Cabling Installation & Maintenance articles from February 2008

Cabling Installation & Maintenance archives from February 2008

Green on green.(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design )(Editorial)
February 1, 2008... A few months ago, I brought up the topic of green buildings and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program by recalling a presentation that was delivered at the BICSI Conference last September (see "LEED by example,"...

Improving security through a smarter infrastructure: intelligent physical layer management can provide a host of benefits, including more secure networks.(design)
February 1, 2008... Any network manager will tell you the importance of a fully documented network. Documentation should include all workstations, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, router configurations, firewall parameters, and other data. But the documentation...

Turning up, troubleshooting Voice over Internet Protocol: ensuring performance requires test and measurement of all traffic, and listening to calls.(installation)
February 1, 2008... Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) may be viewed by accountants and business owners as a relatively new, cost-saving technology for the enterprise. For those commissioning and managing the data network transport of IP voice over the local area...

Index matching gel stands the test of time: though misconceptions persist, no-epoxy/no-polish fiber-optic connectors perform well, thanks to improved IMG performance.(technology)(Technical report)
February 1, 2008... As fiber-optic cable is increasingly deployed in both private and public networks applications, including FTTx, the need to install connectors in the field continues to grow. Due to the installation speed, reduced setup/teardown time,...

Inside the EPA's energy efficiency report: report to Congress details technologies and their impact and implementation in the data center.(data center)(Report)
February 1, 2008... August 2007's "EPA Report to Congress on Server and Data Center Energy Efficiency" (available at www.energystar.com), relates green initiatives and implications for the cabling industry. While its notable findings and industry reaction have...

Fiber-optic technology updates old-fashioned security: systems that employ optical circuits to detect intrusion are finding deployment in highly sensitive applications.(security)
February 1, 2008... You might not find a more-primitive security system than the chain-link fence. Long before the concepts of phishing and network hacking could be fathomed--well before the invention of Ethernet, in fact--these trusted protection devices...

Ortronics, CommScope boost customer service.(INDUSTRY spotlight)
February 1, 2008... A new division and a new program have been launched by two cabling industry leaders in recent weeks, both aimed at enhancing market presence and customer service. Structured cabling solutions provider Ortronics/Legrand (www.ortronics.com)...

Liberty senior VP to lead InfoComm Manufacturers Council.(INDUSTRY spotlight)(Kirk Horlbeck appointed at Manufacturers Council of trade association InfoComm International)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Kirk Horlbeck, senior vice president for corporate marketing and international business development at audio/video cabling provider Liberty Wire & Cable (libertycable.com), has been chosen chairman of the Manufacturers Council of trade...

Textron/Greenlee acquires Paladin Tools.(INDUSTRY spotlight)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... With intentions of broadening its position in the voice, data and video industry, Textron Inc.'s Greenlee (www.greenlee.com) business unit has acquired telecom toolmaker Paladin Tools. Greenlee develops communications installation tools, tone...

NASA probes faulty shuttle connector.(INDUSTRY spotlight)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Before the shuttle Atlantis was scheduled to lift off in late January, NASA engineers were trying to determine what has been causing an ongoing faulty connector/ cable system--one that forced the scrub of Atlantis' launch last December. ...

TAMPA, FL--BICSI's (www.bicsi.org) seventh president, Irving "Jim" Alexander, passed away recently at the age of 82.(Short runs ...)(Obituary)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... TAMPA, FL -- BICSI's (www.bicsi.org) seventh president, Irving "Jim" Alexander, passed away recently at the age of 82. He is remembered by BICSI members and telecommunications professionals as the driving force behind the establishment of the...

Norcross, Ga--Optical-fiber solutions provider OFS (www.ofsoptics.com) has introduced EZ-Bend optical cable technology to support multiple dwelling unit (MDU) and in-home wiring installations.(Short runs ...)(OFS Optics)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... NORCROSS, GA -- Optical-fiber solutions provider OFS (www.ofsoptics.com) has introduced EZ-Bend optical cable technology to support multiple dwelling unit (MDU) and in-home wiring installations. The company says the technology addresses the...

CLEVELAND, OH--Luvrizol Advanced Materials Inc.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... CLEVELAND, OH -- Lubrizol Advanced Materials Inc. (www.lubrizol.com) says it has added Metacaulk Cast-in-Place firestop devices and pipe collars to its FGG/BM/CZ System Compatible Program, which is designed to test and monitor ancillary...

Telecommunications professional association.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... TOKYO -- Telecommunications professional association BICSI (www.bicsi.org) has established its second affiliate agreement with the Japan district, recognizing that BICSI Japan has met qualifying criteria to be a self-supporting not-for-profit...

Forthcoming report to assess 100-Gbit/sec opportunities.(INDUSTRY spotlight)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Market analysis firm CIR (www.cir-inc.com) expects to release new research early this year about opportunities in the emerging 100-Gbits/sec market. The study, "The Path to 100 Gbps Networks," will give special attention to the...

Sumitomo unveils pre-terminated splice-on connector.(INDUSTRY spotlight)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The Lynx CustomFit splice-on connector, recently developed by Sumitomo Electric Lightwave (www.sumitomoelectric.com) is designed with pre-terminated jumpers and mechanical splices, and enables customized premises/outside plant terminations of...

Secure/keyed LC modules.(New Products)(Belden)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... FiberExpress Secure/Keyed LC connectors now include higher density modules, preterminated MPO-keyed LC fiber modules and keystone modules, and six additional color-coded options. Designed for network security requirements, this system is based...

Redesigned Category 6.(New Products)(Berk-Tek Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Improvements in design and manufacturing of the LANmark-1000 Category 6 UTP cable have, according to the company, increased all crosstalk parameters by 4 dB over the previous design that was already exceeding TIA/EIA-568B.2-1 component...

Cabling guide.(New Products)
February 1, 2008... The 44-page Guide to Structured Cabling provides an overview of the standards and practices that govern the planning, installation, and testing of structured cabling systems. Also included are related standards covering administration, harsh...

Textured-surface labels.(New Products)(CILS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The HD polyester range of labels feature a heavy-duty adhesive designed for a fast and permanent bond to both smooth and textured surfaces. Labels are made to withstand abrasion, oils, chemicals, solvents, and temperature ranges of...

Pre-terminated fiber system.(New Products)(Corning Cable Systems)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The Plug & Play AnyLAN system features a pre-installed multimode or singlemode optical cable with network access points at customer-specified intervals, and a tethered, environmentally hardened MT connector. Once distance measurements for...

Fiber inspection probe.(New Products)(EXFO Electro Optical Engineering Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The FIP-400 fiber inspection probe is designed for all types of field network architectures, and enables detection of faults and scratches down to 1 [micro]m. Compatible with the company's portfolio of test products, the FIP-400 can also be...

Two Cat 6A solutions.(New Products)(ICC Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... This Category 6A 10-Gigabit FTP connectivity solution offers 500 MHz of bandwidth, and exceeds all electrical signal transmission performance parameters and alien crosstalk requirements of TIA/ EIA-568-B.2-10 and ISO 11801. The solution...

High-power UPS.(New Products)
February 1, 2008... Nine uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) have been added to the company's Pro, Sine, and Online Series families, featuring power capacities ranging from 300 to 3,000 VA. Also included are systems with more outlets and a USB interface, remote...

Handheld single-fiber, multi-fiber tools.(Product Focus: fusion, mechanical splicers)(Corning Cable Systems)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... OptiSplice One single-fiber fusion splicer (below) features an intuitive user interface, dual cameras, a fast heat-shrink oven and high-capacity Li-Ion battery in a reduced package, while the OptiSplice Ribbon 1- to 12-fiber fusion splicer...

V-groove mechanical, portable fusion splicers.(Product Focus: fusion, mechanical splicers)(AFL Telecommunications Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... SpliceConnect is a mechanical splice featuring V-groove technology designed to maintain physical contact between the fibers. An assembly tool is used to ensure fibers are mated correctly, resulting in [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] SpliceMate,...

Fusion field termination kit.(Product Focus: fusion, mechanical splicers)(Diamond USA)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The Zeus fusion field termination kit features the company's "crocodile alberino" fusion ferrule assembly (available in both PC and APC versions), which provides a factory-polished endface resulting in low insertion loss and back reflection, as...

Fiber-to-the-premises fusion kit.(Product Focus: fusion, mechanical splicers)(Kitco Fiber Optics)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... This portable fusion splicing kit is designed to fuse 900-[micro]m tight-buffered as well as 250-[micro]m acrylate-coated fiber in FTTx installations. Specially designed fiber holders let you cleave and insert the fibers into the splicer using...

Optical enhancements to handheld fusion splicer.(Product Focus: fusion, mechanical splicers)(Sumitomo Electric Lightwave)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The Type-25e TomCat handheld fusion splicer now features improved optical technology, offering a choice of an economical one-camera system or an industry-standard dual-camera splice loss estimation system. Combined with a quicker splice...

Video monitoring system.(New Products)(Leviton Manufacturing Company Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... This residential video monitoring system allows viewing of color output on any home TV or over the Internet. The system consists of an indoor and outdoor camera that connects through the company's Structured Media Center (SMC) for monitoring...

Fiber-to-fiber converter.(New Products)(Lynn Electronics Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The MC-300-SC-MM/SM is a multimodeto-singlemode fiber converter for 100Base-FX. Offering a variety of cable configurations to meet bandwidth and cable distance requirements, the MC-300 also enables Ethernet LAN and WAN connectivity by providing...

Numbered rack system.(New Products)(Middle Atlantic Products Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Numbered rack rails are available for the company's RLA Series of aluminum 2-post frame racks, designed to allow simplified equipment alignment and faster installation. Racks are EIA/TIAcompliant, available in 45U and 51U versions, and feature...

4-post rack system.(New Products)(Panduit Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... This 23-inch 4-post rack system fits within a 24 x 24-inch floor tile, combining the stability of a cabinet with the accessibility of an open rack for greater design flexibility. The rack's cable management solution is designed to enhance...

Intelligent PHY scanner.(New Products)(Panduit Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The PanView Local Scanner is a 1U device that monitors and manages physical (PHY) connectivity information of a remote network, and reports the information to a centralized PanView System server. Designed as a solution for satellite locations,...

Self-propelled plow.(New Products)(RWF Industries)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The BRON 150 crawler with offsetting vibratory plows is designed for installing fiber and copper cable, conduit, and pipe at a working depth of up to 60 inches. Vibratory plows are ideal for installations where tractive power is limited, and...

Day/night security camera.(New Products)(Samsung Electronics America Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The SIR-4150N high-resolution Day/ Night IR LED bullet camera features 520 TVL color and 570 TVL black-and-white. With an IP65 weather rating, the camera is suitable for indoor or outdoor security installations. An ICR filter provides day/night...

Cat 6A connecting blocks.(New Products)(Siemon Co.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The company's S210 connecting block line is now included as a consolidation point option in a warranted 10-Gbit Category 6A UTP end-to-end cabling system. In addition to optimized connecting block spacing and internal pair shielding for...

Bus bar connector.(New Products)(Tyco Electronics Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Designed for high-current telecom applications, Rapid Lock bus bar connectors are single-pole, quick connect/disconnect replacements for lug connections that allow for a reliable and safe connection and better serviceability than bolt-fitted...

Tone-traceable patch cord.(New Products)(Telescent)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The SureTracer family of electronically tone-traceable duplex fiber-optic cable and patch cords can be traced in a non-invasive fashion, even while carrying traffic and connected to active transmission equipment. It is available in the smallest...

Raised floor seals.(New Products)(Upsite Technologies)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Re-engineered for greater modularity, KoldLok extended raised floor grommets can seal raised-floor tiles that measure either 24 inches or 600 mm long. Grommets are 3 inches/76 mm and 6 inches/ 152 mm, and feature a new screw-hole design on the...

Angled quad adapter.(New Products)(US Conec Ltd.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The MTP angled quad adapter is designed to provide strain relief for compact, high-density MTP connector installations, such as data centers and equipment faceplates. The adapter, which passed durability testing for 500 matings for each...

450/700 MHz WiMAX solution.(New Products)(Telsima)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Providing Internet, voice and multimedia services over a wireless broadband link to remote users, this WiMAX 450/700 MHz solution can be customized for any specified band within the 400 MHz and 1 GHz range. The system offers high-speed services...