Hardware manual

CAB 4n Hardware Manual
March 15, 2010 Version 1.6.0.0 25
RS-485 connections
All CAB series products include a powerful feature that enables you to bridge serial data
between CAB locations on the CobraNet network. You can think of this as a kind of sub-
network that travels across the CobraNet infrastructure independently of the audio data. This
feature has many uses, but is primarily for transporting control data. The CAB 4n supports
half-duplex, two-wire, balanced data transfer.
Note: Ensure that your termination is correctly installed and high quality shielded wire is
used.
The RS-485 connector has two sets of terminations that are wired in parallel. This allows
you to bus adjacent serial data connections at each network location. With this type of
connection, there is no input or output.
CAT 5 connections
Category 5 cable, or CAT 5 as it is commonly known, is a wiring standard that consists of 8
conductors, identified into 4 pairs, and although only two of these pairs are used, all four are
terminated.
It is a UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) configuration. The cable is coupled to in-line RJ-45
connectors, also a Bell/AT&T standard. Special crimping tools are required to make the
termination; these are widely available, as are the connectors.
Note: A single CAT 5 cable run must not exceed 100 meters.
Just like telco wire, there are stranded and solid varieties of CAT 5 cable. This is important
to know, because the RJ-45 connector is different for each type of wire. The standard bent
tine connector is intended for use with solid core wire, and the aligned tine connector is for
use with standard wire. The bent tine connector will generally work on stranded wire, but not
the other way around.
Note: Make sure your connector matches your cable type. If you are not sure, use the bent
tine variety.
Note: When terminating CAT 5 cable, it is important that the natural twist of each pair is
carried through as close as possible to the point of termination at the connector.