Cabling Installation & Maintenance articles from November 2003

Cabling Installation & Maintenance archives from November 2003

Futureproofing revisited.(Editorial)
November 1, 2003... For some years, I have railed against the term "futureproofing," saying it is all marketing, with no meat behind it. Once, in 1997, I even wrote an article calling for a ban on the term. Just a few months after that article was published, in...

Augie, the golden cat.(Ask Donna)
November 1, 2003... Bravo to Bob Kenny for his "Beyond Category 6: What's the big deal?" (October 2003, page 30). I question, however, the statement, "There is a significant installed base of Category 6 already in place." I guess the word "significant" can mean...

ISO working on cabling standard for wireless access points.
November 1, 2003... A working group within the International Organization for Standardization (ISO; www.iso.ch) is in the initial stages of defining specifications for the cabling used for WLAN access points. The group is the ISO Joint Technical Committee (JTC) 1,...

Innovative cabling supports converged technology, energy: design techniques were critical for the nation's largest 'green' building complex.(design)
November 1, 2003... Following the California energy crisis, which left many in the dark during the summer of 2000, retail electricity prices in Southern California reached all-time highs, prompting companies to investigate the use of energy-efficient solutions....

Small company finds big success in harsh environments: a hands-on work ethic, plus its own proprietary cable pathway have helped a small Denver company land numerous big opportunities.(installation)
November 1, 2003... According to Jane Ozga, vice president operations, and Sue Walker, president of Denver-based Network Integration Design (NID), being women in the male-dominated cabling industry is not for the faint hearted. But the co-owners agree the respect...

Specify cord testing to assure LAN performance: specific contract wording, beyond referencing standards, can help ensure high-performance systems.(technology)
November 1, 2003... When the permanent portion (permanent link) of a LAN cabling system is installed and tested, it does not include any patch cords. The cords are usually added later, creating the channel. Unfortunately, many contractors and end users have...

Surveillance and network protection: who will run the show? Devices in schools push management questions to the forefront.(security)
November 1, 2003... Security is becoming a hot-button topic for schools, which are seeking intrusion detection devices, locking enclosures and intelligent video surveillance systems. Schools are taking steps to protect their wiring closets, or view any...

Cabling Systems Conference educates, entertains.(Industry spotlight)
November 1, 2003... The inaugural Cabling Systems Conference & Exhibition, sponsored by Cabling Installation & Maintenance magazine (www.cableinstall.com), was held Sept. 22-24 in Anaheim, CA. Organizers say the event accomplished its objective of providing a...

Graybar unveils new brand strategy and logo.(Industry spotlight)
November 1, 2003... Graybar (www.graybar.com) recently unveiled a new brand strategy that reflects an increased focus companywide on offering supply-chain logistics and service solutions for its customers across the United States. The announcement also...

Snake Tray branches out with new power distribution system.(Industry spotlight)
November 1, 2003... Snake Tray (www.snaketray.com) is branching out from its bendable cable tray production and is now manufacturing a power distribution system designed to allow for quick and easy installation. Snake Bus is designed to quickly bring power to...

Regulatory issues, funding remain roadblocks to widespread fiber-to-the-home deployment.(Industry spotlight)
November 1, 2003... While roadblocks to fiber-to-the-home deployment are regulatory issues, funding and lack of consumer understanding, national broadband policies and the growing desire for more broadband will drive the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) growth. That...

Raising the bar on firestop systems: continuing the push for proper firestopping while responding to the need for easier installation.(product update)
November 1, 2003... Proper firestopping in commercial and industrial construction across the nation remains at the forefront of concern among manufacturers and educators, and many building owners are becoming increasingly aware of the need to address life safety...

VDV toolkit.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... The MicroScanner Pro VDV Kit is an all-in-one toolkit for verification of voice, data and video cabling. It includes a MicroScanner Pro cable verification tester, MicroProbe toner probe, remote wiremap adapter, office/room ID set, and adapters...

Low-profile surface-mount boxes.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... The field-configurable ISM Series surface-mount boxes are designed especially for open office/MUTOA cabling, compact surface-mount environments, and retrofits. Boxes are available in five sizes and colors, and accommodate the manufacturer's...

Fiber jumpers and pigtails.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... As part of the manufacturer's 10G-ip cabling solution, XGLO fiber jumpers and pigtails are designed for next-generation backbone and fiber-to-the-desk installation. Fiber meets 802.3 10-Gigabit Ethernet requirements, and the connector polish...

Compression connectors for high-end A/V.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... Field-configurable Compression RCA and F-Connectors for high-end audio/video applications work with RG6 Quad cable. They feature a radial crimp that compresses uniformly around the body of the connector, creating a more robust connection with...

Flexible fiber cabinets.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... The NEMA-12 rated TICE Series wall-mount cabinets are designed to provide for increased protection from contaminants and to accommodate up to 144 fibers. The dual-hinged design is to ensure separation of owner/client network segments and...

Hot-swappable DC-AC inverter.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... The LCE-H series DC-AC inverter is a 1.5 kVA DC-AC sinewave device that is scaleable up to 36 kVA in complete cabinet systems. It accepts 24, 48 and 210-400 V DC inputs, and offers what the manufacturer says is true hot bus plug-in. These...

Ladder that blends into the woodwork.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... The PivotLoc foldable ladder system is designed to secure easily and discretely to a structure when not in use, preventing unauthorized access. When open, the ladder locks into place; when closed, PivotLoc is designed to fold easily and lock...

Connecting minus the soldering.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... EZ Series compression connectors do not require soldering, and are available in BNC, RCA and F designs (including BNC for RGBHV mini-coax cable). Available in nickel or gold finish, the connectors feature a radial design that the manufacturer...

Small form-factor adapter plates.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... LC Quick-Pack adapter plates are designed for use with the manufacturer's Rackmount Interconnect Center (RIC3) and Wallmount Interconnect Center (SWIC3). Plates feature a patent-pending integrated latch designed to provide single-finger...

Fold-down patch panel.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... Built for small network installations or a crowded telecom closet, Nextspeed Category 6 fold-down patch panels contain a C6 48-port patch panel hinged to a two-unit Nextframe cable management panel. It's designed to let the cable management...

Smooth-cutting saw.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... When cutting through building material for cabling installation, the WSR 900-PE reciprocating saw offers you a smart power system that combines efficient gearing and a load management sensor that continually monitor blade speed when under no...

Modular, pre-terminated optical-fiber system.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... Momentum modular pre-terminated optical-fiber systems combine advanced ribbon backbone cabling technology with high-performance optical cassettes. The manufacturer claims these features enable simplified structured cabling design, reduced...

High-capacity poke-thru.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... The RC9AM2TC Series poke-thru is designed to provide nearly twice the capacity of 1.25-inch devices. The manufacturer claims that it is the only high-capacity furniture feed unit that meets all UL scrub water requirements for tile and carpet...

Optical multitester.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... Featuring a variety of options to meet most optical-testing needs, the LANscape Model 500 Optical Multitester features OTDR, connector inspection, chromatic and polarization mode dispersion, optical spectral analysis and Gigabit Ethernet system...

VLAN fiber converters.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... Four new modules to the iConverter managed media converter line include advanced fiber-to-fiber, Gigabit Ethernetto-Gigabit Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet-to-Fast Ethernet, Fast Ethernet-to-Fast Ethernet, and advanced 10/100 UTP-to-fiber. All are...

Safety for tie-back applications.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... Designed for tie-back use, the Titan-by-Miller T-BAK lanyard with pack-type shock absorber is engineered to withstand forces that can occur during tie-back use. T-BAK combines the features of a lanyard and an anchorage connector in one, and is...

More ways to halt power surge.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... Additions to the manufacturer's Protect It! surge suppressor series include two 10-outlet models (such as the TLP1008TEL, pictured), with five outlets designed for transformers; a seven-outlet model that can lay on its side and provide cord...

Versatile OSP enclosures.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... A new family of outside plant (OSP) enclosures accommodate up to 216 fibers within a single- or dual-access cabinet, and can be mounted on wall, pole or pedestal. The NEMA-4-rated enclosures are made of lightweight, heavy-gauge aluminum with...

Multimedia wallplates.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... With midway dimensions of 4.875 inches high by 3.125 inches wide, these flexible nylon wallplates are designed to be large enough to cover common installation flaws, such as irregular drywall cuts in residential installations. Available in 1,...

Mini-patch panels.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... Twelve-port mini-patch panels are available for the manufacturer's Clarity line of components, offering hinged or bracket mounting. The devices are component-compliant to EIA/TIA performance requirements for Category 6 and Category 5e. Jacks...

Multimode wireless connectivity.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... The SMC2870W wireless multimode device is designed to provide fast connectivity and communication without drivers. It can be configured to serve as a wireless access point, provide network access to other wireless devices, serve as a repeater...