Table of ContentsContentsDesignCabling upgrade brings law firm up to speedBusiness networks everywhere are feeling the effects of "information overload." As data traffic surges with the increase in electronic communications and equipment, many companies find their information pipeline constricted by an outdated cabling infrastructure or equipment. The solution is a network upgrade, but the question on any system designer`s mind is how to plan a system that will sustain its users through future growth in communications technology.
InstallationModular fiber-cabling systems ease deploymentUse of multifiber connectors and mini patch panels may facilitate deployment of modular cabling systems.
Product UpdateCoaxial connectors: a dinosaur or a tool for the future?In an age where Category 5 is the answer and fiber-to-the-desk is the dream, the very mention of coaxial-cable connectors may draw puzzled looks that convey thoughts such as, "Those dinosaurs? Are you kidding?"
StandardsTesting optical fiber for Gigabit EthernetGigabit Ethernet standards development work has been progressing steadily for the past two years. The main standard--ieee 802.3z, for fiber--was ratified last June by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (ieee--New York City).
TechnologyFiber-optic connector polishing remains a must for installersManufacturers take incremental steps to diminish the time and effort necessary to polish fiber-optic connectors.
Crosstalk & FeedbackAsk DonnaTCs in multi-tenant buildingsQ: I would appreciate some guidance on a confusing issue related to tia/ eia-569a, the Commercial Building Standard for Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces of the Telecommunications Industry Association and the Electronic Industries Alliance (tia/eia--Arlington, VA). The standard includes recommendations for sizing telecommunications closets (TCs), equipment rooms, and entrance facilities. My question relates to issues encountered when designing speculative multi-tenant office base buildings-
Five years of Q&AHappy New Year! This issue marks the five-year anniversary of Ask Donna. I certainly don`t know everything there is to know about telecommunications--far from it--but I have an excellent list of contacts who collectively do know everything there is to know about telecommunications--well, almost. And I have been very fortunate through the years that many of these contacts are now friends. I would like to thank all of you who have read the column and sent questions and comments; and special thanks
Cabling Installation & MaintenanceInstallers of premises and campuswide communications systems face constantly evolving standards, products, and technology. Keeping pace with these changes requires access to current inform-ation from informed peers who are knowledgeable in fiber and copper technology relative to premises communications. Cabling Installation & Maintenance provides peer-to-peer perspective in its interpretation of standards and technology, its presentation of installation techniques, and in the selection and use o
Standard does not specify TC sizeBefore you discount my assertion about the telecommunications closet (TC) as "too much eggnog around the Yule log," I offer the following explanation:
Grounding coaxialI received the following comment from Daniel L. Pohnert, professional engineer, with Fred Wilson & Associates Inc. in Jacksonville, FL:
EditorialSafety first should be more than just a sloganIn this month`s "To the Editor" column (see page 8), Donald T. Wright, a bicsi-certified trainer and training director of Compel Corp. (Santa Fe Springs, CA), tells us that he observed unsafe optical-fiber handling practices at last October`s Cabling Installation Expo `98 show. I am glad that Wright wrote us this letter because it highlights a situation brought to my attention by a number of concerned technical people both at Expo and other fall trade shows I attended--a situation that I was alr
To The EditorCabling Installer Tips WatchI disagree with the procedure described in Steps 5 to 8 in the tip, "Use braided rope to make pulling grip" (see September 1998, page 82). The picture shows rope strands wrapped around the outside of the rope. With more than 40 years` experience in telephone installation, maintenance, and repair, I started out as a lineman. I was taught to weave the strands into the rope at least three times. By using this technique, I made a splice that was smooth and would not hang up or get caught in conduit
Fiber safety forgottenI was impressed, both positively and negatively, with Cabling Installation Expo `98 held last October in Atlanta, GA.
EndfaceWill competition prevail in telecommunications?Our industry looks like kids fighting in the schoolyard. We need to stop this behavior and work together.
Products & ServicesIndustry SpotlightDatacom and telecom industries pack Inc. 500Remember the movie Good Will Hunting--a story about the Ivy League-janitor-mega-genius who finally tapped his potential after getting some sense knocked into him? Here`s a similar story, although this one is about Kent Murphy, a guy who seemed destined to go absolutely nowhere in life.
Cabling Installation Expo 98 a hitCabling Installation Expo `98 kicked off bright and early October 12 with a Structured Cabling Marketplace seminar that was sponsored by Cabling Installation & Maintenance magazine. Held at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta, the seminar featured presentations from five industry experts, including Arlyn S. Powell, Jr., group editorial director for PennWell, which publishes Cabling Installation & Maintenance (see "Seminar spotlights concerns of contractors, December 1998, pag
New Penwell Building UpdateThis looks like a tangled mess of Category 5 (blue) and Category 3 (white) cables. But its temporary placement is actually all part of a plan in a 40,000-square-foot building expansion that will house PennWell`s Advanced Technology Div. (atd--Nashua, NH), which publishes Cabling Installation & Maintenance. Instead of running along ceiling grid panels, voice and data cables are fed from floor to floor through structural columns outfitted with faceplates to feed desktop data and telephone lines. E
Premier ProductsHigh-performance cabling systemThe Smart-Giga Cabling System includes unshielded twisted-pair cable, patch cords, patch panels, and communications outlets. Recent testing performed by Intertek Testing Services (Cortland, NY) showed the Smart-Giga channel demonstrated worst-case attenuation-to-crosstalk ratio performance of 4.45 decibels at 200 megahertz. The system has been developed to support high-speed technologies such as Gigabit Ethernet as well as multimedia applications such as digital video. The manufacturer says that
Shelf system for small installationsThe EZ Mount Network Shelf is suited for small network installations, where users do not need a standard rack or where telecommunications-closet space is limited. The shelf integrates a hub, patch panel, and power strip with a single setup. It is held away from the wall approximately 11/2 inches to facilitate routing power cables from the equipment to a power source without running them past the side or front of the equipment. Hook-and-loop cable-management strips are included. The system is 193
Tray for splicing and patchingThe linxs Splice-and-Patch Tray combines splicing and patching capabilities in a single 19-inch unit. The tray is designed to offer configuration flexibility, high capacity, and safety features. Each tray has a capacity of 12 splices within the removable splice cassette as well as 12 patch cords. When used in the manufacturer`s 19-inch linxs enclosure, six Splice-and-Patch trays accommodate 72 splices and 72 patches in 7 inches of rack height. The removable splice cassette allows users to set up
New ProductsOptical-fiber cablesmof metal-clad optical-fiber cables are factory-assembled in an interlocked metal armor, eliminating the need for innerduct. The cables can be assembled with any manufacturer`s fiber for complete system flexibility. Applications include network backbones and industrial robotics or where physical protection or data security is required.
Open-frame racksOpen-frame racks are suitable for free-standing, mobile, or stationary applications. They can be used for laboratory test environments or in areas where structured cabling systems are routed applications. The racks are available in heights of 48 to 96 inches and meet Electronic Industries Alliance standards for 19- and 23-inch rack-mount equipment. Accessories include shelves, cable-routing guides, and monitor/keyboard trays. The floor-mount units are made of aluminum and can be secured directl
mt-rj adaptersmt-rj adapters and preterminated cable assemblies complete the total mt-rj connector system by allowing the interconnecting of equipment to outlets and panels. The mt-rj plug/jack interface, modeled after the 8-position modular jack and plug, answers the demand for increased optical-port density. When used with the mt-rj fiber-optic transceiver, the connector system will deliver a local area network cabling system that installs easily, takes up less space, and adapts to changes in technology.
Electric punch-down toolThe PunchGun electric punch-down tool automatically terminates cables with the touch of a finger, reducing operator effort and impact stress. An adjustable 360o rotating head allows blade-positioning in 90o increments to accommodate high-density crossconnects. For safety purposes, the 11-ounce device will function only on connector contact.
Multichannel surface racewayThe Premier nonmetallic multichannel surface raceway provides the flexibility for routing voice, data, and power wiring as well as fiber-optic and coaxial cable. The unit features device boxes that accept all standard nema devices, raceway covers that can be punched to place jacks wherever necessary, and removable slip-in dividers. The raceway is compatible with single-channel raceways and has a paintable surface with diffused finish. It will not nick, rust, dent, or crush, according to the com
utp-cabling productsThe Series 670 nextspeed products include jacks, patch panels, and patch cords, all of which exceed the proposed Telecommunications Industry Association Category 6 component specification. The devices are used for unshielded twisted-pair cabling systems and are backward-compatible with Category 5 and Enhanced Category 5 components.
Category 5 video balunThe vga Video Balun allows computer video signals that comply with vga/ svga/xvga standards to be transmitted over Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair cable. The balun can be used to extend the distance to any individual x/s/vga monitor, while supporting distances to 1200 feet depending on the resolution. The device can be used for projection displays, centralized monitoring stations, classrooms, and theaters.
T1-to-fiber media converterThe T1-to-fiber media converter allows the migration to fiber while protecting the existing infrastructure of the T1 environment. By deploying fiber, users can unify the media deployed, provide better environmental protection, and lower the cost of installation because no mid-span repeaters are needed. The converter accepts all common forms of T1, is framing-independent, works with all common line codes, and provides a distance of more than 3 kilometers. The unit comes as a stand-alone device o
Multimedia cableMegaclear multimedia cable is suitable for voice, video, data-communications, and telecommunications applications. The cable works with existing connecting hardware. Its pairs are not bonded, facilitating termination. It meets or exceeds existing and proposed standards for Category 6.
Termination kitThe Impact Mount termination kit mechanically seals fibers on both ends of the connectors, eliminating the need for precise measurements or chemicals. There is a minimum amount of bare fiber to handle, with less than 2 millimeters of stripped fiber remaining inside the connector. A factory-quality polish is achieved in less than 20 seconds. The kit features all-positive stop tools with minimum preparation.
Fiber-optic switching systemThe GP700 general-purpose fiber-optic switch system is a low-loss optical switch used for cable, component testing, remote fault locating, and optical-signal routing. The system provides accurate positioning for either singlemode or multimode fibers, resulting in a typical insertion loss of 0.6 decibel. Back- reflection is -60 dB typical, and repeat-ability is ?0.025 dB maximum. The unit can control up to 30 1xN switches, and 64 on/off, 1x2, or 2x2 switches. Larger systems can be accommodated u
Raceway adapterThe Interlink Activate angled raceway adapter provides additional mounting depth for data-communications and telecommunications inserts. The device helps maintain the cable-fill ratio of the raceway and helps ensure the required bend radius for Category 5 and fiber-optic cabling. It is compatible with a wide range of Activate Connectivity System snap-in inserts for unshielded twisted-pair, fiber-optic, audio, and video cabling. The adapter accepts two 2A-size inserts, providing multimedia capab
Enterprise network designerEnterprise designs and documents the local-area and wide-area networks, wiring closets, and directory structures of an enterprise network. Included are 14,000 exact-replica shapes that represent vendors` devices to port-level detail. Built-in simple-network management protocol-based Autodiscovery technology automatically creates a database of your network, while Guided Diagramming technology generates physical and logical diagrams, including connectivity information.
Epoxy finish addedThe Flextray cable-management system has been expanded to include Flex-e-coat, an epoxy electrodeposited finish that bends with the metal. The finish comes in white and gray, with other colors available upon request.
Cable Installer TipsUse your tape measure as a portable cable-grabberYour installation partner throws a coil of cable to you, but it lands just out of your reach. You`re on a ladder above a ceiling so you can`t lean far enough to grab it because the ladder will probably tip.
Identify locations to attach cable-tray anchorsWhen you are attaching a cable tray to a ceiling, it is often difficult to pinpoint on the ceiling the locations to which you will attach the anchors.
Planning for slack in the telecommunications closetIt is often difficult to plan and provide for slack cable in the telecommunications closet (TC) that will offer the flexibility needed to make future cabling-system changes.
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January 1999
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