Cabling Installation & Maintenance articles from October 2006

Cabling Installation & Maintenance archives from October 2006

Conference a whirlwind of technology, transactions.(reports from BICSI Fall Conference and Exhibition)(Editorial)
October 1, 2006... As is often the case, this page of the magazine is the last one filed for this month's issue. Consequently, my typical procrastination gives me an opportunity to provide somewhat-up-to-date information on some of the industry's goings on. In...

Cast portable label makers in the correct light.(To the EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... In the July issue, an article entitled "Evolving methods for tomorrow's technology," authored by Betsy Ziobron on behalf of Beast Cabling Systems (p. 22), includes a statement that the company would like to clarify. Portable label makers, and...

Change for change's sake?(To the EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... I have seen so many articles based on network convergence and how it is going to make the technician's life easier. The world revolving around a single point--the IP network--may be like the old adage "keeping up with the Joneses." If Big...

Article on baluns hits home.(To the EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... The recent article about AV baluns ("AV baluns add value to copper cabling systems," August 2006, p. 43) really hit home for me, as I have purchased and used them this year at different sites, including schools. I have been using baluns since...

Cables, cable-pulling lubricant and the Wet Link Phenomena.(Ask DONNA)
October 1, 2006... There are municipalities where the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requires that all low-voltage cabling be installed in conduit. Chicago and Las Vegas are a few prominent examples. This is a fire and life-safety requirement and does not...

Nothing old school with this high-performance LAN: despite numerous project challenges, a new Connecticut high school scores with gigabit-to-the-desktop connectivity.(design)
October 1, 2006... Designing and implementing a network cabling infrastructure in public school districts present a host of challenges, spanning from budgets and bidding to final implementation. Amidst such challenges, however, a contractor and a Connecticut...

Cooperation wins praise at house of worship: multiple vendors team up to meet communication needs of Tampa's Idlewild Baptist Church.(installation)
October 1, 2006... As high-speed networking becomes a priority in new construction, general contractors and information-technology (IT) managers are placing greater emphasis on finding the right vendors to satisfy multiple networking needs. Choosing the right...

Overcoming 'which-fiber-is-which?' maintenance challenges': new fiber-detection technology lets you safely identify a fiber with certainty, with no danger to the integrity of the transmission.
October 1, 2006... When network service providers invest in an outside-plant (OSP) infrastructure, they want to ensure that they obtain the utmost value from it. Therefore, once the network is up and running, one of the most crucial parts of its operation and...

Turning the lens on network video technology: network cameras are here to stay. Here's what you need to know to capitalize on the trend.
October 1, 2006... Network cameras have been around since 1996, but cabling installers have only recently started paying attention to the technology because surveillance cameras initially ran on separate coaxial cables. About 10 years ago, the first network...

Another perspective on 10GBase-T, alien interference: as standard specifications develop, users need to be concerned with accuracy levels, alien interference outside of cable bundles, and practical field-test procedures.(testing)
October 1, 2006... The theme of the year in the LAN cabling business is an application that will increase the data rate in networks tenfold: 10-Gigabit Ethernet. The system of fiber-optic cables (IEEE 802.3ae) as backbone, which has been in operation for quite a...

TIA president Matthew Flanigan to retire; Grant Seiffert appointed as successor.(INDUSTRY spotlight)
October 1, 2006... Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA; www.tiaonline.org) president Matthew Flanigan announced last month at the organization's summer board of directors meeting that he will retire from his position on December 31. TIA's board...

Leviton, Legrand complete data, automation acquisitions.(INDUSTRY spotlight)
October 1, 2006... Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. (www.levitonvoicedata.com), a manufacturer of electrical and electronic wiring devices and voice and data platforms, has acquired Fiber Connect Inc. (www. fiber-connect.com), a Chicago-based provider of data...

UL expands copper verification service.(INDUSTRY spotlight)(Underwriters Laboratories Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Underwriters Laboratories (www.ul.com) is offering additional performance testing services to the latest draft of TIA/EIA 568-B.2, Addendum 10 (Augmented Category 6 requirements, including alien measurements), as well as TSB-155, which contains...

Scottsdale, AZ--Recent research compiled by In-Stat (www.in-stat.com) finds that broadband powerline technology is poised to emerge as the leading residential networking technology worldwide, overtaking in-home coax and twisted-pair cabling solutions.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- Recent research compiled by In-Stat (www.in-stat.com) finds that broadband powerline technology is poised to emerge as the leading residential networking technology worldwide, overtaking in-home coax and twisted-pair cabling...

Stonington, CT--Hubbell Premise Wiring (www.hubbellpremise.com) has formed a marketing alliance with IP-based solutions provider Mitel (www.mitel.com) to address the physical infrastructure requirements of enterprise IP communications deployments.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... STONINGTON, CT -- Hubbell Premise Wiring (www.hubbellpremise.com) has formed a marketing alliance with IP-based solutions provider Mitel (www.mitel.com) to address the physical infrastructure requirements of enterprise IP communications...

Richmond, IN -- Cabling system manufacturer Belden (www.belden.com) has entered the wireless arena via a recent technology partnership with WLAN developer Extricom (www.extricom.com).(Short runs ...)(alliances of Extricom and Belden Communications)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... RICHMOND, IN -- Cabling system manufacturer Belden (www.belden.com) has entered the wireless arena via a recent technology partnership with WLAN developer Extricom (www.extricom.com). The multi-year, multi-million dollar global agreement...

Graybar offers data center redesign seminars.(INDUSTRY spotlight)
October 1, 2006... Electrical and communications products distributor Graybar (www.graybar.com) has developed a complimentary seminar designed to help technology managers, data center managers, facilities managers, and network architects make the most of their...

Houston, TX--DataVox (www.datavox.net), Houston's largest privately held business communication firm, has announced an expansion to its structured cabling department that focuses on providing end-to-end solutions.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... HOUSTON, TX -- DataVox (www.datavox.net), Houston's largest privately held business communication firm, has announced an expansion to its structured cabling department that focuses on providing end-to-end solutions. The company says its cabling...

Mountain View, CA--the Ethernet Alliance has announced the addition of eight new members: Finisar, Kenet, Nexans, Plato Networks, PowerDsine, ProCurve Networking by HP, Quadrics, and the University of Toronto.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- The Ethernet Alliance has announced the addition of eight new members: Finisar, Kenet, Nexans, Plato Networks, PowerDsine, ProCurve Networking by HP, Quadrics, and the University of Toronto. The Alliance is an industry...

Hickory, NC--Corning Cable Systems has released its third edition of downloadable hardware product drawings, which can be used for network designs and bid specifications.(Short runs ...)
October 1, 2006... HICKORY, NC -- Corning Cable Systems has released its third edition of downloadable hardware product drawings, which can be used for network designs and bid specifications. The two-dimensional and isometric drawings of LANscape and LANscape...

Spicewood, TX--Spicewood Publishing (www.smart-buildings.com) has released Jim Sinopoli's Smart Buildings--A Practical Guide for Architects, Engineers, Developers, Contractors and Design Consultants--a how-to book covering the design and operation of the multitude of cabled systems involved in newly constructed buildings.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... SPICEWOOD, TX -- Spicewood Publishing (www.smart-buildings.com) has released Jim Sinopoli's Smart Buildings--A Practical Guide for Architects, Engineers, Developers, Contractors and Design Consultants--a how-to book covering the design and...

New York City--The 2007 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) is available through the IEEE (www.ieee.org).(Short runs ...)
October 1, 2006... NEW YORK CITY -- The 2007 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) is available through the IEEE (www.ieee.org). The code, employees and the public when electrical supply and communications lines are designed, installed, operated, and maintained,...

How to save a bundle: not just any old cable tie: where you use it, what you're fastening, and how the environment comes into play are all keys to selecting the right tie.(product update)
October 1, 2006... Cable ties, when invented and introduced by Thomas & Betts in 1958, provided a dependable, quick and easy method of bundling and fastening wire and cable in the aerospace industry. Since then, however, the development of cable ties has been...

Insertion/removal tool.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... The Fiber Connector Insertion Removal tool is designed to eliminate the possibility of disrupting other pairs in a tight, high-density fiber block repair situation. The device installs and removes SC, FC, ST and LC connectors. Interchangeable...

Cable in a bag.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... Windy City Wire and Coleman Cable are offering 22-gauge and two- and four-conductor stranded Coleman Cable coils in heat-shrink bags for easier installation. The bagged cable, used primarily for security and home automation installations, is...

Low-skew UTP cables.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... The LSK series of ultra-low skew UTP cables is designed for transmission of component analog video in a twisted-pair format, without hardware delay compensation. Unlike category-grade networking cables, the LSK series has a consistent pair lay...

Insertion loss test kit.(New Products)(AFL Telecommunications Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The CKSM 2 test kit combines the company's CSM1-2 optical power meter, CSS1-MM dual LED light source, and CSS1-SM dual LASER source for performing insertion loss measurements on multimode and singlemode fiber-optic links. The CSS1-MM and...

Swing-open patch panel.(New Products)(Atlanta Data Products)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... With a patent-pending swing-open-from-the-front design, these patch panels (6A24U) for 19- and 23-inch racks are built for easy cabling access, especially when space is at a premium. The patch panels are offered in 24- and 48-port...

Telecom power strips.(New Products)(APW Ltd)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The PowerOptions family of power strips is designed specifically for telecommunications applications, featuring A and B power feed options, IEC plug options, surge protection, and current monitoring. These strips are especially suited for...

Video meter for CCTV.(New Products)(Difinitron Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The VM-417 handheld diagnostic tool for closed-circuit television (CCTV) installation is designed to reduce camera installation time by letting you analyze and troubleshoot video systems without having to go to each camera location or use an...

Bi-directional tester.(New Products)(Fiber Instrument Sales Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The CrossFire is an automated dual-wavelength, bi-directional tester. The unit is designed to measure insertion loss and optical return loss to -70 dB, and tests multiple wavelengths via a single port, eliminating the need to reconnect cables...

Tool to stay on target.(New Products)(Hilti Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The PX10 transpointer uses magnetic field detection technology to determine the start and exit points for drilling and coring applications, rather than manually measuring or drilling pilot holes. A large LCD display chooses the proper drill bit...

A/V contractor packs.(New Products)(ICC Inc. introduces audio video cable connectors)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Three connector contractor packs are designed for more efficient high-definition audio/visual installations: RCA to RCA, RCA to IDC, or RCA to F-type. Instead of buying five individual connectors, you get them in one bag. Each pack consists of...

Pressurized security camera.(New Products)(Infinova)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The V1750 Series pressured PTZ dome cameras are designed to offer maximum protection against airborne contaminants and moisture. Features include a stainless steel housing and special valves designed to minimize decrease in pressure over time....

CCTV system tester.(New Products)(MCM)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Featuring a UTP cable test that identifies opens and shorts for both straight-through and crossover UTP/SPT cables, the Rapport337 multi-function CCTV hand-held tester combines six primary functions for installation and maintenance of security...

Cleanable fiber adapter.(New Products)(Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The FO-EX series of fiber-optic adapters are designed to separate for easy cleaning of the rear fiber. This adapter is available with a spring-loaded internal shutter that operates automatically when the connector is inserted or extracted, and...

4U fiber enclosure.(New Products)(Molex Electronics Ltd.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... This 4U specification grade fiber-optic enclosure (RFR-00204) is a configurable rack-mount unit designed to protect cables and patch cords from damage, and to maintain stable optical integrity through out the life of the enclosure. It can...

WAP mounting system.(New Products)(wireless application protocol)(Oberon Software Inc. (Mankato, Minnesota))(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Designed to secure wireless network electronics, the Model 1050 universal access point mounting system features simple installation, an aesthetic enclosure, and attachment points for antennas and data cables. The enclosure is UL-listed and...

Coax tool kit.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... The CAT-MULTIMEDIA tool kit is designed especially for the stripping of different types of coax cable and compressing connectors from various manufacturers. The kit contains a CAT-MULTIMEDIA compression assembly tool, coaxial cable stripper,...

Network solutions catalog.(New Products)(Panduit Corp.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The Pan-Net Network Solutions catalog features comprehensive solutions for the workstation, telecommunications room, data centers, rack grounding, and other installation requirements. New products include the company's 10Gig copper cabling...

Tool-less bracket box.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... The Steel City MS bracket box series, designed to install on metal studs 67% faster than comparable methods, features patented gripping teeth that eliminate the need to use fasteners and tools to install the outlet box. You simply align the...

High-speed loopback tester.(New Products)(Timbercon, Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The High Speed Serial Data Connection (HSSDC) loopback uses Fibre Channel technology to provide high-speed data transfer (2.25 Gbits/sec) for testing electrical signals in high-speed networks. The device loops a signal from the transmit side of...

Wide-arch manager.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... Snake Hook's wide-arch design is built to relieve stress on cables mounted to walls, overhead, or under floors. A built-in mounting system allows for what the company claims is a quick installation. The smooth wide arch also helps ease cable...

Kevlar-protected cable.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... Designed for industrial or military applications, this Kevlar-protected Category 5e cable and cordsets are designed to resist UV, water, and microbial penetration. Double-shielded RJ-45 plugs with gold-plated contacts are designed to prevent...

Fiber-optic cleaning kit.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... These multi-use fiber-optic cleaning kits contain the materials needed to correctly clean and maintain fiber and connectors in preparation for mating, splicing, and termination. An economy kit is designed for occasional connector cleaning and...

Intercom cables.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... Sound Intercom Cables, ranging from 20 to 22 AWG, are designed for use in schools and other multi-room facilities. To help identify the intercom cables amongst cabling for fire alarm, temperature, and security, the Sound Intercom Cables feature...

Outside plant grommets.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... The Peel and Seal grommet system for outside plant installations comes equipped with the company's LG-150, 250 and 350 sealed closures. Each grommet in the system is designed to accommodate several cable diameters. A number of separated thin...

Full isolation UPS system.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... Three OmniSmart full isolation UPS systems include built-in isolation transformers designed to provide Faraday shield for a pure ground reference and complete immunity from line noise, without requiring installation of a dedicated AC input...

Aerial terminal closure.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... The one-piece construction of the SLiC fiber aerial terminal closure 530 external drop is designed to provide easy installation and access to the cable splice without removing the closure. A drop termination chamber allows for cleaning, testing...

Automated tape dispenser.(New Products)
October 1, 2006... For simplified labeling tasks, the carousel-style EZ-8000 automatic tape dispenser cuts tape at the touch of a button, placing cut pieces on its turntable for easy removal by either single or multiple users. According to the company, nearly any...