Posted by Brian Brown on Wed, Mar 10, 2010
Within our industry, it's next to impossible to find someone who doesn't know Frank Bisbee. He is a wealth of information and has been involved in this industry since it's infancy. Frank's main site, wireville.com, hosts his monthly news column Heard On The Street (HOTS). To call HOTS a column is a vast understatement. This expansive piece covers all of the happenings from our industry; from the small to major, it's all here. For anyone looking to put their finger to the pulse of the wire and cable industry, Heard on The Street is a great place to start.
Because Accu-Insider is dedicated to being your source for the latest industry news, we have expanded our coverage to include the monthly HOTS issues. The most recents issue, as well as back issues starting with Jan. 2010, can be found here.
We're excited to bring this expanded telecom coverage to our readers. Between Accu-Insider and HOTS, we've got you covered.
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Posted by Brian Brown on Wed, Mar 10, 2010
From Steve Lampen, PLM VSS steve.lampen@belden.com
There are lots of other people who believe attaching some Category 5e UTP to anything will make it work better. Such is not the case. All ‘category’ cables require that they be driven as balanced lines. That’s why, when Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables are used for audio or video cables, where those signals are not balanced lines, you need a ‘balun’ to match that balanced line to the unbalanced source. BALanced to UNbalanced, as the name implies.
For quite some time, a few manufacturers have been making adaptors that fit into faceplates that start with RCA plugs (unbalanced audio or video) and convert those to an RJ-45 or punch down strip. This “implies’ that you can punch down any cable and it will work. But these adaptors are not baluns. You can tell because there’s nothing in there except wires, no transformers, no other parts.
What these adaptors do is unbalance the balanced pairs they are attached to. Those pairs then lose all the noise rejection they were designed to provide. It also severely limits the distance you can go. With RCA-based audio, for instance, it begins to affect the audio around 30 ft. Now, if they put an actual balun in there, you maintain all the natural noise rejection of a twisted pair, and you could go hundreds (even thousands) of feet.
The real problem is that, when these adaptors are used, and the sound is terrible or the circuit is noisy, they most often point to the cable. Or, you might tell them, “Oh, that’s because you’re not using Belden cable, with bonded pairs…etc. etc.” But, when they subsequently purchase a Belden Bonded-Pair cable, guess what, it won’t work either. Because the cable is not the problem, it’s those adaptors.
So, if you see faceplates with RCA connectors on one side and Category cable on the other, have a real good look inside that module! If it’s just wires, warn them! You could be saving that customer a real headache!
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Steve Lampen has worked for Belden for 18 years and is currently Multimedia Technology Manager and also Product Line Manager for Entertainment Products. Prior to Belden, Steve had an extensive career in radio broadcast engineering and installation, film production, and electronic distribution. Steve holds an FCC Lifetime General License (formerly a First Class FCC License) and is an SBE Certified Radio Broadcast Engineer. On the data side he is a BICSI Registered Communication Distribution Designer. His latest book, "The Audio-Video Cable Installer's Pocket Guide" is published by McGraw-Hill. His column "Wired for Sound" appears in Radio World Magazine.
Posted by Brian Brown on Tue, Mar 09, 2010
Today we're pleased to announce the launch of our Security Blog. Our Accu-Insider is dedicated to delivering the latest news and product announcements from the voice and data market, now we have the security market covered as well. Our Regional Security Specialists (RSS) are in the field each and every day, there's no group better suited to cover this unique market. Each RSS has years of experience in the security industry; you'll have front-row access to this experience in each blog post.
The Security Blog will feature in-depth articles covering best practices, installation tips, and product news. While this blog is still in its infancy, we expect it to grow to become another security resource you can rely on. Whether you're a voice and data contractor stepping into the security market for the first time or you've been involved since day one, Accu-Tech's Security Blog will have something for you.
Read the first article, IP versus Analog-- Which Solution is Right For Me?, written by Rick Stuart. Rick provides a detailed article weighing the pros and cons of both IP and Analog surveillance systems.
Feel free to leave a comment and let us know what topics you would like to see covered by our Security Blog. Any questions you've had about the security market? Let us know, we have an answer.
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Posted by Brian Brown on Thu, Mar 04, 2010
Direct from Legrand / Ortronics Press Release
New London, CT, March 3, 2010 - Legrand | Ortronics, a global leader in high performance network infrastructure solutions, proudly announces the creation of the Ortronics Layer Zero Ecosystem program.
Layer Zero, introduced by Legrand | Ortronics, is the revolutionary new foundation layer for the ISO/OSI model. Layer Zero - the Infrastructure LayerTM - addresses the critical role that infrastructure plays in network performance. Recognizing the importance of the underlying physical infrastructure layer and emphasizing best practices in pathway and physical support design provides a new level of stability to the network.
The expertise of Legrand | Ortronics in layer one technology enables the development of superior infrastructure solutions for Layer Zero. These solutions combine knowledge of customer requirements with insightful product design to leverage gains across the entire network. The right equipment at Layer Zero will address the key factors of airflow, density, protection and performance while also providing significant energy savings.
Legrand | Ortronics has developed the Layer Zero Ecosystem program to provide customers with recommended resources for other facets of their Layer Zero infrastructure. "We're collaborating with innovative companies who share our vision of utilizing the infrastructure layer to optimize networks. Our Layer Zero Ecosystem will include companies with complementary technologies that round out our Layer Zero solution, providing a complete infrastructure solution for the client, " states Tony Walker, Director of Advanced Marketing for Legrand | Ortronics.
This exclusive network will facilitate the co-engineering of products to better complement each other products that enable a network manager to implement comprehensive solutions that are scalable, sustainable and help secure a competitive advantage. The ecosystem will include the best-in-class company from each of the following sectors: cooling, power management, raised floor, perforated tiles, active equipment, cable trays, cabling, pathways, mobile data center, environmental sensors, collocation cages, storage and thermal imaging. In addition, Legrand | Ortronics is continuing to identify adjacent areas for additional alliance opportunities.
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Posted by Brian Brown on Mon, Mar 01, 2010
Power Over Ethernet (PoE) has been popular on the voice/data side of our industry for many years. This popularity has recently transitioned to security applications as well, with IP camera systems popping up in greater numbers than ever before. This creates new challenges to security installers who are more accustom to working with analog and coax. The introduction of PoE brings copper limitation into the mix. The 100m limitation of copper is a fairly new concept to many long-time security installers. For those unfamiliar, copper runs can be no longer than 100m from their power source. This presents certain challenges when installing IP cameras in 'remote' locations or locations far removed from the central power source. To address the 100m copper rule, a security contractor must install a power source to each remote IP camera location. This increases the time spent on the job, as well as the cost associated with the security system.
A past solution to this problem was to set up a mixed security system: one running both IP (short distances) and analog (long distance) with a local coax power source. While technically this set up works, it's not ideal. Many would rather have a consistent system and simply go with analog. It's an all or nothing approach.
Berk-Tek has developed a solution to this problem, which they featured at Winter BICSI 2010. Their CL3R-OF composite cables utilize fiber for PoE rather than copper. This extends the length of your cable run from 328ft to 3850 ft, with proper conductor size selection, and eliminates the need for an additional power source to run the application locally. Berk-Tek's CL3R-OF is ideal for applications and hardware far removed from centralized power. While this cable has almost limitless applications, the best example is Power over Ethernet length extension (think IP cameras in remote corners of your parking lot). Also, consider using this cable when setting up wireless access points at the gate of your building or "other building automation devices located in an area where an electrical outlet is not readily available." Anything that runs off PoE can utilized this new type of cable without needing an additional power source at the site. In essence, Berk-Tek's new composite cable is DISTANCE + PoE.
Eliminating the need for a local power source has many benefits: lower costs, decreased install time, and a more stable security system. By backing up all of your applications on the same UPS, both in-building as well as remote hardware (ex: IP camera) continue to run properly in times of power outages.
Berk-Tek's cable CL3R-OF Composite Fiber Cable is classified as a
copper cable with fiber. According to the Berk-Tek website, this cable "incorporate(s) high bandwidth optical fibers with insulated stranded copper THWN conductors. A wide variety of design options are available including; up to 7 conductors ranging from #12 AWG to #18 AWG, up to 12 tight buffered fibers or 24 loose tube fibers, and interlock armoring. These cables are listed as CL3R-OF/PLTC-OF."
I have barely scratched the surface of what this cable can do. For greater detail, I've included a few links and an FAQ to better explain the technical aspects of this cable.
Composite Cable FAQs
Composite Cable Data Sheet
Berk-Tek's One Pathway. One Pull. One Solution.
Also, Berk-Tek will be showing off this new cable at ISC West in Las Vegas, March 24th-26h. Be sure to visit their booth: #23134. While you're at it, stop by the Accu-Tech booth (4141) and say hello.
What applications do you think will benefit most from utilizing Berk-Tek's CL3R-OF Composite Fiber Cable? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Posted by Brian Brown on Thu, Feb 25, 2010
A hot topic these days, which doesn't look to cool any time soon, is economic recovery. Whether speaking with your co-workers, watching the nightly news, or even relaxing to your favorite sitcom; the subject of our economy continues to work it's way into our heads.
Well, this post is no different. A few days ago, Cabling Installation and Maintenance, reported on the continued support of broadband expansion to ignite economic growth. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is accepting Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) applications through March 15, 2010 for a second round of funding.
Cabling Installation and Maintenance's article states:
"NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), funded by the Recovery Act, provides grants to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure, enhance and expand public computer centers, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. NTIA received more than 1,800 applications proposing projects totaling nearly $19 billion during the first BTOP funding round and is currently awarding grants on a rolling basis. NTIA is currently accepting BTOP applications through March 15, 2010 for a second round of funding.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided a total of $7.2 billion to NTIA and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to fund projects that will expand access to and adoption of broadband services. Of that funding, NTIA will utilize $4.7 billion for grants to deploy broadband infrastructure in the United States, expand public computer center capacity, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. NTIA will announce all grant awards by September 30, 2010."
The full article which details the newest Recovery Act investments, $13.4 million to the state of Utah and $11.9 million to DeKalb County, Illinois, can be read
here.
Posted by Brian Brown on Tue, Feb 16, 2010
General Cable has produced an excellent video detailing their new line of halogen-free riser cables: 17 FREE. All of this is explained in the video below, but the name 17 Free comes from Group 17 on the periodic table: halogens. By eliminating this group in their cable jackets, General Cable has eliminated fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine all together. This makes for a more environmentally friendly cable.
What truly caught my attention was the burn test (about 1:15 into the video). Not only does this new construction drastically reduce smoke and flame, it also has a pH no less than "5" after heating. This means no acidic gas is released upon heating the cable. When placed side-by-side to a 'traditional' cable, the results are staggering.
I can go on, but the video does a much better job of explaining the benefits of 17 FREE.
You can find more details about 17 Free from General Cable's press release which Accu-Insider reported on here.
Posted by Brian Brown on Mon, Feb 15, 2010
Think your DSP is still good enough to test fiber?
Think again. As the industry evolves, standards advance, and service and support become unavailable for discontinued testers, the DSP Cable Tester has exhausted its time as an effective fiber tester. Take this opportunity to get cash for your obsolete tester and upgrade to the DTX CableAnalyzer, which supports the latest fiber standards, offers revolutionary efficiency, and advanced fiber OTDR capabilities – not to mention top-notch service and support from Fluke Networks for years to come.
How it works
- Purchase an eligible DTX CableAnalyzer Fiber Kit or a set of MFM2, SFM2, or GFM2 modules between January 17 and June 30, 2010.
- Send Fluke Networks the following items:
- This form, completed
- W-9 form, completed
- Copy of invoice showing DTX or xFM2 purchase date
- Your retired DSP Cable Analyzer and/or FTA modules
3. Fluke Networks will send you a rebate check for up to $3,000 based on the item you purchased/traded-in
*NOTE: To receive the maximum rebate, you must purchase your DTX and/or xFM2s before March 31, 2010 and send all required items to Fluke Networks by April 15, 2010 (see matrix below).
Download Fluke's complete form here.
Posted by Brian Brown on Fri, Feb 12, 2010
When pulling cable through conduit or innerduct, you have many options at your disposal; from using simple rope to elaborate contraptions using small animals and a trail of food (ok, I made that up). When presented with the problem of getting your cable through conduit, there are countless solutions but one stands above the rest: Neptco's MULETAPE. Found in a many varieties, each suited for a particular installation need.
What sets MULETAPE apart is it's more than just pulling tape. In one products you get "a threading line, a measuring tape, and a winchline", which saves on labor, inventory, and material costs.
The construction of this product protects it from heat/friction, preventing breaks when pulling heavy cable. MULETAPE's lubrication protects your conduit/innerduct from duct cutting or burn through.
Cable pulled with rope causes a sort of 'rope burn' on the conduit walls. This heat can burn through the conduit, leaving holes for water to leak in and damage expensive cabling. Additionally, duct cutting caused by rope can leave jagged edges within your conduit which tears and shreds cables as they're pulled across.
Another downside to using rope is 'snap back'. This occurs when rope under high tension breaks and snaps back into the installer, possibly causing injury. MULETAPE's "low stretch polyester material" distributed tension across is wide, flat profile.
A great feature of MULETAPE is the sequential footage and meter markings along the tape. These markings allow the installer to "monitor the location of the cable during a pull, eliminates the need for measuring tapes, and determines the quantity remaining on a partial roll."
So next time you have a long cable pull through conduit or innerduct, remember to pack the MULETAPE and make your job so much easier.
Check Neptco's WP1250P/3000 and WP1800/3000 in our Project Support Brochure for more details.
Be sure to follow @Accu_Tech on Twitter for our latest blog posts, industry news, and interesting finds from across the web.
Posted by Brian Brown on Tue, Feb 02, 2010
I received an email this afternoon about a new program Rhino / Dymo is offering. Basically, you get a $100 (mail-in) rebate with the purchase of the 6000 Hard Case Kit. Not bad.
This promo is valid from February 1st, 2010 to March 31st, 2010 and I have included the PDF mail-in form at the bottom of this post. Also, click HERE for a detailed spec sheet of what the 6000 can do.
I've gone to few Rhino 6000 demonstrations and these things are awesome. They've thought of everything. For a detailed spec sheet, get more details here.
Download and print your rebate form here.