Utility Grade Infrastructure Assurance Program Guide
We build, connect, power and protect the world.
A History of Innovation
With a history of innovation dating back to 1922, Wesco has long contributed to improvements in not only product and service offerings, but also in establishing standards and elevating expectations and reliability for customers across the industry.
In the cabling space, one significant innovation took place began in 1957 when two brothers started selling cable by the foot rather than by the mile to meet their customers’ needs.
In the 1980s, another impactful innovation to the industry came when the Levels program was introduced, addressing the lack of uniform standards across manufacturers’ cable solutions.
The Levels program defined the very first cable performance purchasing specifications, laying the foundation for standards organizations — such as the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) and Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) — to devise category designations. By the 1990s, the Levels program had become the industry standard for cable performance assurance and was later sold to Underwriters Laboratories.
The Need for Assurance Beyond Current Standards
The industry standards we helped to create were set for minimum compliance, but today, building networks are struggling to support the connectivity needs of the rapidly expanding internet of things (IoT) industry, and the increasing number of IoT devices and services operating at extended distances.
Motivated by the current global shifts in workplace norms and the necessity of workplace health and safety — one of the major accelerators of IoT — we saw an opportunity for innovation around 4-pair copper cable.
What resulted was our Utility Grade Infrastructure (UTG) assurance program: an industry-validated, future-ready cabling system, which is comprehensively tested and UL verified as an extended distance solution, that can provide the foundational infrastructure layer to exceed current standards with guaranteed results as a common platform across an entire building.
Health and safety have become the top priorities for inhabiting buildings and has been a primary accelerator of IoT.
of tenants would sign a longer lease in a building with superior connectivity infrastructure.
of tenants experience connectivity issues at the office.
Global Digital Transformation Trends
As voice, data and video surveillance have converged to a common network, we are seeing more building subsystems and endpoint devices becoming network enabled. As this trend continues, billions of devices will require more robust network connectivity, power and security to facilitate this convergence and digital transformation.
This has the potential to put enormous strain on networks and overwhelm IT professionals who must keep up with these increasing network demands. Meanwhile, facilities teams are tasked with managing disparate building subsystems and may struggle with traditional fragmented ways of operating.
A reliable and resilient network is now a necessity for organizations to meet their goals, whether they want to attract premium tenants and employees, simplify the management of multiple building systems or enhance collaboration and workforce productivity.
Converged Building Subsystems
92%
Global Availability
of organizations say that failure to digitally transform will impact their revenue.
UTG is specifiable for global organizations who want to deploy a future-ready infrastructure across all facilities. UTG solutions provide guaranteed performance and interoperability anywhere in the world, simplifying media selection and design while maximizing return on investment.
UTG Rated Solutions
North America - Plenum and Riser
Central America and Latin America - LSZH and Riser
Europe and Middle East - Euroclass CPR and LSZH
Asia Pacific - LSZH and RiserSolution
Foundational for IoT and a Common Platform Across the Entire Building
Future-Ready Cable Infrastructure
Core to the program are UTG-rated cabling solutions from world-class manufacturers Belden, CommScope, Corning and Panduit.
Advanced Power Delivery
UTG addresses advanced power delivery through definitive testing of UTG-rated cabling solutions. These UL verified solutions include design guidance as well as cable bundling recommendations to support more Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications.
Extended Distance
For distances where even UTG copper cannot reach, optical fiber can be utilized. UTG optical fiber is used for high data rate applications that operate beyond 100 meters/328 feet to complement a full UTG solution. The most common environments for fiber are within and around the building including interbuilding, intrabuilding and extended-edge.
– 2021 Mulesoft Connectivity Benchmark Report
Framework and Testing
Developed by industry experts, UTG is designed to be a common infrastructure for the built environment by utilizing real-life definitive application testing as well as industry-first, UTG-exclusive testing protocols.
The UTG framework defines the attributes and construction for a future-ready, utility grade solution to address your immediate and long-term needs. And with two UTG-rated solutions available (UTG10 and UTG20), we aim to provide exactly what you need for your specific application, performance and life cycle requirements.
UTG ratings include a number of cable variants and performance characteristics such as:
• Plenum, Riser, LSZH and Euroclass CPR
• Higher frequency measurement
• Elevated maximum temperature, including jacket and operating temperature
• Extended transmission distances
• Advanced A/V Protocols (HDBaseT and AVoIP Support)
• Next-generation Wi-Fi technology
• Superior cable bundle performance under load (remote powering)
• HD and 4K UHD video surveillance
• Installation flexibility and craft friendliness
Each UTG rating will provide verified applications assurance and simplifies the specification and design process as a common building platform.
The UTG Advantage
UTG cabling is 23 AWG 4-pair unshielded twisted pair that meets and exceeds all category standards. Our UTG partners have developed cabling solutions to meet the higher test specifications of the UTG framework.
Based on the UTG framework performance characteristics on the previous page, this comparison chart summarizes how the UTG10 and UTG20 solutions exceed the performance of standard category cabling.
Figures above are based on verified independent testing from UL. Actual performance may vary based on a number of factors. For final parameters of the extended applications assurance warranty, please consult manufacturer specifications on UTG-rated solutions.
Utilit y Grade Infrastructure
Applications and Attributes
UTG solutions are developed and tested to eliminate the guesswork in media selection by providing guaranteed results. This allows for greater performance and reliability beyond industry standards, while extending infrastructure to better align with building systems’ life cycles.
Beyond Standards | UL Verified
Beginning with baseline TIA infrastructure standards, UTG meets and exceeds these attributes definitively through rigorous UL testing. Wesco and UL developed an industry-first UTG Bear Attack (BERetAC) Test MethodSM for UTG20 solutions, which combines bit error rate (BER), elevated temperature (et) and alien crosstalk (AC), while simultaneously delivering data, video and power over an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cabling system.
The UTG Bear Attack Test Method is important to ensure optimal support of high-performance applications over a UTG20-rated cable infrastructure. Not only is Bear Attack the most comprehensive test in the industry, it will help ensure a state of infrastructure resiliency with application integrity.
Supports Extended Transmission Distances
With continuous convergence of IT and OT applications, it is essential to support low and high bit rate edge devices at greater distances. UTG10 and UTG20 can support low bit rate devices like OT and physical security applications at up to 185m, while also supporting increased distances for high bit rate IP-based applications.
The ability to greatly increase transmission distances while serving a larger area can also lead to a reduction in the number of telecommunications rooms required, resulting in potential savings on square footage requirements and construction costs.
Delivers Higher Bandwidth Capabilities
UTG10 and UTG20 cables have not only been swept for bandwidth, but the limit lines have also been extended during testing to ensure operation at these parameters. This provides more headroom margin for performance and transmission.
Return on Your Investment
Square Footage and Construction Cost Savings
Ethernet standards typically limit transmission distance to 100m, creating challenges with IoT sensors and other applications distributed throughout a building. UTG-rated cabling solutions support extended transmission distances with OT applications and low bit rate devices, creating an opportunity to reduce the size and or number of telecommunications rooms (TR) required.
Based on industry averages, this could mean tremendous savings on square footage as well as construction costs and time. From a space optimization standpoint, freeing up square footage allows it to be utilized for what’s important to your business.
Extending Technology Refreshes
Another key component of generating cost savings and return on investment is better alignment of your infrastructure with the built environment. The various systems that make up a commercial building have contrasting life spans and are specified and designed by different stakeholders.
As the chart below outlines, UTG offers a high-performance structured cabling system that accounts for both information technology and operational technology applications while supporting infrastructure resiliency throughout multiple technology refreshes.
UTG Supports Direct Connect
MPTL Above-Ceiling Design Considerations
UTG supports the TIA-568.2-D standard for a modular plug terminated link (MPTL), making the transition much easier when connecting various ceiling-based technologies, such as intelligent lighting, surveillance cameras, wireless access points and sensors.
The horizontal connection point or consolidation point along with field terminable modular plugs provides a practical way of connecting more end point devices. Utility Grade Infrastructure leverages longer distance capabilities, offering savings in total cost of material, installation and ownership.
Modular Plug Terminated Link Under Test
Source: TIA-568.2-D
Proof of Performance
Supports Higher FPS and Lower Compression
In addition to supporting higher frames per second, UTG extends distance and power for camera applications, simplifying installation methods that use direct device connection with an MPTL (see figure at the bottom of previous page).
Increases PoE Application Distance and Offers Superior Cable Bundle Performance
PoE represents the ability to remotely power and manage intelligent devices, while reducing traditional electrical infrastructure cost and building plug loads. UTG10 and UTG20 cables eliminate degradation of insertion loss and maintains performance at longer distances with edge devices, while still meeting code compliance.
Supports 4K Streaming at Extended Distances
Superior connectivity is necessary to support advanced A/V protocols. Within the industry, there are limitations with electronics and cabling meeting HDBaseT requirements, but UTG solutions are verified to deliver 4K streaming at a full 100m application distance, in addition to power and video over the same cable via PoH. Bear Attack tested UTG20 is also ideally suited for 10GbE SDVoE.
Supports Next-Generation Wi-Fi Technology
UTG20 is optimized for next-generation Wi-Fi, verified to deliver 10 Gbps at 100m with extended headroom. This is the preferred choice for seamless connectivity throughout a building supporting multiple wireless streams.
Provides Ease of Installation for Integrators
As part of the UTG framework, UL developed industry-first test parameters around installation readiness. This is to ensure a UTG-rated solution is craft friendly for installation, flexibility and consistency.
Each UTG-rated cable will include a Flex Force rating based on a range of ounce-feet, highlighting the ease of handling for pulling, installing and terminating.
UTG Flex Force Testing Table
Simplifying Specification and Design
UTG Program Ecosystem
Utility Grade Infrastructure is dependent on an ecosystem of partners accounting for design, planning, installation and testing.
Members of the UTG ecosystem include:
• Innovation partners
Manufacturers with solutions independently verified to meet the UTG Framework
• Test and verification partner
Independent third party testing performed by UL
• Channel partners
Architects, consultants and engineers, as well as UTG-certified integrators
Assurance Program
Supplier Solutions
Independent Testing and Verification
Design, Planning and Installation
UTG Innovation Partners
UTG has been developed alongside world-class global partners. These leading manufacturers solutions have received UL Verified UTG10 and UTG20 ratings to meet or exceed the UTG Framework.
Our Innovation Partners, Axis, Belden, CommScope, Corning, Fluke and Panduit make up the foundation of the UTG infrastructure solutions. UL, is a trusted and independent third-party organization that verifies performance claims on all applicable features of the UTG program. Details on all UL verifications can be found at Verify.ul.com
Value of UTG for Architects, Consultants and Engineers
UTG can help meet infrastructure project demands of accelerated timelines by simplifying the specification and design process without compromising on quality.
UTG is highly specifiable globally, helping to protect a customer’s design intent with a worldwide network of installers to ensure guaranteed results.
UTG solutions are easily verifiable for performance, applications and interoperability, eliminating guesswork and risk in media selection. This will aid in presenting a solution to meet all of the challenges for the developer, while eliminating concerns around LP compliance and the need for niche cables.
As part of the UTG program, Wesco has developed comprehensive Division 27 specifications for both UTG10 and UTG20. In addition to key solution details, specifications include:
• Cable infrastructure design
• UL performance verification
• UTG-certified integrator requirements
• Field test and certification
• Manufacturers assurance warranty
To learn more about the value of UTG for architects, consultants and engineers, contact your Wesco Account Manager.
UTG Certification Program
Beyond the performance of the cabling itself, an important part of a successful UTG deployment is how well the solution is designed, installed and commissioned to meet the specific needs of the project.
Utility Grade Infrastructure also includes a dedicated UTG integrator program that supports certified installation of many or all of the systems within a converged building.
Benefits of a Certified Installation
• Certified integrators who are proficient with planning, designing and installing UTG solutions
• Customizable supply chain solutions
• Manufacturer’s extended assurance warranty
By utilizing a UTG-certified installer, you will have access to a partner with thorough training on the solution with the ability to provide an extended warranty and on-demand support.
Field Test and Measurement
UTG-certified integrators have the ability to provide a certified installation and field test to the UTG framework for beyond-standards applications and extended distance functionality. This will verify you are achieving optimal performance with the solution from a qualified partner.
UTG-specific test parameters have been developed by industry leading field test and measurement manufacturers and are exclusively available through the UTG-certified integrators and assist in qualifying for a manufacturer’s application assurance warranty.
UTG Applications Assurance Warranty
UTG-rated solutions offer a 25-year manufacturer’s extended applications assurance warranty to the UTG framework based on the performance test results verified by UL.
The extended applications assurance warranty is only available through the manufacturer when utilizing UTG-certified integrators.