What Cabling Installation & Maintenance Readers Read Most in 2025: Our Top 10 Articles
10. How best to interpret OTDR traces?
Coming in 10th place, this is the top article from the testing section of CI&M’s website. The piece explains and provides insight into how OTDRs work, reading traces, and measuring splice or connector loss. The article also provides details on troublesome events to keep an eye out for.
https://www.cablinginstall.com/testing/article/14037715/how-best-to-interpret-otdr-traces
9. Best practices for bonding and grounding armored fiber cable
In the 9th spot comes an article discussing the best practices for bonding and grounding armored fiber cable. The piece mentions that some types of armor may make bonding and grounding either essential or unnecessary. It also mentions the benefits of armored cable, how and why to bond and ground, and more.
8. What is the Difference Between Cat 5e vs Cat 6?
An article going through the differences between Cat 5e vs Cat6 cables comes in 8th place. This piece provides a breakdown of both cables, as well as similarities and differences between the two. The article also gives factors that can be considered when deciding whether to use Cat 5e or Cat 6.
https://www.cablinginstall.com/cable/article/55276387/what-is-the-difference-between-cat-5e-vs-cat-6
7. TIA-569-E Telecom Pathways and Spaces standard published
In 7th place is a piece discussing the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) ANSI/TIA-569-E standard published in 2019. The “E” revision comes four years after the 2015 569-D standard with the article breaking down three key concepts regarding buildings and telecommunications in the standard’s foreword.
CI&M has also published an article discussing the “F” revision of the ANSI/TIA-569 standard that is still being developed.
6. 2020 National Electrical Code® and data/comm cables
Our 6th spot is claimed by an article on the 2020 National Electric Code (NEC) and data/comm cables. This piece gives background on Article 800 (General Requirements for Communications Systems) as well as further information regarding painting cables, marking cables, and more.
Despite there being two more editions since the 2020 one, released in 2023 and 2026, this article still comes out on top due to search queries for information about the 2020 NEC. CI&M has an article covering the 2023 edition of the NEC by the same author of the popular “2020 National Electric Code (NEC) and data/comm cables”, Stanley Kaufman.
5. Multimode Fiber Grades: A Look at OM1 through OM5
An explanatory piece providing the usages and descriptions of multimode fiber grades OM1 through OM5 snags the 5th spot of Cabling Installation & Maintenance’s top 10 most-viewed articles of 2025. It provides bandwidth and distance capabilities of each of these grades, core sizes, cable jacket colors, and environments where they can be used.
4. MPO connector basics and best practices
Taking 4th place is an article covering MPO connector design, tests, and best practices. The piece delves into MPO connector color coding, connector types, female and male connectors, polarity, and cleaning.
https://www.cablinginstall.com/home/article/16468511/mpo-connector-basics-and-best-practices
3. ANSI/TIA-607-C: A newly released version of a standard that has come a long way
In 3rd place, we have an article reviewing the history of TIA’s 607 bonding and grounding standard, as well as going over significant changes that came with TIA’s-607-C revision. The piece elaborates on sections added to the standard with the new revision, recommendations for grounding resistance, guidelines for design and installation, and more.
Despite the standard having been updated twice since the release of this article, it still comes in 3rd place due to searches on this version of the standard. The ANSI/TIA-607-E version is the most recent update, which we cover in this 2024 article.
2. Intrabuilding riser cable-- a look at the basics
2nd place has been snatched up by an in-depth article covering the basics of intrabuilding riser cable. Installation criteria and guidelines, information on riser cable (though we do have a “What Is a Riser Cable?” article dedicated to the subject), and a project installation checklist.
Despite this article being almost 30 years old, it has stood the test of time due to the fundamentals it discusses remaining true to this day.
1. What Is a Duct Bank?
The most-viewed article on our entire site is “What Is a Duct Bank?”. This explanatory piece covers the question in the article’s title and also gives insight into duct bank usage and describes what a conduit is.
https://www.cablinginstall.com/cable/article/14303000/what-is-a-duct-bank
About the Author
Serena Aburahma
Associate Editor
Serena Aburahma is an editor and writer for CI&M, with several years of experience in writing, editing, and SEO. Serena has pitched and created content for various industries, including technology, video games, insurance, cars, pop culture, and more. She has also produced content for and managed CI&M's various social media accounts and is always looking for fresh and exciting ways to grow and engage with audiences.
Much like the content Serena has written about, her interests vary as well, including writing poetry and stories, meandering in nature, playing video games, traveling, and reading.