10BaseT: IEEE 802.3 Ethernet LAN standard, with

data on Cat 3 or Cat 5 twisted-pair (TP) wiring, with a

data rate of 10 Mbps.

100BaseT: IEEE 802.3 Ethernet LAN standard, with

data on Cat 5 twisted-pair wiring, with a data rate of 100

Mbps.

AC: Alternating Current. All electrical outlets in a home

operate at 120V, 60Hz.

Amplifier: An active electronic device to increase the

amplitude of a signal.

Analog: An analog signal is a waved-shaped signal that

represents information in a continuously variable and

directly measurable physical quantity, such as voltage.

The standard telephone signal is an analog signal.

Attenuator: A passive device to reduce the amplitude

of a signal.

AWG: American Wire Gauge. AWG is the standard

gauge for measuring the diameter of copper, aluminum

and other conductors.

Baseband Video: Raw video signal from a single video

source (e.g. camera or VCR). Typically appears at a

yellow phone jack labeled “Video”.

Broadband Video: Modulated video signal. Usually

comes from an antenna or CATV feed and contains

many channels. Also applies to output of modulators.

Typically carried on coax cable and connects to

F-connector labeled “CATV/Antenna”.

Cat 5, 5e & 6: Category 5, 5e & 6 is a performance

class for cables, jumper cables, jacks, connectors and

interconnection components. The performance level

and testing is specified in the EIA/TIA 568A Commercial

Wiring Standard.

CATV: Community Antenna Television, commonly

referred to as cable TV, is a TV signal received over a

cable.

CCTV: Closed Circuit Television, such as a security or

safety camera.

CEBus: Consumer Electronics Bus, a residential consumer

product communications standard developed by

the Electronics Industry Association (EIA).

Coax: Coaxial cable. A center conductor is surrounded

by a dielectric, a shield and an outer insulator.

The signal is unbalanced, and the shield provides noise

immunity. Generally used for broadband TV transmission.

Digital: Information that is encoded in a series of

“1”s and “0”s.

DBS: Digital Broadcast Satellite

Decibel (dB): A logarithmic ratio used to indicate signal

strength. Gains and losses expressed in dB should be

added and subtracted (not multiplied).

HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.

Insertion Loss: The loss of signal due to attenuation

or power splitting through a passive device.

IR: Infrared, commonly used by remote controls.

ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network, residential

or commercial digital telephone service.

Jack: The female connector, usually mounted in a

faceplate or on equipment. Accepts a plug.

Jumper Cord: A short, connectorized cable which

interconnects two jacks, e.g. from equipment to a wall

plate.

LAN: Local Area Network. The most common LAN

today is the 10BaseT network.

Mbps: Megabits (millions of bits) Per Second.

NIU: Network Interface Unit (or NID: Network Interface

Device). A small box, usually mounted on the outside

wall of the house, which is the boundary between the

phone (or cable) company wiring and the house wiring.

Also called the demarcation point.

Off-Air TV: Broadcast Television received by an antenna.

Plug: A male connector, usually on a cable. Plugs into a

jack.

POTS: Plain Old Telephone Service. Also referred to as

“analog” telephone service. Includes voice, fax, and

modem.

T568A: Designation for the pin assignments in a

modular jack. Most appropriate for use in the residence.

TP: Twisted-Pair Wire. A twisted pair consists of two

insulated copper wires twisted together. Cat 5 cable is

4 twisted pairs in a common sheath. The twists provide

balance and noise immunity. Generally used for analog

voice and digital data (LAN) transmission.

UTP: Unshielded twisted pair.