What is the maximum untwist allowed for Category 3 cable?

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What is the maximum untwist allowed for Category 3 cable?

Untwisting at the termination point affects the pair’s impedance and crosstalk characteristics. For Category 3 cable, which was designed for lower-frequency operation, the standards permit a larger untwist in the termination region. Up to three inches of untwist is allowed, providing enough slack to neatly place the pairs into the connector without damaging them while staying within the category’s limits. In practice, you still keep untwist to a minimum, but anything beyond three inches would be out of spec and could compromise performance. Shorter untwist lengths are common and safe, while four inches would exceed the allowed maximum.

Untwisting at the termination point affects the pair’s impedance and crosstalk characteristics. For Category 3 cable, which was designed for lower-frequency operation, the standards permit a larger untwist in the termination region. Up to three inches of untwist is allowed, providing enough slack to neatly place the pairs into the connector without damaging them while staying within the category’s limits. In practice, you still keep untwist to a minimum, but anything beyond three inches would be out of spec and could compromise performance. Shorter untwist lengths are common and safe, while four inches would exceed the allowed maximum.

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