Cabling Installation & Maintenance articles from September 2003

Cabling Installation & Maintenance archives from September 2003

By one measure, it's good news, bad news for Power over Ethernet.(Editorial)(Editorial)
September 1, 2003... Once again, this space will serve to report and then dissect information garnered from this magazine's Web-enabled polling mechanism. In late July and early August, the question posed on our Web site was: "Now that the IEEE has ratified...

The future is here for VoIP intelligent physical-layer management.(Perspective)
September 1, 2003... There is no doubt about it, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is finally beginning to enter the mainstream. Attracted by exciting economies of scale, enterprises are moving beyond trials into full-scale VoIP deployments, despite the...

Code-making: important, challenging, rewarding.(Ask Donna)(Column)
September 1, 2003... On September 22, I will be in Anaheim, CA at the Cabling Systems Conference and Exhibition 2003 to present a National Electrical Code (NEC) Update. Please join me for discussion on an issue that affects us all--NEC and your bottom line. ...

Choosing the best media for fiber-in-the-horizontal: questions abound in this relatively small but growing application space.(design)
September 1, 2003... More end-users are deciding to install fiber in their horizontal networks, directly to desktops or even to wireless access points. In many cases, these fiber installations are driven by the need for higher bandwidth, both initially and during...

Is your Ethernet cable tough enough? What rules in the commercial office building may not meet all needs in an industrial environment.(installation)
September 1, 2003... Ethernet, the undisputed king of networking, has reigned in commercial office environments for several years. Today, the industrial control and automation sector is rapidly moving toward this open, standards-based technology. Yet some...

Maintaining data integrity while putting power over Ethernet: power and data can live in harmony on the same twisted-pair cable.(technology)
September 1, 2003... In mid-1999, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) formed a task force to standardize the approach for passing power over Ethernet (PoE) The concept is simple, but its implications are enormous. Using the standard...

More codes and more at stake with alarm-system installation: additional training and expertise a must for contractors looking to enter the field.(security)
September 1, 2003... With the protection of people and property at the forefront of concern among facilities managers, many are choosing to upgrade existing alarm systems or emphasize the importance of these systems in the early design stages of new construction....

Contractors choose low-cost fiber network for Washington school district project.(Industry spotlight)(Graybar-Evergreen Utility Contractors)
September 1, 2003... Washington's state's North Shore School District is installing a fiber network so it can offer its students expanded bandwidth capabilities. For the project, contractors chose OFS' (www.ofsoptics.com) Access Advantage, which will be used...

IEEE reaches out to constituents through StandardsAmericas site.(Industry spotlight)(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
September 1, 2003... The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE; www.ieee.org) is reaching out to its constituents through StandardsAmericas, a multidimensional Web site. The site--www.standardsamericas.com--is designed to reach people who...

Optical-fiber connector/mechanical splice market growing.(Industry spotlight)(Industry Overview)
September 1, 2003... The optical-fiber connector/mechanical splice market is experiencing a recovery, and demand will continue to grow in the next five years, according to a recent forecast by ElectroniCast Corp. (www.electronicast.com), based in San Mateo, CA. The...

Management innovations come to patch cord level: new solutions for bend radius problems are standard-compliant.(product update)
September 1, 2003... End users today are learning the importance of cable management at the patch-cord level They are turning to innovative patch cords and other devices that will help them alleviate the so-called "spaghetti syndrome." These innovations are...

Patching in black and white.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... For easier separation and identification of voice and data applications in a rack system, white Speedgain 53 patch panels provide network technicians with a quick visual alternative to locating ports--allowing for easier moves, adds and...

Category 5e-plus multimedia cables.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... Cat-5e Plus cable assemblies are designed to provide up to 350 MHz of bandwidth to transmit high-speed data, voice and video signals. Meeting all Category 5e standards, the manufacturer says, the multimedia cables are built to significantly...

Raceway with in-line receptacles.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The all-steel V2400 Series raceway is an intermediate size system with inline receptacles and data outlets designed for classrooms, laboratories, hotels and other locations requiring a low-profile raceway. The inline receptacles let you fit the...

Seismic flooring expands cabling space.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... Type SAF seismic access flooring lets you bolt servers and other heavy devices directly to the raised floor panels, eliminating the need for long tie rods that encroach on valuable underfloor cabling space. Designed for telecom switching...

Cable for high-security installations.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... GUARDmark, a high-performance shielded cable series for government, military, corporate and educational applications, features a toiled twisted-pair design to increase signal isolation, working to prevent contaminant noise from entering the...

Category 6 system has 'smart' jack.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The PowerCat 6 structured cabling system is designed to provide future-proofing against demanding bandwidth applications--according to the manufacturer, offering more than twice the bandwidth of a Category 5e solution. The system, backed by...

Filling the gap with fire-stopping bags.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... To fill open areas around conduit, pip and cabling, the Stop Fire! bag is billed as a low-cost fire retardant that is quick to install. The mineral wool fire protective devices have been rated as a Class A building material using the ASTM...

Master catalog on CD.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The 600-page 2003 Master Catalog from Belden Electronics Division is available in CD-ROM format. The disc is segmented into 16 major sections and features more than 3,000 wire and cabling products. Locate products by part number or by their...

Two strippers in one.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The Clauss Model No. DFS-3 is a duplex fiber stripper for stripping both the jacket and buffer coatings from duplex or simplex optical fiber cabling. It features two jacket-stripping notches fur 2.0-mm mini zip cord, two for 3.0-mm zip cord,...

Cutting through walls cleanly and without a mess.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... Rather than the traditional time-consuming and inaccurate method of using a keyhole saw or rotary bit to cut a hole for cabling, the Python Perfect Cutter integrates a template system (each one designed to cut holes specifically for electrical,...

Kit for speeding fiber termination.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The Siemon Company's newest fiber termination products are designed to provide quick connector termination, less scrap, and improved insertion loss and return loss performance. A 400x microscope has been added so that installers can inspect...

Field-terminable MT-RJ connector.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... Xpress-Lock is a field-terminable MT-RJ connector that maximizes field efficiency with minimum termination time (typically, less than twominutes) and flexibility (it can be reterminated up to 10 times). Designed according to the TIA/EIA-604-12...

Home cabling without a retrofit.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... WireTracks LLC is a new company introducing a line of wiring channel products for adding low-voltage cabling to existing homes or businesses invisibly. WireTracks wiring channels are installed in plane with drywall and a wiring channel cover....

Rack-mounted patch cord manager.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The PatchLink horizontal cable manager includes a dual-hinged cover that opens upward or downward, providing access to the cable pathway without having to completely remove the cover. Flexible fingers and increased finger spacing organize patch...

Media converter has three temperature-rating options.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Optic converter supports distances up to 100 kilometers and is available with a single-fiber option. Model TC3300 is 802.3z/AB 1000Base-T SX- and LX- compliant. It converts or connects 10/100/1,000Base-TX devices to...

Cabinet houses remote equipment for LAN, WAN access.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The welded steel Type 1 networking PC cabinet can house remote PCs used for LAN or WAN access. It features smooth corners, a flush-mounted safety glass window, flush doors, and a black finish. The unit is divided into three lockable sections...

Self-sealing optical-fiber connector fights corrosion.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The FC-DRY HP uses corrosion- and chemical-resistant 300 Series stainless steel for the connector and coupler body, while the coupler ferrules and alignment sleeves are precision-machined zirconia. The keyed index connection incorporated in the...

Connectivity for industrial networks.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The etherMate connectivity system includes threaded housings to provide protection against moisture build-up, dust, corrosion, EMI/RFI, vibration and shock. It is designed to operate on 10Base-T or 100Base-T specifications. The complementary...

Coax cables are small and flexible.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The Micro-Coaxial (MCX) cables are flexible and geared toward ultrasound medical assemblies, laptop computers, high-end workstations, automated test equipment, and other medical and security applications. They are available in 36-48 AWG range,...

802.11a analysis system.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The Yellowjacket 802.11a analysis system uses a custom receiver and custom software, and interfaces with an iPAQ 3800, 3900, or 5400 series. The tool is accurate to within 1 dB. This 5-GHz-calibrated receiver measures all 12 OFDM network...

Software simplifies cabinet configuration.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The Access Cabinet Configurator software package lets designer and user construct a cabinet to specification by using a building-block approach to select components. Once built, the virtual cabinet can be rendered into an interactive 3-D model....

Contractor-grade chalk reel.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The SuperPro 150 chalk reel has the capacity to create a heavy-duty chalk line up to 150 feet long. The reel holds 24 ounces of chalk for long, uninterrupted use. A screw-off chalk reservoir allows easy refills. The reel also features an...

Locator helps find underground cables.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The Verifier Digital Locator is a pipe and cable locator that includes an adjustable 3-watt transmitter that can be powered up for longer locates. Reducing power helps for congested locates. Multiple coils provide accurate locates and improved...

Home-networking structured cabling system.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... This complete line of structured wiring products is designed to offer contractors and builders a range of home-networking solutions. It includes network enclosures and hubs for PC networking, telephone, music distribution, and video. The...

High-temperature, singlemode connectors.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The 8308 SC and 8208 FC Ultra High Temperature Hot Melt Fiber Optic Connectors are designed for use in central office, headend, premises, and outside-plant environments, and have been tested to 212[degrees]F (100[degrees]C). The 8308 and 8208...

Jig for lacing cable.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... Cablelace promises a faster, more professional way to lace cable during an installation. According to the manufacturer, installers can lace up to 49 cables with the effort it takes to lace 10. The product has a quick-release system and is made...

Van shelving designed for easy assembly.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... This Weatherguard van-shelving system is designed for Sprinter vans, cubevans, step vans, and trailers. The system, according to the manufacturer, is easy to assemble and accommodates a wide selection of shelf accessories, including modular...

Coax for mil/aero and test markets.(New Products)
September 1, 2003... The LA series cable is a low-loss, double-shielded cable that provides low attenuation, phase stability, and mechanical performance. It is designed specifically for applications up to 18 GHz. The product line uses silver-plated inner and outer...