Index of Acronyms

A/D

Analog-to-digital

A signal that is used in electronics to convert an analog signal (radio waves, television waves or sound waves)  into a digital signal.

ADSL

Asymmetric digital subscriber line

A broadband connection that uses home telephone lines to transfer data from your provider to your home.

ADSS

All-Dielectric Self Support

A type of fibre optic cable that is strong enough to support itself between structures without using conductive metal elements.

ANSI

American National Standards Institute

The American National Standards Institute oversees standards and conformity assessment activities in the United States.

APC

Angle Polished Connector

A type of fibre optic connector that minimalises back reflection with its end faces polished to a 5- to 15-degree angle.

B-PON

Broadband passive optical network

bps or Bps

bits or Bytes per second

The number of bits or Bytes transferred in a single second.

CATV

Community Antenna Television

DX

Duplex

Can be used to describe a duplex fibre optic cable consisting of two strands of fibre transmitting data in both directions as well as an adapter suitable for two cores.

E2

E2000 Connector

A type of connector that houses a spring-loaded shutter. Available in single-mode (APC/UPC) and multimode (UPC).

EMI

Electromagnetic interference

The disturbance to one electrical device generated by another.

FC

Ferrule Connector

A type of fibre optic connector with a threaded body, which is designed for use in high-vibration environments.

f/FTP

Foiled with Foiled Twisted Pairs

F/FTP copper cable construction has a foil shield wrapped around individually foiled twisted pairs of copper wire. All foiled and shielded cables should have a drain wire between shielding and jacket to complete the electrical circuit from the shield/foil and carry electrical noise towards the ground. This type of cable is also known as FFTP.

f/UTP

Foiled with Unshielded Twisted Pairs

This type of copper cable construction has a foil shield wrapped around unshielded twisted pairs of copper wire. All foiled and shielded cables should have a drain wire between shielding and jacket to complete the electrical circuit from the shield/foil and carry electrical noise towards the ground. This type of cable is also known as FTP.

GB

Gigabyte

Gb

Gigabit

G-PON

Gigabit PON or G.984

A standard for passive optical networks published by the ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunication).

HDPE

High-density polyethylene

Hz

Hertz

The standard unit of measurement used for measuring frequency.

IEC

The International Electrotechnical Commission is an international standards organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as “electrotechnology”.

IEEE

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a professional association for electronic engineering and electrical engineering. 

IEEE 802.3

IEEE 802.3 are a working group and a collection of Institute of Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards produced by the group.

IL

Insertion Loss

The loss of signal as a result of the insertion of a device and/or the length of the path. The lower the insertion loss, the better. Measured in decibels (dB).

Impedance

Impedance (measured in Ohms Ω) measures the voltage across a copper cable and the current flowing through the cable. It represents the total resistance that the cable presents to the electrical current passing through it. The measurement is the ratio of the peak voltage to the peak current. To learn more about calculating impedance visit the isaac website.

IP Rating

Ingress Protection Rating

An IP rating is a way of classifying the protection offered by mechanical casings. Ranging from dust to water, typically the higher the IP rating the more protection the casing offers. The first digit resembles solids such as human contact, tools and dust. The second digit represents liquids such as condensation, powerful jets of water or full immersion. A cabinet with an IP rating of IP68 for example is protected from total dust ingress and is protected from long term immersion up to a specified pressure.

ISO

International Organization for Standardization

The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations.

ISO/IEC 11801-3:2017

ISO/IEC 11801-3:2017 is the standard for Information technology — Generic cabling for customer premises — Part 3: Industrial premises. A standard governed by both ISO and the IEC.

KB

Kilobyte (1924 bytes)

A unit of memory or data.

Kbps

Kilobyte (1000s) per second

A measure of data transfer speed.

KSJ

Keystone Jack

Keystone jacks are used in wiring systems for LAN and Ethernet. It is a female connector and is usually mounted in a patch panel or wall plate where a male connector will be inserted. Available shielded or unshielded, shielded keystone jacks help protect data from EMI.

LC

Lucent Connector

An LC connector is a small-form-factor (SFF) fibre optic connector with a 1.25 mm ferrule and is used for connecting fibre optic cabling network devices.

LAN

Local Area Network

A small network of computers connected in a small area such as offices and schools

MAN

Metropolitan Area Network

mW

Milliwatt(s)

1 watt is equal to 1000 mW.

NTP

Network Time Protocol

A protocol that is used in networking for clock synchronisation between computers on a network.

OD

Outer Diameter ø

The dimension is used to measure the diameter of a cable.

OE

Optical-to-Electrical

Optical-to-electrical converters are designed to measure optical communication signals

OEO

Optical–Electrical–Optical

Used in fibre optic communication systems to switch high-speed optical signals in fibre optic networks. It does this by converting an optical signal into an electronic data stream that is then processed to extend the transmission distance by converting the wavelengths and amplifying the signal. It is then regenerated as an amplified optical signal.

Ohms Ω

A unit for measuring resistance.

ONT

Optical Network Terminal

An ONT (also called ONU) converts the signals from fibre optic into copper and electrical signals for phone, internet and TV. It communicates directly with your ISP (internet service provider) by connecting to the PON (Passive Optical Network) to provide fibre optic internet in your home or office. This is the end-user equipment in a typical FTTH (Fibre-to-the-Home) communication link. ONT is an ITU-T standards term.

ONU

Optical Network Unit

An ONU (also called ONT) converts the signals from fibre optic into copper and electrical signals for phone, internet and TV. It communicates directly with your ISP (internet service provider) by connecting to the PON (Passive Optical Network) to provide fibre optic internet in your home or office. This is the end-user equipment in a typical FTTH (Fibre-to-the-Home) communication link.ONU is an IEEE standards term.

PBT

Poly-Butylene Terephthalate

PCB

Printed Circuit Board

PDU

Power Distribution Unit

A PDU is a device fitted with multiple outputs for the distribution of electrical power typically used in data centres.

PDU

Protocol Data Unit

A PDU is a unit of information transmitted over a computer network.

PE

Polyethylene

PON

Passive Optical Network

PON is a technology commonly used by telecommunications network providers to deliver broadband network access to the end-user.

PP

Polypropylene

QD

Quad

Can be used to describe a cable with four conductors or an adapter suitable for four cores.

RJ11

Registered Jack 11

An RJ11 is a telephone jack that is commonly used for plugging a telephone into the wall. Used with a cable of twisted pairs.

RJ45

Registered Jack 45

An RJ45 is a connector that is commonly used for Ethernet networking. Used with a cable of twisted pairs.

RL

Return Loss

The higher the return loss the better. Return loss measures the power of a signal returned/reflected back towards the transmitter as a result of an interruption in the transmission line or optical fibre. A high return loss will result in a lower insertion loss. A low return loss can indicate an impedance mismatch. Measured in decibels (dB).

RoHS

The Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment

SC

Standard/Subscriber Connector

An SC connector has a 2.5 mm ferrule and is used for connecting fibre optic cabling network devices using single-mode or multimode.

SF/FTP

Shielded and Foiled with Foiled Twisted Pairs

Ultimate protection for copper cable from electromagnetic interference. Individual twisted pairs of copper cables are wrapped in foil tape. All foiled pairs are then wrapped together in foil, then wrapped in a shield of strong braiding.

S/FTP

Shielded with Foiled Twisted Pairs

Individual twisted pairs of copper cables are wrapped in foil tape. All foiled pairs are then wrapped in a shield of strong braiding.

SF/UTP

Shielded and Foiled with Unshielded Twisted Pairs

SF/UTP copper cables have a shield made of a tightly woven lattice of thin tin or copper wires with a foil sleeve beneath, to protect the unshielded twisted pairs. Often referred to as SFTP or STP.

ST

Straight Tip Connector

A fibre optic connector that has a quick-release bayonet plug and socket that is used for connecting fibre optic cabling network devices.

S/UTP

Shielded with Unshielded Twisted Pairs

S/UTP copper cables have a shield made of a tightly woven lattice of thin tin or copper wires to protect the unshielded twisted pairs. Supports higher transmission rates for longer distances than unshielded UTP. Often referred to as STP but be careful as many shielded cables also use the term STP.

SX

Simplex

Simplex optical fibre has a single strand of glass or plastic fibre and is only transmits data in one direction. Also used to refer to an adapter that houses one core.

TIA

Telecommunication Industry Association

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a standards developing organization. TIA’s engineering committees create standards and technical documents based on guidelines established by the ANSI Essential Requirements.

U/FTP

Unshielded with Foiled Twisted Pairs

This type of copper cable construction consists of twisted pairs of copper wire, each pair protected with foil tape but no overall shielding or foil around the foiled pairs. Also known as STP.

uPC

Ultra-Physical Contact

A type of fibre optic connector that has a slightly curved end face, but appears flat.

U/UTP

Unshielded Twisted Pairs

This type of copper cable construction consists of twisted pairs of copper wire. Also known as UTP.

VFL

Visual Fault Locator

A type of fibre optic cable tester. Used to trace breaks and faults with an injected red light.

ø 

Outer Diameter

The dimension is used to measure the diameter of a cable.

Ω

Ohms

A unit for measuring resistance.

100BASE-T

Official project name for 100 Mb/s Fast Ethernet

100BASE-T4

The official project name for 100 Mb/s Fast Ethernet using 4-pair Category 3 cable

100BASE-TX

The official project name for 100 Mb/s Fast Ethernet using 2-pair Category 5 cable

2W

Two-Wire Circuit

Used in telecommunication wiring to support bi-directional transmission, simultaneously.

3G

Third Generation wireless

4G

Fourth Generation wireless