Cabling Installation & Maintenance articles from August 2003

Cabling Installation & Maintenance archives from August 2003

Open mouth, insert foot.(Editorial)(the battle of technology standards for 10-Gigabit Ethernet is continuing)(Column)
August 1, 2003... "Optical fiber is the only medium that will handle 10-Gigabit Ethernet." "UTP has proven itself a sufficient infrastructure for the Ethernet standards developed to this point, right up to Gigabit Ethernet. But that's where it will end."...

Increase computer room cooling while reducing cooling costs.(Perspective)
August 1, 2003... Producing increased cooling while reducing cooling costs--two computer room management objectives--are widely held to be mutually exclusive. But by. applying basic thermal management concepts, which sometimes contradict conventional wisdom,...

From R&D to consumption, counterfeits affect everyone.(Ask Donna)(the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition estimates that trademark counterfeiting of U.S. products exceeds $200 billion/year)
August 1, 2003... Recently heard: "Wow, this stuff is really cheap. Must be the economy." If you have gotten a really good deal on some cable or connectors lately, the downturn in the economy may not be the reason. The International Anti-Counterfeiting...

Lewis and Clark discovers advanced communications: historic high school in Spokane, WA now boasts high-capacity network.(design)(Lewis and Clark High School)
August 1, 2003... How do you successfully incorporate a state-of-the-art telecommunications system in an aging urban high school as part of a total renovation of and major addition to--the landmark 1912 facility? That was the primary challenge facing NAC...

When the test fails, what next? Knowing how to apply the right troubleshooting tools.(technology)(certification testing of communication networks)
August 1, 2003... Knowing what to do when a certification test fails often can be the make-or-break difference between turning a profit on a network installation or suffering a loss due to excessive troubleshooting expenses. The key to cost-effective...

Finding the ideal medium for video surveillance: while coaxial cable is the traditional favorite, UTP and fiber make their cases as cables of choice.(security)
August 1, 2003... Video surveillance systems are being installed in many places that in the past were not deemed in need of security. As schools, government facilities, airports, utilities, parks, and even corporate headquarters across the nation are being...

Power over Ethernet gets boost with standard ratification.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2003... The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has approved the 802.3af-2003 standard, which defines the specifications to deliver power over standard Ethernet cables. " The standard was approved by the IEEE Standards Board on...

United Kingdom seeks American cabling companies, venture capitalists.(Industry spotlight)(Invest UK official speaks at Supercomm conference)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The United Kingdom wants U.S. companies to bring their cabling technology and investment money into its market. Dr. Paul France, in a reception at the recent Supercomm conference in Atlanta, GA, touted the U.K.'s market for data network...

New breed of distribution racks smooth installation, cable management: manufacturers responding to feedback from contractors and end users.(product update)
August 1, 2003... Distribution racks may be sturdy and reliable, but analysts say changes are afoot as end users require racks that provide mounting space for higher density and higher wattage components. The next generation of distribution racks are...

Anti-static fabric keeps particles away.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... The NTT-AT line of optical-fiber connector and adapter cleaners, available in card and reel formats, are designed for on-site cleaning of standard small-form-factor and multi fiber connector end faces. A stick format is also available for...

An installer's idea of rack security.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... With its design based on installer feedback, the HDR-4 horizontal distribution rack offers new security flanges and additional electrical knockouts designed to provide greater security and enhanced cable management. The rack also includes an...

High-stability raised flooring.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... The mechanical strength of the steel framework in the Iso Floor series, says its manufacturer, is superior to other raised flooring systems, allowing an unlimited number of panels to be removed without affecting stability. It does not need to...

Module built for accurate Cat 6 certification.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... For use with Fluke Networks' DSP-4300 and OMNIScanner 2 cable analyzers, the DSP-PM06 Personality Module is, according to the manufacturer, the industry's first test plug built to ensure Category 6 interoperability as well as compliance. The...

Getting a handle on 3-mm fiber jackets.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... Featuring an ergonomic design, the Model 45-349 cable stripper is designed to remove the jacket from both simplex and duplex 3-mm optical-fiber cable. According to the manufacturer; the tool eliminates the need to purchase separate strippers...

Surge suppressors offer flexibility on the job.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... Sentrex PA (80 kA) and PB (160 kA) series surge suppressors are designed for protection at branch panels or at specific pieces of equipment. The plastic enclosures are designed to be easily drilled or punched for conduit or cable access, and...

'World's smallest' component video balun.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... Slightly wider than an RCA-style connector, the VideoEase Component Video Balun claims be the smallest of its kind. It lets you connect component video equipment (home theater, classroom and boardroom presentations, etc.) via copper...

High-density connector.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... Billed as an alternative to traditional 29504-based optical-fiber interconnects, the high-density PHD 38999 bulkhead connector system is designed for high performance and cost-effectiveness in harsh installations. Available in shell size 9...

Field-mount VF-45 plug.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... The field-mountable version of the VF-45 plug facilitates the use of consolidation-point (CP) designs and emergency link restoration. The plug also enables field-made, custom-length cable assemblies. The CP design lets you reconfigure networks,...

Flexible tray goes under floor.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... The Flextray RF System goes underneath a raised floor, and because it is self-supporting, requires no cutting or tools for installation. The system is installed with two vertical supports that fit around the floor support but do not attach to...

10- and 12-pin connectors for factory environs.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... The 10- and 12-pin eurofast connectors combine multiple connectors into one, providing power and signals to factory automation equipment in the automotive, food, beverage, pharmaceutical, electronics, and semiconductor industries. The...

Snap-in, self-terminating wallplate connectors.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... The RJAX 6040 75-ohm self-terminating wallplate connector promises reduced signal loss compared to unterminated coaxial cable installations, and prevention of emissions feedback. The presence of pulled but unterminated coaxial cables can result...

Watertight connector also withstands impact.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... The Variosub RJ-45/IP67 connector has been developed to withstand adverse conditions associated with use directly on machinery and in industrial installations, and to protect the RJ-45 contact insert. It meets IAONA requirements for heavy-duty...

Portable field station is real mobile office.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... The Model 119 portable field station is a moveable, multi-use unit that incorporates a desk, shelving, and storage cabinet. It is designed for reviewing drawings on the jobsite, and for secure storage of drawings, tools, and equipment. The...

Switch blade is also a media converter.(New Products)
August 1, 2003... The 10/100/1,000 Ethernet blade supports Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet over copper simultaneously, providing a scalable solution. The blade can be used with the manufacturer's Intellipatch 64 and Intellipatch 144 switches, which...

Lower cost copper solutions may drive 10-Gigabit Ethernet: mitigating alien crosstalk is a must for the IEEE's 802.3 Working Group.(installation)
August 1, 2003... The 802.3 Working Group-of the IEEE LAN-MAN Standards Committee develops Ethernet standards. A new standard proposal is considered through a call for interest. If enough interest is demonstrated, a study group is formed to formulate a request...