaces and connector types used to terminate links.
- ISO/IEC 14763-4 - test methods for balanced cabling installation verification.
- Other parts of the ISO/IEC 11801 series for broader cabling design and installation rules.
Keywords: ISO/IEC 11801-9902, end-to-end link, E2E link, generic cabling, Class D, Class E, balanced cabling, free connectors, performance specifications, cabling testing.