Cabling Systems RJ45 Keystone Jack in A Compact, Very Short Design

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Keystone jacks are among the key components of structured copper cabling systems. Thanks to their standardized form factor, the compact RJ45 jacks can be flexibly integrated into patch panels, outlets, or trunking installations. In modern network infrastructures, the new Keystone jacks impress with increased operational reliability, modularity, and fault tolerance—particularly with regard to ease of maintenance, PoE capability, and EMC performance.

Shielded Keystone jack modules, also known as jacks, are connection components within a shielded copper cabling system such as the NetKey system from Panduit. However, the significance of such Keystone jacks in network infrastructure is often underestimated. In an end-to-end setup, Panduit's new module SKJ6X88BL represents a cost-effective medium for the high bandwidth demands of communication networks in building cabling—today and in the future. Panduit has also developed a new network mapping system called Rapid ID, enabling faster and more efficient identification of the physical infrastructure. Rapid ID can be activated in the new Keystone solution, thereby improving the transparency of enterprise network infrastructure.

Technical Basics Keystone Jack

A keystone jack is a modular, standardized connector for integration into patch panels, receptacle outlets in dado trunking, floor tanks, or wall modules. Typical components include, for example, thermoplastic housings with high mechanical strength, IDC terminals (Insulation Displacement Connectors), and the front connection, e.g., RJ45 in accordance with IEC 60603-7.

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The strands of the shielded cable are arranged according to the wiring standard TIA/EIA-568A or B and crimped to the connector using IDC technology, ensuring a gas-tight, solder-free, and mechanically stable connection in compliance with ANSI/TIA-568.2-D. The IDC connections must support the specifications of Category Cat 6a according to ISO/IEC 11801-1:2017.

In general, keystone jacks are available for categories Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 6a, with the following features:

• Cat 5e: up to 100 MHz, up to 1 Gbit/s
• Cat 6: up to 250 MHz, up to 1 Gbit/s with better NEXT performance
• Cat 6a: up to 500 MHz, up to 10 Gbit/s (10GBase-T, IEEE 802.3an)

Additionally, shielded (STP/FTP) and unshielded (UTP) variants are available, with shielded solutions being preferred in environments with high electromagnetic interference (EMI)—particularly in industrial environments according to EN 50174-2.

Cable Integration And Interference Protection

Since the performance of a network strongly depends on the connection quality between the keystone jack and the corresponding installation cable, network experts recommend appropriate cable types for the keystone jacks:

• at least Cat 5e/Cat 6, preferably Cat 6a or Cat 7 twisted pair cables according to IEC 61156-5
• Installation according to EN 50174-1/-2, including minimum bending radii and defined stripping lengths

Important in structured cabling is to comply with the limits for NEXT (Near-End Crosstalk), FEXT (Far-End Crosstalk), insertion loss, and return loss according to ANSI/TIA-568.2-D.

Central Component in Structured Building Cabling

In structured building cabling, keystone jacks form a central component according to ISO/IEC 11801. Their application ranges from office buildings to industrial buildings and data centers:

• VoIP (Voice over IP) and other IP-based services
• High-Speed Internet (up to 10GBASE-T)
• Data centers with high demands on availability and bandwidth

To meet future requirements such as cloud computing, virtualization, or IoT integrations, it is ideal to use uniform Cat-6a components to ensure data rates of up to 10 Gbit/s with maximum electromagnetic compatibility. Panduit offers various shielded and unshielded network cables in copper as well as fiber optics within the entire Netkey program.

Network Components Specifically for Keystone Applications

Specifically for Keystone applications, Panduit is introducing a range of network components for use in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. With certified performance in accordance with the standards ISO 11801 Class EA, IEEE 802.3an-2006 10GBASE-T, and ANSI/TIA-568.2-E Category 6A, the new Keystone module supports all high-bandwidth applications. These include, for example, connections of high-end workstations to switches, switch-to-switch links, storage area networks, aggregation of Gigabit Ethernet channels, real-time financial transactions, streaming, animations, simulations, or medical imaging.

Compatible With Other Components

Thanks to the standardized Keystone form factor, the new SKJ6X88BL jacks are compatible with other components of the NetKey series. In addition to the new Keystone jack, users also receive NetKey HDMI, USB, or fiber optic connections from Panduit. Furthermore, the American family-owned company offers various network cables and connectors, such as the new Cat-6a patch cable in two different versions. These shielded cables with a diameter of 26 AWG are halogen-free and low-smoke (LSZH = Low Smoke Zero Halogen) in accordance with IEC60332-1-2. The S/FTP patch cables, which feature individually shielded wire pairs with an additional overall shield around all pairs, are available in both Cat 6 and Cat-6a versions. Lengths can be scaled from 3–49 f, with a choice between blue (BU) and international gray (IG) as colors.

For integration into the central distribution within the building or floor, various network distribution cabinets or wall enclosures are available, along with the corresponding patch panels for Keystone integration. With Panduit patch panels featuring modular Keystone ports, a very flexible network architecture can be established. In combination with punch-down panels, an easy installation is possible—supported by snap-in mechanisms in accordance with ANSI/TIA-606-B (labeling systems for cable management).

Consider Key Features And Quality Criteria When Making A Choice

When selecting Keystone jacks, it is important to consider crucial properties and quality features. Typically, Keystone jacks are tested for at least 750 mating cycles in accordance with IEC 60603-7. Panduit tests its new Keystone jacks as well as the entire NetKey system for up to 2500 mating cycles. The insertion loss should also remain below the defined limits according to TIA-568.2-D. Panduit’s SKJ6X88BL jack exceeds the channel requirements of ANSI/TIA-568.2-E Category 6A and ISO 11801 Class EA at varying frequencies up to 500 MHz. At the same time, the channel and component performance according to ANSI/TIA-568.2-E and ISO 11801 Category 6A at frequencies up to 500 MHz is also surpassed. The new Panduit jack operates reliably within a wide temperature range from 14–167°F and meets the permissible levels of NEXT values for 100% system certification.

In addition, each individual jack is marked with a unique quality control number, making it traceable and clearly documented. The shielded module offers an integrated 360° shield contact—without the need for additional assembly steps. It is listed under UL 1863 and can therefore be used as an accessory for communication cabling. Furthermore, the jack meets the CSA standard C22.2 as well as UL 2043, allowing it to be used in air-conditioned spaces. A punchdown tool from Panduit for insulation displacement contacts (PDT110) ensures that the conductors are fully terminated.

A Technological Advantage

Panduit introduces the new Keystone RJ45 module, a solution that not only impresses with its quality and durability but also elegantly solves today's space issues in installation through its compact design. Those prioritizing maximum performance with minimal space requirements in industrial and building networking cannot overlook the new Keystone module.

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