Factors that affect the return loss are:
•The number of transition points, as there is a connection via an RJ-45 to another connector, a patch panel, or device at each transition point.
•Removing the jacket that surrounds the four pairs of twisted cable. It is highly recommended that, when RJ-45 connections are made, this is minimized to 1-1/4 inch (32 mm).
•Untwisting any pair of the twisted-pair cabling. It is important that any untwisting be minimized to 3/8 inch (10 mm) for RJ-45 connections.
•Cabling or bundling of multiple Category 5 cables. This is regulated by ANSI/EIA/TIA-568A-3. If not correctly implemented, this can adversely affect all cabling parameters.
Near End Cross Talk (NEXT)
This is a measure of the signal coupling from one wire to another, within a cable assembly, or among cables within a bundle. NEXT measures the amount of cross-talk disturbance energy that is detected at the near end of the link — the end where the transmitter is located. NEXT measures the amount of energy that is “returned” to the sender end. The factors that affect NEXT and cross talk are exactly the same as outlined in the Return Loss section. The cross-talk performance is directly related to the quality of the
cable installation.