ABOUT RDL TWISTED PAIR PRODUCTS
RDL twisted pair products send, receive and distribute a variety of signal types using twisted pair cables (CAT5, CAT6, etc). These
products were designed together as a coordinated system of functional modules that are easy to understand. Drawing from
decades of design and manufacturing experience as the industry leader in signal interface and distribution, RDL twisted pair
modules are engineered to deliver signal integrity equal or superior to installations using traditional shielded cables.
SIGNAL FORMATS
Products are organized according to defined RDL signal formats that govern how each pair is used. The use of different format
designations for various twisted pair products simplifies system planning and installation. Each module is clearly identified with a
format type. Modules of the same format type are all compatible and may be interconnected. They cannot be connected to
modules of a different format type. RDL uses industry standard RJ45 pinouts.
MODULE TYPES
Each format includes modules that send, receive or distribute signals. These are termed SENDERS, RECEIVERS and
DISTRIBUTORS. Each module is offered in the familiar RDL product enclosure series best suited to its installation. Wall or
cabinet-mounted modules are available in white Decora®-style, stainless steel Decora®-style, RDL APPFLEX™ and 45 mm
European modular standard. General purpose SENDERS and RECEIVERS are available in RDL’s TX™ series enclosures for rack
mounting or the wide range of other TX mounting possibilities. Distribution amplifiers are offered in MAX RACK-UP® chassis for
convenient rack mounting.
POWERING CONVENIENCE
System planning and installation is further simplified through the versatility of RDL’s standardized powering scheme. All modules
operate from 24 Vdc power which provides the headroom necessary to deliver studio-quality low-noise performance for every signal
type. Each sending and receiving module may be powered either through the twisted pair cable or by connecting 24 Vdc to the
module’s power input. Power connected to one module is automatically fed through the twisted pair cable to all other interconnected
modules. When it is not convenient to connect power to either the sending or receiving module, power may be inserted at any
location along the twisted pair cable. RDL twisted pair universal POWER INSERTERS apply power in any RDL format twisted pair
cable. These power modules are available in TX, FLAT-PAK® and RACK-UP series chassis for mounting in the most convenient
location.
SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION
Distribution amplifiers are available for each format type. Each distributor accepts input signals from rear-panel connections or
from a twisted pair SENDER. Signals from senders may be connected to multiple distributors using the LOOP OUT jacks on the
distributors’ inputs. Each distributor provides power to all connected sender and receiver modules.
INDICATORS AND PROTECTION
Every active SENDER and RECEIVER module is equipped with a blue power LED. This provides visual verification that a module
is receiving power. All modules that feed locally-connected power to a twisted pair cable include automatic-resetting fusing circuits
to protect against shorts. Distributors and universal POWER INSERTERS are intended to provide centralized power distribution
to remote modules. Each pair of RJ45 ports on these modules is equipped with a green LED to indicate correct output voltage.
The fusing circuits protect the modules from damage while the visual indicators help installers quickly locate wiring faults.
SUMMARY
The variety of styles combined with the mounting modularity of Decora®-style and European 45 mm designs make RDL’s twisted
pair products ideal for any architectural requirements. Segregating the twisted pair cables by format type keeps the design,
installation and maintenance simple and straightforward.
FEATURES OF RDL FORMAT-A TWISTED PAIR PRODUCTS
RDL FORMAT-A twisted pair products send, receive and distribute audio with studio-quality performance. Modules are available
for mounting in walls, cabinets, racks and at other convenient locations. SENDING and RECEIVING modules are equipped
with connectors and terminal blocks for standard -10 dBV unbalanced and +4 dBu balanced line levels, and standard microphone
levels. FORMAT-A uses one pair for power and three pairs for signals. Sending and receiving modules each use one pair, two
pairs or all three pairs for audio signals. Single-pair products allow the installer to select which of the three pairs is used to send
or receive the signal. Two-pair products are used for stereo audio. Three-pair products send and receive three separate signals
which may comprise three mono signals or microphone plus stereo line signals. Modules that do not use all three pairs are
equipped with two RJ45 jacks, allowing SENDERS and RECEIVERS to be daisy-chained. For example, a room could have a
mic input module in one wall and a line input module in another wall or by a computer. Those two SENDER modules could be
connected to each other using twisted pair cable. Only one long run to the receiving location would be required from either
SENDER. FORMAT-A RECEIVERS bridge the signal pairs allowing multiple receivers to be installed along the cable run. All
the modules can be powered at either end of the long run, or at any point along the run. It is often inconvenient to power the
modules at one end or the other. The flexibility of the RDL twisted pair products allows power to be applied at the most efficient
location in the installation. FORMAT-A passive modules do not require power, although they pass power through so they may
be intermixed in an installation with powered modules.
MAXIMUM DISTANCE BETWEEN A POWERED MODULE AND REMOTELY POWERED MODULES BASED ON TOTAL CURRENT CONSUMPTION OF REMOTE MODULES
Determine the maximum cable run distance from the chart.
Distances are provided for common wire gauges at various
total module currents.
CAT5 cable is normally 22 AWG; CAT6 cables range from
22 to 24 AWG.
Some twisted pair cables have a lower resistance than the typical resistance for a specified wire gauge, and therefore may be used over a longer distance than is shown in the chart. The chart is based on the resistances indicated, which is the resistance of a single conductor over 1000 feet or 300 meters. Resistance measurements on the wire used provides the most accurate distances.
Click Here for a Complete Introduction to RDL Format-A Twisted Pair Products
