What is the maximum length of a permanently installed UTP cabling link allowed in structured cabling standards?

The maximum length of a permanently installed unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cabling link allowed in structured cabling standards is indeed 100 meters. This length includes both the horizontal cable run and the equipment patch cords at each end.

In structured cabling systems, the horizontal cabling segment is specified to be up to 90 meters, which refers to the distance from the telecommunications room to the workstation outlet. The additional length typically comes from the patch cords connected to the network devices or outlets, which should not exceed 10 meters. Therefore, when accounting for both the horizontal run and the patch cords, the total length is capped at 100 meters to ensure optimal performance, reduced attenuation, and adherence to key specifications in standards such as TIA/EIA-568.

Thus, while 90 meters refers to the maximum length of the horizontal cabling segment specifically, the context of the question regarding the overall link makes 100 meters the appropriate answer aligned with structured cabling standards guidelines.