Cabling Installation & Maintenance articles from February 2007

Cabling Installation & Maintenance archives from February 2007

Copper's roller-coaster ride can throw you off track.(implications of supply-demand conditions and price trends of copper on cabling industry)
February 1, 2007... Have you ever been to The Stratosphere hotel in Las Vegas? If you haven't but you'd recognize the famous Strip from a photograph, The Stratosphere is the hotel that looks a little bit like Seattle's Space Needle, and at 1,149 feet, its tower...

What is this Category 6A FTP?(standards of shielded twisted-pair cables, 10GBase-T)
February 1, 2007... Since the publication of the article, "Why shielded twisted-pair matters for 10GBase-T" in the December 2006 issue of Cabling lnstallation & Maintenance, I have received several questions: * Is there really a Cat 6A FTP? * Is Cat 6A...

Precious metal: where is copper market headed? Global copper pricing is ever an up-and-down proposition, though some see increased stability for '07.(Industry overview)
February 1, 2007... In the first week of January, amid rising global inventories, the London Metal Exchange (LME; www.lme.co.uk) reported that copper prices had dropped to a nine month low, falling roughly 30% to less than $6,000 per metric ton, down from a record...

Choosing the right fiber for premises applications: multimode is usually best for most situations, but new singlemode technology offers long-distance punch.(installation)
February 1, 2007... Applications such as Voice over IP, video streaming, and teleconferencing are pushing data communications rates to 10 Gigabit Ethernet and beyond in enterprise networks. While these higher speeds might lead system designers to believe that...

All multimode fiber is not created equal: bandwidth, reach, and cost are among the key factors you'll need to weigh.
February 1, 2007... Multimode fiber cabling is a common choice to achieve 10-Gbit/sec speeds over distances required by LAN enterprise and data center applications. But several grades of high-bandwidth laser-optimized fiber are available for use in high-speed...

Performance, workmanship play key roles in data centers: while cabling is just a piece of the large data center puzzle, it is an important piece nonetheless.
February 1, 2007... The article that last February kicked off this magazine's year-long study of data center facilities ("Cabling in the data center: Just a piece of the puzzle," January 2006, p. 37) took a wholesale look at the forces driving the data center...

Evaluating the economics of VoIP paging systems: as traditional paging systems face the IP revolution, vendors weigh in on financial and performance considerations.(voice over internet protocol)
February 1, 2007... Traditional analog paging and alert systems, like many other facets of security, are facing the Internet Protocol (IP) revolution. As Voice over IP (VoIP) adoption rates continue to increase, in-building as well as outside paging/alert systems...

Software helps map out a data center strategy: to properly manage the physical layer in mission-critical data centers, you need to go far beyond the traditional spreadsheet.(physical layer management)
February 1, 2007... Whether you are planning a hike in the woods, or your route for a cross-country race or any other journey, having an accurate, intelligible map is critical to success. This visual representation of the world (or a small slice of it) makes it...

Shielded cabling making a market re-emergence.
February 1, 2007... For decades, the use of shielded cabling systems in LANs with-in North America has been an oddity, reserved either for applications that never upgraded from the old IBM Type 1 system installed in the 1980s or for those facing extreme external...

Cabling and silicon vendors demonstrate 10GBase-T capability.(INDUSTRY spotlight)
February 1, 2007... In separate sets of testing, silicon vendor Solarflare Communications (www. solarflare.com) teamed up with cabling-system manufacturers Siemon (www. siemon.com) and CommScope (www. commscope.com; www.systimax.com), demonstrating that several...

Dallas, TX--This month, Data Drive Thru (www.datadrivethru. com) plans to release what it says is the only USB 2.0-certified cable that is small enough to be used in USB-retractable cable-based products.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... DALLAS, TX -- This month, Data Drive Thru (www.datadrivethru. com) plans to release what it says is the only USB 2.0-certified cable that is small enough to be used in USB-retractable cable-based products. According to the company, the new...

Binyamina, Israel--Hermon Laboratories (www.hermonlabs. com) has developed new solutions for VoIP and SIP (session initiation protocol) conformance testing, which are available as add-ons to the company's TCA 8200 telecom conformance analyzer.(Short runs ...)(voice over internet protocol)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... BINYAMINA, ISRAEL -- Hermon Laboratories (www.hermonlabs. com) has developed new solutions for VoIP and SIP (session initiation protocol) conformance testing, which are available as add-ons to the company's TCA 8200 telecom conformance...

Bolingbrook, IL--Windy City Wire (www.smartwire.com) recently moved into a new 115,000-square-foot facility here.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... BOLINGBROOK, IL -- Windy City Wire (www.smartwire.com) recently moved into a new 115,000-square-foot facility here. The low-voltage wire and cable company has recently experienced substantial growth, and anticipated hiring up to 10 additional...

Richmond, IN--Belden (www.belden.com) is phasing out its X-Mark branded line of cable management products, and will remarket them as Belden Cable Management Solutions.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... RICHMOND, IN -- Belden (www.belden.com) is phasing out its X-Mark branded line of cable management products, and will remarket them as Belden Cable Management Solutions. Peter Sheehan president of Belden Americas, says the rebranding of X-Mark...

Watertown, CT--Siemon (www.siemon.com) is teaming with Communications Supply Corp.'s (www.gocsc.com) Secure(it) initiative, which is focused on developing products and solutions for high-assurance facilities, secure network deployments, and information assurance applications.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... WATERTOWN, CT -- Siemon (www.siemon.com) is teaming with Communications Supply Corp.'s (www.gocsc.com) Secure(it) initiative, which is focused on developing products and solutions for high-assurance facilities, secure network deployments, and...

Telecom association expands certification, training options.(Telecommunications Project Management Association)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Telecommunications Project Management Association (TPMA; www. telpm.org), a professional organization of project managers in the telecommunications and information technology industries, has expanded its Project Management certification...

Plug-and-play for small spaces.(American Power Conversion Corp. launches plug-and-play version of InfraStuXure system)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The company's InfraStruXure system is now available in a plug-and-play version that integrates the UPS, rack, and rack-mount power distribution in a single unit. Designed especially for wiring closets and small IT rooms, the systems are...

Large bundle roller.(New Products)(Cablofil Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... A heavy-duty version of the company's FAS Roller, the HD FASROLLER EZ is designed to accept larger diameter cables and cable bundles. The tray roller is constructed with a pre-galvanized metal frame and includes mounting hardware and guide....

Print-and-seal labels.(New Products)(CILS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Designed for labeling cabling and telecom equipment used in harsh environments, Print Seal thermal transfer labels incorporate a clear protective layer, enabling in-house thermal transfer-printed data to be completely encapsulated. Labels are...

Pocket fault locator.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... This pocket fault locator is designed to find excessive bends and breaks in fiber-optic cable, and is available in 1.25- and 2.5-mm models. Features include all-aluminum housing, 650-nm laser, and heavy-duty belt holster. FIBER INSTRUMENT...

Low bend radius fiber.(New Products)(Fujikura Europe Ltd.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Designed especially for FTTH installations, FutureGuide SR15 optical fiber features a low bend radius technology. It is available as an ultra-flexible patch cord that will return to its original condition without any deformation or marking...

High-flex cable assemblies.(New Products)(W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... FireWire high-flex round and flat cable assemblies are designed to provide motion control and vision systems with reliable flex-life performance, and help to prevent lost data or data integrity issues. The assemblies are built to maintain...

Pre-configured cabinets.(New Products)(Hoffman)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Net Series communication and server cabinets are designed to house 19- or 23-inch LAN, WAN, phone and voicemail rack equipment and servers. These pre-configured cabinets are constructed of heavy gauge steel, and are equipped with a perforated...

High definition cable.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... DigitaLinx high-definition (HDMI) cables are designed to provide transmission of HDMI 1.3 signals at resolutions up to 1080p. The cables come in 1- and 2-meter lengths, are jacketed in a black and silver sheath of braided fabric, and terminate...

Cable support system.(Panduit Corp. launches J-Pro line of cable support system)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The full line of the J-Pro cable support system now accommodates 3/4-, 1 5/16-, 2-, and 4-inch bundle capacities. These non-metallic J-hooks feature horizontal and vertical 1-inch bend radius control, designed to prevent cable performance...

Metered PDU.(power distribution unit)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Configured for 208-volt, 30-amp power input, the T982F3 Series rack-mount power distribution unit (PDU) with current monitoring is designed for data center or high-density enclosure applications. According to the company, when operating...

System-based catalog.(New Products)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... This free structured cabling and network connectivity catalog arranges the company's products into their appropriate systems, designed to simplify the process of selecting an end-to-end cabling infrastructure. The new format covers key products...

Non-metallic enclosures.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... The company's line of fiberglass/non-metallic enclosures for telecom/electrical is featured in its latest catalog. In addition to products and specifications, the catalog includes information on choosing the right enclosure material, how to cut...

Detectable cable tie.(New Products)(Thomas and Betts Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Bright blue Ty-Rap detectable cable ties are designed to be identified by metal detectors, X-ray equipment, and vision detection systems. The tie is made of either Nylon 6.6 (polyamide), or polypropylene--a polymer that gives the cable tie...

Cable marking system.(New Products)(Tyco Electronics Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The portable CMD cable and wire marker dispenser is designed for industrial and commercial use, and can fit in tool boxes or tool bags. It is equipped with a loop for easy connection to lanyards, hooks, or tool belts. Markers are made from...

Cat 6 gets smart.(New Products)(Windy City Wire)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... A SmartWire version of General Cable's GenSpeed 6000 Category 6 cables, available in eight colors, make it a tape measure, toner, tester and label maker all in one. Features include ascending/descending sequential foot markings, system-specific...

Double-hinged cabinets.(New Products)(Hoffman)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... ProTek type 12/4 wall-mount cabinets are now available in double-hinged models, featuring a three-part design built for easier front and rear equipment access. This cabinet is especially suited for applications outside of control areas to...

ID technology locates live, dark fibers without downtime.(Product Focus: fiber-optic test equipment)
February 1, 2007... FiberFinder, a patented non-disruptive technology that induces less than 1 db loss, is designed to take the guesswork out of fiber identification when upgrading or characterizing an optical link in FTTx and large central office installations....

Optical power meter.(Product Focus: fiber-optic test equipment)(Optical Design Manufacturing)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The RP 460 optical power meter, part of the company's "Contractor Series" of fiber-optic testers, is billed as the industry's smallest device of its kind to offer 1,000 data storage measurements that can be downloaded via USB to a laptop. The...

Duplex fiber talk set.(Product Focus: fiber-optic test equipment)(Fiber Instrument Sales Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... This full-duplex fiber-optic talk set is said to be price-competitive with walkie-talkies, and designed to be more reliable in premise environments. Features include stereo headsets. boom microphones, and ST or FC adapter ports. Available for...

Fault-finder with universal interface.(Product Focus: fiber-optic test equipment)(Ideal Industries Inc. (Sycamore, Illinois))(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The enhanced VFF5 visual fault finder features a universal 2.5-ram interface designed to support ST, SC, and FC optical connectors, plus a non-roll metal body that's protected from water damage and slippage by a Santoprene oversleeve. This...

Extended range identifier.(Product Focus: fiber-optic test equipment)(Wilcom Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The F6225 optical fiber identifier features an increased range of +24 to -58 dBm. This non-intrusive probe uses a non-destructing macro-bending technique designed to protect the fiber from damage or overstress. It can detect traffic direction...

Tray tee-kit.(New Products)(Cablofil Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The RADT90 kit features parts needed for making cable tray radius tees and 90[degrees]turns. Rounded corners are designed to allow cable to be safely pulled around turns and at intersections, while additional support included in the kit is...

Mini video cables.(New Products)(Liberty Wire and Cable)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... QuickLinx mini RGBHV cables feature solid-center conductors designed for better signal distance and frequency response for analog video installations. A 25-AWG cable is designed for longer runs, while the 23-AWG cable is swept to 3 GHz and is...

PoE midspan.(New Products)(Panduit Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The DPoE Compact 8 midspan is designed to allow up to three units to fit across a single rack space in small to medium Power Over Ethernet (POE) deployments. The midspan integrates with existing networks and offers Gigabit Ethernet performance....

Hand-held fusion splicers.(New Products)(Corning Cable Systems)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... OptiSplice Ribbon and One hand-held fusion splicers are designed for working in tight spaces. The Ribbon is a 1 to 12-fiber splicer that is built to provide improved speed and performance over previous generation multi-fiber splicers. The One...

Low-friction lube.(New Products)(Ideal Industries Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Velocity is an ultra-low friction cable-pulling lubricant designed to provide what the company claims is one of the industry's highest "clingability" factors for long-lasting, uniform coating on all types of cable jacket materials. In...