Table of ContentsContentsDesignIllinois home showcases high-tech cablingPeople increasingly want the high-tech infrastructure they use in the workplace designed into their homes.
InstallationLabeling gets more automated- and more attentionAs networks become larger and more complex, network planners, installers, and end-users are becoming convinced of the importance of good cable-identification practices.
Product UpdateOh, the places singlemode could go...It was as early as the mid-1980s when you could find singlemode fiber-optic cable in digital telephone transmission systems, operating at 417 megabits per second and carrying more than 6000 calls at a time. By the end of 1992, the rate had grown fourfold when capacities skyrocketed to 10 gigabits per second and managed 130,000 simultaneous calls.
Special ReportSeminar spotlights concerns of contractorsContractors` worries include UTP`s longevity, new cabling categories, and hiring qualified installers.
Cabling-contractor research premiersOne of the most frequently asked questions at Cabling Installation & Maintenance magazine (Nashua, NH) is about the nature and composition of the installation-contracting market. To date, there have been no good answers to such questions.
Researcher tracks, predicts change in fiber industrySo who needs Category 6, anyway? No one who has a properly installed multimode optical-fiber local area network (lan), according to Stephen Montgomery, president of ElectroniCast Corp. (San Mateo, CA), a market- research firm specializing in the fiber-optics industry.
North American premises wiring market boomingThere`s no where to go but up. That`s one way to sum up recent reports from Frost & Sullivan (New York City) on the North American premises wiring market.
Reshaping the telecommunications industryIndustry analyst Stephen L. Barreca predicted that consumer demand for high-speed access would be the driving force behind a paradigm shift that will reshape current telecommunications markets and technologies over the next five to 10 years. "Today, consumers purchase telephone service and expect their modems to work; tomorrow, consumers will purchase high-speed data access and expect their telephones to work."
StandardsStandards bodies evaluate new test methodCoupling attenuation measures the electromagnetic isolation between a disturbing source and a channel.
Crosstalk & FeedbackAsk DonnaCable-tray rung spacingQ: We are installing Enhanced Category 5 cable throughout a project. The electrical contractor ordered a tray 6 inches wide by 4 inches deep, with 9-inch rung spacing. Our university standard for cable tray calls for 6-inch rung spacing, but nobody seems to know why. The customer questions how the rung spacing might affect the cable.
Jack height requirementsQ: Our pharmaceutical department is installing new shelving throughout their spaces. They want to raise the wall jack from a height of 9 inches off the floor to 45 inches off the floor. I would like to know if there is a standard on how high or low the wall jack can be installed. Our electricians say they can put an electrical outlet anywhere they want. I feel there has to be some type of standard.
Raceway aestheticsQ: I need to run one to eight Category 5 cables down hallways and into units of high-end condos and apartment buildings. I haven`t been able to find any attractive conduits, raceways, or moldings. In some applications, I have to go around multiple corners.
EditorialThe gospel according to bandwidthAs difficult as it may be to believe today, the Telecommunications Industry Association (tia--Arlington, VA) published its first specifications for different levels of performance in copper cable and components less than a decade ago. The specifications, in the form of telecommunications systems bulletins, established three "categories" of performance, since Anixter Inc. (Skokie, IL) had already appropriated the term "levels" for an earlier version of its Levels Program.
EndfaceWanted: Good project managersThe growing demand for skilled project managers combined with the difficulty of finding--and retaining--qualified individuals could pose a real problem for the telecommunications industry if it is not addressed. Trained project managers have a direct impact on their companies` level of service and their ability to make a profit. As demands for technology and production increase, project managers become more critical to their companies` success.
Products & ServicesIndustry SpotlightLook no further: Its happening in our front yardFerreting out stories on the design and setup of telecommunications networks requires the staff of Cabling Installation & Maintenance to keep its editorial eyes peeled.
Regulatory and technical sessions draw full house at BICSIIt is clear that the construction industry does not understand the telecommunications industry." With these words, Tom Rauscher, president of Archi-Technology llc (Rochester, NY) and a speaker at bicsi`s fall conference, capsulized the communications gap that exists between the two industries.
AlliedSignal buys 20 million AMP sharesDespite a U.S. District Court judge`s ruling that packing amp`s board with AlliedSignal officials violates Pennsylvania`s fiduciary laws, AlliedSignal Inc. got its foot in amp Inc.`s door when it purchased 20 million shares of the Harrisburg, PA-based manufacturer of electrical, electronic, fiber-optic, and wireless interconnection devices and systems.
Moves, Adds & ChangesThe FO-6 Fiber Optics Engineering Committee of the Telecommunications Industry Association (Arlington, VA) has named Steve Swanson as the new committee chairman. The FO-6 develops standards for the components of fiber-optics systems, including fibers, cables, splices, sensors, waveguides, and connectors. It also oversees the standardization of terminology and symbology relating to fiber optics. Swanson, who works as the manager of standards engineering at Corning Inc. (Corning, NY), will also re
Former Oklahoma congressman named EIA presidentFormer Oklahoma Congressman Dave McCurdy has been chosen as the next president of the Electronic Industries Alliance (eia--Arlington, VA), succeeding Peter F. McCloskey, who retires after 21 years.
New ProductsAC ammeterThe AD15, the smallest AC ammeter on the market, according to company claims, has measuring ranges of 20 and 200 amperes AC. This digital multimeter is suitable for electrical contractors; building maintenance departments; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning personnel; and light commercial and residential electrical applications. Tech-Preferred features of the device include a data-hold function for measuring in areas difficult to read and a slip-proof grip on the sides. Complete with bat
Optical-power meterThe Model FM8510 optical-power meter features microcontroller-based measuring, a dynamic range of -70 to +5 decibels, indium gallium arsenide sensing diode, auto power on/off, and low-battery indicator. Priced at $399, the device is intended for on-the-spot measurement of optical power.
Inserts for faceplatesInserts for mini-com Executive Series faceplates let you mix and match between sloped and flush outlets. The bezel inserts allow greater flexibility to customize installations. The inserts accommodate front access for moves, adds, and changes. Several insert variations are available. Two-port 1/3-size inserts accept two mini-com modules and occupy 1/3 of a single-gang bezel. Blank 1/3-size devices can be used to reserve space for future modules. Recessed 2/3-size inserts accept two mini-com mo
Prewired raceway systemsThe 3000 and 4000 Series raceways are prewired for power, with receptacles located according to customer specification. The Activate connectivity inserts from Interlink Technologies, a Wiremold Co., can also be factory-installed. The 3000 Series raceway is a large-capacity, single-channel steel raceway that accommodates power or data-communications wiring. The 4000 Series metal raceway features a snap-in divider that creates separate compartments for power and data-communications cabling. Both
Drawer-type patch panelThe Fiber-Net patch-panel enclosures are suitable for ST- or SC-type connectors. These 1U 19-inch rack-mounted panels can be used for fusion splicing loose-tube cables and direct fiber termination of buffered cables. Up to four cables can be accommodated in one panel. The units facilitate installation and re-entry for maintenance.
Electric hot knifeThe HK60 60-watt electric hot knife cuts and seals expandable woven sleeving to produce a clean cut. The device warms up to 1050oF in less than 1 minute and cuts through woven sleeving to produce a beaded edge that prevents fraying. Featuring a tapered wooden handle that stays cool because the heating element is under the tip, the knife eliminates the need for repetitive squeezing required of scissors. The knife measures 63/4 inches long and weighs about 1 ounce. Tips can be resharpened and re
Fluoropolymer resinVatar 2000 fluoropolymer resin for plenum-cable applications is a flexible material for all-fluoropolymer unshielded twisted-pair (utp) communications cables. The resin passes the UL-910 Steiner Tunnel Test as a jacketing material over four twisted-pair fluorinated ethylene propylene primaries and meets the 125oC temperature rating. vatar xt resin is designed for spline, fillers, and other profile extruded components. The resin dampens the effects of pair-to-pair crosstalk in Level 7 utp constru
Quick-connect fittingsPlenum-Gard quick-connect fittings are made of kynar Flex pvdf resin and have low-smoke, low-flame propagation features. These UL-listed couplings conform to Article 770 of the National Electrical Code. They have a 1-inch diameter and are available in three different configurations.
Optical activity indicatorThe optical activity indicator lets a technician identify fibers that are carrying light transmission. Connect one end of the fiber under test to the indicator and, if traffic is present, a light-emitting diode (led) will illuminate. Features include an led indicator, an audible indicator, and two sensitivity settings--one at >-30 decibels with reference to 1 milliwatt and one at >-50 dBm. A heavy rubber boot protects the unit from physical damage.
Power extensionsThe Flexiduct ground-fault circuit interrupter (gfci) provides cord management across floors. gfci outlets automatically shut off in the event of an electrical shock, minimizing the possibility of a person sustaining injury. The extension is a UL-listed, prewired, grounded AC resettable duplex receptacle in 6- or 8-foot lengths. Custom lengths are available upon request.
Premier ProductsStandard, deep, and slim enclosure linesX-Mark/CDT, a division of Cable Design Technologies, has introduced three lines of enclosures: standard, deep, and slim. Two of the lines--the XL Data Standard and the XL Data Deep--feature versatile field-mounting uprights that adjust between 19 to 23 inches. Optional shelf provisions are available to mount large PCs or servers, stationary or sliding in the standard enclosures, while deep enclosures can be outfitted for uninterruptible power supplies, controllers, and battery backup.
Fast Ethernet convertersThe latest media converters in Ortronics`s TransOptix line allow for short-wavelength transmission (in the 850-nanometer operating window) for 100-megabit-per-second Fast Ethernet. The TransOptix line supports both short- and long-wavelength Fast Ethernet transmission, as well as short- and long-wavelength 10-Mbit/sec Ethernet transmission.
Gigabit-ready fiber-optic cableThe AdvanceLite fiber-optic cable product line has been designed by Mohawk/cdt specifically for use in gigabit-speed networks. The cables provide guaranteed link lengths to handle Gigabit Ethernet transmission and maintain full compatibility with installed fddi-grade cable. The cables are made with Corning`s InfiniCor fiber.
Cable Installer TipsInstall wooden spacers between racksA change from circuit-switching equipment to packet-switching equipment has left you with too many plugs and too few outlets in your telecommunications closet. You are now tasked with keeping AC power cords a safe distance away from data cords.
Jig helps maintain proper untwist lengthsIt is tedious to trim and dress the end of a solid unshielded twisted-pair (utp) cable for insertion into an 8-pin modular plug and to keep the conductors straight and in the proper order. Consistently maintaining the untwist length necessary to ensure consistent performance is also challenging.
Tag bad ports in patch panels and hubsBad ports in patch panels and hubs are often left untagged. When bad ports aren`t labeled as such, technicians may continue to insert plugs into them, causing lost time troubleshooting a problem that has already been diagnosed.
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This IssueNo Image Available Volume 6
Issue 12
December 1998
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