Redwood Cabling

Design Guide
 Executive summary
This document reviews the system architecture and
provides the cabling design guidelines and suitable
operating environments for the implementation of
a Redwood® energy-efficient LED lighting network.
It complements the Redwood System Installation
Guide and Redwood Commissioning and
Administration Guide.
There are three primary cabling design options illustrated
in this guide:
1) Dedicated cabling terminated on patch panels in the closet
and plugs near the sensors
2) Dedicated cabling terminated on patch panels in the closet
and jacks near the sensors
3) Shared cabling terminated on patch panels in the closet
and jacks near the sensors
2 For more information, visit commscope.com
Each option has pros and cons, which are discussed to help
the user select between them. The four primary tradeoffs that
should be taken into account are:
• initial installed cost
• flexibility for future modifications
• cabling bulk in pathways
• compatibility with Redwood end-point devices
The optimal solution is dependent on the relative importance of
these factors as well as the labor rate for the specific installation
at hand. The first two options are supported on CommScope
cabling (recommended) as well as cabling components from
other vendors that are fully compliant with ANSI/TIA-568-C,
ISO/IEC 11801 and EN 50173-1 standards. The third option
(cable sharing) is only supported on CommScope Category-6
(or better) cabling, as it has been thoroughly tested to support
this more demanding configuration.

The cabling configurations
described in this guide are
eligible for registration in the
CommScope Enterprise 20-Year
Extended Product Warranty and
Applications Assurance Program
for the Redwood application,
provided that only CommScope
cabling components are used
from end to end, and all other
terms and conditions of the
program are met.
As noted, the three primary options include patch panels in the closet. Although
patch panels are recommended, they are not required when deploying dedicated
cabling (options 1 and 2 above). They are necessary when deploying shared
cabling (option 3) to enable combining two Engine ports into one cable. The
Appendix describes, in more detail, the rationale for recommending patch panels.
Cables may be bundled in groups up to 48 cables for any portion of their length.
The maximum ambient temperature for CommScope cabling is generally
50°C (122°F), although higher rated cables are available. The maximum
ambient temperature for all cabling shall follow the manufacturer’s guidelines
and be at least 10°C (18°F) below the maximum recommended operating
temperature of the cabling to accommodate the effects of cable heating
while providing power.
Local fire and safety codes shall be followed. Local codes take precedence
in case of conflict with this guide.
It should be noted that the shared Cat-6 option is a recently introduced option
that is not compatible with all Redwood end-point devices at this time:
• Devices supporting cable sharing: Sensor-3, Universal Gateway,
Dimmer Switch, Scene Controller Switch, some fixtures with
embedded sensors (consult your Redwood representative)
• Devices NOT supporting cable sharing: LED gateway and some
fixtures with embedded sensors
The cabling configurations described in this guide are eligible for registration
in the CommScope Enterprise 20-Year Extended Product Warranty and
Applications Assurance Program for the Redwood application, provided that
only CommScope cabling components are used from end to end, and all
other terms and conditions of the program are met.
Consult your Redwood representative with specific questions.
For more information, visit commscope.com 3
 Redwood solution architecture

Overview
The Redwood system is an innovative energy-efficient lighting
system that provides advanced control capabilities and building
performance data to improve how commercial buildings are
lit, heated, occupied and managed. Other control systems on
the market are generally incrementally added to the existing
electrical lighting wiring. Whether dimming, detecting motion,
implementing daytime lighting, or managing to a scheduler, all
of these systems traditionally sit “on top” of the power system
and have fixed dependencies on the circuitry. As a result, they
are complex to set up, labor-intensive, expensive to install, and
difficult to modify once deployed.

Redwood’s innovative approach combines power, sensing,

control, and communications with a low-voltage, DC-powered,
“self-aware” network architecture that automates lighting
and enables building intelligence. This new approach to
commercial lighting installs simply as one cohesive network
of fixture and sensor hardware and is administered through a
web-based dashboard from PCs and mobile devices.

The Redwood design is comprised of the following elements:

• A highly efficient (>83%) centralized power Engine
(Redwood 4834 Engine) capable of powering multiple
light-emitting diode (LED) luminaires, with flexibility to
support different currents and voltages for compatibility
with various luminaires and applications.
• One of the following three sensor options:
• Intelligent algorithms that utilize the data gathered from
the Redwood sensors to control the LED luminaires, thereby
providing light only when and where it is needed.
• Optional Redwood Dimmer Switches, which can provide
manual override control of light levels for one group of
lights.

1) A Redwood sensor located adjacent to each luminaire. • Optional Redwood Scene Controller Switches, which can
This compact device incorporates a gateway for provide manual override control for multiple groups of lights
communicating with the Engine as well as a sensor pod simultaneously for setting scenes in large areas such as
for monitoring occupancy, light level and temperature. conference rooms.

2) A third-party fixture with an embedded Redwood sensor. • Optional Redwood Universal Gateway used to control one

3) An LED Gateway and separate sensor pod located or two relays, which may be used to control AC-powered

adjacent to each luminaire. The LED Gateway has one devices such as legacy fluorescent pendants, conference

primary RJ45 jack for interfacing with structured Category room projectors, etc.

cabling. The LED Gateway has two additional jacks,
which may be connected to separate Engine ports for
luminaires that require more than 34 watts of power.
Utilizing three connections in parallel, high-power
luminaires up to 102 watts can be supported.
• A scalable management and monitoring software system
(Redwood Manager) that captures and stores data from
the sensor arrays.

4 For more information, visit commscope.com

Redwood does not manufacture the LED luminaires. Instead,
Redwood partners with leading LED fixture manufacturers to
provide Redwood-compatible LED luminaires for commercial
spaces and data centers. Redwood-compatible fixtures are
available for general interior illumination (downlights, pendants,
direct/indirect, lay-ins, troffers), accent lighting (wall washes,
sconces, linear cove lighting), task lighting, and under-cabinet
lighting.
Running the embedded Redwood Manager software, the
Redwood Engine powers and communicates with Redwood
Sensors, LED Gateways, Dimmer Switches, Scene Controllers,
and Universal Gateways. It is the “brains” behind the
Redwood platform and performs the sophisticated controls that
significantly reduce energy consumption. Multiple Engines may
be linked together to power and control hundreds or thousands
of fixtures. Figure 1 shows the Redwood architecture.

Redwood Manager Redwood LED

(Software) Sensor Downlight
Apps

Redwood Open
Application Framework

Redwood Director
ems
oodsyst

Redwood Engines
redw

Redwood LED Fixture

AC LED
Gateway
AC
Redwood
AC Scene Control
Redwood Wall Switch
AC Sensor Pod

Category Cabling Redwood Universal Fluorescent Pendant

Gateway
Low Voltage
AC

Line Voltage Relay

Redwood
Sensor Pod

Figure 1: This shows a typical Redwood® solution architecture.

For more information, visit commscope.com 5

 Communication media
The Redwood Engine centralizes power conversion and control
processing for LED lighting. All the LED drivers are located in
the Redwood Engine. The Redwood Engine takes line-voltage
AC power, converts it to low-voltage DC, and distributes it via
four-pair structured Category cabling to one of the Redwood
end devices. Each of the Redwood end devices has an RJ45
jack, which accepts four-pair RJ45 plugs.
In addition to the four-pair structured Category cabling between
the Engine and the Redwood end devices, pre-connectorized
low-voltage cabling assemblies are used to connect the
Redwood end devices to adjacent devices as follows:
• LED fixtures come assembled with a whip cord, which
either has an RJ45 plug (to interface with the RJ45 jack
in Sensor-3 labelled “luminaire”) or a 10-pin miniature
connector (to interface with an LED Gateway).
• External sensor pods are shipped with a short RJ25 cord to
connect to the LED Gateway or Universal Gateway.
• A Universal Gateway wiring harness (10-pin miniature
connector to raw ended wires) provides the connection
between the Universal Gateway and the AC relay control
connection point. This wiring harness is ordered separately.
This guide focuses on the structured Category cabling
connectivity. Additional guidance on the low-voltage cabling
assemblies can be found in the relevant Redwood specification
sheets and Redwood instruction sheets.
Each Redwood Engine is connected to the LAN via a
standard 10/100/1000BASE-T port. The default policy
for each Engine is “construction mode,” where each fixture
turns on independently when motion is detected and stays
on until no motion is detected for 30 minutes. Once the LAN
is operational, the Engines are configured as part of the
commissioning process, including assignment of lights into
groups, assignment of policies, etc. For installations with up
to eight Engines, one of the Engines can be configured as the
master controller. For installations with more than eight Engines,
a Redwood Director must be deployed. A Redwood Director
is also required if integration with external applications/
systems is required. Consult the Redwood Networking Guide
for detailed instructions on network configuration. CommScope
recommends structured Category-6 (or better) connectivity for
all network connections.

6 For more information, visit commscope.com

Physical layer design
This section describes the three primary structured Category
cabling design options that can be deployed between the
Redwood Engine and the Redwood end devices. Each option
has pros and cons, which are discussed to help the user select
between them. The three primary tradeoffs that should be taken
into account are:
• initial installed cost
• flexibility for future modifications
• cabling bulk in pathways
The optimal solution is dependent on the relative importance
of these factors as well as the labor rate for the specific
installation at hand.
All cabling components deployed shall be compliant with
ANSI/TIA-568-C, ISO/IEC 11801 and EN 50173-1
standards as well as applicable local fire and safety codes. In
case of conflict, local codes take precedence.
The maximum length of the structured Category cabling (cable
plus all cords) shall not exceed 100 meters.
For more information, visit commscope.com 7
 Option #1: Dedicated cabling with patch
panels and plugs
Option #1: Dedicated Cat-5e Cabling with Patch Panels and Plugs
Any Redwood end-device

≤ 95m • Sensor 3 (shown)

• LED Gateway

• Integrated fixture

• Dimmer switch

• Scene Controller
≤ 5m • Universal Gateway

Figure 2: This illustrates dedicated cabling with

patch panels in the closet and plugs at the end device.

In this option, Category-5e (or better) cords, panels, and cable are
used, along with field terminated plugs at the end device. Each
channel consists of one cord in the closet, one port on a patch
panel, one dedicated horizontal cable, and one field-terminated
plug directly onto the solid conductor horizontal cable.
It is advised to provision a small amount of slack near the
sensor to enable minor repositioning of sensors if needed (if
allowed by local codes). Note that Redwood-enabled fixtures
come equipped with a short embedded cord and are, thus,
not part of the structured Category cabling.

To support this option, Redwood has introduced a field

terminated plug. The Redwood plug can be fitted on
Cat-5e and Cat-6 cables (see plug specifications for
cable compatibility).

Pros of cabling option #1 Cons of cabling option #1

• Lowest initial cost option • Reduced flexibility (more difficult to move/reposition

devices and more difficult to redeploy for other
• Less apparatus in ceiling area
applications)
(no jacks or mounting box in ceiling area)
• Location of end of cable in user area is less controlled
• Readily field testable using hand-held testers
until sensor is mounted (may require interim
(use channel adapter for ceiling area)
management of cable slack loops)
• Compatible with all Redwood end-point devices
• Not fully compliant with structured cabling norms

8 For more information, visit commscope.com

Option #2: Dedicated cabling with patch
panels and jacks
Option #2: Dedicated Cat-5e (or better) with Patch Panels and Jacks
Any Redwood end-device

≤ 90m • Sensor 3 (shown)

• LED Gateway

• Integrated fixture

• Dimmer switch
≤ 5m
• Scene Controller

≤ 5m • Universal Gateway

Figure 3: This illustrates dedicated cabling with patch

panels in the closet and jacks near the end device.

In this option, Category-5e (or better) components are
deployed. The cabling connectivity for two channels is shown
(one in blue, one in green). Each channel consists of one
cord in the closet, one port on a patch panel, one dedicated
horizontal cable, one jack in the ceiling, and one cord in the
ceiling. Note that Redwood-enabled fixtures come equipped
with a short embedded cord and are, thus, not part of the
Category cabling. In some jurisdictions, it may be acceptable
to tie-wrap the jacks to a permanently installed building
element. In other jurisdictions, though, the outlets may need to
be mounted in a suitable mounting box such as a CommScope
M101, M102 or M202 surface-mount box (not shown in
above figure).

Pros of cabling option #2 Cons of cabling option #2

• Most flexible option (easy to move/reposition devices) • Highest initial cost option

• Fully compliant with structured cabling standards • More apparatus in the ceiling area

• Easy redeployment for non-lighting applications • May require mounting box for jacks

• Easy demarcation for permanently installed cabling

(clear test-points and handoff, which is most relevant if
multiple parties are doing portions of the installation)

• Compatible with all Redwood end-point devices

For more information, visit commscope.com 9

 Option #3: Shared CommScope Cat-6 (or better)
cabling with patch panels and jacks
Option #3: Shared Cat-6 (or better) with Patch Panels and Jacks
(this option is only supported on Commscope cabling)
≤ 90m
≤ 5m
≤ 5m
Figure 4: This illustrates shared CommScope Cat-6 (or
better) cabling with patch panels in the closet and jacks
near the end device.
In this option, CommScope Category-6 (or better) components are
deployed. The cabling connectivity for two channels is shown (one
in blue, one in green, with the shared cable in orange). A Redwood
SP12A splitter is plugged into one port on the patch panel (thereby
providing two jack references). Similarly, an identical Redwood
SP12A splitter is plugged into the jack in the ceiling (thereby
providing two jack references). The splitter is internally configured to
carry the Redwood power and communication signals on two pairs
as opposed to four pairs. This cabling option is, thus, identical to
option #2 except that each patch panel port, horizontal cable, and
jack in the ceiling is “shared” between two ports. The number of
Engine ports and sensors is identical to the other two configurations
(i.e. only the permanent link portion is “shared”). It should be noted
Pros of cabling option #3
• Typically lowest total installed cost dependent on
labor rate
• Reduced cable bulk (half as many horizontal cables)
• Most flexible option (easy to move/reposition devices)
• Fully compliant with structured cabling standards
• Easy redeployment for non-lighting applications
• Easy demarcation for permanently installed cabling
(clear test-points and handoff, which is most relevant if
multiple parties are doing portions of the installation)
10 For more information, visit commscope.com
Select Redwood end-devices
• Sensor 3 (shown)
• Select Integrated fixtures
• Dimmer switch
• Scene Controller
• Universal Gateway
Excludes LED gateway
that this option is only supported on CommScope Category-6 (or
better) cabling from end to end. Redwood and CommScope have
performed extensive testing and systems engineering to ensure that
cable sharing can be supported on CommScope SYSTIMAX® and
Uniprise® cabling even under the worst-case supported operating
conditions. Neither the use of cabling from other vendors nor the use
of CommScope Category-5e cabling is supported with Option #3
for both performance and safety reasons.
In some jurisdictions, it may be acceptable to tie-wrap the jacks
to a permanently installed building element. If mounting boxes are
used, the jacks should be mounted with the tab up in the boxes to
provide easy access to the release tab on the splitter.
Cons of cabling option #3
• Typically the highest cabling material cost
• Splitter may partially cover the default labeling area
on some patch panels
• More apparatus in the ceiling area
• May require mounting box for jacks
• The number of drops in the ceiling for possible
redeployment is cut in half.
• Not compatible with Redwood LED Gateway
• Not compatible with some fixtures with integrated
sensors (consult your Redwood representative
with specific questions)
Physical layer installation and environmental
considerations
General requirements
The Redwood Engine and the Redwood end-point devices shall
be installed according to the Redwood System Installation Guide
and Redwood Commissioning and Administration Guide (latest
issues shall apply). Redwood compatible LED fixtures must be
installed according to the vendor’s installation instructions.
For non-integrated fixtures, the Redwood Sensors and Sensor Pods
must be installed next to each fixture.
In general, the Redwood Scene Controllers and Dimmer Switches
should be located near the fixtures they control.
Ensure that cables and cords with the appropriate fire rating
are used and installed in accordance with all applicable local
regulations and practices. For instance, ensure that all cords used
in a plenum environment are plenum rated.
Prerequisite: Determine locations for all fixtures, Redwood
Sensors, Redwood Dimmers & Scene Controllers, and Redwood
Gateways and Sensor Pods. Please refer to the Redwood
Commissioning and Administration Guide.
Engine Installation Requirements
In commercial office buildings, the Redwood Engines are
typically located in 19 inch racks in the wiring closet and in close
proximity to the RJ45 patch panels and cable management.
Mounting brackets and mounting screws are included with each
engine. Multiple engines are stacked at the bottom of each rack
with patch panels and cable management located above the
engines. This way the cables can be terminated on the back of
sequential narrow depth patch panels while the Redwood Engines
extend further back. This arrangement also ensures the weight
is concentrated towards the bottom of the rack. The Redwood
Engines may also be mounted in cabinets or other arrangements
as long as clearance requirements and environmental operating
specifications are met (see below).
In data centers, where rack space often comes at a premium,
the Redwood Engines may be rack or cabinet mounted but are
often vertically wall mounted using the Redwood Wall Mount Kit
(PN# WALLMOUNT-TRAY-1G). The required orientation for wall
mounted engines is with the front/jack face of the engines facing
down.
Each engine requires a minimum front/back clearance of 6”
(153mm) and may dissipate up to 375 watts of power. Minimum
front and back clearances are a key design requirement for
air circulation to ensure adequate dissipation of heat from the
engines. All Redwood engines must be located in environments
where they will remain within their rated operating specifications.
Cable bundling and cabling
operating temperature
When remote power is applied to twisted-pair cabling, the
temperature of the cabling will rise slightly due to resistive heat
generation in the conductors. The level of temperature rise will
increase when cables are bundled. The electrical performance of
the cable will also degrade slightly due to the temperature rise.
Category-5e (or better) cables that have a temperature rating of
at least 60°C installed in open cable pathways such as cable
baskets or perforated cable trays may be bundled in groups as
large as 48 cables. The cables may be bundled along their entire
length or a portion thereof. The maximum ambient operating
environment for cables rated at 60°C shall not exceed 50°C. This
ensures that all Category-5e (or better) cables in the bundle will
remain below 60°C even when all cables in the bundle carry the
maximum remote power simultaneously.
Redwood and CommScope Enterprise R&D have performed
extensive testing and systems engineering to ensure that cable
sharing (option #3 above) can also be supported on CommScope
SYSTIMAX and Uniprise Category-6 (or better) cabling under these
same conditions. Cable sharing is only supported on Category-6
(or better) cabling from CommScope, and is NOT supported on
any other cabling.
By using cabling with higher temperature ratings and reducing the
maximum cabling length, a Redwood solution can be deployed
on cabling with a maximum ambient operating environment in
excess of 50°C. Please direct specific questions to Redwood
technical support staff for review. It should be noted that the
maximum operating temperature for Redwood Engines, directors,
sensors, gateways and wall switches is generally 50°C.
Cables installed in conduit or enclosed trunking cannot dissipate
heat as effectively and require smaller bundles. Many variables
must be taken into account in assessing maximum cable bundles
under these conditions. Please direct specific questions to
Redwood technical staff for review.
For more information, visit commscope.com 11
 Cabling Installation Practices
This guideline is not intended to serve as an installation
guide for the Redwood equipment or the installed cabling.
Design and installation of low voltage cabling must follow
proper cabling installation practices and must comply with
applicable national and local regulations, as well as
manufacturer’s instructions.
The following documents provide relevant information
for design purposes:
• SYSTIMAX SCS Design and Installation Guidelines
• Telecommunications cabling and associated standards
such as ANSI/TIA/EIA (568-C, 569-B, 942),
ISO/IEC 11801, and CENELEC (EN 50173, EN 50174).
• National and local codes such as the National
Electrical Code (NEC) in the US
• Manufacturer’s cable and component design and
installation guidelines
Additionally, the following installation practices must
be taken into account:
• Telecommunications cables should be installed with
proper pathway support. Cables must not be placed
directly on fluorescent light fixtures, and must not be
supported by, or attached to, ceiling tile support systems,
electrical conduits, gas pipes, or water pipes.
• All cables and components must be installed according
to manufacturer’s guidelines, and should be visually
inspected for proper installation.
• Cable installation should not significantly deform the
cable jacket due to excessive pulling tension, overall
twisting, compression, or bends over 90 degrees.
• Cable ties should be applied loosely to cable bundles
and allow sliding of the cable tie across the cable bundle
so as not to distort cable jacket.
12 For more information, visit commscope.com
• Avoid water, high humidity, chemical exposure, and
cold temperature bending of cables.
• Installation temperature for copper cables varies
depending upon the jacket material. However, at the
extreme temperatures care must be exercised to prevent
excessive kinking or increases in pulling tension. If
CommScope cable has been stored below 32°F (0°C)
for more than 8 hours, the cable must be conditioned at
room temperature, 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) for at
least 4 hours before installation.
• Maximum pulling tension of each cable should be kept
below 110 N (25 lbf). The use of cable-pulling lubricant
is not allowed.
• If slack loops are deployed, their length should be
minimized. Ensure that cable is not twisted while
creating a slack loop in order to avoid untwisting the
cable pairs.
• Maintain the required bend radius and avoid cable kinks
or jacket damage.
• Avoid untwisting and separation of cable pairs.
Maintain twists to the point of termination and avoid
pair wrapping.
• Manufacturer’s specifications for cable fill limits in
conduit and pathways must be followed. Cabling must
not exceed 23 cm (9 in.) depth, or 15 cm (6 in) for
standards compliance.
• Power separation of installed cabling must comply with
applicable local or national safety regulations, as well as
manufacturer’s guidelines for transmission performance.
• Bonding and grounding practices must comply with
applicable local or national safety regulations.
Appendix: Additional physical layer design options
Support for VisiPatch 360®
in place of modular panels
and jacks
CommScope’s VisiPatch 360 is a versatile, high-density,
high-performance alternative to modular panels. It is also often
used as a consolidation point for zone wiring architectures
in place of jacks in the ceiling. This solution can be utilized
with both dedicated Category-5e cabling as well as shared
CommScope Category-6 cabling. Due to the versatility of
the VisiPatch 360 solution, there are too many physical
layer options to list here. Some of these options may be very
attractive in certain environments offering low initial installed
cost and high flexibility for future modifications. Please consult
your CommScope cabling representative for additional
information and approval of specific architectures.
Support for direct connections
from cable to Redwood Engines
(i.e. elimination of patch panels)
Most cabling installations deploy modular patch panels (or
VisiPatch panels) in the wiring closet to simplify administration,
simplify testing, and improve flexibility. CommScope strongly
recommends the use of patch panels, but does not require them
for Redwood installations. In situations where the likelihood of
equipment being moved within the lifetime of the building is low,
the small incremental cost of the patch panel and corresponding
patch cord may not be justified. Note that patch panels (or
VisiPatch 360 panels) are required to deploy cable sharing.
To reiterate, CommScope strongly recommends the use
of patch panels, but will support installations without
patch panels.
Pros of VisiPatch 360 in place of panels
and jacks
• Very low initial deployment cost
• Can be wall mounted (no rack space needed)
• Can be installed before racks are present
• Supports cable sharing without modular splitters
Cons of VisiPatch 360 in place of panels
and jacks
• May require proprietary VisiPatch 360 patch cords
• Zone deployments may require longer cords, if zone
box is used in ceiling
Pros of direct connections
• Low initial cost (requires only field-terminated plugs)
• Does not consume rack space (no panel is required)
Cons of direct connections
• More difficult administration and reconfiguration
(challenging to connect a specific cable to a specific
equipment port with dressed cables)
• More difficult to identify specific horizontal cables
during troubleshooting (less friendly/accessible
labeling)
• Less clear demarcation for permanently installed
cabling (no clear test-points and handoff, which is
most relevant if multiple parties are doing portions of
the installation)
• Can’t support cable sharing on CommScope Cat-6
cabling (increasing cable bulk)
For more information, visit commscope.com 13
 Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are the testing requirements for the
Category cabling used to support Redwood
Answer: Continuity testing to detect pair continuity, opens,
shorts, reversals and transpositions is mandatory for all
installations and must be performed on 100 percent of the
copper cabling runs. Performance testing of the permanently
installed cabling is recommended but not mandatory.
Question: Do patch panels have to be rack mounted?
Answer: No, patch panels can be wall mounted using means
that enable access to the back for initial termination and
future inspection. In addition, although CommScope strongly
recommends the deployment of patch panels for administration
and future flexibility, they are not required.
Question: We are renovating our existing building and
planning to abandon our obsolete Category-5e cabling. Can
abandoned cabling be re-provisioned for use with Redwood
systems?
Answer: There is a high likelihood that all or a high portion of
cabling needs can be met by salvaging the obsolete cabling.
Please direct specifics to our technical support for additional
guidance.
Question: Which pin-assignment arrangement does
CommScope recommend for terminating conductors?
Answer: CommScope recommends the TIA-568B pin
assignment. Whichever pin assignment is used, it must be used
consistently throughout the installation.
Question: Can foiled cabling (F/UTP) or cabling with a shield
around each pair (S/FTP) be used?
Answer: CommScope recommends the use of U/UTP cabling
to minimize the stiffness of cables and cords, but F/UTP and
S/FTP cables are also supported.
Question: When deploying cable sharing, does every cable
at the patch panel need to deploy cable sharing?
Answer: When deploying cable sharing, all cabling terminated
on the patch panel must be CommScope Category-6 cabling.
Splitters are needed only on those ports of the patch panel
where cable sharing is desired.
14 For more information, visit commscope.com
Question: Are splitters for cable sharing compatible with all
CommScope patch panels that have 24 ports per “U”?
Answer: Somewhat. CommScope recommends the use of
patch panels where all 24 ports in the patch panel are in a
single aligned row. FlexiMAX panels where individual jacks are
staggered alternatively up/down will result in extension above
the “U” space when splitters are inserted into the upper staggered
locations and below the “U” space when splitters are inserted into
the lower staggered locations. To avoid interference, blanking
panels should be used above and below the group of patch
panels or a 0.5U space should be allocated. Where termination
of individual jacks is desired, another alternative is to deploy
CommScope’s new M2400 panels, where all 24 individual
M-series jacks can be terminated in a single aligned row in the
panel, thus avoiding potential interference.
Question: Can I disconnect structured Category cabling on
a Redwood solution while power is on?
Answer: Yes. When the flow of electricity is interrupted via
disconnect, the associated momentum results in “inductive
kick,” which will cause a few sparks in rapid succession. A
common example of severe inductive kick and the associated
sparks can be observed when unplugging a vacuum cleaner
while running. Standards-compliant Category-5e (or better)
cabling and all Redwood end points are designed to withstand
the negative effects of “inductive kick” when disconnected
while carrying current. Cable sharing results in currents per
contact in excess of those supported by standards, but all of
CommScope’s Category-6 and Category-6A connectors were
designed with adequate margin to withstand these higher
current levels.
Question: Can the configurations utilizing the Redwood field-
terminated plug be registered for the CommScope 20 Year
Extended Product Warranty and Applications Assurance?
Answer: The configurations using the Redwood field-terminated
plug can be registered for the CommScope 20 Year Extended
Product Warranty and Applications Assurance, provided that
only CommScope cabling components are used from end to
end, and all other terms and conditions of the program are
met. Applications Assurance for these configurations is limited
to the Redwood application.
We’re proud to be a part
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We’re a trusted resource and partner around the

world because we’re invested in you: your people,
your networks, your success. It inspires us to build
relationships and infrastructure … connect people
and technologies across protocols, oceans and
time zones … and share what we learn along the
way. We’ll never stop connecting and evolving
networks for the business of life at home, at work
and on the go.

This is our promise to you.

This is CommScope.

www.commscope.com
Visit our website or contact your local CommScope representative for more information.

© 2014 CommScope, Inc. All rights reserved.

All trademarks identified by ® or ™ are registered trademarks or trademarks, respectively, of CommScope, Inc.
This document is for planning purposes only and is not intended to modify or supplement any specifications or warranties relating to CommScope products or services.
BR-107740-EN.GB (04/14)