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Work instruction

NR/WI/TEL/00113

Wiring of Copper Telecoms Terminations (formerly RT/E/WI/00113)

Issue 1, April 2005

Work instruction for copper cable terminations, MDF and lineside frame labelling and circuit jumpering: the jumper wire colour code by circuit type, A-leg/B-leg convention, temporary jumpers, circuit cessation and vertical/level numbering on new frames

Clause map — what each clause deals with

1.1Definitions & AbbreviationsTerms used, including frame (MDF, IDF, DP), through jumper and temporary jumper owner
2PurposeSets the basic principles for copper cable terminations, frame labelling and circuit jumpering, replacing three withdrawn Railway Group Standards
3Wiring and Termination ProceduresWhat makes a termination safe: deal with unterminated jumpers, recover redundant jumpers at MDFs (leave intermediate through jumpers), update records, right tools, colour-coded jumper wire
3.1Cable TerminationsAll pairs of a copper cable go on a frame; any pairs that can't be terminated are isolated and capped at both ends
3.2Signalling & SCADA Circuits in Telecom CablesSignalling and SCADA circuits must be identifiable at every intermediate point, using red markers on the terminations
3.3Temporary JumperingTemporary jumpers are installed to the same standard as permanent ones, labelled as temporary with owner and job details, and removed before the job is closed
4.1Wrong Side FailureWork on telecoms cables can affect signalling circuits, so the risk of a wrong side failure must be considered
4.1.1Un-terminated or Unprotected WiresLoose wires found during work are made safe: jumpers recovered, cable wires capped and left tidy
4.2Circuit CessationWhen a circuit is ceased, recover the jumpers at the end frames; leave intermediate through jumpers for reuse
4.2.1Cessation of Switching and Transmission CircuitsFor switching, data and transmission circuits, also recover the equipment room jumpers and set the equipment port to spare
5Numbering of Telecoms MDF and Lineside TerminationsApplies to new single- and double-sided frames; extensions to existing frames carry on the existing scheme
5.1.1Labelling on a Single Sided Distribution FrameHow verticals are lettered on a single-sided frame and how added verticals are lettered
5.1.2Labelling on a Double Sided Distribution FrameFront and rear verticals get separate front/rear letters (AF, AR style)
5.1.3Double-Sided Frames Within Lineside CabinetsWhich side of a lineside cabinet counts as the front
5.2Labelling the Termination Blocks on the VerticalEach strip or block on a vertical is a numbered level; every level position gets a number even if empty
5.3Cable Termination Order and Termination LabellingWhere pair one goes on a block, keep a cable on one vertical, and the minimum cable label details
6Jumper WireThe jumper wire product to use (0.5 mm conductor)
6.1Jumper Wire Colour Code General TelecommsThe jumper wire colour code: which colour pair to use for general telecoms, circuits of special importance and 4-wire transmission circuits
6.1.1Through JumperingWhich colour to use for through jumpering at intermediate locations
6.2Jumper Wire A-leg and B-LegWhich colour is the A leg (or positive leg), including at a cross-over
Appendix ACircuits Designated as Special ImportanceThe list of circuit types treated as special importance (signalling, SCADA, train describers, level crossing phones and similar)