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Table of Contents Crosstalk & Feedback Editorial The cable guy and the web of doom There`s been so much talk about the Internet lately, and it has been so loud and full of superlatives, that I`m reminded of one of those fast-paced, action-packed promos for an Indiana Jones movie. So are we cable guys getting caught in the web of doom? Endface Raising the performance bar They say the world keeps moving and, if you don`t move with it, it will pass you by. In our industry today, this adage is more apt than ever before. With the recent publication of its wc66-1999 standard, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA--Rosslyn, VA) has established transmission-performance requirements for Category 6 and 7 cable.* This new standard increases twisted-pair copper-cable transmission requirements from the current 100-megahertz bandwidth to 250 MHz for Categor Contents Design What fiber technicians should know about workplace chemicals Although chemicals and materials used in fiber optics are relatively common substances, they still require careful handling. Workplace chemicals and the role of the MSDS The material safety data sheet is a helpful guide to determining the degree of hazard of common chemicals. Hybrid fiber-optic cable targets a variety of applications Premises-cabling systems are a fast-moving target with corporate-networking needs continuing to spiral toward higher and higher speeds. What makes fiber-optic cable attractive is its ability to support fast speeds at long distances for both current and anticipated future applications. The advent of hybrid fiber-optic cable takes the concept of investment protection one step further, offering customers even longer-term flexibility. Designing a data center with room to grow A merger of legacy equipment with new systems required a well-designed data center and cable-management systems. Open-office cabling is not just for the office anymore High school students turn a storeroom into a "smart room" using prewired floor and connectivity accessories. Underfloor cable access gets easier Floor boxes and access floor systems can make life simpler for cabling-system installers and end users. 100Base-SX provides a path to the future The most significant development in recent months for desktop networking is the proposed 100Base-SX standard, which defines an affordable migration strategy for 10-megabit-per-second copper or fiber to 100-Mbit/sec fiber, using a cabling structure capable of Gigabit Ethernet speeds and beyond. For the first time, those interested in investing in a fiber infrastructure will have a road map that clearly defines the migration path from 10Base-FL to the future (see "The standards development process Overview of support systems for cable and equipment The support system for cabling and equipment is a vital component of a properly designed data-communications system. The acceptance and use of the eia/tia-569 Commercial Building Standard for Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces by architects and engineers has proven the importance of a carefully designed and maintained cable-support system. There are six major types of cable supports: cable runway, center-rail systems, cable tray, wire basket, bridle rings or cable hooks, and wireway. Each is Giving fiber the respect it deserves When working with optical fiber, the best tools are those a technician carries in his head: training and common sense. Whats in a decibel, and why should you care? The decibel (dB) is considered the baseline by which all telecommunications designers compare cabling-system performance. But what exactly is a dB? Furthermore, what`s so significant about one system performing a few dBs better than another system? Gigabit Ethernet places demands on multimode fiber The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE--New York City) standardized Gigabit Ethernet, the latest high-speed solution to network overload, with the adoption of IEEE 802.3z in June 1998, marking a transition to laser-based networks. Gigabit Ethernet responds to two fundamental requirements in fiber-to-the-desk networking: industry-accepted standards and low costs. For example, Gigabit Ethernet can operate with vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), which cost about Selecting a cable-management system for the future Consider adaptability, cable protection, ease of use, and customer service when choosing cable-management equipment to ensure long-term network performance. Products & Services Industry Spotlight Microtest offers testing interface for IBMs Category 6, 7 cabling systems Cabling-system manufacturer IBM Global Services (Research Triangle Park, NC) and test-equipment maker Microtest (Phoenix, AZ) have formed a partnership whereby Microtest will be the sole supplier of test adapters for the twisted-pair IBM cabling systems designed to meet the forthcoming Category 6 and Category 7 cabling standards. Coaxial cable be gone Steve Feinberg does not have to use coaxial cable when installing video security systems anymore. For the last few months, the co-owner of Orbit Systems (Windham, NH), an installation company that specializes in video security systems, has been using VideoEase--a compact, screw-terminal balun that connects closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to structured cabling systems manufactured by NHC Communications Inc. (Montreal, QC, Canada). New Products Specialty hand tools A line of specialty hand tools includes flush cutters for hard and soft wire materials, shears for cutting Kevlar, and pliers and forming tools for use in assembly, cable installation, and field- service applications. Manufactured from alloyed steel, the ergonomic tools have broad, flat contact surfaces molded from Xuro-Rubber, a durable grip material. The grip spread closed is less than 2 inches. The tools weigh 1.9 to 2.7 ounces and incorporate Light Touch return springs. Stainless-steel cable ties Self-lock stainless-steel cable ties are for applications in which bad weather, salt spray, extreme vibration, radiation, chemical exposure, and hostile environments require a stronger, more permanent tie. The ties are three times stronger than nylon and feature 150-pound minimum loop-tensile strength. They are 3/16 inch wide and 0.01 inch thick and come in 5- to 47-inch lengths. The units can be supplied in Type 304 stainless steel for most outdoor applications and Type 316 for superior corrosi Universal fiber-optic toolkit The universal fiber-optic toolkit has a 200x laser-safe inspection scope and fiber tools for singlemode and multimode fiber-optic applications. Designed to complement Thread-Lock reusable connectors, the kit is priced under $600. The inspection scope protects the eye from dangerous lasers in the 850- to 1550-nanometer range. In addition to the scope, the toolkit contains a sapphire scribe, buffer removers, polishing pad, safety glasses, scissors, jacket stripper, polishing fixture, and music wir Computer furniture The Elicon line of furniture encompasses modular, flexible, and rugged technical workstations for network systems. The furniture has adjustable work surfaces and shelves, accessible oversized horizontal and vertical cable ducts, and aluminum extruded uprights and cross members. Fiber verifiers The FV40 series fiber verifier checks multimode fiber-optic cable and determines power loss. The device features a light-emitting diode (LED) bar graph and is powered by a 9-volt battery. FV41, a transmitter and receiver in one, checks uninstalled cable. When working with the FV42, the unit can check installed cable or long runs where a remote light source is needed. The FV42 and FV43 are designed to work together. The FV42 850-nanometer light-source transmitter is calibrated to 10 microwatts (- Test-equipment catalog The spring `99 catalog features products for applications in the telecommunications, local area network, fiber-optic, wireless, medical, electronic, and computer industries. The 384-page publication lists more than 5000 products, including benchtop test equipment, power supplies, component testers, multimeters, digital oscilloscopes, butt sets, and cleavers. Any standard tool kit can be modified to suit a customer`s specific application or budget. Label-printing software TagPrint Pro label-printing software creates labels for wire, cable, and component marking. The software performs bar coding, serialization, label sets, wire lists, and graphics. A built-in table helps users import existing data and wire lists, create sequenced groups of numbers, and enter random data. The software prints to almost any dot-matrix, laser, thermal-transfer, and ink-jet printer with a 32-bit Windows or Windows NT printer driver. System requirements are an IBM-compatible PC with a 4 Dart gun device for cable The Cable Caster facilitates installation of lightweight, low-voltage wiring in ceiling, rafters, subfloors, and other hard-to-reach spaces. The handheld dart gun-like device enables the installer to fire an accurate dart up to 50 feet to the cable supply. Monofilament line attached to the dart is paid out from a takeup reel attached to the Cable Caster. The communications cable then is attached to the dart and reeled back to the installer. Darts are made of ABS plastic that glows in the dark. T Multiservice box The WallSource multiservice box eliminates the need for multiple single- gang boxes and mismatched unevenly placed faceplates. One location provides multiple service access to accommodate adds, moves, and changes. The box is UL-listed to U.S. and Canadian safety standards and compatible with the Interlink Activate Connectivity System. Optical fault locator The Advanced Fiber Ranger optical fault locator detects fiber breaks and terminations in singlemode and multimode fiber-optic cabling. The unit detects up to seven events in less than 15 seconds from a cold startup. The fault locator uses a 1310-nanometer laser for short- to intermediate-range applications. The deadzone is less than 30 meters and its maximum range is beyond 20 kilometers. The handheld device is priced at $2495. Fiber-optic epoxy Blue Dye Epoxy, a two-part epoxy for connectorization, cures at 65°C for 1 hour or overnight at room temperature. The Heat Cured Epoxy cures at 110°C in 15 minutes. Both types of two-part epoxies are premeasured as 2- or 4-gram units and packaged in a two-part plastic tubing within a moisture-resistant envelope. Each envelope is labeled with lot number, expiration date, and specific instructions for mixing and application. Underfloor duct junction boxes The Walkerduct Pro Series of underfloor duct junction boxes are equipped with nonmetallic corner inserts that provide a controlled cable bend radius around the box`s internal tunneling. The boxes come with square or round cover plates. Square boxes include flangeless aluminum trim to accommodate 1/8-inch tile. Round covers are generally less visually intrusive in patterned carpet applications. Heavy-duty junction boxes are suitable where heavy loads are transported across floors. Fiber-optic-connector kits Fiber-optic-connector kits include standard ST or SC-type connectors as well as supplies necessary for terminating fiber-optic cables. Each kit includes enough connectors and supplies for 100 terminations. Both ST and SC multimode kits are available from stock and cost $295 and $375, respectively. LC connector The LC Termination Solutions are half the size of previous connector models. These cable assemblies are available in singlemode and multimode versions with a complete offering of connectors, adapters, and patch cords. The devices can be used in fiber-optic applications, including high-speed data communications, voice networks, telecommunications, and high-density fiber applications in central offices. Insertion loss is as low as less than 0.1 decibel for singlemode and less than 0.2 dB for multi Premier Products Ethernet, Fast Ethernet tester The LANchecker 100 evaluates, optimizes, and monitors 10- and 100-megabit-per-second Ethernet-based networks. The tester can generate traffic to help determine how a Fast Ethernet network performs under load. Its automatic test routines and simplified operation minimize testing time. During transmission tests involving two devices, the far end is automatically identified and configured so that a technician working alone can perform remote measurements. Unshielded twisted-pair jack The 110 Category 5E jack is the newest addition to the manufacturer`s Nevada Western line of data-communications products. Design enhancements within the jack result in faster, easier installations. Users can use a traditional 110-style impact tool, channel lock, or side-cutter to terminate the 4-pair termination field. Flexible duct The Dinosaur series of flexible duct curves around corners, twists into tight spaces, and includes an epoxy-adhesive backing. Installers can cut the duct with scissors or a knife. It can be used on wiring-cabinet doors, from control panels, and for electronic equipment. Because it has no cover, the duct can also accommodate cables in restricted-space applications. Cable puller The Li`L Tugger Cable Puller significantly reduces the time and physical strain typically involved in long cable pulls that are done by hand. The tugger produces a pulling speed of 60 feet per minute, even in small-diameter conduit, with minimal effort. It consists of a four-piece assembly that weighs 20 pounds.

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