Table of ContentsCrosstalk & FeedbackAsk DonnaIts standards-compliant, but is it safe?When you are writing specifications, make certain you know what is covered and what is not in the codes and standards that you are referencing. Recently, I heard an interesting "war story" from someone in charge of information technology for a large school district and who wishes to remain anonymous.
Why ground fiber-optic cableOctober must be "Safety Month," with several articles related to safety in that issue of Cabling Installation & Maintenance. It is a worthy subject and especially necessary, with so many new people entering the communications cabling field.
EditorialThe buck starts hereThis past year, we`ve shone the spotlight on two important business groups in the cabling industry. Last December, we covered the cabling contractor, as presented at our first annual Structured Cabling Marketplace seminar; in July, we highlighted the voice/data distributor in a special supplement to Cabling Installation & Maintenance.
EndfaceIts time to integrate telecom and building automation systemsThere has been much discussion about integrating telecommunications cabling and building automation systems (BASs) to create "smart" or "intelligent" buildings. The idea is to establish a common network and cabling infrastructure that accommodates voice and data as well as fire alarm; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; security and access control; and energy management systems. Systems integration also makes it possible to consolidate pathways and equipment spaces, allowing a single gro
Get OnlineHow to turn Y2K worries into a smart upgrade opportunityIf you`ve worked diligently to eradicate all possible millennium bugs from your network hardware and software, this month`s online feature--"Turn Y2K into a cable-management success story"--says you`ve also set the stage for a quick and efficient upgrade. Based on the fresh details you`ve gathered about your current connectivity system, the complaints that you`ve logged about current network performance, and your existing plans for network upgrades, you`re in a great position to plan a major sys
Stay in the loopLooking for a way to stay informed with ongoing changes and innovations in the cabling industry? Visit www.cable-install.com and get frequent updates on the industry news and issues that are important to your day-to-day decision-making--from the hottest new products and services to standards updates and debates to industry movers and shakers.
CI&Ms salary survey is www.hotstuffWho`s getting paid what for doing that? It`s been a hot topic for visitors to www.cable-install.com, where you`ll find the complete set of responses to our Salary Survey that appeared in the September issue of Cabling Installation & Maintenance. This must-see listing includes respondents` title, years of experience, number of employees supervised, education, and salary.
Announcing the IQ Award winnersCheck out the winners of this year`s Readers` Choice IQ Awards contest. The CI&M readership, in voting that took place earlier this fall, selected winners in 11 categories. Readers were asked to judge products and services based on their innovation, impact, importance, and quality. Check out www.cable-install.com to find out who took home top honors in the following categories: Cabling Media, Connection & Crossconnection Devices, Distribution & Routing Equipment, Racks & Enclosures, Specialty Eq
Plan your yearGet instant access to a year`s worth of events, from cabling industry conferences to training activities, with the Calendar Section of Cabling Installation & Maintenance`s Website.
Hey, you wanna buy some cable?Comparing Category 5, multimode, or other products, use the 1999 Cabling Installation & Maintenance Buyer`s Guide issue to narrow your choices. You can peruse it online at www.cable-install.com.
Contractors A to ZAre you listed in the Cabling Installation & Maintenance Contractor`s Directory? Find out how you can get your company listed. Contractors listed are searchable by company name, geographic region where a contractor works, and individual subspecialties.
Instant info on new productsCheck out www.cable-install.com to learn more about Xuron`s specialty hand tools along with dozens of other cabling tools of the trade. Cabling Installation & Maintenance gives online readers the most timely and comprehensive product information possible, helping you make informed purchasing choices and stay in touch with the newest technologies and products.
ContentsInstallationMultimedia network supports a spiritual missionFrom its angular steel steeple to its telecommunications network, the 25,000-member New Birth Missionary Baptist Church (Lithonia, GA) is a dramatic departure from churches of the past. Using technology as a vehicle for its spiritual message, the church exemplifies how high tech can serve a higher purpose.
Wireless networking: Now its practicalWill wireless networks make cabled networks obsolete? Is it foolish to spend money on installing cable now when you could go directly to wireless?
Just how much is enough bandwidth?If 10-Mbit/sec Ethernet causes congestion, do we have to go to a higher bandwidth like 100 Mbits/sec just to survive?
A look ahead at Category 6 connectorsInstallers should be sure the connectors they select are interoperable with products of other categories.
Product UpdateAll-in-one copper-cable prep tools winning favorFor the past 10 years, the industry focus on copper cabling has been to push more information through the cables; however, little attention was paid to the actual installation of copper cables. That`s all changing. In the past several years, there has been increased awareness for best practices in cable installation, and cable installers and manufacturers have paid more attention to copper-cable prep tools such as cutters, strippers, and crimpers.
Special ReportCabling industry to continue steady growthThe North American structured cabling industry`s market growth is poised to continue at a steady pace through the first half of the next decade, according to numbers presented at the Structured Cabling Marketplace (SCM) seminar in Atlanta in late October. The seminar was a platform in which technical and research firms presented information on the current state of the entire marketplace and detailed what will drive the industry`s growth in the next several years.
Survey explores users installed base and future plansCopper still dominates in the horizontal, but users` plans call for fiber to surpass copper in network backbones before long.
Products & ServicesIndustry SpotlightHitachis high-octane SONET solution fuels nationwide networkBandwidth-friendly dense-wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM) technology may be key to Global Crossing Ltd.`s (Hamilton, Bermuda) North American Crossing fiber-optic network, but it is still counting on caffeinated Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) equipment from Hitachi Telecom USA Inc. (Norcross, GA) to provide a 10-gigabit-per-second fiber-optic pipe-line for carrying heavy traffic.
Punches, counterpunches over building access rightsThe Real Access Alliance, a group of 11 national building and real estate associations, has filed an argument with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against telecommunications providers` efforts to permit "forced building entry"--the taking of space within office buildings for the installation of equipment and wiring.
Selective bandwidth technology bridges SONET, DWDMA new technology from Chromatis Networks Inc. (Bethesda, MD) that promises to make dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) affordable in bandwidth-varying metropolitan area networks (MANs) may also prove to be a solution for diverse campus communications.
New ProductsMT-RJ connectorThe MT-RJ connector is suitable for use in telecommunications networks, local area networks, data-processing networks, device termination, and premises distribution. This high-density small-form- factor connector uses 50% less space than SC duplex connectors in panels, wallplates, and other network applications. Available in singlemode and multimode, the MT-RJ connector family includes field-mountable connectors, duplex and hybrid patch cords, pigtails, duplex adapters for MT-RJ and SC simplex c
Compact test setThe Model TS17 lightweight, compact test set is suitable for checking out phone-line installations or Category 5 pairs. The unit indicates polarity, shorts, opens, and excessive crosstalk. The basic set has a ringer, tone and pulse dialing, while the deluxe version adds a DataSafe monitor, hook, flash, mute, and last-number-redial features.
Stainless-steel cable-tie catalogA cable-tie catalog describes the company`s complete line of stainless-steel cable ties and application tools. Ties are available coated or uncoated in a wide range of lengths, widths, and thicknesses. The devices are used for cable bundling and emp/emi/rfi shield terminations.
Fastener CD-ROM"The Better Mousetrap CD" contains information on UL-listed CADDY fasteners for electrical, data-communications, and low-voltage applications. Designed to help installers find new ways to "build a better mousetrap" compared to older CADDY fasteners and traditional methods, the interactive program lets you search new offerings in box hangers and cable and conduit supports, helping you choose the right fastener for the job. The program can be used on a Mac or PC.
Fiber-optic cleaverThe handheld fiber-optic cleaver features automatic operation. The device leaves an endface angle of 12° or less and will cleave optical fiber with a 125-micron cladding diameter. The cleaver has an adjustable cleave length, carbide cleaving blade, steel handles with plastic grips, anodized aluminum cleaving blocks/fixturing, and polyurethane rubber cleaving/gripping pads.
Fiber-optic test instrumentsThe lancrew line of fiber-optic test instruments is designed for local-area and wide-area networks. The test solution consists of various power meters, light sources, optical-loss test sets, talksets, and visible red light sources. The lancrew products are offered individually or as a complete test package, including accessories and a carrying case.
Tool beltThe Safe-T-Belt tool belt is manufactured with equal weight distribution so each pouch remains balanced. A back-support system is built in, eliminating the need for a separate safety brace. The Tool Pouch pallet secures several essential tools, including three cushion-grip screwdrivers and three nutdrivers. This kit is made of washable black nylon and is water-resistant.
Coaxial-cable adaptersThe 7-16 RF coaxial-cable adapters feature in-series types such as a right-angle male-to-female for fitting into tight spacing and male-to-male for solving gender problems. They feature between-series adapters for mating 7-16 connectors to other series such as C, HN, N, SQ, SC, 7/8-EIA, and 15/8-EIA connectors in various gender combinations. Constructed of nickel- or silver-plated brass bodies, silver-plated beryllium-copper female contacts, and silver- or gold-plated brass male contacts, the a
Underfloor duct systemThe Steel City cellular underfloor duct system features factory-assembled access hatches. These hatches are fully adjustable before and after the concrete pour and maintain separation between services without interior barriers and crossover tunnels. The duct system is designed to simplify cable pulling and facilitate perpendicular directional changes. The unit includes galvanized-steel header duct with four compartments--one for power, two for voice, and one for data. Steel City cell duct is av
Underfloor support clampThe underfloor support clamp accessory enhances the company`s EZ Tray cable-tray system. The clamp works with existing floor supports, giving installers the ability to retrofit existing installations or create new ones. It wraps around the floor support and attaches to an L-bracket or other Fast Assembly System accessory and can be affixed to round or square posts.
Premier ProductsMulticonnector cleave toolVersa-Cleave provides multiconnector compatibility, push-button operation, a diamond cutting blade, and debris disposal. It is equally effective on any style or brand ST, SC, or FC fiber-optic connector for both singlemode and multimode fiber. Developed as a companion to the manufacturer`s Thread-Lock family of fiber-optic connectors, the cleave tool is designed to accommodate all brands with a standard 2.5-millimeter ferrule size. Users plug a fiber-connector assembly into the tool slot and pus
Fiber-termination unitsDesigned for use with the manufacturer`s FutureFlex Air-Blown Fiber Cabling Systems, the Fiber Termination Unit (FTU) is used to terminate optical fibers from air-blown fiber bundles. Each FTU provides a transition point between the fiber infrastructure and fiber jumpers connected to servers, computers, or other network electronics. Available in wall-mount and rack-mount varieties, the FTUs are typically used in telecommunications closets to organize fibers for termination. Wall-mount FTUs are c
25-pair plenum cableThe newly designed 25-pair plenum-rated Category 5 cable features a 6 x 4-pair subgrouping scheme, with the 25th pair spiraled around a central member. The manufacturer says the cable passes the Underwriters Laboratories UL-910 Steiner Tunnel Test as well as power-sum electrical tests for backbone cabling specified in the TIA/EIA-568a standard. The manufacturer also says it is one of a team of industry representatives investigating the possibility of adding multipair cables of this type to the i
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This IssueNo Image Available Volume 7
Issue 12
December 1999
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