What Is a Converged Application Score?

(With this blog post from Berk-Tek, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at Berk-Tek's new testing methodology. -Teddi)

Traditional LAN testing methodologies don’t accurately measure the performance of cabling under the strain of increasing bandwidth demand, high power PoE, and environmental noise. To address this challenge, Berk-Tek has developed a new testing methodology called the Converged Application (CA) Score.

The CA Score Process has been verified by UL. All claims that are UL verified are subjected to an extremely rigorous audit process of procedural documents, training records, equipment calibration, and system functionality.

Going beyond standard decibel-based testing, the CA Score is based on real-world scenarios designed to measure how cabling systems perform under the stress of converging applications. 

The CA Score is based on the results of a 100-meter, four-connector channel test that includes the simultaneous transmission of Voice, Data, Video, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) through a cabling channel.  During the test, real-world conditions such as heat and nearby voltage spikes are simulated to stress the cabling as they would be in the installation environment.

The higher the score, the better the cable will perform under the stress of converging applications. A high CA Score of 8.6 (like our LANmark-SST) means that your IP infrastructure performance is outstanding, resulting in near flawless application performance, and that there is relatively low heat rise under the strain of high power PoE. A low CA Score such as 3.6 would mean you could expect to see and hear errors and encounter frustrating delays. 

Discover Berk-Tek solutions and contact your local Accu-Tech representative today.