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Designing for Extended Distance

With the expansion of devices that are connected to a network in every type of environment, organizations have found themselves pushing the limits of what a typical copper structured cabling system can accommodate. The gold standard for channel lengths that ensure performance and quality remains at 100 meters; however, organizations often find themselves needing to extend connectivity beyond this standard distance. Attempts to connect these devices within a typical structured cabling framework are limited in success, as the overextension can result in high latency, low performance, and frequent interruptions.

Much of the conversation around extended distances is centered on estimating how far we can go with cable modifications, while preserving error-free transmission and providing adequate power to the remote device. Extended distance solutions should be thoughtfully designed and properly integrated – not improvised. Let's break down how you can design a system that grows with your organization's needs.

Busting Myths Around Extended Distance

It’s a common misconception that simply increasing the size of the conductor in a data networking cable will extend its performance range. The interactions between Ethernet protocols, the twisted copper pairs within the cable, and the operating environment are far more complex than just the insertion loss of the conductors. In fact, well-designed 23 AWG extended distance copper cables may significantly out perform some cables with larger 22 AWG or even 21 AWG products.

When deploying extended distance solutions, it becomes even more critical to carefully evaluate the cabling you choose. These solutions must be specified for real world operating temperature ranges, support all required channel topologies within the network, and be extensively tested with a full application warranty provided by the manufacturer. Since extended distance channels fall outside the scope of existing standards, the assurance of application performance must come directly from the manufacturer.

Adjusting for Temperature Variance

Temperature plays a significant role in the performance of extended distance cabling. Both PoE and Ethernet performance are highly sensitive to temperature variations. Elevated temperatures and fluctuations can significantly reduce the reliable operating distance of Ethernet systems.

This sensitivity to temperature makes it essential to ensure that extended distance solutions are specified to cover the full range of expected operating temperatures. Key factors in determining this range include the worst case ambient air temperature within the installation environment, the heating effect from PoE, temperature elevation due to cable bundling, airflow within containment systems, and any other installation conditions that may contribute to temperature increases within the cabling infrastructure.

Unlocking Configuration Flexibility

When extending cabling beyond 100 meters, it is crucial to ensure the system deployed is specifically engineered to reliably support the intended application. Modern buildings often require networks to span a wide variety of spaces – typically through multiple connection or consolidation points – each with different expectations for flexibility and the ability to reconfigure. As a result, a single network design may incorporate multiple channel configurations making flexibility of an extended distance system a key consideration in contemporary network planning.

Incorporating extended distance channels into network designs introduces additional complexity, particularly the need to thoroughly review detailed performance data provided by the system manufacturer. This data should always include a comprehensive matrix outlining application and PoE performance against distance.

Once this matrix is understood and the system is implemented, the performance characteristics of each extended distance link must be carefully documented for future reference. These links operate outside the boundaries of established standards, making accurate documentation essential to assuring consistent performance.

Leviton Designs Scalable Systems for Extended Distances

Leviton offers a complete portfolio of extended distance solutions for networks that need to reach farther. Each system is purpose-built for specific performance requirements, giving designers the flexibility to address real-world challenges without compromise. Get a full review of our extended distance systems.

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Takeaways from the 2026 BICSI Winter Conference

BICSI Winter 2026 was, as usual, an exciting and illuminating foray into the future of the telecommunications industry. Thought leaders from across sectors converged to share insights, explore exciting new technologies, and impart professional knowledge to newcomers. We're breaking down some of the hottest topics explored at the conference, and asking ourselves: what can we take with us throughout 2026?

Data Center Design

Data centers have become the backbone of global connectivity, and AI is quickly and definitively becoming an integral part of data center operations. However, demand for AI-integrated data centers can no longer be met with templatized builds. Data centers must have an infrastructure that scales with demand, unlocking the greater densities and faster network speeds AI necessitates. Speakers gave attendees insights on how to best optimize AI deployments in data centers; modernizing power distribution, testing fiber and copper infrastructure; and flexible, scalable data center design. 

Look to Leviton experts on AI Data Center Design: AI Infusion: The Next Wave of Data Center Networking.

AI and the Future of the Workplace

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, speakers at BICSI mused about where the new technology will take us. Positioning us as being in the midst of a “new industrial revolution,” thought leaders visualized how AI might improve, explored its praxis across professions and roles, and explored its intersection with other new, exciting technologies. Much attention was given to leadership in the age of AI, as attendees received lessons on its use in personal brand-building, career planning, and navigating rapid technological disruption.

Leviton also showcased its newest innovations including the STRATA™ fiber ecosystem for AI and hyperscale data centers, and TORRENT™ immersion cooling solutions for high-performance applications.

Smart Buildings

The explosion of IoT-connected devices has necessitated updates in infrastructure — but how can organizations enable a higher degree of connectivity without compromising performance or security? Extended distance infrastructure and Power over Ethernet were hot topics, as always, but thought leaders tended to focus on the application of IoT infrastructure in hospitals and healthcare facilities. From reliable and secure infrastructure to AI-curated patient experiences, smart infrastructure in the healthcare industry took a significant spotlight at BICSI this year.

Look to Leviton experts on smart buildings: Smart Buildings: How Smart Buildings Assist in Reaching Sustainability Goals

Cybersecurity

Evolution works both ways; as our technologies improve, cybercriminals get more proficient. Cybersecurity was a prevalent topic at this year's conference, with speakers breaking down best practices for the digital age, the benefits of single-pair ethernet and fiber infrastructure for security, and the need for advanced security in smart facilities.

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Look to Leviton experts on SMARTPATCH™ Intelligent Infrastructure Management Solutions

Leviton Network Solutions was at BICSI Winter, presenting four technical sessions and showcasing exciting new innovations for extended distance and hyperscale data centers! Read the press release.

Spotlight: Leviton Receives Platinum and Gold Innovators Awards

Leviton Network Solutions has once again been recognized among the best in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry by the 2025 Cabling Installation & Maintenance Innovators Awards!

The Platinum award-winning FDT Cat 6A shielded cable was recognized for delivering the smallest outside diameter F/UTP Category 6A-rated cable on the market at just 0.235" (5.97 mm). This groundbreaking new cable is designed with Precision Twist Technology, a proprietary technology that precisely controls variation in the cable's twist, enabling Category 6A performance in a much smaller form factor. This facilitates exceptional alien crosstalk performance, surpassing industry standards, all within a compact cable design. The cable's compact design decreases installation costs, leveraging smaller trays and conduits in new builds, and reusing existing pathways in retrofit projects. The FDT Cat 6A shielded cable is available in various fire safety ratings to support different installation environments worldwide.

The Gold award-winning Half RU 24-Port Universal Patch Panel was created to fulfill a need for higher-density installations in environments like telecom rooms, entrance facilities, data centers, and consolidation points. This panel offers a global solution for dense racks and cabinets with an easy and efficient way to add network connections and reclaim rack space. The low-profile panel is designed for racks or zone enclosures with limited usable space, applications where maximizing airflow through the back of the panel is a priority, and installations designed to optimize efficient scaling over time.

By continuously developing advanced solutions like the FDT Cat 6A shielded cable and the Half-RU Patch Panel, Leviton remains dedicated to empowering its customers with the tools needed for faster, more efficient, and denser network installations. As the ICT landscape evolves, Leviton's commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology ensures it will continue to deliver the speed, scale, agility, and assurance critical for future network infrastructure.

News You Can Use

Leviton Celebrates a Milestone Year

Leviton proudly celebrates 120 years of powering innovation and improving how people live and work. Since 1906, our commitment to quality, safety, and forward thinking has defined our leadership across electrical, lighting, data networking, and energy management solutions. Read the press release and follow us throughout the year under #Leviton120.

16 Years of Industry News and Insights

Leviton Network Solutions is celebrating 16 years of Crosstalk Newsletter! We're grateful to our readers for staying on the pulse of networking technology with us, and we're excited for many more years of hot topics, technical deep-dives, and exciting technologies. We want to hear from you! Email your questions or story ideas to crosstalk@leviton.com.

Sustainably Smart Packaging Expands

We recently introduced new Sustainably Smart Packaging for Leviton Economy Series 12-fiber Pigtail Kits for North American customers. The packaging is made of 100% recyclable materials with no plastic and uses no twist ties, saving on unpacking time and avoiding non-recyclable materials. The same Sustainably Smart Packaging for Economy Pigtails Kits is already available with Leviton's fiber pigtail kit offering for EMEA customers.

Tech Tips: Make Residential Installation Easy with Leviton's Online Resources

Get help creating your fully connected home with our simple online form. Answer some short questions, and then receive a Bill of Materials for populating a Leviton STRUCTURED MEDIA™ Center from one of our technical experts within one business day, free of charge.

And don’t forget to take advantage of our helpful step-by-step videos for installation of STRUCTURED MEDIA Center enclosures and other Connected Home equipment, including power boxes, panels, splitters, and more.

Build Your Own SMC | Watch Connected Home Videos

Ask the Experts

Q: When installing patch panels in racks and cabinets that do not include mounting provisions on the rear side of the equipment rail, how do I add rear management? 

A: Some Rear Cable Managers are designed to mount on the rear side of the vertical rack rails of a standard 19“ equipment rack. The vertical rack rails in cabinets and 4-post racks are often just an Lshaped flange, providing no rear side for cable manager installation. Also, rails may have a vertical strengthening flange or rib which interferes with installation of rear cable managers.

Our Panel Extension Kit is designed to resolve this lack of rear side mounting provisions and potential interference, allowing cable managers that are designed for rail mounting to be installed. The kit is ideal for use with the Leviton e2XHD Rear Cable Management Tray (part number E2X1F-CMB) and can also be used to mount cable management bars or recess-mount flat patch panels.

The Panel Extension Kits are available in 1RU (part number E2X1F-BKT) and 2RU (part number E2X2F-BKT) sizes. Each kit consists of one pair of brackets. The brackets route around rack rail obstructions and provide proper setback of the cable manager behind patch panels.

Learn more about our extender brackets, including installation instructions, application notes, and specifications.