Table of ContentsContentsDesignStandards facilitate cost-effective fiber-to-the-desk solutionsCentralized cabling makes it possible for network designers to use optical fiber more cost-effectively and to realize a number of other benefits as well.
InstallationFiber pays dividends all the way to the desktopIn premises cabling installations, fiber-to-the-desk is becoming an ever-more-popular solution to the growing demand for bandwidth in communications systems.
Product UpdateInstructional videos are one part of the training pictureInstallers and managers of premises and campuswide cabling systems are busy. The industry is growing, and many installers spend long hours keeping up with their workloads. Often, these workloads put installers in a catch-22 situation with respect to training. Because they are so busy with work, installers cannot afford to take time away from the jobsite for training. Yet in many cases, the training is essential to continued development and success on the job.
Buyer be inquisitive1. What is the audio`s tonal sound quality? Audio portions should have been created in a professional sound studio using voice processors to ensure that the sound track is clear and can be heard throughout a large seminar room. This is not necessary when the videos are made in the field to depict real-world environments.
Special ReportAt years end, a look back--and aheadNo matter what yardstick you choose for the measurement, 1997 has been a pretty good year for the low-voltage cabling industry. Almost without exception, business indicators have been up, and the promise made by forecasters, observers, and everyone else who can get his or her hands on a pen or microphone is that times are going to continue to be good for the near future.
Market research firms forecast trendsMarket research firms abound in nearly every industry, and the area of voice, video, and data communications is no exception. Throughout the year, a number of companies follow this rapidly changing and technologically complex industry. These firms not only forecast sales trends, but many of them also provide consulting and engineering services, while others offer corporate training and project management.
Forecasts help direct businessMarket forecasts can be tremendously useful in establishing business goals. The problem is that such information, when it is available at all, is often only to be found in the expensive, limited-distribution studies published by market research firms. These reports usually have pricetags in the multiple thousands of dollars, so they find the most use among well-heeled cable and component manu- facturers, and are very rarely seen by smaller contracting and service companies.
EIA and TIA offer market informationThe primary source of basic market information for the electronics, computer, and telecommunications industries is the Electronic Industries Association (eia--Arlington, VA) and its affiliate, the Telecommunications Industry Association (tia).
Optical fiber gets special attention from researchersAlthough most market research firms that survey the communications cabling industry cover both optical-fiber and copper-wire media, some focus more on fiber than copper, and a few cover the optical medium only.
Telecommunications growth exceeds expectationsAs many telecommunications lines approach capacity, telephone carriers will aggressively expand the digital bandwidth of their networks to stay competitive.
Cables future comes to lightHybrid fiber/coaxial cable has emerged as the leading video distribution technology. It promises to remain essential as companies expand their service offerings.
All-fiber networks expected in the local loop by 2015Home and small-business digital data services will require all-fiber networks in the local loop within 20 years.
UTP and fiber cabling media to dominate market well into next millenniumUnshielded twisted-pair copper and fiber-optic cabling will account for almost 90% of the market by 2003.
StandardsStudy analyzes state telecom-licensing requirementsToday, approximately 500,000 systems technicians, installers, and contractors are gainfully employed in the estimated $1 billion telecommunications industry in the United States. And yet only 10 states have existing legislation that regulates the practices of these individuals. The technicians, installers, and contractors who work in the other 40 states and in Washington, DC, remain unlicensed and unregulated.
See the light with tias Fiber Optics lan SectionIn 1993, the Telecommunications Industry Association (tia--Arlington, VA) established the Fiber Optics lan Section (fols) in its Fiber Optic Division to educate end-users and network designers about the technical advantages and affordability that optical-fiber transmission brings to local area networks, and specifically to fiber-to-the-desk (fttd) applications.
TechnologyRaceways go the courseAlthough a fairly low-tech item, raceways continue to play a significant role in high-tech network infrastructures. This drives product manufacturers to enhance existing product lines and in- troduce new concepts.
Crosstalk & FeedbackAsk DonnaWiring a small office/home officeQ: I am about to wire a six-computer network in my home. I have already decided on Category 5 cable, T568B wiring, the location of the computers, and the "closet" in which to locate the hub (it will actually be a regular clothes/storage closet). What is the difference between using crossconnect blocks and patch panels for the network wiring?
Installing listed optical-fiber racewaysQ: When you are calculating the fill ratio of a conduit, how do innerducts fit into the calculation? My colleagues and I are working on a design which specifies that multiple innerducts and a fiber-optic cable be installed in a single conduit. The fiber-optic cable will not be installed within an innerduct.
Wiring standardsQ: I am bidding on data installation jobs. Are there any books in which I can find wiring standards for Category 3 and Category 5 patch panels and terminating blocks?
Bidding on cabling projectsQ: Can you recommend any magazines or services that offer notices of bids for structured cabling projects? Is there a better way to find out about projects available nationwide?
Yet another loop carrierA: First there was digital loop carrier (dlc) and then next-generation digital loop carrier (ngdlc) and now there is afc carrier, or so says Advanced Fibre Communications (afc).
EditorialThe two faces of tradition and changeAs we learned in school, the Roman god Janus was two-faced, with one face looking backward at the old year and one ahead to the new. This idea has become part of our culture, both in the name of the New Year`s month, January, and in our tradition of New Year`s resolutions. During the 1997 holiday season, we at Cabling Installation & Maintenance have been looking both backward and forward, too.
The making of an installation requirement"It is the responsibility of installers and end-users to oppose installation requirements that they believe to be impractical in the field."
To The EditorMore on "Sleepless in Nashua"It`s refreshing to see someone in our industry make some noise (see "Four great mysteries of the cabling industry," July 1997, page 5). We cable contractors evolved from straight cable-pullers for the telephone companies. In a few cases, we are now all-around cable installation companies. So it irks me that the industry is now trying to make it sound like structured cabling is something that should be installed by electricians and designed by people who work on computers.
LAN tester correctionIn the chart that accompanied the Sept-ember Product Update (see page 22), you neglected to indicate that the models in Wavetek`s LT 8000 line of testers perform wire-map tests. I would like to point out that, in fact, all models in the LT 8000 line conduct this measurement, which is critical for any Category 5 tester.
Products & ServicesIndustry SpotlightCabling Installation Expo grows in second yearThe second annual Cabling Installation Expo, held October 13 to 15 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC, grew in almost every facet over last year`s event, and organizers expect that growth trend to continue in 1998. Early estimates indicate that attendance was up approximately 20% over last year`s figure, and the number of companies exhibiting approached 150, also up about 20% from last year`s total of 123.
AMP announces 300-MHz copper cabling systemAmp Inc. (Harrisburg, PA) will begin shipping a 300-megahertz unshielded twisted-pair (utp) copper cabling system in the first quarter of 1998. The Quantum system will include utp cabling, patch cords, modular jacks, and modular patch panels.
ISO/IEC to specify Category 6 and Category 7 cableIt`s official: Category 6 and Category 7 are coming. The International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (iso/iec--Geneva) issued a statement indicating that during its September 15 to 17 meeting in Munich, a working group within the organization proposed two new link and channel performance classes for balanced cabling.
Moves, Adds & ChangesChris Walsh has been appointed national account manager at Riser Management Systems (Burlington, VT), a telecommunications engineering, consulting, and riser management services company. Formerly, he worked at nynex, mci, and US West. Rob Donahue and Mark Brown have joined the wireless and telecommunications teams, respectively. Each brings more than 15 years` experience to Riser.
New ProductsEnhanced Category 5 patch cordsThese Enhanced Category 5 patch cords have the same electrical parameters as Enhanced Category 5 horizontal cables to ensure end-to-end channel integrity. The patch cords come in 3-, 5-, 7-, 10-, 14-, and 25-foot lengths. Custom lengths are also available.
Latching raceways and fittingsThe Uniduct family of latching raceways and fittings now comes in various colors, including ivory, white, gray, brown, and black, to match interior wall and trim colors. The one-piece design facilitates handling and installation. Durable hinged construction prevents cracking, splitting, or discoloring from repeated opening and closing. Nonmetallic raceways are made of impact-resistant pvc.
ST-type connectorThe ST connector features nickel- plated brass construction and includes zirconia ferrules that minimize field polishing time. The one-piece device has a closed STII-style bayonet. Other features include singlemode and multimode operation, integrated crimp-style Kevlar retention, corrosion resistance, and long-boot or pigtail-boot options with color-coded boots. The connector is also compatible with 125- and 142-micron fiber-optic cables. Typical applications include local area networks, data-pr
Fiber-optic troubleshooting kitThe Model 2854K FiberTracker troubleshooting kit indicates optical faults such as break points, microbends, faulty splices, and improperly installed connectors through the jacket or buffer of most optical-fiber cables. The kit comes with the battery-operated Model 2854T light source, which injects pulsed or continuous-tone tracer signals, and the Model 2854R probe, which provides an audible and visual indicator of tracer signal detection. A 3-meter singlemode ST-to-ST launch cable and portable
Snap-in module interfacesThe TracJack module interface series includes Enhanced 110 Category 5 8-pin modular jacks, RJ-25C, 8-pin modular jacks, F connectors, dual rca, ST, duplex ST, SC, duplex SC, FC, and blanks for future expansion. RJ-25C and 8-pin modular jacks support 22 to 26 awg twisted-pair distribution cables. Category 5 modules support 622- and 155-megabit-per-second atm, and are power-sum tested to 350 megahertz. They are compatible with 10-Mbit/sec ieee 802.3 (10Base-T) and 16-Mbit/sec ieee 802.5 Token Ri
Video and xvga adaptersWith the 8711R and 8712TC adapters, xvga (1024 x 768) computer video can be transmitted as far as 1000 feet using Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair cables. These adapters let users locate computer displays and projectors in remote locations far from cpus and other sources. The 8000 Series components are available in stand-alone and rack-mount configurations. The stand-alone units are smaller than a pack of cards, consume little power, produce little heat, and have light-emitting diodes that i
lan installation kitA kit for local area network installers comes with all the tools and test equipment needed to install twisted-pair and coaxial-cable network and telephone cables. The tools are housed in a rugged case with die-cut foam inserts. The kit includes two CrimpMaster frames; RJ-11, 8-pin modular jack, RJ-58, RJ-59, and RG-8 die sets; coaxial-cable cutter; flat satin cutter/stripper; center conductor trimmer; two Pro-Ax coaxial-cable strippers; twisted-pair cable stripper; punchdown tool with 66 and 1
Cable cabinetA communications distribution cabinet features 19-inch panel mounting in a panel space that is 24 inches wide and 783/4 inches high. The cabinet includes an installed clip-type, adjustable vertical cable-management system, 15 spring steel cable clips, locking Plexiglas front door, locking rear door, and two pairs of adjustable panel-mounting rails.
Optical ribbon-cable assembliesA line of fiber-optic ribbon-cable assemblies comes with colored tubing to match the fiber color. The assemblies can also be supplied with numbered subunits to facilitate fiber identification. Constructed of pvc, ofnr-jacketed cable for singlemode or 62.5-micron multimode fiber, the ribbon-cable assemblies are available in 6- and 12-fiber counts. The ribbonized loose-tube cables enable mass splicing of fibers onto a cable assembly. The removable matrix allows for individual splicing of fibers. T
Digital multimeterThe Test-Pro digital multimeter handles the functions of four separate meters. A single manual rotary function dial allows quick and accurate measurement of continuity, AC and DC voltage, amps, ohms, and capacitance. Accessories include current clamp head, dual-temperature converter, relative humidity head, deluxe test heads, long and short test probes, alligator clips, and beaded K-type thermocouples. Users can choose between a leather or nylon carrying case or a rubber holster.
Fiber-optic connectorsA line of fiber-optic connectors includes ST, FC, and SC in singlemode and multimode versions. The bodies of the ST and FC connectors are assembled from machined parts instead of the die-casting method. SC connectors have a molded polymer body, and all connectors have a pre-radius, physical contact, full-floating ceramic ferrule. Typical insertion loss is 0.2 dB, and return loss is -50 dB.
Dielectric epoxyThe solvent-free and thermally conductive tra-bond 2158 dielectric epoxy is used for bonding heat-sensitive components or substrates. The epoxy bonds to most metals, ceramics, glass, silica, and plastics. It cures overnight at room temperature or within 2 to 4 hours at 65oC and is resistant to salt solutions, mild acids/bases, and cleaning solutions.
Cable Installer TipsVacuum cleaner helps pull cablePulling cable through old conduit can be difficult for several reasons. The pull rope may no longer be in place, and the conduit may already contain cabling. Either of these situations can make pulling new cable through the conduit a challenge.
Homemade jig eases Category 5 terminationsAs an installer, you must terminate Category 5 cable to several kinds of modular connectors. Some connectors, particularly 110 punchdown insulation-displacement connectors, are often difficult to hold while separating the conductors to make the termination.
Installing modular cables and jacksInstalling equipment cords to telephones or other equipment is not difficult, but it must be performed correctly for the devices to function properly.
Beaded chain helps avoid snags on wall insulationWhen fishing cable through an insulated wall, installers often have difficulty with the cable becoming snagged in the insulation. Traditional fishing tools such as fish tape, and even creative tools such as a string with an attached weight, frequently fall victim to this snagging.
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This IssueNo Image Available Volume 5
Issue 12
December 1997
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