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    Solutions for Premises and Campus Communication Systems Worldwide                    March 2007




                                                                 www.cable-install.com




                                                THE WORLD’S
                                                GOING GREEN
                                                         ...and how cabling is
                                                                 keeping pace




                                                                                  Pathway prep for
                                                                                10-Gbit installation

                                                                      The data center over/under:
                                                                        You’ve got to have a plan

                                                                                     Finding MIMO




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                Thoughtful design comes naturally.
                Fiber optic hardware plays a critical role in the network, protecting your fiber optic connections while making them
                convenient to access and manage. Corning Cable Systems Pretium™ Fiber Optic Hardware has been thoughtfully
                designed to do so with the unique needs of communication networks in mind. Pretium Hardware features deeper
                housings for high-density connectivity, integrated cable and jumper management for easy network administration,
                and designed-in cable strain-relief. That’s thoughtful design, and it’s a natural fit in your enterprise network.
                Customer-focused innovation is second nature at Corning.
                www.corning.com/cablesystems/cimls




     © 2007 Corning Cable Systems LLC.




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    See how far the right tool can take you -
             from 10Meg to 10Gig.




                                                            The industry’s most powerful cable tester gives you
                                                            everything you need to put 10Gig to the test—with the
                                                            DTX CableAnalyzer from Fluke Networks. We were the first
                                                            to bring digital technology to cable test and certification.
                                                            The first to provide a complete Cat 6 solution to reduce your
                                                            total time to certify by as much as 4 hours a day.
                                                            Now with DTX, we’re the first to deliver a 10Gig solution
                                                            that equips you to meet both today’s test standards and the
                                                            new 10Gig standards including Alien Crosstalk—in one
                                                            rugged, reliable tool. Like our DSP platform, which served
                                                            the market for a decade, DTX is built on our commitment to
                                                            industry-leading speed, accuracy and ease-of-use. So
                                                            whether you’re installing or upgrading your cabling infra-
                                                            structure, you’ve got the total 10Gig testing solution at
                                                            hand. Only from Fluke Networks—the technology leader in
                                                            network testing.




                                                            See how far DTX can take you: Check out the DTX
                                                            CableAnalyzer and look for new 10Gig DTX accessories at
                                                            www.flukenetworks.com/10gig. Download our whitepaper,
                                                            “Testing Challenges for 10Gb/s Ethernet over Twisted-Pair
                                                            Cabling.”




            N E T W O R K S U P E R V I S I O N   TM
                                                             ©2006 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved. 02036 www.flukenetworks.com/10gig




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                                                          ______________




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                                       COVER IMAGE FROM BIGSTOCK PHOTO

                                                                                       MARCH 2007                VOL. 15, NO. 3




           ABOUT THE COVER
              Two years ago, the
       prevailing attitude in the
      cabling industry was that
                                                                              features
     there was little motivation
  for making RoHS-compliant
                                                                         15   Cabling goes ‘green’ with
                                                                              new attitudes, materials
     products that were not big
                                                                              Amid new and pending environmental legislation in the United States
    sellers. Today, that attitude
                    has changed.                                              and abroad, most cabling vendors have overcome challenges
                TO LEARN MORE,                                                to offer 100% RoHS-compliant products. BETSY ZIOBRON
                   SEE PAGE 15.



                                                                         25   10-Gbit transmission impact
                                                                              on cable pathways
                                                                              Larger and/or heavier cables affect such issues as conduit fill
                                                                              and bend radius. DALE BUDENSKI & CYNTHIA MONSTREAM


                                                                         31   Open architecture cabling
                                                                              suits luxury apartments
                                                                              The Hartford 21 building is helping to revitalize the Connecticut
                                                                              city, while plenum-rated cable helps pamper its residents
                                                                              with communications services. SHARON CARDINAL


                                                                         37   Cable conveyance requires
                                                                              planning and execution
                                                                              Whether cables run overhead, underfloor, or both, planners
                                                                              must pay attention to what else is running through a
                                                                              data center’s specs. PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN


                                                                         45   802.11n: The next generation in
                                                                              wireless LAN technology
                                                                                                                                                                                      departments
                                                                              Multiple-input multiple-output transmission is the key for high-
                                                                                                                                                                                          6 Editorial
                                                                                                                                                                                            Ray of light
                                                                              throughput wireless networking. FANNY MLINARSKY
                                                                                                                                                                                         10 Ask Donna

                                                                         51
                                                                                                                                                                                            Want some cable with
                                                                              INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
                                                                                                                                                                                            that furniture?
                                                                              ■ Belden set to acquire Hirschmann, LTK
                                                                                in deals totaling $260 million                                                                           57 New Products
                                                                              ■ Category 6A UTP cables get smaller                                                                       64 Product Focus:
                                                                                                                                                                                            Coaxial connectors




            CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE (ISSN 1073-3108), a trademark, is published 12 times a year, monthly, by PennWell Corporation, 1421 South Sheridan Road,
            Tulsa, OK 74112; telephone (918) 835-3161; fax (918) 831-9497; Web address www.pennwell.com. Editorial offices: 98 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH 03062-5737;
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           www.cable-install.com                                                                                                                                  Cabling Installation & Maintenance        ■   March 2007   ■   3




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                                                                                         Chief Editor / Patrick McLaughlin
                                                                                         (603) 891-9222 • patrick@pennwell.com
                                                                                         Executive Editor / Steve Smith
                                                                                         (603) 891-9139 • stevesm@pennwell.com

                                                                                         Senior Editor / Matt Vincent
                                                                                         (603) 891-9262 • mattv@pennwell.com

                                                                                         Circulation Manager / Jayne Sears-Renfer
                                                                                         (603) 891-9416 • jaynesr@pennwell.com

                                                                                         Art Director / Kelli Mylchreest

                                                                                         Lead Illustrator / Chris Hipp

                                                                                         Senior Vice President/Group Publishing Director
                                                                                         Mark Finkelstein
                                                                                         (603) 891-9133 • mark@pennwell.com
                                                                                         Associate Publisher/National Sales Manager
                                                                                         Ed Murphy
                                                                                         (603) 891-9260 • edm@pennwell.com


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                                                                                         EXECUTIVE AND EDITORIAL OFFICES
                                                                                         PennWell ATD
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                                                                                         Internet: www.cable-install.com

                                                                                         SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES:
                                                                                         For subscriptions or to change your format to print or digital,
                                                                                         please go to: www.cim-subscribe.com. Subscriptions outside
                                                                                         the USA are available in digital format only.




                                                                                         CORPORATE OFFICERS
                                                                                         Chairman / Frank T. Lauinger

                                                                                         President and Chief Executive Officer / Robert F. Biolchini

                                                                                         Chief Financial Officer / Mark C. Wilmoth

                                                                                         ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
                                                                                         Senior Executive Assistant
                                                                                         Carol Woodward
                                                                                         Tel: (603) 891-9112, fax: (603) 891-9287
                                                                                         carolw@pennwell.com

                                                                                         VP Audience Development / Gloria S. Adams


                                                                                         ATD PUBLISHING SERVICES DEPARTMENTS
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                                                                                         (603) 891-9193 • marir@pennwell.com

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                                                                                         PRINTED IN THE USA                          GST NO. 126813153

                                                                                                 Publications Mail Agreement Number 40052420

                                                         ________________




           4 ■ March 2007   ■ Cabling   Installation & Maintenance                                                         www.cable-install.com




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                            Ray of light

                            R
                                     ay Gendron, recognized by             Ray was working.                          body in the room knew that no such
                                     most who were familiar with              For those of you who have not          challenge had been issued. Who
                                     him as the face and voice of          attended a BICSI conference, the          knows how many times Ray told that
                             BICSI Cares, passed away on Feb-              format has been the same as long          made-up story? Each region lunch,
                             ruary 18 after a lengthy battle with          as I have been paying attention. The      times three conferences per year,
                             cancer. Ray leaves a wife, three chil-        charitable contribution is made on        times however many years he was
                             dren, and five grandchildren.                 a Thursday morning, one of the last       at it. He put forth a lot of those made-
                                He also leaves behind him on this          pieces of official conference busi-       up challenges. But if one of them—
                             earth literally thousands of people,          ness. From what I can tell, every mo-     just one over those years—inspired
                             most of them very young, whose                ment of every day leading up to that      one person’s competitive spirit and
                             lives were made better by Gendron’s           time, Ray was working somebody to         ultimately resulted in more help for
                                               generous and self-          donate money to the cause. And if they    a group of children in need, then Ray
                                               less efforts. The           had already donated, he’d encourage       accomplished his goal.
                                               story goes that the         them to donate again. Dig a little           While everyone knew who Ray
                                               founding of BICSI           deeper, he’d say. “For the kids.”         Gendron was, he couldn’t personally
                                               Cares was an im-              At each conference, Wednes-             know every one of the few thousand
                                               promptu happen-             day is BICSI’s Regional Lunch day.        people gathered at a conference. But
                                               ing, when Ray               Attendees from each of the associa-       many times, I saw him glance at a
                                               literally passed a          tion’s geographic regions are invited     person’s name badge and politely-
                                               hat down a row of           to dine with other attendees from         yet-energetically call them by name.
                                               seated attendees            that same region. It’s an opportuni-      That’s what he did with me, and he
                             at a BICSI conference sometime in             ty to do some social networking, and      never failed to make my experience
                             the late 1970s. When the hat came             the region director conducts a good-      at a BICSI conference a better one for
                             back filled with cash, Ray decided to         and-welfare meeting of what’s going       having spent a little time with him.
                             give the money to a local children’s          on locally. For Ray Gendron, these        Likewise, the money raised for char-
                             charity. So was born the tradition of         lunches represented fish in a barrel.     ities, thanks in such a large part to
                             BICSI adopting a local charity,               He’d make about a five-minute visit       Ray’s efforts, made life a little bet-
                             always one benefiting children, in            to each of them, his voice raspy and      ter for so many others he also didn’t
                             the city in which it was hosting a            sometimes barely audible because          know personally. “For the kids.”
                             conference.                                           of how fervently he had been         It’s sobering to realize that some
                                Anyone who has at-                                 fundraising to that point. Ray    of the children who directly bene-
                             tended a BICSI confer-                               would talk about the specif-       fited from BICSI Cares’ fundraising
                             ence has been asked,                                  ic charity that would receive     efforts preceded Ray Gendron in
                             nudged,       harassed,                               the donation and, of course,      departing from this earthly life. My
                             cajoled, and/or guilted                               encourage everybody to do         faith and optimism tell me, however,
                            —most often by Ray him-                               what they could to help.           that Ray was warmly received into
                                                         Ray Gendron
                             self—into donating mon-                                 But something else Ray did      their eternal company
                             ey to the local charity. The first time       at these region luncheons struck
                             I saw Ray in action, I walked away            me years ago, and has stayed with
                             convinced that 90 percent of his con-         me since. He would state that an-
                             versations consisted of three words:          other region had issued a challenge,
                            “For the kids.” That phrase was om-            claiming that it could collectively
                             nipresent whenever he was around,             donate more money to BICSI Cares                             PATRICK McLAUGHLIN
                                                                                                                                                Mc
                             its purpose to remind everybody of            than the region he was currently                                       Chief Editor
                             the ultimate beneficiaries for whom           addressing. The thing was, every-                            patrick@pennwell.com

             6   ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                              www.cable-install.com




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           I need to install a Cat 6 network with VoIP
           serving 200 drops in eight weeks.
           I need thermal and cable management solutions
           that fit my project and budget.
           I need one source I know will deliver.

           I need Hoffman.




            When you have a lot of decisions, there’s one choice that’s simple: Hoffman.
            You may know us as the leading choice in enclosure technology. But do you know everything else we can do? Hoffman offers:
                    The broadest range of innovative racks, cabinets, cabling solutions and network accessories at affordable prices.
                    A wide array of modification options.
                    Thermal management solutions that handle next-generation servers and networks.
                    Answers to seismic vibration, with cabinets compliant to Telcordia GR-63-CORE, NEBS™ Requirements:
                    Physical Protection and California Building Code.
                    Improved installations resulting from versatile cable management systems.
                    EMI/RFI shielding for data reliability.
                    Fast ordering and local availability.
            Turn to one trusted source for all your storage and protection needs. Hoffman.


           www.ehoffman.com                                                                                  Hoffman. What your work demands.
                                                                                                                                        ©2006 Hoffman Enclosures Inc.




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                                ________




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                            Want some cable with that furniture?
                            C
                                     abling’s transition from the          tors can bury their mistakes, but
                                     building pathway into the             architects can only advise their cli-
                                     system furniture pathway is           ents to plant shrubbery. Well, as tele-
                            a critical but often overlooked de-            communications systems designers,
                            tail in cabling projects. For exam-            it may be time to bring in the potted
                            ple, the United States Marine Corps            plants on this one.
                            hired a project manager to provide,               Practically speaking, for the first
                            and I quote, “aggressive quality as-           situation, the floor tiles could be care-
                            surance advocacy for the commu-                fully cut and the transition from un-
                            nication and information systems”              derfloor-to-furniture relocated under
                            being installed in their new com-              the furniture-system wall panel.
                            mand operations facility building.                As for the second situation—and
                                                 That’s a good idea,       yes, this only addresses aesthetics and
                                              but it sounds like           not cable support or abrasion protec-
                                              they arrived at it a         tion—covering the exposed cables             In a move that would consider aesthetics
                                              little late in the de-       with a split, flexible, non-metallic tub-    only, try using a split, flexible, non-metal-
                                              sign/build process.          ing in gray or black is about as good        lic tubing colored gray or black to cover
                                              The project manager          as it gets. Unless, of course, you want      up this mess.
                                              sent me an e-mail            to pull the cables back to the wall and
                                              describing the sit-          reroute, reterminate, and retest.   NEC 2005 Article 605 Office Furnish-
                                                                                                               ings (Consisting of Lighting Acces-
                            I believe it was Frank Lloyd Wright who                                            sories and Wired Partitions) states:
                                                                                                              “All conductors and connections shall
                            commented that doctors can bury their mistakes, be contained within wiring channels
                                                                                                               of metal or other material identified
                            but architects can only advise their clients                                       as suitable for the conditions of use.
                                                                                                               Wiring channels shall be free of pro-
                            to plant shrubbery. Well...it may be time to                                       jections or other conditions that may
                            bring in the potted plants on this one.                                            damage conductor insulation.”
                                                                                                                  So, why not add the requirement
                            uation and attached these photos.         My motto is, “When in doubt, for another “wiring channel” or two
                               Acting as a commissioning agent, spec it out,” borrowing where pos- to your project specifications, sepa-
                            he has already exhausted his list       sible from the NEC requirements            rate from the channel containing the
                            of requirements from the project        for branch circuits. For example, branch circuits for light and power,
                            specifications, and had hoped some                                                 for the telecommunications cable?
                            National Electrical Code require-                                                  Have your “wiring channels” extend
                            ment would “cover” this issue. And,                                                from the termination of the building
                            of course, there are none. He is                                                   pathway (wall or floor) to the work
                            understandably frustrated.                                                         area outlet in the office partition.
                                I believe it was Frank Lloyd                                                      Still worried about what the tran-
                            Wright who commented that doc-                                                     sition will look like? Require a
                                                                    For a snafu like this, very carefully cut  shop drawing and/or a mockup be
                             DONNA BALLAST is BICSI’s standards
                                                                    the floor tiles, and the transition from    provided for your approval prior to
                             representative, and a BICSI registered
                            communications distribution designer    the underfloor system to the furniture      installation of the cabling.
                            (RCDD). Send your question to Donna at: could be relocated under the furniture        It sure beats watering all those
                            dballast@swbell.net                     system’s wall panel.                       plants.

           10    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                                   www.cable-install.com




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          Are you ready to feel the speed?
         Super fast testing with the WireScope Pro LAN Cabling Tester

                                                                            Agilent’s WireScope Pro tester sweeps a full 1GHz in a few
                                                                            seconds, boosting your test speed to new industry leading
                                                                            Cat 6A and Cat 7 autotest times of 9 seconds. It also
                                                                            accelerates your copper and fiber testing with dual-
                                                                            wavelength fiber probes, the elimination of field calibration,
                                                                            and a new auto-increment capability.

                                                                            The WireScope Pro tester is the only handheld to provide
                                                                            Alien Crosstalk (AXT) measurements simultaneously on
                                                                            multiple ‘exciter’ cables, as well as produce final results on
                                                                            the spot, so you can quickly handle any future AXT field
                                                                            testing requirements. Alternative approaches could take hours
                                                                            to complete and require PC post processing to see the results.

                                                                            With simple software upgrades and a robust hardware
                                                                            platform operating at 1 GHz frequency, you’ll save on the cost
                                                                            of test because you’ll stay state-of-the-art for many years,
                                                                            eliminating the need to buy new testers every year or two.

          u.s. 1-800-829-4444, ext. 5465                                    Experience the speed of the WireScope Pro tester now at
          canada 1-877-894-4414, ext. 5465                                  www.agilent.com/find/wirescope or by talking to one of our
                                                                            ______________________

          www.agilent.com/find/wirescope
          __________________________                                        engineers by calling our 800 #s.




          © Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006




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               P-TOUCH® COMMERCIAL                               Brother International Corporation is a leading manufacturer of electronic labeling
               LABELING SOLUTIONS                                systems. D-Tools is a worldwide leader in easy-to-use, highly accurate system
               Brother currently markets more than               design software. The two companies have worked together to provide the ultimate
               twenty P-touch® Electronic Labeling               labeling solution for printing professional quality cable labels.
               Systems, encompassing handheld
               and desktop models and computer                   With P-touch® PC connectable label printers, audio/video designers and installers,
               connected label printers.                         as well as system integrators who use D-Tools’ unique system integrator software
                                                                 to design, estimate and manage their products, can now easily print cable labels
               Some P-touch® models feature a half-              directly from D-Tools System Integrator™ 4.5 software. This solution gives inte-
               cutter, which slits only the laminated            grators, designers and installers the advantage of producing legible and extremely
               label, leaving the label backing intact.          durable P-touch® laminated labels, and helps eliminate costly problems caused by
               This allows you to print easy-peel                illegible, handwritten or incomplete labels, at a price that’s more cost effective
               labels – one at a time, or in strips.             than other methods.

               With ink sealed between two tough                 “This offers a seamless, cost-effective way to print P-touch® laminated
               polyester laminates, Brother’s patented           cable labels directly from D-Tools System Integrator software, instead
               P-touch® laminated labels are extremely           of running multiple, unlinked programs,” says Duane Yamashita,
               durable—protecting against extreme                Marketing Manager for Brother International Corporation.
               temperatures, abrasion, fading, exposure
               to chemicals and moisture, and other              Cable label management is a critical part of every system integrator’s productivity.
               harsh conditions. The variety of                  D-Tools, an industry leader, has been recognized and awarded for its innovations
               laminated tapes includes standard,                in important technologies for system integrators. Marking cables with P-touch®
               extra strength adhesive, flexible ID              laminated labels satisfies labeling concerns over readability, accuracy
               and tamper-evident tapes.                         and dependability.

               CONTACT:                                          This solution provides software that touches each phase of system integration
                                     ®
               Brother P-touch 1-800-4PTOUCH                     projects – from design, proposal, project management and reporting –
                                                                 streamlining the process, improving the quality of tasks accomplished, and
               ©2006 Brother International Corporation           ensuring that end users will not need to make software changes for each client
               Bridgewater, NJ • Brother Industries, Ltd.,       and for every label printer. Brother’s quality P-touch® products are known for
               Nagoya, Japan. All trademarks and registered
               trademarks referenced herein are the property
                                                                 producing durable and legible labels.
               of their respective companies.
                                                                 For more information about Brother P-touch® line of products contact: www.brother.com
                                                                 or 1-800-4PTOUCH. For more information about D-Tools System Integrator 4.5 please
                                                                 visit www.d-tools.com or call 1-866-386-6571.




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                                                                                                                                                                                                    Laminated label printed
                                                                                                                                                                                                    using model PT-9500PC


                                                                                                      ®




                    Now, print high-quality cable labels right from
                    your Excel® spreadsheet.                                                                                                                             Choose from a wide range of desktop,
                                                                                                                                                                         handheld and PC-compatible models.
                    Documenting your installations is important — it says a lot about you and the quality
                    of your work. That's why P-touch electronic labeling systems are ideal for contractors
                    and installers. A solution that will always give your work the professional touch.                                                                         To learn more,
                         Dependable - Tapes with special adhesives designed for labeling cables, panels and                                                              visit www.brother.com,
                        faceplates assures labels will not fall off*
                                                                                                                                                                         or call toll free 877-4PTOUCH
                         Time-saving - Pre-print a roll of labels using data from an Excel® spreadsheet or
                        other common database files
                                                                                                                                                                                        Available At:
                         Versatile - Input data one at a time, print from a database, or transfer the data into                                                    Commercial dealers and industrial resellers
                        memory and print out in the field
                         Professional - Print high quality laminated labels on demand*
                         Easy-to-use - Drop-in cartridges make labels simple to change
                         Practical - Affordably priced, so you can have one for each installer
                                                                                                                                                                       See www.brother.com for online resellers
                                                                                                                                                                      Some models and accessories not available in stores,
                                                                                                                                                                                but can be special ordered


                 © 2006 Brother International Corporation, Bridgewater, NJ • Brother Industries, Ltd., Nagoya, Japan. All trademarks and registered trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective companies.
                 *P-touch® products include starter roll of standard tape. Additional purchase required for all other tape and label supplies.




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                            Like the hovercraft, Mohawk gives you versatility. In Open Architecture it’s all
                            about choice. Now Mohawk’s ChannelMate™ warranty lets you match their cable
                            with any TIA/EIA-568-B verified compliant hardware.
                               Have it your own way, from backbone to outlet fiber and copper, vertical to
                            horizontal, by creating your own customized net-
                            work infrastructure. Mohawk accredited contractors
                            ensure high-performance with end-to-end inter-
                            operability with a system warranty from 15 years
                            to a lifetime.
                               One cable company, many system options. The
                            choice is yours. The guarantee is ours. To find out
                            more, visit www.mohawk-cable.com or call
                            800-422-9961.



                            MOHAWK
                            Cabling Excellence for
                            Open Architecture




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           www.cable-install.com                                                                                                    design


           Cabling goes ‘green’
                             with new attitudes, materials

        W
                                                     Amid new and pending environmental legislation
                       hen CI&M first re-
                                                     in the United States and abroad, most cabling
           ported on the RoHS (Restric-              vendors have overcome challenges to offer
           tion of Hazardous Substances)
           initiative (see “Get Ready for            100% RoHS-compliant products.
           Green Initiatives from All
           Corners,” January 2006, p. 42),
           many cabling vendors were in
           the early stages of changing raw
           materials to meet RoHS require-
           ments, and few were well on their
           way to 100% compliance.
              Now, more than a year later,
           concern for the environment
           is at the forefront of many
           industry objectives, and “green”
           initiatives are emerging in all               These microscopic tin whiskers, caused when
           corners of the globe.                         pure tin rather than a tin-lead combination is
                                                         used in circuitry, can cause short circuits.
           Changes in attitudes
           RoHS is the European Union (EU) directive (2002/95/EC)                     abide by,” says Todd Harpel, director of marketing for
           that went into effect on July 1, 2006 and required                         cable manufacturer Berk-Tek (www.berktek.com). “We,
           cabling vendors throughout the industry to restrict levels                 therefore, felt it was beneficial for us to also comply here
           of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, and                        in the States. As a result, we undertook the effort of iden-
           two fire retardants in electrical and electronic products                  tifying what materials needed to be changed in all of our
           entering the European market.                                              manufacturing facilities, and we are now 100% RoHS-
             In late 2005, cabling vendors were being bombarded                       compliant on all copper and fiber cables.”
           daily with RoHS concerns from customers while dealing                         Now that dollars have been spent on compliance, most
           with the logistical nightmare of information manage-                       manufacturers believe it makes more sense to make and
           ment, determining which products to convert, changing                      sell RoHS-compliant products exclusively versus main-
           manufacturing processes to comply, and retesting and                       taining two separate versions.
           recertifying the new products. Two years ago, the pre-                       “Carrying multiple lines of any specific product
           vailing attitude was that there was little motivation for                  increases the risk for selling the wrong product, and
           making RoHS-compliant versions of products that were                       it would take a lot of logistics to keep track of compli-
           not big sellers. Today, that attitude has changed.                         ant and non-compliant versions,” says Mike Barnick,
            “While RoHS is not a U.S. initiative, we knew that it                     senior manager for solutions marketing at SYSTIMAX
           was something that our factories abroad would have to                      (www.systimax.com). “Also, when you sell through dis-
                                                                                      tribution, there’s no way of really knowing where some-
            BETSY ZIOBRON is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Cabling    thing is going to end up.”
           Installation & Maintenance. She can be reached at: bziobron@comcast.net       Exemptions undeniably have been the most debat- ➤

            www.cable-install.com                                                                         Cabling Installation & Maintenance   ■   March 2007   ■       15




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           able RoHS issue due to the directive’s generic and often confusing              lieve that perhaps the cost to comply did not turn out as high
           language, not to mention the appealing possibility of avoid-                    as initially thought,” says Barnick. “I also believe there is peer
           ing immediate compliance. Consequently, several proposed                        pressure. Once some become compliant, it becomes the thing
           exemptions are under review or pending review by the EU                         to do, and vendors had to decide whether they were going to
           Commission. When RoHS first came on the scene, some in                          get in the game.”
           the cabling industry believed the term “equipment” did not                          Says Chuck Schumacher, corporate RoHS and WEEE (Waste
           apply to network cabling, and that cabling was a “fi xed instal-                Electrical and Electronic Equipment) compliance program
           lation” and, therefore, exempt. That perception has also shifted                manager for Panduit (www.panduit.com), “Since the begin-
           among cabling vendors.                                                          ning, our position on exemptions has been that they are tempo-
                                                                                           rary provisions of the law that allow companies to sell existing
           New view on exemptions                                                          stock and provide some time to modify manufacturing pro-
          “In the beginning, some were under the impression that the                       cesses. Our goal was to be 100% compliant without taking
           cabling in the walls did not have to be compliant, but I be-                    advantage of any exemptions because the exemptions will
                                                                                                              eventually go away.”
                                                                                                                 According to the RoHS directive, exemp-
                Latest RoHS initiatives                                                                       tions will be reviewed at least every four


                F
                                                                                                              years, with the goal of eventually eliminating
                   ollowing in the footsteps of the 2006 RoHS directive are several recent environ-
                                                                                                              those exemptions unless there is no proven
                   mental initiatives affecting the electrical and electronics industry. REACH—Regis-
             tration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals—was published at the end of 2006              alternative technology. Some RoHS exemp-
             and enters into force on June 1. REACH will require manufacturers and importers to               tions have been clearly stated and are likely
             gather and report information on the properties of their substances so that consum-              to remain, such as equipment used for na-
             ers can find information on hazardous chemicals used in the products they purchase.               tional security applications and the 4% lead
                China has taken a different approach to RoHS that goes into effect this month. Unlike         by weight found in today’s copper alloy.
             the EU, China RoHS requires every electrical and electronic product to be labeled with             “There have been studies that show lead-
             hazardous substance levels and a “safe use” period, which indicates the number of years          free processes to not be as reliable, and that
             that environmental protection is required for the product. The directive also calls for man-     is why military, nuclear medicine, and other
             datory testing of all electronic products in one of China’s certified testing facilities before   critical applications are exempt from that
                                                                          they can receive government
                                                                                                              requirement,” says Dave Sauder, director of
                                                                          compliance certification.
                                                                                                              corporate quality for ADC (www.adc.com).
                                                                             For now, any product can
                                                                                                             “We interpreted the RoHS directive to require
                                                                          be sold into China as long as it
                                                                          is properly labeled; however, a     pretty much everything we make to be com-
                                                                          catalog of products that China      pliant with no exemptions; except, of course,
                                                                          plans to publish this year will     the copper exemption. We use a lot of copper,
                                                                          eventually list all products re-    and you just can’t buy it without 4% lead—
             The pollution control mark (left) is required under China quired to meet RoHS hazard-            it’s what makes copper machineable.”
                RoHS on product packaging when no toxic substances      ous substance levels.
                are present, meaning that the product is recyclable. The   Closer to home, several        Seen and unseen differences
                second mark (right) is used when the product contains   states like California continue   According to Berk-Tek’s Harpel, RoHS compli-
                toxic substances. The number in the middle represents   to draft and adopt legislation,   ance was an invisible change to the customer
                                                                        and NEMA made a recent en-
                the number of years of environmental protection                                           because the form and function of the products
                                                                        vironmental pledge with their
                required for the product.                                                                 were not altered. While that is the consensus
                                                                       “call to action” on restricted
                                                                                                          among vendors, some chose to change their
                substances. Under phase one of the plan, all NEMA companies that manufacture
                products within the scope of the EU’s RoHS will be required to meet RoHS compli-          part numbers while others did not.
                ance in all markets worldwide by July 1, 2010. Phase two calls for NEMA members to          “We didn’t feel the need to change part
                restrict hazardous substances for nearly all other NEMA products by July 1, 2014.         numbers,” says Harpel. “We keep an eye on
                  “With China RoHS a reality and the many other initiatives on the horizon, our RoHS      inventory and estimated that the likelihood
                team is still quite active,” says Panduit’s Bernie Westapher. “We have a group that       of having non-compliant product in distribu-
                maintains vigilance on environmental regulations worldwide so that we can take            tion inventory at the July 1 deadline was very
                immediate action to comply when it’s relevant to our product lines. At this point, I      small.” To ensure that non-compliant product
                don’t believe any company could say that they’re done dealing with these initiatives      was not sold into the European market, Berk-
                or know when they will be done.”—BZ                                                       Tek date-coded all products and stamped
                                                                                                          them with the RoHS designation.             ➤

             16    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                           www.cable-install.com




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         “Art is either plagiarism or revolution.”
                                                                                             — Paul Gaugin




           This is revolutionary.

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           communications room—and also save time, space and money?




           Introducing the ergonomically designed, aesthetically

           pleasing SYSTIMAX® VisiPatch® 360 System: a patching system

           that will dramatically alter the way you view performance.




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           Visit www.systimax.com/visipatch360 or call 1800 344 0223

           to experience performance, redefined.




            www.systimax.com




            ©2006 CommScope, Inc.




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               In response to a request from the National Electronic Dis-                     While all agree that the change to RoHS is virtually invisi-
            tributors Association (NEDA; www.neda.org), some vendors                        ble to customers, no one can deny that to comply with RoHS,
            did change part numbers. “It was made clear by OEMs and                         something had to change in the composition of cables and con-
            the supply chain that a part number change was essential so                     necting hardware. “There are basically two things that have to
            that there would be absolutely no confusion as to whether or                    be taken into consideration with RoHS: The polymers and the
            not a product is compliant,” says Bernie Westapher, group vice                  metals,” says Panduit’s Schumacher. “With cable, the jacket and
            president of marketing services for Panduit. “Stock is all over                 insulation materials involve PVC and other polymer materials,
            the world in various forms of compliance and non-compliance,                    and in many cases, there were lead stabilizers that had to be
            and it’s very difficult for distributors to know what they’re sell-             replaced. With connectivity, the biggest challenge was replac-
            ing when part numbers don’t change.”                                            ing some of the metals used in platings and solder.”
                                                                                                                  According to ADC’s Sauder, the abundant
                                                                                                               use of cadmium plating in connectivity had
                                                                                                               to be eliminated. “Cadmium has a lot of nice
                                                                                                               features that make products very easy to work
                                                                                                               with,” he explains. “Not only does it provide
                                                                                          S- IN-O
                                                                                        OL

                                                                                     24         NE
                                                                                   TO

                     Get the Advantage!                                                                        “We interpreted the RoHS
                            TELECOM   DATACOMM           ELECTRICAL                                            directive to require pretty
              Paladin Tools has developed the PowerPlay™ series with legendary                                 much everything we make
              knife and tool maker SOG Specialty Knives to be the ultimate in
              quality and utility for wire & cable professionals. With PowerPlay
              you're not just in the game, you've got the advantage!
                                                                                                               to be compliant with no
                                                                                                               exemptions; except, of
                                                                                                               course, the copper ex-
                                                                                                               emption. We use a lot of
                                                                                                               copper, and you just can’t
                                                                                                               buy it without 4% lead—
                                                                                                               it’s what makes copper
                                                                                                               machineable.”
                                                                                                                corrosion resistance, but when added to the
                                                                                                                plating of connectors, it provides a slight
                                                                                                                lubricating property for fasteners.” Sauder
                                                                                                                says that while, to date, there has been no
                                                                                                                material found to replace the lubricating
                                                                                                                properties of cadmium, ADC was able to
                                                                                                                switch its fastening strategy to ensure fasten-
                                                                                                                ers had their own lubrication prior to use.
                                                                                                                  The change in raw materials and sub-
                                                                                                                stances causes a chain reaction through-
                                                                                                                out the entire manufacturing process.
                                                                                                               “The majority of the components in our
                                                                                                                cable products have always been compli-
                                                                                                                ant; however, a few constructions required
                                                                                                                raw-material manufacturers to formu-
                                                                                                                late to lead-free alternatives,” says Jim
                                                                                                                Crompton, director of product manage- ➤
 To enter a drawing for a free PT-525, to order, or for more information visit:
                                                                                                                                        www.cable-install.com
 www.PowerPlayTools.com                            or call:   800.272.8665

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                                   Wired or
                                   Wireless . . .




                                                                                                                                    The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of
                            RJ45




                                                                                                                                     ©2007 Emerson Network Power
                                                                                                                                    Connectivity Solutions, Inc.
                                    Emerson




                                                                                                                                    Emerson Electric Co.
                     N Type

                                    provides your
                                    Connectivity Solutions.
                            SMA


                                    Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions is a global manufacturer of connectivity
                                    products supporting; wireline & wireless communications, networking, RF/Microwave, test &
                                    measurement, broadcast, medical, military and industrial applications.
                                    Our premium line of Johnson® sub- and micro-miniature connectors include SMA, SMB, SMC ,
                                    MCX, MMCX, in various mounting types, including cable mount, bulkhead and board mount
                 Attenuator
                                    versions. A wide selection of alternative Hard-to-Find connectors such as Non-Magnetic,
                                    Reverse-Polarity, Reverse-Thread, End-Launch and Quick-Connect versions is available.
                                    Designed to meet the precise requirements of the RF/Microwave industry, we also offer a wide
                                    variety of D.E.S.C. and QPL approved components through our Midwest Microwave product
                                    line. These products include: attenuators, D.C. Blocks, terminations, gain equalizers, phase
                                    shifters, couplers, connectors, adapters and custom cable assemblies, and are designed and
                 End-Launch         manufactured for military and commercial programs.
                                    In addition, Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions offers our AIM-Cambridge
                                    quality connectors, available in both 50 and 75 ohm versions. Our connectors are designed to
                                    provide the highest quality data transmission for audio, video and data applications, and are
                                    available in BNC, ‘N’, ‘F’, RCA, UHF, Mini-UHF, TNC, D-Subminiature, Modular Plugs and more. . .
                                    Each of our product lines has custom cable manufacturing capability, and is available through
                            MCX     our worldwide distribution channel. Contact Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions
                                    today to request more information on our connectivity product offering or visit us at:
                                    www.EmersonNetworkPower.com/Connectivity.



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           Connectivity Solutions                                          +1 734 429 4773 (USA)



                                    E M E R S O N. C O N S I D E R I T S O LV E D .
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           ment with the AMP Netconnect division of Tyco Electronics                      tunity to review and enhance performance wherever possible.
           (www.ampnetconnect.com). “It’s not like you can just empty
            _________________

           the hopper of one material and pour in the other. When you                     Not without challenge
           change the raw material, it’s a total re-evaluation of the prod-              “One of the biggest impacts is change itself,” says Westapher of
           uct. For example, changing a cable jacket formula can change                   Panduit. “If you change how you manufacture a product for
           the product’s burn-performance characteristics, which re-                      any reason, there are entire systems involved–quality systems,
           quires requalifying with UL for NFPA 262 or ANSI/UL 1666                       computer systems, bills of material–the list goes on and on.
           compliance.”                                                                   Change has to be managed carefully, and in today’s complex
             According to Crompton, working with suppliers to reformu-                    and global processes, every aspect has to be reviewed and ad-
           late to RoHS compliance also gave AMP Netconnect the oppor-                    dressed, which is a significant cost to manufacturers.”
                                                                                                                In addition to the challenging logistics
                                                                                                              and cost to become RoHS-compliant, ven-
                                                                                                              dors have also faced technical challenges.
                        Structured Connectivity                                                               For example, RoHS requires replacement
                                                                                                              for the tin-lead coatings used on many lead
                             Components                                                                       frames and printed circuit boards, but pure

                                                                                                            “What the world doesn’t
                                                                                                             need is a different RoHS.
                                                                                                             It’s common logic that we
                                                                                                             need a global standard,
                                                                                                             otherwise manufacturers
                                                                                                             would have to go through
                                                                                                             everything we’ve been

                             DATA VOICE VIDEO
                                  For long-term compo-           repeatability, and superior
                                                                                                             through all over again.”
                                                                                                             tin is susceptible to the formation of tiny
                              nent performance, premise          installation and applied cost               whiskers. (See photos, page 15.)
                              network designers and              efficiencies.                                 “Lead suppresses tin-whisker growth,
                              cabling professionals rely                                                     and there have been some high-profile ex-
                              on Stewart Connector’s              CAT 6 Shielded/Unshielded
                              Cat 5e and Cat 6 modular            Plugs and PCB Jacks                        amples where moving to a lead-free solder
                              plugs and jacks.                                                               caused the tin to grow tiny whiskers that
                                                                  CAT 5e Shielded/Unshielded
                                 Engineered with the                                                         can reach lengths long enough to cause an
                                                                  Plugs and PCB Jacks
                              quality you’ve come to                                                         electrical short in tightly spaced circuitry,”
                              expect from Stewart, our            CAT 6 Products Handle
                                                                                                             explains ADC’s Sauder.
                              products meet and exceed            Speeds Beyond 1000Base-T
                              the requirements for NEXT                                                         With the tin-whiskering effect, space be-
                                                                  Easy, Fast and Secure
                              and Return Loss, and                                                           tween adjacent circuitry, plating process
                                                                  Terminations
                              support today’s and tom-                                                       control, and good design practices can be
                              morrow’s communication              Custom Design, Engineering
                                                                  and Manufacturing
                                                                                                             critical. “The risk from whiskers for our
                              networks. What’s more,                                                         product family is very small,” says Tyco
                              they’re manufactured to             Value Added Services for
                              ensure incomparable                 Structured Cabling Solutions
                                                                                                             Electronics’ Crompton. “We use the best
                                                                                                             known whisker management practices to
                                                                Stewart Connector                            design our products, and we’ve conducted
                                                                                                             extensive testing of tin-plating chemistries.
                            CAT 6 Component Performance in Accordance with ANSI/TIA/EIA                      For AMP Netconnect, it’s more about hav-
                            www.belfuse.com/stewartconnector/                   717/235-7512                 ing a solid solder joint, which depends on
                                                                                                             making sure you achieve proper wet- ➤

             20    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                          www.cable-install.com




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                       Cool
                       Technology
                            When it comes to cable, smaller is best.
                            That’s what you get with copper cable made with AirES® technology
                            – exclusively from ADC’s TrueNet® structured cabling systems. Air chan-
                            nels are integrated into the insulation to lower the dielectric constant
                            and improve electrical performance while reducing cable size. In fact,
                            ADC’s NEW Plenum CopperTen® cable is .275”, a 22% reduction
                            in cross-sectional area compared to typical Augmented Category
                            6 cables. What does this mean for you?

                            Improved data center cooling                                                                                      22% Smaller
                            smaller cable enhances airflow and improves reliability and uptime

                            Reduced installation costs
                            smaller, lighter cable means pulling more cable at the same time

                            Decreased capital expenses
                            smaller cable improves fill rates in cable trays, conduit and raceways

                            For cooler data centers and maximum system uptime, insist upon cable
                            made with exclusive ADC AirES technology. For more information on all
                            ADC’s TrueNet structured cabling systems contact us today. Ask for your
                            complimentary interactive Cable Selection Guide.

                            1-800-366-3891 or +1-952-938-8080
                            www.adc.com/truenet




                            Angled Copper Patch Panels            Fiber Patch Panels              CopperTen® Cable     Angled MPO Cassettes     FiberGuide® Raceway




     ©2007 ADC Telecommunications, Inc. All rights reserved.




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           ting and good hole fills with the higher temperatures of the            the benefits. In other words, the U.S. has become compliant
           no-lead process.”                                                       only because of the EU’s directive.
              While not completely whisker-free, matte tin finish has                “We no longer carry non-compliant products or components,”
           shown significant reduced whisker formation and has become              says SYSTIMAX’s Barnick. “If we can be environmentally
           the finish of choice among many vendors.                                friendly after spending the money to reformulate and get to a
              Aside from tin-lead whiskering, cable and connectivity man-          RoHS-compliant state while still maintaining excellent per-
           ufacturers have also had to retest all products for performance         formance characteristics, then that’s where we are, and we’re
           and safety requirements per standards, such as Underwriters             better for it. Why go back? In the long run, we have finite re-
           Laboratories fire-retardancy requirements. Meeting the stan-            sources; we only have so much water, air, and land. We can’t
           dards requirements was not overly difficult for vendors, but            continue to abuse it.”
           finding an orange colorant without cadmium was not as easy.                Most agree that RoHS legislation is imminent in the U.S.
             “Any time you change something in the insulation of a con-           “As more states enact their own limited form of RoHS, I be-
           ductor, it changes the electrical properties,” says Berk-Tek’s          lieve that the impact on state-to-state commerce will cause
           Harpel. “To find a new orange colorant that allowed us to con-          the issue to be forced up to the federal level,” says ADC’s
           tinue meeting electrical performance on the orange pair was             Sauder. “In my opinion, the EPA [Environmental Protection
           honestly the most difficult challenge we faced. The other col-          Agency] would be smart to get ahead of the curve and adopt
           orants were easy to replace.” According to Harpel, there is a           something similar to the European and China RoHS for the
           slight hue change from the original orange color, but it is so          entire nation.”
           subtle that most don’t notice it.                                          Panduit’s Westapher agrees: “What the world doesn’t need
                                                                                   is a different RoHS. It’s common logic that we need a glob-
           Affecting the homeland                                                  al standard, otherwise manufacturers would have to go
           Because most cabling vendors have switched their product                through everything we’ve been through all over again. Our
           lines to be RoHS-compliant without maintaining non-com-                 hope, expectation, and communication are that one standard is
           pliant versions, other countries, including the U.S., are reaping       imperative.”



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             22    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                            www.cable-install.com




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                10GBASE-T




                                          Leviton makes it easy
                                          eXtreme® 10G. Leviton’s innovative 10G solution is designed specifically for demanding
                                          10GBase-T applications and provides consistent performance beyond 500MHz.
                                          Backwards compatibility provides support for today’s and tomorrow’s Ethernet networks.

                                          Patented Retention Force Technology® provides unsurpassed electrical performance,
                                          and ensures full compatibility with future connectivity hardware. Patent-pending
                                          Cone of Silence™ mitigates alien crosstalk between neighboring connectors.

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                                                   Independently tested & verified by ETL             Patented Retention Force Technology


                                          leviton.com :: 800.722.2082 :: 425.483.5270
                                          ISO 9001:2000 registered quality manufacturer :: © 2007 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc




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                                                                   BECAUSE YOUR BUSINESS RUNS THROUGH US




            Cool New Features From Adventum™                  Losing your cool is just not an option.
            Berk-Tek Adventum indoor/outdoor loose
            tube fiber optic cables are now smaller           Not when your data center feeds mission-critical applications throughout the
            than ever. All configurations, including
                                                              enterprise. And with a full spectrum of copper and fiber optic network cables
            the patent-pending Dual-Unilite™
            constructions, have been redesigned to            designed for the high-speed, high-volume transmissions your data center
            reduce cabinet congestion, enhance airflow        supports, Berk-Tek gives you one less detail to sweat. Even as you move to 10G.
            for more efficient cooling, and increase
            overall performance in your mission-critical      Berk-Tek has two copper cabling options that fully support the IEEE 802.3an
            data center and LAN applications.
                                                              10GBASE-T standard, LANmark™-10G and LANmark-6 FTP. And for fiber optic
            Intelligent Upgrades                              cabling, we have the industry’s highest performing laser optimized multimode
                Up to 19 percent in reduction of              fiber, GIGAlite™-10XB. And now, GIGAlite-10XB is available in our newly
                overall diameter
                                                              redesigned Adventum cables. Engineered to reduce cabinet congestion and
                Removal of space holders originally
                used to maintain round design                 make installing, terminating, and sub-routing easier, Adventum is the choice
                Up to 38 percent in reduction of              to help keep your cool.
                individual cable weight
                A 50 percent smaller cross-sectional          For more information on Berk-Tek’s complete line of fiber optic and UTP cables,
                area in Dual-Unilite configurations
                                                              including downloadable tech specs, visit www.berktek.com or call 1-800-BERK-TEK.


                    OLD DESIGN     NEW DESIGN                 NEW ADVENTUM
                                                              DUAL-UNILITE™ CABLE




            The redesigned 48 fiber Adventum cable is
            smaller than ever. Shown here at actual size.                                                               www.berktek.com




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           www.cable-install.com                                                                                                         installation


        10-Gbit transmission
                                  impact on cable pathways
                                                             Larger and/or heavier cables affect such
        W             idespread adoption of
           10-Gigabit Ethernet (10-GbE) is
           gaining momentum in data centers and as
                                                             issues as conduit fill and bend radius.

           backbone applications, so it is critical that
           the design and installation of any structured
           cabling system takes into account the appli-
           cation’s unique requirements. Every aspect
           of structured cabling system pathways must
           be designed to ensure the highest channel
           performance. Yet today’s familiar pathways
           and installation methods may not be ade-
           quate for new cable technologies that accom-
           modate 10-GbE.
             The Telecommunications Industry Asso-
           ciation (TIA; www.tiaonline.org) has yet to
           update the TIA/EIA-569-B standard to ad-
           dress the larger cable needed to support
           10-GbE. Factors to consider include the larger
           diameter of the cable, additional bend radius
           required, and increased weight of cables, such
           as Augmented Category 6 UTP (Category 6A)
           and shielded cables (Category 6 FTP, Catego-
           ry 7 STP). These requirements differ signifi-
           cantly from those of older cable designs and
           have a direct bearing on the performance of The effects of larger and heavier cables needed to support 10-Gigabit Ethernet
           a 10-GbE system.                               are felt building-wide, from the entrance facility through the telecommunica-
                                                                           tions rooms, pathways and spaces, all the way to the work area.
            Next-generation cable
           There is no guarantee that Category 6 UTP cable will                         www.ieee.org) has shown that most Category 6 UTP
           support 10-GbE transmission for a defined minimum                            cables will not support 10-GbE beyond 55 meters, and
           distance. Instead, TIA developed a Telecommunications                        many do not come close to 55 meters. Category 6A UTP
           Systems Bulletin, TSB-155, which defi nes additional                         cable is designed to support 10-GbE on a four-connec-
           testing guidelines to qualify installed Category 6 UTP                       tor, 100-meter channel. To provide this higher level of
           and its ability to support 10-GbE. Testing within the                        performance—without adding shielding—the cable was
           Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE;                     redesigned to reduce the effects of alien crosstalk.
                                                                                          Alien crosstalk (electrical noise from other cables) has
            DALE BUDENSKI is with Wiremold/Legrand (www.wiremold.com).
            CYNTHIA MONTSTREAM is with Ortronics/Legrand (www.ortronics.                become the dominant noise source for 10-GbE because
            com). Lylette Macdonald of Ortronics/Legrand also contributed to this
            __
                                                                                        external noise cannot be controlled through digital sig-
            article.                                                                    nal processing (DSP) techniques. DSP techniques are ➤

            www.cable-install.com                                                                             Cabling Installation & Maintenance   ■   March 2007   ■       25




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           only able to eliminate internal cable noise like near-end and                  installation and to accommodate moves, adds, and changes.
           far-end crosstalk; and echo cancellation techniques minimize
           the effect of return loss. The way to minimize alien crosstalk is              Building-wide impacts
           to provide greater separation between cable pairs or by shield-                The impact of 10-GbE cabling will be felt throughout the build-
           ing pairs from neighboring cables.                                             ing from the main equipment room to the workstation. (See
             Category 6A UTP cables have larger overall diameter that                     photo, page 25.) Not only is the twisted-pair copper cabling
           provides additional separation between twisted pairs within                    becoming larger and heavier, but there is an additional need
           adjacent cables to reduce alien crosstalk. There are two shielded              to better manage cable bundle size and to provide adequate
           options that support 10-GbE: Category 6 FTP cables em-                         separation between cables:
           ploy foil around all four pairs while Category 7 STP cables                       • Entrance facility/equipment room. Cable-management
           have a shield around each pair and an overall shield around                         requirements will be impacted by cable diameter, weight,
           all four pairs. The larger diameter and bend radius of these                        and bend radius. The cable management used must be able to
           cabling options have a significant impact on the cabling path-                      accommodate the additional size and weight of the cable.
           way design.                                                                         This will require additional space in the racks, including
             The difference in diameter between Category 6 and Cat-                            vertical and horizontal management that will allow random
           egory 6A may seem trivial, but it can have a significant im-                        cable placement to minimize alien crosstalk issues.
           pact on the number of cables that can be accommodated in                            Insufficient cable management may result in cables becom-
           a particular pathway. For example, TIA recommends that a                            ing compressed or kinked, which will result in decreased per-
           0.75-inch (21-mm) conduit will hold two Category 6 cables,                          formance. When selecting a rack solution, make sure it will
           but only one Category 6A cable, at 40% fi ll. Similar capaci-                       accommodate the larger bend radius of the backbone
                                                                                               cabling; also keep in mind the additional requirements for
             Diameter, bend radius for 10-GbE cabling                                          equipment or patch cords on the front of the rack.
              Cable                        Diameter                Bend radius             • Telecommunications room. As in the entrance facility,
              Category 6                   0.22” (5.72 mm)         1.00” (4 x OD)            adequate cable support is needed in the telecommunica-
              Category 6A                  0.35» (9 mm)            1.42» (4 x OD)            tions room. Typically, there are three different cable sys-
                                                                                             tems that need to be managed—backbone, horizontal, and
              Category 6 FTP               0.28” (7.24 mm)         2.28” (8 x OD)
                                                                                             cross-connect—introducing a range of cable types from
              Category 7 STP               0.33” (8.38 mm)         2.64” (8 x OD)
                                                                                             fiber to high-pair-count and the new Category 6A UTP cables.
            Diameters listed in this table are nominal values of cables currently            Additionally, telecommunications room space is at a premi-
            being sold. Not all cables of a particular category have the outside             um, contributing to the need for higher cable density. Racks
            diameter listed here.                                                            and cable management must accommodate the routing
                                                                                             demands of cables that may be larger, heavier, and require a
           ty reductions are noted for other cabling pathways. System                        greater bend radius, often in limited available space.
           designers should plan for perimeter raceway systems, cable trays,               • Horizontal and backbone pathways. A wide variety of wire
           furniture systems, and other pathways to handle the largest                       and cable management systems are available to support
           cable outside diameter (OD) to be installed for the life of those                 Category 6 FTP and Category 6A UTP cable. The selection
           systems. TIA recommends a minimum of two cables per work                          of a particular system depends on many factors. Of partic-
           area; however, BICSI-suggested best practice is to design path-                   ular concern is maintaining the proper cable bend radius,
           ways for three cables.                                                            supporting extra weight, and providing additional space to
              The larger bend radius of Category 6 FTP and Category 6A                       manage larger, loose cable bundles.
           UTP cables also requires more space—in telecommunications                         – Perimeter raceway systems are available in many sizes to
           rooms, horizontal pathways, and at the workstation—so as to                          accommodate larger cables. New internal configurations
           avoid creating tight bends that degrade performance. Addi-                           have been developed to provide more space for required,
           tionally, Category 6 FTP and Category 6A UTP cable is heavier                        larger cable bend radius. And removable covers facilitate
           than the cable that is currently in use. Caution must be taken                       lay-in installation.
           so that even if the current TIA guidelines for fill-rate are fol-                 – Cable tray is a popular pathway solution, but larger trays
           lowed, the additional weight of the cable does not cause prob-                       may be needed when installing Category 6A cable. Trays
           lems for the cable at the bottom of the conduit.                                     must have drop-out fittings that meet or exceed bend-
              Any distortion of the cable jacket could result in perfor-                        radius specifications. Trays and supports must meet high-
           mance problems during the life of the system. And because                            er weight requirements; hooks will not give the support
           its greater weight makes cable more difficult to pull, pathways                      required for large bundles of larger, heavier cabling.
           that offer in-lay installation may be preferable both for initial                 – Underfloor and cellular duct systems offer ample ➤

             26    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                           www.cable-install.com




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                              Connecting the organizations
                             that develop cabling technology
                                  with those that use it.
                            • Monthly Magazine in         • Contractor Directory          • White Papers
                              Print or Digital Format       Search Engine                 • Article and
                            • Industry Leading Buyers     • eNewsletter                     Advertising Reprints
                              Guide Print and Online      • Lead Generating               • List Rentals
                            • Cutting Edge Website          Webcasts                      • And Much More!




                                                        www.cable-install.com


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                 capacity and may be more cost-effective than
                 using conduit to feed floor boxes.
              – Conduit must be sized appropriately—a mini-
                 mum of 1.0 inches for two cables and 1.25 inches
                 for four cables.
            • Work areas. Larger diameters and greater bend-
              radius requirements dictate more spacious housing
              for cable slack that will be hard to manage in stan-
              dard wall boxes. Even if the slack is pulled back into
              the wall, a larger box still must be used to maintain
              the larger bend radius required. Th is additional
              slack-space requirement must be designed into
              the pathway. Double-gang boxes should be used
              for two cables, per BICSI recommendations, and
              it is suggested that triple-gang or larger boxes be
              used for four cables.
                                                                       This cutaway of Wiremold’s DS4000 raceway shows the additional bend-radius it
           A long-term view
                                                                       allows.
           The impact of larger and heavier cables must be
           considered at every point in both pathways and spaces.                    Designers and installers must also be aware of continuously
           Even if an end user is not ready for a 10-GbE system yet, path-         evolving standards, codes, and regulations. Although 10-GbE
           ways and spaces are static components that have a life expec-           over twisted pair presents some new challenges, quality prod-
           tancy far greater than that of the cabling system, so long-term         uct, quality design, and quality installation remain the basis
           planning is always a wise choice.                                       for the highest channel performance.




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  from PANDUIT..                                                                          for Storage Networking Hardware.




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                                         __________




                            ________________________________




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                                                                                                                   PRICED SO EVERY

                                                                                                                   TRUCK
                                                                                                                   CAN CARRY ONE.
            RhinoPRO™ 5000 has the features you want, at a price
            you can handle. When it comes to labeling, you want
            to “reduce your workload without adding to your pay-
            load.” That’s why RhinoPRO 5000 is designed to meet
            rugged jobsite challenges, without putting a dent in
                                                                                                                                                 5000     Features:
                                                                                                                                                          1 Back-lit display for
            your budget. With its powerful, easy-to-use functions,                                                                                        low-light environments
            your crew will save time and you’ll save money. Sound
            simple? You should see RhinoPRO 5000 in action...
                                                                                                                                                          2  One-touch Hot Keys for
                                                                                                                                                          cable/wire wraps, patch
                                                                                                                                                          panels, terminal blocks,
            Exclusive one-touch “hot keys” eliminate guesswork                                                                                            fixed length and vertical
            and provide instant label formats (like wire wraps and                                                                                        labels, eliminate guesswork
                                                                                                                                                          and complicated menus
            patch panel labels). And with its rubber bumper and
            back-lit display, you’ll have no problem handling it,
                                                                                                                                                          3 Includes commonly used
            finding it, even dropping it.                                                                                                                  datacom and electrical
                                                                                                                                                          symbols: ohm, ground,
            RhinoPRO labels stick and last. Our easy-load, all-in-                                                                                        phone, data, fax
            one cartridges hold easy-peel, split-back labels that
            resist heat, UV, moisture and more. And with industri-
                                                                                                                                                          4 Separate save and
                                                                                                                                                          recall keys for quick
            al-strength adhesives, RhinoPRO labels stick and stay                                                                                         access to label memory
            stuck. So don’t spend an extra moment labeling – or
            waste your money on a tool that can’t do the job.                                                                                             5 Durable rubber bumper
            Get RhinoPRO 5000 and get the job done for less.
            Visit www.rhinolabeling.com for details.

            A v a i l a b l e a t A c c u - Te c h , A D I , C S C , F i b e r I n s t r u m e n t S a l e s a n d M i l e s Te k
            A2044 ©2006 Sanford, LP., Oak Brook, IL 60523 A Division of Newell Rubbermaid www.rhinolabeling.com




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           www.cable-install.com                                                                                    technology


           Open-architecture cabling
                                suits luxury apartments

      T       he City of Hartford, CT leapt
           forward at the turn of the millenni-
           um with the creation of a new Civic
                                                          The Hartford 21 building is helping to
                                                          revitalize the Connecticut city, while
                                                          plenum-rated cable helps pamper its
           Center, convention center, and an
           ambitious Connecticut River water-             residents with communications services.
           front destination called Adriaen’s
           Landing. Symbolically and econom-                                                               All cabling for data,
           ically, the availability of upscale,                                                            voice, and video services
           in-town residential space was criti-                                                            is concentrated in a resi-
           cal to the new millennium of Hart-                                                              dential cabinet about the
           ford’s prominence.                                                                              size of a medicine chest,
              The Northland Company of                                                                     in a closet within each
           Newton, MA (www.northland.com)                                                                  apartment.
           already had a major presence in the
           city, with properties including 242
           Trumbull, 90-104 Allyn Street, City-                                                              time. With the infra-
           Place II, Goodwin Square, and Metro                                                               structure available for
           Center. For Hartford 21, Northland                                                                multiple technologies
           shared the vision, attracting residents                                                          within the building,
           epitomizing Hartford’s emerging suc-                                                             vendors would be free
           cess—upwardly mobile and technolog-                                                               to compete for sub-
           ically literate. To support the intended                                                          scribers while tenants
           clientele, the Hartford 21 cabling infra-                                                         enjoyed access to ev-
           structure would serve 262 luxury res-                                                             er-improving choices
           idences, each complete with flexible                                                              of vendors a nd
           access to high-speed data, cable televi-                                                          technologies.
           sion, satellite, and telephone facilities.                                                          McPhee project
              Turner Construction’s offi ce in                                                               manager Brian Parent
           Milford (www.turnerconstruction.                                                                  undertook the two-
           com) chose McPhee Electric Inc. of Farmington (www.
           ___                                              ____         year-long project with full support of Local 35 inside
           mcpheeusa.com) to install the security, surveillance,         wiremen and technicians, who are certified to in-
           card access, temperature-control, building-automa-            stall Siemon (www.siemon.com) and Mohawk (www.        ____

           tion, fi re-alarm, data-communications, and telecom-          mohawk-cable.com) systems. Parent was tasked with
           munications infrastructure. To enhance the building’s         anticipating the frequent breakthroughs in high-speed
           competitive technological advantage, McPhee’s open            multimedia, and to accommodate them cost-effectively
           architecture system would set Moore’s Law in action to        at Hartford 21. McPhee’s certification for Siemon’s 20-year
           run its natural price/performance advancements over           warranty was a critical consideration for Northland,
                                                                         which would manage the network upon occupancy.
            SHARON CARDINAL is copper product specialist with Mohawk        The $160 million, 35-story tower includes panoramic
            (www.mohawk-cable.com).                                      northwestern views of the city and the Metacomet ➤

            www.cable-install.com                                                           Cabling Installation & Maintenance   ■   March 2007   ■       31




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           ridges of Avon Mountain as well as the distant Berk-                                                       In one of the 30 intermediate cross-
           shires. Located at Asylum and Trumbull streets,                                                            connects at Hartford 21, a Siemon
           adjacent to the Hartford Civic Center, Hartford 21                                                         110-style block terminates a 50-pair
           was in the very core of the city’s downtown busi-                                                          copper backbone cable.
           ness district.

            Residential cable cabinets                                                                             comes with the hardwired net-
           McPhee’s modular architecture concentrates all                                                          work security.
           cabling for data, voice, and video for each apartment                                                      Wallplates carry two 8-pin
           in a residential cable cabinet—the size of a small,                                                     modular RJ-45 jacks, one for
           recessed medicine chest—located in the residence’s                                                      voice and one for data, with-
           coat closet near the front door. This location cen-                                                     in twin coaxial connectors be-
           tralizes connectivity within the apartment, allow-                                                      low—blue tagged for cable and
           ing voice, Digital Subscriber Line, or satellite video                                                  red tagged for satellite televi-
           service personnel to install, activate, and troubleshoot services       sion. At the time of this writing, the satellite vendor(s) for the
           conveniently within the apartment.                                      complex had not been determined.
             Terminated in each of the 262 residential boxes are
           two RG-6 broadband coaxial cables, as well as two 4-pair,               Intermediate cross-connects
           color-coded, unshielded Category 5e cables—blue for                     Access by telecommunications carriers is easy in Hartford 21’s
                                                     data and white for            30 intermediate cross-connect (IC) spaces. On each floor, a
                                                     voice. In total, more         compact Siemon 110 termination block terminates a 50-pair
                                                     than 400,000 feet of          copper backbone. Chatsworth ladder trays support runs to
                                                     Mohawk MegaLAN                cable cabinets in individual apartments. Each floor’s IC breaks
                                                     Plenum Category 5e            out its own 50-pair home runs and RG-11 coaxial cable from ➤
                                                     cable is installed,
                                                     with 150,000 feet of
                                                     RG-6 and 70,000 feet
                                                     of RG-11.
                                                        Inside are cross-con-
                                                     nects for four to six
                                                     voice, video, data, and
                                                     satellite outlets in the
                                                     apartment. Additional
                                                     port capacity is provid-
                                                     ed within the enclosure
                                                     for future expansion,
           The wallplates are color-coded; the blue  while electrical outlets
           RJ-45 port is for data, while the blue    and a wide space re-
           coaxial port supports cable TV and the    main to accommodate
           red coaxial port supports satellite TV.   a cable or DSL modem,
                                                     or other device (com-
           plete with tie wraps to hold it in place). Cable identification
           labels are attached to panel surfaces.
             Each bedroom supports one workstation, while living-room
           jacks are conveniently placed on opposite walls to accommo-
           date two possible workstation locations. Each of the 60 one-
           bedroom units has four data/voice/CATV/satellite wallplates
           and one wall phone jack.
             Two-bedroom units (there are 198 in all) have six wall-               While the term “telecommunications closet” has fallen out of use in
           plates and one wall phone, while penthouse units have ad-               favor of the more politically correct “telecommunications room,” at
           ditional plates to support libraries and additional bedrooms.           Hartford 21, the voice, data, and video cabling systems do indeed
           This allows users both flexibility and the peace of mind that           converge inside a closet, as shown here.

             32    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                         www.cable-install.com




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                              __________




                            ________________________________




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                  Crocodile                                                                                                    These conduits are partially empty of
                                                                                                                               ascending cables, having discharged
                  Fusion                                                                                                       most of their runs on lower floors.
                                                                                                                               The remaining runs pass upward to
                  “Alberino”                                                                                                   and through intermediate cross-con-
                                                                                                                               nects on floors above.
                  . . . the complete solution
                  for connector field                                                                                 the main cross-connect, passing
                  installations & repairs                                                                             the rest through for breakout in
                                                                                                                      respective floors above.
                                                                                                                         Each apartment is supported
                                                                                                                      by redundant RG-6 coaxial
                                                                                                                      cables, and up to four 4-pair Cate-
                                                                                                                      gory 5e MegaLAN cables, patched
                                                                                                                      through to specific jacks.
                                                                        ICs are preinstalled with a vacant innerduct for the future addition of fi ber
                                                                      through this otherwise inaccessible space, or, as described by McPhee’s project
                                                                      manager Parent, “an unimpeded raceway right back to the core.”

                                                                      Main cross-connect
                                                                      Securely located below ground level among the dense concrete floors of Hart-
                                                                      ford 21’s four-floor parking garage, the main cross-connect (MC) supports
                                                                      30 ICs’ data, CATV, satellite, and telephone wiring. Vacant fiber conduit from
                                                                      all 30 ICs enter from above, with vacant conduit exiting the building from
                                                                      future fiber applications.
                                                                        Mounted on one wall, a set of punchdown blocks supports the YMCA’s offices
                                                                      and facilities, which are on the first two floors. Mounted on the same wall, the
                                                                      enclosed SBC/AT&T installation brings 1,000 wire pairs from the street.

                  ZEUS Fusion Splicer
                    Compact, battery operated
                    Simple, user friendly process


                  The Crocodile Alberino ferrule assem-
                  bly features active core alignment, a
                  factory polished end face for low inser-
                  tion loss and back reflection, as well as
                  integrated, floating splice protection.

                    Available in MM & SM PC/APC,
                       High Power Version and attenuated
                                                                      Empty 4-inch conduits are ready to feed south-facing retail space along Asylum Street as well
                       fiber
                                                                      as the adjacent Civic Center and shops facing Trumbull Street.
                    Reliable field termination of E-2000™,
                       F-3000™ (LC), SC, FC, ST™ connectors
                    5-minutes installation time                          With the building occupied, property owner Northland manages the MC, which
                    Cost-sensitive procedure                          is under the 20-year Siemon/Mohawk warranty. Communications utilities, such
                                                                      as Cox and AT&T, will perform cross-connects for their own customers within
                  Visit us at the OFC 2007, booth # 2740              the building.
                                                                         Even after construction, the MC space has plenty of expansion capacity, with
                               Diamond SA • via dei Patrizi 5         space for future applications. Empty 4-inch conduits with orange bushings are
                               CH-6616 Losone                         ready to feed south-facing retail space along Asylum Street as well as the adjacent
                               Tel. +41 91/ 785 45 45
                               Fax +41 91/ 785 45 00
                                                                      interior Civic Center and shops facing Trumbull Street. Ladder racks line the walls,
                                                                      ready to support cabling from future racks and electronics supporting retail busi-
                  w w w. d i a m o n d - f o . c o m                  ness, restaurants, offices, and nearby public gathering spots.

             34    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                                   www.cable-install.com




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                                 How many tools do you use to
                            Certify, Identify, Configure & Document
                                     your Ethernet network?
                                        (That’s too many!)

                                     Validator-NT
                                                                                                                              ™




                                         The All-in-One Network Management Tool
                            CERTIFY individual Ethernet cable runs up to
                            1 Gigabit Speed per IEEE802.3 specifications.
                            Test for TIA568 Interconnect problems. Determine
                            fault locations, cable length and delay or noise                                                          4" color LCD screen
                            conditions. Produce and print cable test schedules                                                        Lithium/ion battery
                            and cable test results. Qualify lines for VoIP usage.                                                     provides 8 continuous
                                                                                                                                      hours of use
                            IDENTIFY active components of your network on                                                             Unlimited flash
                            the other end of the cable. Identify all types of equipment                                               card memory
                            and port service discovery with advertised speed ratings
                            and DHCP negotiation. Access IP addresses, ping equipment
                            and flash hubs/switches for positive port location.

                            CONFIGURE links between nodes at Gigabit speed.
                            Check IP addresses on netmask, Gateway/routers and domain
                            name servers. Confirm links between equipment for changes
                            or upgrades.

                            DOCUMENT the network with the included powerful
                            Plan-Um™ software. Create layouts of offices/premises or import
                                                   existing Visio/AutoCAD drawings. Show
                                                   cables and equipment they connect to in
                                                   physical locations. Print out layouts and
                                                   corresponding Cable Test Schedules. The Network
                                                   Tool section of Plan-Um™ allows you to create a complete
                                                   topology layout of the network for on-site reference, showing
                                                   connections, equipment and cable pathways. You can add notes to each
                                                   component of the network for future add, changes, and move legacy information.
                            Powerful Plan-Um™
                                                         Everything you need to Test, Trace and Tune your Ethernet Network.
                            software included


                               NT955
                             MSRP only
                             $1495.00

                                                                                                                               www.test-um.com
                                                                                                                               805-383-1500 P H O N E
                                                                                                                               805-383-1595 F A X




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            MILAN                                                              make the connection.


                 MILAN SWITCH AND WIRELESS PRODUCTS SIMPLY CONNECT THE DEVICES YOU NEED.




           MILAN’s MIL-SM801 series of layer 2               The ShAir AccessG Pro AP/Bridge:               The MIL-SM2401M Series is MILAN’s
           managed switches provides high                    MILAN’s new cost-effective, enterprise-        most powerful, flexible line of Layer 2
           performance non-blocking switching.               class wireless access point.                   management switches.




                            MILAN makes switching and wireless technology accessible
                            to even more applications, more needs, and more
                            importantly, more people.Transition Networks, the
                            industry leader in product quality, availability and support,
                            now offers MILAN switching and wireless products as a
                            way for schools to simply connect the devices they need.

                                                                                                www.milan.com       800 ~ 526 ~ 9267
                            Why pay more for simplicity?




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           www.cable-install.com                                                                                       data centers

           Cable conveyance requires
                            planning and execution

         I      n this, the third installa-
           tion of a year-long series of
           articles covering technical
                                                     Whether cables run overhead, underfloor, or
                                                     both, planners must pay attention to what else
                                                     is running through a data center’s spaces.
           and business issues associ-
           ated with structured cabling
           systems in data centers, we examine the considerations
           that go into the decision to run cables overhead or un-
           der a raised floor.
              While some of those considerations reflect trends that
           mark the current state of data center management, for
           many, the primary consideration is already shaping up
           as a trend in this series—thermal management. This
           month’s article on overhead/underfloor cable convey-
           ance will focus, to some extent, on thermal management.
           Last month’s article (“Performance, workmanship play
           key roles in data centers,” February 2007, p. 31) discussed
           the idea of proper cable management ensuring that ca-
           bles do not inhibit airflow, which is critical to thermal
           management. And the article that kicked off the year-
           long series (“Cabling in the data center: Just a piece of         This image of cables running through the Snake Canyon shows the other
           the puzzle,” January 2007, p. 37) on data centers included        systems around which communications cables must be conveyed, even
           the following quote from Corning Cable Systems’ (www. ____        when run under a raised floor.
           corningcablesystems.com) Alan Ugolini: “If you stacked
           up the issues that are important in a data center, cool-          especially true of bigger data centers, many of which run
           ing would be on top.”                                             cable overhead because they don’t want anything in the
              This month, the discussion begins with Rog-                    floors but air.” The extent to which those floors are raised
           er Jette, president of Cable Management Solutions                 in large-scale data centers can be eye-opening as well, he
           (www.snaketray.com), describing current trends affecting          says. “Three- to four-foot floor height is preferable,” in
           users’ choices to convey cable above racks and cabinets or        extremely high-dense data centers, Green notes, adding
           under a raised floor in data centers. “One of the driving         that, typically, the only thing running underneath that
           factors has little to do with cable, but rather with ther-        highly raised floor is air.
           mal management,” he begins. “Some data center manag-                “The upper echelon of data centers may use 3- or 3-½-
           ers want to keep the space underneath the floor reserved          foot raised floors,” says Andy Chaloupka, business devel-
           for massive amounts of air to help cool the data center.          opment manager with Panduit (www.panduit.com). “And
           They run the cable overhead so nothing but air can run            they prefer to put no cable down there. One of their pri-
           under the floor.”                                                 mary concerns is they don’t want to put anything in the
              Adds Alan Green, partner with technology consulting            way of airflow.”
           firm Grid Associates (www.gridassociates.net), “That is              Furthermore, from a practical standpoint, access of-
            PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN is chief editor of Cabling Installation &     ten matters. “The pathway up above is generally more ac-
           Maintenance.                                                      cessible than that beneath a floor,” Chaloupka adds. ➤

            www.cable-install.com                                                                 Cabling Installation & Maintenance   ■   March 2007   ■       37




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                                                                                                 1990s
                                1970s                                                         Shielded
                                “Vampire”                                                     Modular
                                Tap                                                               Jack



                                                       1980s
                                                   4 Position
                                                        Data
                                                   Connector




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         from that point forward, have been the
         leading advocate for shielded technology
         across the globe.

         Tyco Electronics has always believed
         what the industry is just now realizing,
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        AMP, AMP NETCONNECT, NETCONNECT, AMP-TWIST and Tyco are trademarks. Other products, logos, and company names
        mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.



        1- 8 0 0 - 5 5 3 - 0 9 3 8 o r v i s i t w w w. a m p n e t c o n n e c t . c o m
                                                                    ____________________________________________




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            Cable Management Solutions’ Mega Snake product line (the tray on
            top) is frequently used in overhead data-center applications, in large
            part because of its significant capacity.

          “Routing cable overhead allows moves, adds, and changes dur-
           ing normal working hours. In many instances, getting access to
           underfloor systems can only happen after hours, and some-
           times at a higher labor rate.”

            Design considerations
           In 2005, Julie Roy, principal of C2 Consulting (www.csquared-
                                                              __________

           consulting.biz) and contributor to www.bcsreports.com, made
           _________
           a presentation at a BICSI conference about the Telecommu-
           nications Industry Association’s TIA-942 standard covering
           data center infrastructure. In her presentation, she discussed
           considerations that should be made when cabling is placed
           either overhead or underfloor. Among those considerations are
           that a raised floor provides more flexible cooling options than
           does ducted air. Additionally, cabinets and racks should be
           arranged on raised floors to permit tiles along the front and
           rear of the racks/cabinets to be lifted.
              She also pointed out that cable trays suspended from the
           ceiling provide more flexibility for supporting racks/cabinets
           of various heights, and for adding and removing cabinets and
           racks. As a good-practice recommendation, she also pointed
           out that cable trays can be installed with several layers; a three-
           layer system would include copper-based communications
           cable in the bottom layer, fiber-based communications cable in
           the middle layer, and power cable in the top layer.
             “Going overhead requires more engineering, because you
           have to avoid things like fluorescent lighting and sprinkler sys-
           tems,” states Tony Lookabill, RCDD, national accounts man-
           ager for GS Metals’ Flextray line of cable tray.
              While thermal management is one consideration, Cable
           Management Solutions’ Jette points out, “Management of the
           cable is highly critical. It is necessary to coordinate to get path-
           ways into specific places, so coordination of all services is a key
           ingredient to successful conveyance.”
              Obstacles to cable conveyance can be anywhere and every-
           where above a series of racks or enclosures, and as Jette fur-
           ther notes, thermal management can be an issue there as well:
                                                                                                          _________________________
            www.cable-install.com




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                                                                                                       Power cables, like these running underfloor through Cable Manage-
                                                                                                       ment Solutions’ Power Snake Canyon, should run in the data center’s
                                                                                                       cold aisle.

                                                                                                      “I have been in data centers where active cooling componen-
                                                                                                       try is above each tray, and in data centers where chillers are
                                                                                                       directly on top of enclosures.” Such arrangements make for
                                                                                                       challenging designs of cable-conveyance equipment.
                    ____________________




                                                  _____________                                        Inherited space
                                                                                                       Another reality creating challenges in these environments is
                                                                                                       the types of buildings in which they reside. “Very often, a data-
                                                                                                       center user, such as a bank, will buy an old warehouse,” notes
                                                                                                       Grid Associates’ Green, adding that such spaces provide high
                                                                                                       ceilings that allow tall raised floors. But, he says, these envi-
                                                                                                       ronments can also present challenges because the structure
                                                                                                       was built without a data center’s requirements in mind. “One
                                                                                                       client of ours bought a 300,000-square-foot warehouse, and
                                                                                                       the data center is going into a bolt-on,” he explains. “Another
                                                                                                       data center is in an existing building, and there are all kinds
                                                                                                       of things to work around.” These workarounds can be accom-
                                                                                                       plished—and, in fact, are some of the tasks Green’s company
                                                                                                       is hired to accomplish—but nonetheless they are a fact of life
                                                                                                       when cable is run overhead.
                                                                                                          For some data center managers, visual appeal plays a role in
                                                                                                       deciding whether to go overhead or underfloor. “Some data
                                                                                                       centers are showplaces, where the owners might take custom-
                                                                                                       ers or investors through,” says Panduit’s Chaloupka. “Many
                                                                                                       of them do not want anything above the cabinets for aesthet-
                                                                                                       ic reasons.”
                                                                                                          Other reasons can also push users to underfloor cabling. C2’s
                                                                                                       Roy stated in her presentation that most standalone computer
                                                                                                       systems are designed for cabling from below. Jette adds, “In the
                                                                                                       current trends we’re seeing, many users have one pathway for ca-
                                                                                                       ble above cabinets and one path beneath the floor.” Sometimes,
                                                                                                       he says, users run only power beneath the floor. Other times,
                                                                                                       both power and data cabling are beneath a raised floor.

                                                                                                       When to go under
                                                                                                       When data cabling does run underneath a raised floor, Cha-
                                                                                                       loupka points out, “it is important to keep cables in close prox-

             40    ■                       March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                        www.cable-install.com




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                                             UFS Under Floor Cable Management
                                             – built with your system in mind.

          Cablofil’s new Under Floor Cable Management System (UFS) is a wire mesh
          tray system that’s adaptable to any installation – and it’s self-supporting
          so it won’t void the warranty of your floor. 2’ tray sections can be installed
          through a single floor opening – multiple height supports are available in kits, making
          UFS easy to order and install. And UFS integrates with our 10’ tray – an industry first.
                                                                                                                    www.cablofil.com
          UFS from Cablofil – Under Floor Cable Management made easy.
                                                                                                                  Phone: 618-566-3230
                                                                                                                         800-658-4641
                                                                                                                    Fax: 618-566-3250
                                                                                                                    8319 State Route 4
          To find out about our new                           program, call 800.658.4641                       Mascoutah, IL 62258 USA




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                                                                                      maximum amount of airflow possible to run under the raised
                                                                                      floor. He adds that everything run under a floor, including
                                                                                      power cables in the data center’s cold aisles, should be in a tray
                                                                                      system up off the floor. “If possible, the different cable types
                                                                                      can run in different tray systems,” Lookabill says.
                                                                                         An absolute-must in these situations is to run underfloor
                                                                                      cable-support structures in the hot aisles of hot-aisle/cold-aisle
                                                                                      setups. By doing so, any heat generated by cables will not ad-
                                                                                      versely affect the cold air flowing through the cold aisle. Like-
                                                                                      wise, when access to the cable is necessary, lifting a tile to gain
                                                                                      access will not disrupt the flow of cold air in the cold aisle.
                                                                                         As is the case with overhead conveyance, underfloor cable
                                                                                      pathways require coordination with other trades. While the
            Panduit’s Fiber Runner system is appropriate for both fiber-optic and      ideal situation might be for nothing else other than cold air
            high-end copper cabling systems. Among the system’s benefits in            running beneath a raised floor, in reality, the pathways for
            data centers are easy access, bend-radius control, cable-management       other utilities frequently reside there as well.
            capability, and the lay-in trough system’s allowance for technicians to      When data center managers get the opportunity to decide
            minimize or eliminate the need to bundle cable.                           whether to establish cable pathways overhead or underfloor,
                                                                                      they must take several factors into consideration, from build-
            imity to inlets going into the racks,” he says, “in order to protect      ing structure to thermal-management needs and aesthetics.
            and support cables transitioning up into a cabinet or rack.”              The issues are many and can conflict with one another. Re-
             “When you run cable underfloor, it is important to get the               gardless of the method used, and even if both areas are desig-
            cable as high off the floor and as close to the floor as possible,”       nated for cable pathways, having to effectively working around
            notes GS Metals’ Lookabill, noting that doing so allows for the           other data center services is a virtual guarantee.




                                                          ________________________________




             42    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                        www.cable-install.com




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                             TERMINATE IN LESS
                             THAN 175 SECONDS




                                       PERFORMANCE
                                       BEYOND 10GB/S




                                                   INTEGRATED
                                                   QUICK-GROUND
                                                   FEATURES




                                                              ELIMINATES
                                                              ALIEN CROSSTALK




                  SURPRISINGLY

                QUICK
                  TERMINATION

                                                                                                                             10G 6A™ F/UTP
         ➤ QUICK INSTALLATION                ➤ QUICK GROUNDING              ➤ SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

               We all know the performance benefits of Siemon’s end-to-end screened category 6A cabling                      WHERE THE PERFORMANCE,
                                                                                                                           SECURITY AND ALIEN CROSSTALK
               system - superior 10Gb/s performance, elimination of alien crosstalk, reduced cable diameter                  RESISTANCE OF A SCREENED
                                                                                                                              AUGMENTED CATEGORY 6
               vs. category 6A UTP, less restrictive installation practices - the list goes on. But who knew it
                                                                                                                          SOLUTION MEETS THE EASE OF UTP
               could be so Quick? With Siemon’s tool-less Quick-GroundTM termination, screened cable is
               stripped, terminated and grounded in less than three minutes.




                      CONNECTING THE WORLD TO A HIGHER STANDARD
                       W W W . S I E M O N . C O M
                       __________________________




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           www.cable-install.com                                                                                                        wireless


           802.11n: The next generation
                            in wireless LAN technology

        W              ireless data networking, frequently
           referred to as Wi-Fi, started its life in the small-
           office/home-office environment where perfor-
                                                                              Multiple-input multiple-output
                                                                              transmission is the key for high-
                                                                              throughput wireless networking.
           mance takes second place to cost. But this wireless
           local area networking (WLAN) technology is about to                        tiple data streams via the available spatial paths.
           turn the corner into the lucrative enterprise and wire-                       MIMO radios use multipath to achieve gains in oper-
           less video-distribution markets with the emergence                         ating range and throughput. Two techniques employed
           of a high-speed physical-layer technology now being                        in MIMO are spatial multiplexing and beamforming:
           standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Elec-                         • When the MIMO radio uses spatial multiplexing,
           tronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11n task group.                               it sends more than one data stream simultaneously to
             The IEEE 802.11n specification, due to be released in                    increase throughput.
           October 2008, raises the throughput of WLAN by a factor                       • When it employs beamforming, it sends multiple ver-
           of four or higher and guarantees at least 100 Mbits/sec of
                                                                                                        The multipath challenge
           real data throughput, with data rates reaching
           600 Mbits/sec. Already, pre-standard chipsets from                                         TX
           such companies as Intel, Broadcom, Qualcom, Athe-
           ros, and Marvell claim measured throughput in the
           300-Mbits/sec range or higher. With this level of through-                                                RX
           put on the airlink, wireless access points (WAPs) will
           need to step up to 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet-level con-
           nections to the infrastructure in order to keep up.

            Finding MIMO
           IEEE 802.11n owes its high-throughput performance to                       Multipath creates multiple versions of the signal by virtue of
           the latest wireless transmission advancement—multiple-                     reflections from walls, floors, ceiling, furniture, and people. The
           input multiple-output (MIMO). The 802.11n wireless                         reflections accumulate in the air, making it challenging for the
           transmission technology is based on MIMO signaling.                        receiver to recover the original signal.
              MIMO is a significant innovation in the area of wire-
           less data transmission. It turns the long-time nemesis of                  sions of a single data stream via multiple antennas to im-
           WLANs—multipath—into a friend. Multipath is com-                           prove reception and minimize packet error rate.
           mon indoors, where the wireless signal reflects from walls,                  Beamforming works in conjunction with maximum
           floors, ceilings, furniture, and people. Reflections add                   ratio combining (MRC), which is a digital signal process-
           together in the air, presenting a challenge to the receiver                ing (DSP) technique that adjusts amplitudes and phases
           that has to separate the original transmitted signal from                  of received data signals, and adds them in such a way as
           the reflections. While today’s 802.11a/b/g radios struggle                 to optimize the bit error rate (BER) performance.
           to separate the signal from this muddle, 802.11n MIMO                         Spatial multiplexing can yield higher throughput than
           radios actually take advantage of multipath to send mul-                   beamforming by virtue of sending multiple distinct da-
            FANNY MLINARSKY is president and principal consultant at octoScope        ta streams, but it may not work in some environments
            (www.octoscope.com), a consulting company focusing on wireless and RF     where line-of-sight transmission paths dominate and
            product design and advocacy. She can be reached at: fm@octoscope.com      multiple paths may not be available.                    ➤

            www.cable-install.com                                                                           Cabling Installation & Maintenance    ■   March 2007   ■       45




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             A MIMO N × M system                                            Typical MIMO system                                                          stream. Radios establishing
           typically refers to radios with                                                                                                               or maintaining a link must
           N transmitters and M re-                                                                                                                      automatically negotiate the
                                           TX                                                                                                RX
           ceivers. The signal from                                                                                                                      optimum MCS based on
                                                                                            2×3
           each transmitter is received                                                                                                                  channel conditions and
           by each receiver through                                                                                                                      then continuously adjust
           the wireless channel. The This is an example of a 2 × 3 MIMO system with two transmitters and three                                          the selection of MCS based
           possible number of paths receivers, totaling six paths.                                                                                      on motion of devices or
           through the channel are                                                                                                                      changing channel condi-
           N × M, so a 2 × 3 MIMO channel has six paths.                                            tions caused by fading and other real-time events.
             The communicating radios automatically determine the                                      There are 77 different MCSs specified in IEEE P802.11n/
           best possible signaling scheme based on the channel condi-                               D1.10—the current draft of the 802.11 standard as of Janu-
           tions. For channels where direct line-of-sight path dominates,                           ary—with eight of those MCSs being mandatory for 802.11n-
           beamforming is used to send the same data stream from each                               compliant devices to implement. The table “Rate-dependent
           transmitter so that multiple versions of the same signal can                             parameters” is an example of how MCSs are specified.
           be received by the receivers and either combined using MRC                                  The highest data rate of 600 Mbits/sec is achievable with MCS
           or selected based on signal integrity.                                                   #31 using 64-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) in a
             When multipath creates
           multiple spatial paths, the       Legacy 802.11 physical layer operation
           data stream can be di-                                            Supported date rates (Mbits/sec) Supported frequency band (GHz)
           vided and sent in parallel        802.11b (DSSS)                   1, 2, 5.5, 11                                                                      2.4
           by multiple transmitters          802.11a (OFDM)                   6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54                                                       5.8
           through each of the avail- 802.11g (11b and 11a) 1, 2, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54                                                                   2.4
           able paths, thereby multi-
           plying data throughput. The receivers each can select one                               40-MHz channel and operating with a short guard
           of the unique spatial streams and then recombine them                                    interval (GI) of 400 nanoseconds. GI is the time delay
           into the original data signal. Highly sophisticated DSP is                               the receiver uses when recovering data. It is optimized for
           needed to dynamically adjust and negotiate the transmis-                                 data sampling in the presence of propagation delays, echoes,
           sion scheme between the communicating radios.                                            and reflections in a multipath channel.
              Legacy WLANs based on 802.11a, b, or g specifications use                                 With 77 MCSs from which to choose, the complexity of
           automatic data rate adaptation based on channel conditions—                              MCS adaptation decisions becomes considerably higher than
           the better the channel, the higher the rate. (See table, “Legacy                         in legacy networks. This level of complexity likely makes in- ➤
           802.11 physical layer opera-
           tion.”) These legacy radios      Rate-dependent parameters
           transmit a single data stream    (For mandatory 20 MHz, NSS=1, MCSs, NES=1)
           using either Direct Sequence
           Spread Spectrum (DSSS) or        MCS Modulation R NBPSCS NSD NSP NCBPS NDBPS Data rate (Mbits/sec)
           Orthogonal Frequency Di- index                                                     (iss)                                                      800 ns GI 400 ns GI
           vision Multiplexing (OFDM)       0              BPSK                   0.5            1           108          6      108         54               13.5          15
           modulation.
                                            1             QPSK                    0.5            2           108          6      216        108                27           30
              In 802.11n MIMO net-
                                            2             QPSK                   0.75            2           108          6      216        162               40.5          45
           works, signaling selection
           is considerably more com- 3                    16-QAM                  0.5            4           108          6      432        216                54           60
           plex than in legacy networks, 4                16-QAM                 0.75            4           108          6      432        324                 81          90
           which has driven the 802.11n     5              64-QAM                0.66            6           108          6      648        432               108          120
           task group to introduce the      6              64-QAM                0.75            6           108          6      648        486              121.5         135
           concept of modulation cod-
                                            7              64-QAM                0.83            6           108          6      648        540               135          150
           ing scheme (MCS). The
                                            GI = Guard Interval, or the time delay used by the receiver in recovering data     NSD = Number of data subcarriers
           variables in MCS selection in- NSS = Number of spatial streams                                                      NSP = Number of pilot subcarriers
           clude such factors as number     R = Code rate                                                                      NCBPS = Number of coded bits per symbol
           of spatial streams, and mod- NBPSC = Number of coded bits per single carrier                                        NDBPS = Number of data bits per symbol
                                            NBPSC (iss) = Number of coded bits per single carrier for each spatial stream, iss
           ulation and data rate on each

             46    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                                              www.cable-install.com




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                                                                                                     TM




                                                                HANDHELD FUSION SPLICER




                                         _________        __________    ___________     ____________




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           teroperability between devices from different MIMO is a significant innovation in the area of
           vendors challenging.
             IEEE 802.11n networks use existing unli- wireless data transmission. It turns the long-time
           censed bands at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, match-
           ing the frequency plan of legacy networks. nemesis of WLANs—multipath—into a friend.
           But while legacy networks occupy a single
           20-MHz channel, 802.11n networks can use 20- or 40-MHz        802.11a, b, and g networks. The secondary channel is the adjacent
           channels. A 40-MHz channel consists of two 20-MHz chan-       20-MHz channel, either above or below the primary channel.
           nels—a primary and a secondary. The primary 20-MHz chan-      This secondary channel may be shared among different basic
           nel boundaries and regulations are the same as for the legacy service sets. A basic service set is analogous to a cell in a cellu-
                                                                                              lar network, and consists of the WAP and
                                                                                              its associated stations.
                                   g
                               rtin 5                Automated Fiber                             802.11n will also operate in the 3.65- to

                            Sta $119
                                                                                              3.70-GHz contention-based band being

                              at                     Loss Test Sets                           standardized by the IEEE 802.11y task group.
                                                                                              MIMO devices can operate in three modes:
                                                                                              Legacy (802.11a/b/g/), mixed mode (802.11n
              The LTS-1500 and HPT-5100 Fiber Optic
              Loss Test Sets from TTI cover the wide                                          and 802.11a/b/g), or greenfield (802.11n
              gamut of measurements required by                                               only). The highest throughput is achieved in
              installers, OEM equipment manufactur-                                           greenfield mode, when only the 802.11n de-
              ers and maintenance crews.                                                      vices are present on the network. The mode
              Both of these rugged, low cost instru-
                                                                                              of operation impacts network throughput.
              ments automatically measure fiber loss                                             At this phase of the 802.11n technologi-
              at multiple laser wavelengths.                                                  cal progress, it is important to compare the
                                                                                              throughput performance of legacy, mixed,
              The hand-held LTS-1500 incorporates                                             and greenfield modes. A single legacy
              up to three lasers for unidirectional loss
                                                                                                                             _________________________
                                                                                                                             www.terahertztechnologies.com




              measurements as well as a power                                                 station on an 802.11n network can signifi-
              meter with better than -75 dBm                                                  cantly decrease total network throughput.
              sensitivity. It performs fiber identifica-                                         Greenfield 802.11n networks are made up
              tion tasks and stores up to 1000                                                entirely of MIMO devices and can achieve
              multi-wavelength loss measurements.
                                                                                              the highest throughput, which makes them
              The powerful HPT-5100 measures dual                                             suitable for video transmission.
                wavelength bi-directional loss as well                                as Optical Return Loss
                                                                                      in real time. Communi-                                                 New cabling opportunities
                                                                                      cation via bi-directional                                              The emerging 802.11n standard creates two
                                                                                      text messaging is                                                      types of opportunities for the cabling and
                                                                                      provided to maximize
                                                                                      user productivity.                                                     network installer community:
                                                                                                                                                                First, it is enterprise-ready because of its
                                                                                      Both units are powered                                                 high throughput, maturity, improved se-
                                                                                      by rechargeable cells                                                  curity, and manageability. Enterprise net-
                                                                                      and equipped with
                                                                                                                                                             works may require upgrades to cabling and
                                                                                      computer interfaces
                                                                                      and free PC application                                                telecommunications-room equipment to
                                                                                      software.                                                              support the new Gigabit Ethernet and Pow-
                                                                                                                                                             er over Ethernet-capable MIMO WAPs.
                                                                                      We invite you to                                                          In addition, 802.11n is poised to jump-
                                                                                      contact us for further
                                                                                                                                                             start the huge wireless video distribution
                                                                                      information or a demo.
                                                                                                                                                             market, which has the potential of signif-
                                                                                                                                                             icantly increasing the demand for video-
                                                             Terahertz Technologies Inc.   Tel: +1 315 736 3642                                              grade cabled networks in the homes to
                                                             169 Clear Road                Fax: +1 315 736 4078
                                                             Oriskany NY 13424             sales@terahertztechnologies.com                                   interconnect MIMO WAPs.
                                                                                                                                                               The wireless multimedia communica-
                                                                                                                                                             tions era is just beginning.

             48    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                                                                           www.cable-install.com




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                                                                                                          Nice jacket.
                                                                                                          Where’d you get it?
                                                                                                           It pays to ask your cable supplier where                       And Dow Wire & Cable’s global presence
                                                                                                           they buy their jacket and insulation mate-                     means you can get the product and sup-
                                                                                                           rials. Because if those materials come                         port you need, when you need it, any-
                                                                                                           from Dow Wire & Cable, you can be sure                         where in the world.
                                                                                                           your manufacturer chose their materials
                                                                                                           supplier for all the right reasons.                            It matters where your manufacturer buys
                                                                                                                                                                          jacket and insulation materials. The best-
                                                                                                           Like consistent quality and purity for                         dressed cable in the world has materials
                                                                                                           longer cable life and reduced mainte-                          from Dow Wire & Cable.
                                                                                                           nance costs. And, the product portfolio
                                                                                                           and expertise to provide the right com-                        Materials. Solutions.
                                                                                                           pounds for every application in every envi-
                                                                                                           ronment.

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                                                                                                           leading associations and institutes around
                                                                                                           the world like AEIC, NEETRAC, WHVRI,
                                                                                                           SECRI, VNIIKP and UL as well as perform-
                                                                                                           ing extensive in-house testing and even
                                                                                                           pilot manufacturing. So your manufactur-
                                                                                                           er knows they have the right stuff before
                                                                                                           they start making your cable.



                      Contact Dow Wire & Cable: w w w . d o w w i r e a n d c a b l e . c o m
                                                 __________________
                      In USA and Canada: 1-800-441-4DOW / In Europe: 00800 3 694 6367 (800 783 825 from Italy, 990 3 694 6367 from Finland) / In Asia Pacific: + 800-7776-7776 / Use reference #494-IOMG5
                      ®Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company Dow Wire & Cable is a global business unit of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries.




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                                                                                     Compiled by Patrick McLaughlin & Steve Smith




           Belden set to acquire Hirschmann, LTK
           in deals totaling $260 million
            I n late January and early February,
              Belden (www.belden.com) announced
           the intention to acquire two companies
                                                         America and Europe, and underrepre-
                                                         sented in emerging markets including
                                                         China and India. Second, the majority of
           in separate deals whose value total more      the company’s business comes from cop-
           than $450 million. The company char-          per cables, while every vertical market it
           acterizes the acquisitions as significant     serves has developed increasing interest
           steps toward its strategic objectives.        in fiber-optic and wireless technologies.
              On January 30, the company announced       And third, the company wanted to shift
           it had entered into an agreement to pur-      its business toward solutions as opposed     Hirschmann Automation and Control added
           chase Hirschmann Automation and Con-          to component strategy.                       these cable sockets and plugs to its SunCon
           trol GmbH (HAC; www.hirschmann-ac.               The Hirschmann acquisition ad-            connector system in late January. Just a few
           com) from European private-equity in-
           ___                                           dresses Belden’s third observation, as       days later, Belden announced it was acquiring
           vestor HgCapital for a cash price of ap-      Hirschmann is a systems-solution pro-        Hirschmann, taking possession of this and
           proximately $260 million. Hirschmann is       vider to the Industrial Ethernet market-     all other product lines aimed at the industrial
           a supplier of Industrial Ethernet solutions   place. Stroup says it also helps address     networking market.
           and industrial connectivity that generated    the second observation about serving
           $250 million in revenues last year.           vertical markets through fiber-optic         tronic Control Systems. The Industrial
             “The acquisition of Hirschmann is           and wireless technology. Hirschmann          Ethernet division, or “INet” as Belden re-
           a major achievement in our pursuit to         has three divisions: Industrial Ether-       fers to it, produces rail- and rack-mount-
           expand our business in desirable end-         net, Industrial Connectors, and Elec-        ed Industrial Ethernet switches and ➤
           markets, beyond cable, to signal trans-
           mission solutions,” says John Stroup,
           Belden’s president and chief executive        Category 6A UTP cables get smaller
           officer. “In addition to having a broad
           portfolio of connectors for the industrial
           market, Hirschmann is the undisputed
           leader in the application of industrial
                                                         B    efore it made news with its two re-
                                                              cent acquisitions, Belden was one
                                                         of two companies that announced at
                                                                                                      added that the industry average Cat-
                                                                                                      egory 6A UTP cable is 0.31 inches,
                                                                                                      meaning CopperTen achieves a 22%
           Ethernet solutions.”                          the BICSI Winter Conference in late          reduction in cross-sectional area by
              The company expected a mid-March           January that it had developed a small-       comparison.
           close date for the acquisition. In a con-     er-diameter Category 6A unshielded             “This reduction in the size of Augmented
           ference call on February 16, Stroup stat-     twisted-pair (UTP) cable. ADC (www.
                                                                                           ____       Category 6 UTP cable will give data cen-
           ed the Hirschmann acquisition came            adc.com) made a similar announcement         ter and network managers more flexi-
           after a bidding process that included         while the conference was being held          bility and higher performance for their
           several suitors.                              January 23-25.                               investment,” says Jaxon Lang, vice presi-
                                                            The newest generation of Belden’s         dent of product management, structured
           According to plan                             10GX cable is 0.295 inches in diameter.      cabling for ADC. “The market has been
           Also in that conference call, Stroup stated   The 23-AWG copper cable is available in      demanding a smaller Augmented Cate-
           that Belden developed its strategic plan      CMR (riser), CMP (plenum), and LSZH          gory 6 UTP cable, and ADC delivered.”
           after an assessment of the threats and        (low-smoke, zero-halogen) versions.             Cabling Installation & Maintenance
           opportunities ahead of it. While assess-        ADC’s next-generation CopperTen            will track the market to see if other Cat-
           ing its own situation, Stroup said, Belden    Category 6A UTP cable (see page 57)          egory 6A UTP manufacturers intro-
           made three primary observations. First,       has an average outside diameter of           duce smaller-diameter versions of the
           its business was concentrated in North        0.275 inches, the company says. ADC          cable.

            www.cable-install.com                                                            Cabling Installation & Maintenance   ■   March 2007   ■       51




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           related equipment, including wireless      overall connectivity portfolio, improv- connectivity as well as switches.” Stroup
           access points. Industrial Connectors, or   ing market access, providing solutions      also stated that the go-to-market chal-
          “ICon,” provides industrial connectors      for its existing industrial customers, lenge will be real for this product line.
           for sensors and actuators. And Electron- improving the company’s position in “Customers are increasingly interested
           ic Control Systems (ECS) produces load     emerging markets, and opening oppor- in solutions,” as opposed to components,
           moment indicators—safety devices used      tunities in wireless and fiber optics in    he stated. “The modes getting to market
           on cranes and other load-bearing equip- the industrial space.                          through channel partners are somewhat
           ment to prevent it from tipping over.        According to Stroup, Belden’s first pri- bifurcated. Some are good with cable;
             As part of its announcement, Belden      ority with Hirschmann is to achieve rev- others are good with automation. But we
           stated, “HAC’s product range is highly     enue growth outside Europe. He said that    have already had some encouraging con-
           complementary to Belden’s industrial       while the company’s products are mar- versations with channel partners on both
           cable product line. In a factory, many of  ket leaders in Europe, and well-known       sides. We think we’ve got the method and
           the devices connected by Belden cable      and respected outside the continent, they   path to get there, but it will require energy
           are the kinds of products made by          have not benefited from sales support       and thoughtfulness.”
           Hirschmann. HAC’s industrial Ethernet      outside Europe. They’ll now have that
           expertise together with Belden’s signal    sales support, he says.                     Entering Asia
           transmission expertise will deliver to our  “We are uniquely positioned because        Eight days after the Hirschmann deal
           customers global networking solutions      we’ve been on the factory floor and in      was made public, Belden announced it
           for the most demanding environments.” the enterprise from a cable point of view,” is acquiring LTK Wiring Co. Ltd. (ltkca-
              Belden added that the acquisition fits  he said in the February 16 conference call. ble.com), which the company described
           into its strategic plan by expanding its “Bringing on Hirschmann, we now have          as one of the largest manufacturers ➤

                 Short runs…
                 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA—The Ethernet Alliance (www.    ___                    the past five years, there has been a rapid growth in acceptance
                 ethernetalliance.org) has formed an Energy-Efficient Ethernet            of laser-optimized multimode as an alternative to traditional
                 (EEE) study group. “We’re going to look at ways to reduce power         multimode and singlemode media.
                 consumption by switching to lower speed during periods of low-
                                                                                         DES PLAINES, IL—Gepco International (www.gepco.com),
                 link utilization,” says EEE chairman Mike Bennett of Lawrence
                                                                                         a manufacturer of professional audio and video cables, is
                 Berkeley National Lab. “Considering that Ethernet is the network
                                                                                         expanding its fiber-optic production capabilities. The growth
                 technology of choice worldwide with an ever-increasing market
                                                                                         includes new fiber-optic contact polishing technology that
                 presence, it is clear that we have an opportunity to reduce energy
                                                                                         exceeds previous methods and the SMPTE standard. Gepco
                 use significantly while minimizing the impact on the industry.” If
                                                                                         says it has further increased its assembly throughput capacity
                 you’re interested in participating in the EEE, contact Bennett at:
                                                                                         through additional equipment, personnel, and customized
                 mjbennett@lbl.gov
                                                                                         cable management techniques. The company’s hybrid fiber
                 RICHARDSON, TX—A recent survey conducted by SYSTIMAX                    line includes cable assemblies terminated with Lemo or Canare
                 Solutions from CommScope (www.systimax.com/research)                    connectors, distribution rack systems, bulk cable and connectors,
                 indicates that responding users reported 1.9 hours on average of        and breakout cable assembly solutions.
                 network downtime a month, and found that companies that have
                                                                                         SPARTANBURG, SC—Fiber-optic products manufacturer
                 deployed higher performance cabling tended to experience lower
                                                                                         AFL Telecommunications (www.afltele.com) and voice and
                 average downtime. The survey of nearly 1,500 IT professionals
                                                                                         data solutions provider Leviton Manufacturing Co. (www.
                                                                                                                                             ___
                 in 45 countries looks at the effects of network infrastructure
                                                                                         levitonvoicedata.com) have embarked on a marketing and system
                 solutions and support services on user productivity. “They [IT
                                                                                         integration alliance to support fiber-to-the-home (FTTH). The
                 professionals] probably have a sinking feeling that money is
                                                                                         alliance is focused on supporting end-to-end solutions through
                 draining from the company bank account every time a server
                                                                                         a combination of Leviton’s FTTH Integrated Network home
                 crashes or a service provision to a key user takes a week to fulfill,”
                                                                                         technology portfolio, and AFL’s FTTH passive infrastructure,
                 says Fiona Nolan, global marketing director of SYSTIMAX. “The
                                                                                         network electronics, and system integration expertise. AFL will
                 good news is that the study shows that professionals who are
                                                                                         promote the alliance as part of the FTTH Made Easy program, a
                 willing to invest in quality systems are better able to support
                                                                                         comprehensive solutions-based program designed to meet the
                 the evolving networking needs of the company.” According the
                                                                                         needs of residential developers and builders seeking to integrate
                 SYSTIMAX, the study shows that many IT professionals plans to
                                                                                         FTTH within multi-dwelling unit and master-planned communities.
                 install copper-based Category 6A cabling, while Category 5e is
                 heading for obsolescence. As for fiber, the study shows that over        BRIGHTON, MA—Dr. Paul Polishuk of the Information Gatekeepers



            52   ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                               www.cable-install.com




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                       As Simple (and Quick) as 1 to 3




                       Get the cabinet you want, when you need it.

                                         Get the customized IT cabinet you                          Reliable
                                      need in just one to three days with two                       Flexible
                                       new quick-ship programs from Rittal.                         FAST




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                       the networking or server cabinets and sidewalls that best meet your requirements. Select the fans, electrical
                       components, cable management devices, hardware or other accessories for your application.
                       3 Day Program Choose your cabinet. Select your accessories. We’ll assemble the complete unit to your desired
                       configuration. The ready-to-use unit will ship in just three days. When you receive it, simply load it and plug it in.
                       No muss…no fuss.
                       Learn more about RittalXPress quick-ship programs at www.rittal-corp.com/rittalXpress/it.cfm.
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                       Phone: 937.399.0500 – Fax: 937.390.5599 – E-mail: rittal@rittal-corp.com – www.rittal-it.com




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           of electronic cable for the China market.               infrastructure,” says Stroup. LTK has           Mexico this year will serve the North
           Its 2006 revenues were $220 million. The                three manufacturing plants in China—            American market, and production facil-
           deal, which the parties expect to close in              Huizhou, Shanghai, and Dalian—which             ities within Europe will continue to serve
           early April, is an all-cash transaction for             combined employ approximately 2,000.            the European market.
           approximately $195 million.                                                                                As to whether the acquisitions should
             “Th is acquisition propels us toward                  Long-range view                                 be considered an “offensive” or “defen-
           one of our stated objectives, expanding                 Sizing up the acquisition’s fit with its cor-   sive” move, Stroup characterizes it as
           our presence in faster-growing emerging                 porate strategy, Belden says it places the      offensive. “We’re not seeing significant
           markets,” Stroup stated. “It adds another               company in emerging markets thanks to           cannibalization of our copper products
           prestigious brand to our portfolio and                  LTK’s sales offices in Japan, Taiwan, Ko-       by wireless or fiber. We’re acknowledging
           better positions us to compete effectively              rea, Singapore, and Thailand in addition        that in many applications and in many
           in China.” He called the method by                      to China. It also will help Belden meet         markets, a blend of these technologies is a
           which the companies courted each other                  demands of its regional customers in Asia,      superior path for the customer. We want
          “nearly an ideal acquisition process.”                   thanks to the three manufacturing plants        to be better than anyone else at supplying
              He added that LTK Wiring is a sup-                   in China. Belden also says the acquisition      that. We are a company that comes from
           plier to companies manufacturing con-                   puts it into a leading position in consumer-    copper, but we are increasingly becoming
           sumer electronics, telecommunications                   electronics, a new market for the company.      a company that is blind to the medium
           equipment, white goods, automobiles, and                And LTK wiring has greater depth of             and really focused on giving the custom-
           other OEM products in China. Users of                   experience working directly with OEMs           ers what they need.”
           Sony’s PlayStation3 and Nintendo’s Wii                  than Belden had previously.                        He said the back-to-back announce-
           video-game systems have made use of LTK                    Stroup says he does not see LTK’s            ments were coincidental, explaining that
           products, as the company is a supplier for              China manufacturing facilities as likely        Belden will only enter into strategic deals
           both of those entertainment systems.                    sources for products that will be sold to       that meet certain financial criteria. So,
             “With LTK’s manufacturing expertise                   North American or European customers.           while his preference would be to not have
           and capacity, we are now positioned to                 “Freight and logistics generally offset cost     a long stretch of time before the compa-
           better serve Belden’s Asia customers in                 advantages” of manufacturing in China,          ny’s next acquisition announcement, that
           networking, broadcasting, and industrial                he notes, adding that a plant opening in        may, in fact, be the case.


                 Short runs…
               Group (IGI; www.igigroup.com) and Frank Murawski, president of              meter length with four connectors, in accordance with IEEE and
               FTM Consulting (FTM; www.ftmconsultinginc.com) are teaming                  draft TIA guidelines. According to SMP, there were no CRC errors in
               up to develop and market reports for the telecommunications and             the received frames on both ends over several hours of testing.
               data communications industries. According to Murawski, “This
                                                                                           BOTHELL, WA—Leviton (www.leviton.com) has formed a national
               relationship will allow FTM to focus on what it does best, namely,
                                                                                           support team comprised of RCDD specification engineers
               production of high-quality market research reports,” while Polishuk
                                                                                           (commercial cabling, design, and installation experts) who
               adds, “This new arrangement fits nicely with IGI Consulting’s
                                                                                           are equipped to help build the best wired or wireless cabling
               new report series called IGI Certified Reports.” IGI technical and
                                                                                           infrastructure possible for IT projects. This S3 Team is available to
               marketing staff reviews all reports for quality and value before it
                                                                                           help specifiers with all information required to create solutions to
               agrees to market them under its own brand.
                                                                                           challenging design and installation issues. The free service includes
              SWANNANOA, NC—At the Solarflare Communications (www.      ___                 materials available on the company’s website, as well as access to
              solarflare.com) test facility in Irvine, CA, SMP Data Communications          local Leviton specification engineers.
              (www.smpdata.com) recently demonstrated what it says is the first
                                                                                           WESTWOOD, MA—Recent analysis from Vertical Systems Group
              functional testing of 10GBase-T over Category 6A cabling performed
                                                                                           (www.verticalsystems.com) indicates that Dedicated Internet Access
              on a 100-meter channel. Channel configuration consisted of six-
                                                                                           (DIA) installations are the leading migration source for today’s 10+
              around-one cables bundled every eight inches, and equipment
                                                                                           Mbits/sec business Ethernet services, representing 35% of the U.S.
              used for channel performance validation was Solarflare’s 10Xpress
                                                                                           port base. Dedicated IP VPN and ATM services represent the next
              10GBase-T PHYs that are currently sampling to OEM customers.
                                                                                           two most sizeable migration sources, followed by “Greenfield” or
              Bi-directional Ethernet traffic was sent over Solarflare’s 10GBase-T
                                                                                           new applications, frame relay, and private lines. “Current growth
              link using two 10-Gbits/sec traffic generators with XAUI interfaces.
                                                                                           of the 10+ Mbits/sec business Ethernet segment is driven by
              At the same time, SMP says, bi-directional traffic was running on
                                                                                           customers upgrading or replacing other high-speed network services
              all six neighboring channels simulating a worst-case alien crosstalk
                                                                                           at sites that are already fed by fiber,” says Rick Malone, principal at
              environment. All channels were configured for the maximum 100-
                                                                                           Vertical Systems Group.


            54   ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                                  www.cable-install.com




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                            10 Gig                             Which route will you choose?




                            From copper to fiber, General Cable has a 10 Gigabit Ethernet solution for you.
                            We’re proud to offer high-quality GenSPEED® and NextGen™ Brand cables
                                                                        ®

                            that support 10 Gig, and can be customized to fit any network, including:

                            • Backbone to horizontal drop
                            • Outside plant to inside your data center
                            • 55m to over 30km

                            With more than 100 years of wire and cable experience, General Cable has
                            the resources, product offerings and applications support you can depend on.
                            You choose the route… we’ll help get you there.



                            Delivering Solutions that Keep You Connected



                                                                                                  www.generalcable.com
                                                                                                         (800) 424-5666



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                   Introducing
                            Tri-Porter                                   ™


                            (voice/data/video)
                                                     The first triple-play tester that
                                                             DSL-safe telephone test set
                                                                             network tester    tone generator   cable tester/verifier           tone detector/cable finder
                                                                                                                                                   coax mapper




                                                         replaces 6 traditional testers.




                            Tri-Porter™ is the ultimate “Triple Play” solution with over
                            50 separate features and capabilities that will make your
                            job of assuring customers’ cabling systems easier than ever
                            before. It combines a world-class speakerphone butt set
                            with a full ethernet network tester that has active network
                            negotiation capabilities, as well as line testing at 100Mbits
                            to qualify VoIP.
                            The video/coax tests include a unique tone generation
                            technology that will let you trace signals thru splitters,
                            traps and filters to find the other end of a cable link. It
                            further detects RF energy and measures signal strength                                                  Tri-Porter™ (IVT600) includes a
                                                                                                                                    handy carrying case, along with
                            of cable runs. Tri-Porter™ handles a full range of physical                                             the 20-piece wiremapping sets,
                            wiring tests for the fast, efficient delivery of IP-based voice,                                        for remote discovery of telephone,
                            data and video services for either the home or small office.                                            network and coax cables.

                            The perfect 21st century tool for 21st century needs.




                                                                                 www.test-um.com




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   New Products                             Compiled by Steve Smith


           A leaner Cat 6A                              more compact and light-
            CopperTen Category 6A UTP cable             er weight cable with 2 to
            has an average outside diameter of          24 buffered fibers, and of-
           .275 inches, compared to the industry        fer a higher performance
            average of .210 inches, and is designed     over previous designs.
                                                        These cables are speci-
                                                        fied for campus networks
                                                        between buildings where interbuilding
                                                        lengths are short enough that the in-
                                                        staller can gain savings by terminating
                                                        tight-buffered cables. For indoor appli-
                                                        cations, the cable is OFNR-listed, and
                                                        for outdoor use, the cable features an
           to enhance airflow, reduce installation      outer jacket that incorporates a UV sta-
           costs due to light weight and smaller        bilizer for protection against exposure to tured cabling solutions for the “intelli-
           volume, and improve fi ll rates in cable     the sun, as well as anti-fungus protection gent home”—including multimedia and
           trays, conduit, and raceways. The cable      for underground installations.              home theater, whole-home security and
           is built to run 10-Gigabit Ethernet over                       AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS    access control networks, and lighting
           100 meters.                                                              www.afl tele.com and environmental control systems.
                                                 ADC                                                                                        BELDEN
                                         www.adc.com    OSP enclosure conversion kit                                                www.belden.com
                                                        This Fiber Scalabilty Center (FSC) up-
            Power analyzer                              grade kit for the company’s outside plant    Residential distribution
           Designed to measure and carry out diag-      cabinets lets field                          The Residential Network Solution sup-
           nostic and power-quality work on single-     technicians con-                             ports applications for current and
           phase systems or three-phase balanced        vert a cabinet orig-                         emerging commu-
           low-voltage networks, the PowerPad Jr.       inally deployed in                           nication and video
                              Model 8230 is a single-   a traditional PON                            entertainment. Da-
                              phase power quality       architecture into                            ta, voice and video
                              analyzer. Compact         a cross-connect                              signals converge in
                              and shock-resistant,      fiber-to-the-prem-                           the center and are
                              the unit helps you        ises (FTTP) so-                              then distributed to
                              obtain instant wave-      lution. The kit                              individual room
                              forms of electrical       also lets the user re-deploy the origi-      outlets. A basic sys-
                              characteristics, and      nal splitter into a central office config-   tem is pre-designed for voice and data
                              then monitor their        uration without changing the footprint       applications, while the enhanced system
                              variation over a peri-    of the cabinet. The FSC is available         provides flexibility for removing mod-
                              od of time. This multi-   in 48-port pre-terminated modules, with      ules and allows plug-and-play for copper
           tasking measurement system is designed       pre-terminated subassemblies, splice         and fiber applications. Other features
           to handle all measurement functions and      trays and associated hardware for patch-     include an 8-port switch that lets us-
           waveform displays of the various magni-      only and patch-and-splice applicatons.       ers network up to seven computers,
           tudes. The instrument records volts, amps,                     APA CABLES & NETWORKS      complete automation capabilities, and
           watts, VARs, PowerFactor, THD, and                             www.apaenterprises.com     central control of multiple integrated
           other signals.                                                                            home communication and video enter-
                                    AEMC INSTRUMENTS    Home cabling solutions                       tainment applications.
                                       www.aemc.com     Cable solutions for data, voice, video,                             COMMSCOPE
                                                        audio and security applications in the                       www.commscope.com
            Indoor/outdoor cable                        home can be found in a new catalog
           Indoor/outdoor riser tight-buffered cables   of HomeChoice cables. Featured prod- Secure connector
           have been redesigned to meet or exceed       ucts range from cables designed for basic The secure Keyed LC Solution, a small-
           GF-409 and ICEA-S-104-696, provide a         voice/data/video installations, to struc- form-factor LC connector format, is ➤

            www.cable-install.com                                                         Cabling Installation & Maintenance   ■   March 2007   ■   57




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   New Products
           designed for organizations that need to Loose-tube plenum                        timized), and singlemode versions,
           segregate networks due to privacy or se- FREEDM loose-tube, gel-free, plenum- FREEDM features a flame-retardant
           curity concerns. Based on the standard rated cables are designed for indoor/ jacket that is UV-resistant and enables
           LC single-fiber connector, the Keyed LC outdoor installation, including aerial, direct exposure to sunlight. Interlock-
                                                    duct, and riser or plenum applications. ing armor is available for specialized
                                                    According to the company, there is no applications.
                                                    need to transition-splice when entering                 CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS
                                                    the building (from dedicated outside                www.corningcablesystems.com


           provides a physical separation for up to                                                                           Analyzing internal security
           four networks, applications, or organi-                                                                            OptiView Series III Integrated Network
           zations. Four color-coded key combina-                                                                             Analyzer has been re-engineered to help
           tions prevent inadvertent or unauthorized                                                                          network managers and engineers im-
           access to networks and enhance network                                                                             plement current IT projects as well as ➤
           identification. On the front and back of the
           patch panel, keyed connectors and adapt- plant cable to dedicated flame-retar-
           ers are used to match access rights to the dant OFNP cable), and minimizes rout-
           proper network. Key features in the con- ing restrictions once inside the building.
           nector and adapter cannot be duplicated The all-dielectric cable construction
           with standard LC components. This con- requires no grounding or bonding, and
           nector supports up to 288 fibers in a 4U the gel-free design provides for effi-
           rack-mountable housing.                      cient and craft-friendly cable prepara-
                               CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS    tion. Available with 12 to 60 fibers and in
                         www.corningcablesystems.com    62.5-µm, 50-µm (including laser-op-




                       How Do You Supply                                                                                    Solutions for the Data Center Equipment Cabinet


                       Single Power Cord Devices
                       with Dual, “Fail-Safe”
                       Redundant Power?
                                                                                                                 FSTS Features:
                                                                                                               > Patent Pending In-feed Sharing: Each in-feed supports
                                                                                                                 half the load

                       With Sentry!                                                                            > Fast Transfer Rates: Power interruption will not affect
                                                                                                                 uptime or performance
                       Rack-Mount Fail-Safe Transfer Switches                                                  > Phase Synchronization: Power In-feeds do not need to
                                                                                                                 be phase synchronized
                       The Sentry Fail-Safe Transfer Switch™ (FSTS) features two                               > Input Voltages: 100-120 or 208-240 VAC, 20/30 Amp
                       input power feeds (A & B In-Feeds). If either in-feed becomes                           > Patented Arc Suppression: Prevents arcing between relay
                                                                                                                 points and contacts during power in-feed transfers
                       unavailable, the FSTS auto-switches to the remaining source.
                                                                                                               > Branch Circuit Protection
                                                                                                               > Local RMS load current monitoring per circuit
                                                                                                               > Switches on power drop, brownout or over-voltage conditions


                                                                                                                Server Technology, Inc.   tf +1.800.835.1515
                                                                                                                1040 Sandhill Drive       tel +1.775.284.2000
                                                                                                                Reno, NV 89521            fax +1.775.284.2065
                                                                                                                USA                       www.servertech.com
                                                                                                                                          sales@servertech.com
                      ©Server Technology, Inc. Sentry is a trademark of Server Technology, Inc.




            58    ■   March 2007           ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                                        www.cable-install.com




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                                                                                                    RapidNet Pre-terminated network cabling



                                                                     Dan Contractor                                 Tim Data Center Manager




    I can offer:                                                          FAST AND EASY INSTALLATIONS                  Cool.                  (When can you start?)

                                                                          CATEGORY 6 AND FIBER OPTIONS

                                                                          GUARANTEED RELIABILITY

                                                                          ON TIME PROJECT COMPLETION
                                                                          (I can finish your cabling in one day...
                                                                          with a little help from RapidNet.)




               RapidNet pre-terminated network cabling system
               allows you the flexibility and efficiency to meet tight
               deadlines, complete more installations and better manage
               project fluctuations. Proven to reduce installation time more
               than 85%, each link is factory terminated and tested for opti-
               mal and guaranteed performance. Our patented cassettes
               simply click into the modular 19” patch panel. RapidNet
               installations are fully warranted and HellermannTyton
               will assist with take-offs and product selection. With a
               little help from RapidNet, deploy maximum performance
               even under unthinkable deadlines.




               p h o n e: [8 0 0] 8 2 2 4 3 5 2
               e m a i l: i n f o@h t a m e r i c a s . c o m
               w w w. h e l l e r m a n n .t y t o n . c o m /c m1
               ___________________




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   New Products
           perform rapid root-cause troubleshoot-                 The SurgeGate                               72-port patch panel
           ing analysis. Designed in part to help                 line also includes                          This 72-port patch panel is designed to
           increase data security and regulatory                  add-on modules                              increase port density by 50% without
           compliance, the Series III supports free               to protect com-                             increasing rack
           string match filters and triggers, 802.1x              munications lines,                          unit space. Built
           authentication, gigabit line-rate traffic              including tele-                             for zone enclo-
           generation and internetwork through-                   phone, T-1, leased                          sures, racks, and
           put testing, encapsulation-independent                 lines, LANs, and coax connections to        cabinets, these
           protocol fi ltering, application-level traf-           cable, satellite, and antenna lines. When   72-port panels are
           fic analysis, and application-layer bounce             used in conjunction with an uninterrupt-    available in stan-
           charts for performance visualization.                  ible power supply (UPS), SurgeGate can      dard, angled, and
                                             FLUKE NETWORKS       keep systems up and running through         recessed configu-
                                       www.flukenetworks.com       storms and blackouts.                       rations. All panel
                                                                                                  ITW LINX    designs are QuickPort-compatible, pro-
            Control cables                                                                 www.itwlinx.com    viding Category 5e/6/6A connectivity
           This new line of control cables is de-                                                             options.
           signed to meet the needs of contractors Outdoor access point                                                             LEVITON VOICE & DATA
           installing home networks using Crestron- The JetWave 2410 is a 2.4-GHz IEEE                                          www.levitonvoicedata.com
           branded automation and control com- 802.11g/b wireless outdoor access point
                                                      designed to link two or more separate                   No-rack-space panel
                                                      networks located in different buildings.                VertiGO Zero-U patch panels consume no
                                                                                With data trans-              rack space, eliminating interference with
                                                                                fer rates of up               cooling racks or other panels, and lessen-
                                                                                to 54 Mbits/sec,              ing the complexity of cable routing. Ver-
                                                                                this access point
                                                                                supports point-
                                                                                to-point and
                                                                                point-to-mul-
                                                                                tipoint bridge,
           ponents. Bundled within a single jacket,                             wireless client,
           the cables are designed to distribute con- or repeater modes. It integrates a 12 dBi
           trol signals, Ethernet data, CATV, satel- flat-panel antenna and 802.3af PoE port
           lite, broadband, and modulated video in for installation in areas where no power
           residential networks. They feature one outlets are available.                                      tiGO can be installed in server cabinets,
           pair of 18 AWG or 24-volt power and                           KORENIX TECHNOLOGIES                 free-standing racks, on a ladder tray, or in
           one shielded twisted-pair of 22 AWG for                               www.korenix.com              raised floor applications. A hinged open-
           control data, plus two or four Category 5e                                                         ing makes the patch panel more adaptable
           cables. Optional models for more com- High-density fiber panel                                      to moves, adds, and changes, and protects
           plex installations include 24/4P control Featuring 96 LC ports, these 1U high-                     terminations when the door is closed. A
           wiring for two RG-6 BC quad-shielded density fiber patch panels with LC con-                       magnified label holder is designed to im-
           coax cables.                               nectors are designed for server farms and               prove visibility inside dark spaces.
                                                   HONEYWELL                                                                        LEVITON VOICE & DATA
                                           www.honeywell.com                                                                    www.levitonvoicedata.com


            Extra surge protection                                                                            A/V cable info
           SurgeGate power protection devices are                 storage applications where minimizing       Designed for commercial and residential
           designed to protect products from surges               rack space is essential. Two models are     A/V professionals, this 240-page catalog
           that would burn out typical suppressors.               available: bronze alignment sleeves for     provides a broad selection of wires, cables,
           They shut off the power for extended                   multimode applications, and ceramic         installation components, tools, and spe-
           surges and sags, and reset when the dan-               alignment sleeves for singlemode.           cialized services. Also included is a tech-
           ger is past, saving communications equip-                         L-COM CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS      nical glossary, a cable substitution chart,
           ment and cutting down on service calls.                                          www.l-com.com     and international AWG/metric conver-

            60    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                         www.cable-install.com




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                                                                                                                     New Products
                                                           combined into a single management en-       Component Video/Analog Audio Balun
                                                           tity. Management enhancements include       (500052, 500053) lets you connect one
                                                           user-configurable utilization thresholds    full YPbPr/RGB video channel plus one
                                                           and automated power control. The Ver-       mono hi-fi analog audio channel via Cat-
                                                           sion. 5.0 software also features improve-   egory 5 cable in a point-to-point configu-
                                                           ments in navigation and configuration       ration. The balun supports 480i/p video
                                                           designed to simplify searching for spe-     formats as well as high-definition 720p
                                                           cific devices, making configuration up-     and 1080i/p, supports an additional ana-
                                                           dates, and for determing console server     log audio connection for commercial and
                                                           maintenance.                                residential A/V systems, and features a
                                                                              MRV COMMUNICATIONS       modular RJ-45 connector. It is designed
                                                                                       www.mrv.com     to support up to 500 feet via Category 5
            sion chart. This catalog is also available                                                 in HDTV mode.
            in CD-ROM format.                              A/V over Category 5                                                               MUXLAB
                                    LIBERTY WIRE & CABLE   Developed for audio/video (A/V) inte-                                      www.muxlab.com
                                    www.libertycable.com   grators and custom home installers, the
                                                                                                             Fiber microscope
            Server system upgrade                                                                             The ViewConn hand-held video
           Improved clustering, security and man-                                                                    microscope is designed
           agement features in software for the com-                                                                 to eliminate guesswork
           pany’s LX Series of out-of-band console                                                                    when mating fiberop-
           servers are designed to allow an unlim-                                                                     tic connectors. Featur-
           ited number and combination of servers                                                                       ing an eye-safe LCD
           in large data center applications to be                                                                      monitor, the mi- ➤




                                                                                                                         _____________




            www.cable-install.com                                                           Cabling Installation & Maintenance   ■   March 2007   ■   61




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   New Products
            croscope looks for dirt and debris that               security are critical. Copper cable is      field-termination of individual cabling
            can affect signal quality. A cleaning tool            available in plenum, riser, and LSZH fire   channels. By consolidating multiple
            can be incorporated into the device to                ratings, and system connectivity compo-     cable runs, they are designed to improve
            reduce installation time.                             nents are 100% performance tested.          cable management and pathway space
                                        LIGHTEL TECHNOLOGIES                                      PANDUIT     utilization in raised floor or overhead
                                          www.lighteltech.com                             www.panduit.com     cable tray. Featuring individual outlets
                                                                                                              instead of cassettes, and a six-leg, dou-
            Harsh environment tie                                 Vandal-resistant camera                     ble-ended construction with integrated
           Pan-Ty cable ties are designed for high-               The SVD-4300N, 10x auto-focus zoom,         pulling eye, these copper trunks utilize
           temperature (75º to 500º F) or harsh                   vandal-resistant dome camera features       a closed-mesh sheathing to protect bun-
           chemical environments. Made from                       500 TVL color and 570 TVL black and         dles during pulling, and include a pro-
           polyetheretherketone (PEEK), an ex-                    white. Combined with its 10x optical        prietary “trident cut” design that routes
           tremely chemical-resistant material with               zoom, a 10x digital zoom provides 100x      individual cables into position.
                                                                                                                 Offering from 6 to 144 fibers per as-
                                                                                                              sembly, fiber-optic pre-terminated trunk




            low-smoke-low-gas, the cable ties are de-
            signed to provide excellent loop tensile
            strength in a lightweight material.
                                                      PANDUIT
                                              www.panduit.com
                                                    total zoom. Built of die-cast aluminum
           10-GbE shielded cable                    with a thick polycarbonate dome, the
           Designed to provide exceptional alien SVD-4300 withstands a 10-lb. sledge-
           crosstalk performance beyond 500 MHz, hammer strike. It is IP66-rated and
           the TX6 10Gig is an end-to-end features motion detection and privacy
           10-Gbit Ethernet (10-GbE) solution built masking accessible via on-screen display.
           to deliver ETL and Delta-tested perfor- With 3-axis adjustment and dual voltage,
           mance in a four-connector channel up to this security camera includes the com-
           100 meters. According to the company, pany’s proprietary SSNR noise reduction
           the system also exceeds requirements of that provides clear pictures in low light
                                                    plus DVR storage savings.
                                                                                             SAMSUNG 360
                                                                                                assemblies (bottom photo) can be cus-
                                                                                      www.samsung360.com
                                                                                                tom-configured for permanent fiber
                                                      Pre-terminated UTP,                       links in high-density environments,
                                                      fiber trunking assemblies                  such as data centers. Also designed to
                                                      Ten-Gigabit/sec-capable UTP and fi- reduce installation time up to 75% over
                                                      ber-optic trunking cable assemblies are traditional termination methods, these
                                                      designed to simplify installation of per- fiber-optic trunk assemblies feature LC,
           TIA/EIA 568-B.2-AD10 and ISO 11801 manent links. UTP pre-terminated trunk SC, ST, or MTRJ connectors, are avail-
           Class Ea Edition 2.1 draft proposals, and assemblies (top photo) are available in able in singlemode or multimode, and
           the IEEE 802.3an-2006 ratified standard custom lengths up to 120 feet, and offer with plenum, riser or LS0H ratings.
           for 10GBase-T transmission over twisted- multiple connector, cable category and Optional pulling eyes are available
           pair cabling. TX6 is built for data center jacket rating options. According to the to protect fiber connections during
           server links and high-end workstations company, these factory-terminated and installation.
           where suppression of EMI/RFI, in- tested assemblies can reduce deployment                                             SIEMON
           creased transmission performance, and time by up to 75% compared to traditional                              www.siemon.com


            62    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                       www.cable-install.com




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                                                                                     N
                                                                                            EW
                                                                                                  !


             ____________________________________




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      Product Focus: coaxial connectors
               One-piece compression
               connector has wide range                              Low-loss F, BNC, RCA
               of tolerances
                                                                    The company’s line of F,
               The EZ line of one-piece coaxial com-                BNC, and RCA coaxial con-
               pression connectors for mini-RG-59                   nectors is designed for ex-
               cable is compatible with all major                   ceptional mechanical and
               domestic and import 23/24 AWG                        electrical performance. The
               cables, and accommodates a wide                      F connector features a BNC-
                                                                    style, two-piece center pin
                                                                    and body, designed to in-
                                                                    crease reliability and high-
                                                                    performance signal levels.
                                                                       The 75-Ω design, says the company,          sistent cable center dimensions and
                                                                          delivers low return loss, and excel-     reduced installation time.
                                                                           lent insertion loss and RF leakage      ADC
                                                                           performance. A gold-plated crimp        www.adc.com
                                                                         center pin is designed to create con-

               range of conductor, dielectric, and
               cable tolerances. These 75-Ω con-
                                                                    Low-profile ultra-mini
               nectors, available in F, BNC and RCA,                Ultraminiature Coax Connector
               straight, and right-angle designs, are               and Cable Assembly (UMCC)
               especially suited for security, audio/               series is a lower profile ver-
               video, and home theater applications.                sion (2-mm off the board) of
               For higher performance applications,                 the company’s SSMT series.
               such as broadcast and CATV, a line                   Designed to meet next-gen-
               of one-piece connectors are com-                     eration wireless applications,
               patible with mini-RG-59, RG-59, and                  these connectors feature snap
               RG-6 precision video cables.                         on/off mating and a 3 x 3-mm
               WHITE SANDS ENGINEERING                              footprint, and are built for excellent elec-   1.32-mm diameter double-shielded cable,
               www.whitesandsengineering.com                        trical performance through 6 GHz. Con-         as well as PCB jack receptacles for board-
                                                                    nectors and assemblies are available           mount applications.
                                                                    as double-ended jumpers and inter-se-          TYCO ELECTRONICS
                                                                    ries cable assemblies for 0.80-mm              www.tycoelectronics.com/products/
           LMR cable connectivity                                   and 1.37-mm diameter single-shield, and        rfcoax
                                                                                                                   ____
           Subminiature A (SMA) male plugs for
           LMR200 and LMR400 coaxial ca-
           ble are among the newest                                 High-performance adapters
           additions to the compa-                                  According to the manufacturer, these F-type coaxial adapters will
           ny’s line of connectivi-                                 soon meet SCTE specifications, offering the highest level of video
           ty products.                                             performance when used with RG-6 coax cable. Available in nickel-
                                            Also                    plated (1-GHz) and gold-plated (3-GHz) versions, these RCA and
                                 new are reverse-                                    F-type compression connectors feature a radial
                              polarized SMA plugs                                        crimp to compress uniformly around the con-
                          and SMA female jacks for                                        nector body for increased audio/video signal in-
                       LMR400 cable, as well as                                           tegrity. The company’s QuickPort styles provide terminations
              type N plugs and jacks.                                                      at the wall plate.
           L-COM CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS                                                     LEVITON VOICE & DATA
           www.l-com.com                                                                   www.levitonvoiceanddata.com

            64    ■   March 2007   ■   Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                            www.cable-install.com




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                                                                                                                                                                                                                      New Products
            Adapters for wireless
                                                         Filtered power UPS
           An extensive line of coaxial RF connec-       Designed to protect sensitive equipment
           tors and adapters is designed espe-           against fluctuating power or power loss,
           cially for wireless applications. N-type,     the S4K6U uninterruptible power system
           reverse polarity, TNC, MC Card, SMA,          (UPS) features
           and MCX 50-Ω connector types are              10-kVA of power
                                                         capacity, flexible                           Designed for 10-Gigabit Ethernet net-
                                                         output voltage,                              working and computing applications, the
                                                         internal batter-                             jacks’ patent-pending design integrates
                                                         ies, and integrat-                           the capacitive and inductive compensa-
                                                         ed maintenance                               tion on a flexible circuit board that
                                                         bypass switch                                attaches directly to the tips of the jacks’
                                                         housed in a 6U                               contacts, close to where the jack and mod-
                                                         enclosure. Its on-line double conversion     ular plug connect. According to the com-
                                                         topology is designed to continuously con-    pany, this close proximity helps cancel
                                                         vert incoming AC power into filtered DC      NEXT crosstalk introduced to the jack
                                                         power, then recreating it into low-distor-   from the plug. In addition, as the flexible
                                                         tion AC power. The UPS also automati-        circuit board attaches to the jacks’ con-
                                                         cally senses input voltage and configures    tacts, the jacks are designed to preserve
           offered in crimp, straight, right-angle,      output voltages to let users power a vari-   the standard modular connector design,
           panel, bulkhead, and clamp styles that        ety of loads with different voltages and     thereby ensuring reliable connections.
           are designed to perform from DC to            without an extra transformer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          STEWART CONNECTOR
           11-GHz. Sizes include RG-316 (100 Series),                              SOLA/HEVI-DUTY                                      www.belfuse.com/StewartConnector
           RG-58 (195 Series), low-loss RG-8                                       www.egseg.com
           (400 Series), and large 900 Series.                                                        Splice-on connector
           HYPERLINK TECHNOLOGIES                        Category 6A jacks                        The Lynx CustomFit Splice-On connec-
           www.hyperlinktech.com                         The SS-60300 Series of Category 6A PCB- tor is a fully cross-compatible splice-on
                                                         mounted jacks feature internal compen- connector for customized FTTH/FTTP,
            Fixed-length assemblies                      sation to enhance electrical performance outside plant, and field terminations.
           SMA hand-formable cable assemblies            without the need for extensive second- Compatible with a wide array of splicer
           for RF/microwave applications are an          ary compensation on the main PCB. and fiber holder brands, the connector ➤
           alternative to semi-rigid cables. Featur-


                                                              bulletin boards
           ing Johnson connectors on each end,
           they are constructed of a silver-plated,




                                                                                                                                                                                                                          10Gig Testing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           White Paper
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Learn about the testing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  White Paper
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    challenges for 10Gig
                                                                                                                                               Without sophisticated
                                                                                                                                              frequency

                                                                                                                                             Near-End
                                                                                                                                                          and for higher
                                                                                                                                                                             Figure 1 –
                                                                                                                                                                           returns to



                                                                                                                                                                         digital signal
                                                                                                                                                                           frequencies.
                                                                                                                                                                                        Near-End
                                                                                                                                                                                      the receiver
                                                                                                                                                                                                  Crosstalk




                                                                                                                                                                                         processing
                                                                                                                                                                                                   side and
                                                                                                                                                                                                              White Paper
                                                                                                                                                                                                            (NEXT) measures
                                                                                                                                                                                                            competes



                                                                                                                                                                                                     techniques
                                                                                                                                                                                          This phenomenon
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     with “Signal
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     B to A” arriving


                                                                                                                                                                                                                   in the electronics,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      at the same



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          reliable transmission
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  receiver over
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2 that
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                pair 2.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ethernet over copper
                                                                                                                                                        Crosstalk                                              sets a limit




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    cabling and see how new
                                                                                                                                            ing signal             or NEXT measures                                          in bandwidth                          is no longer
                                                                                                                                                        is launched.                    the crosstalk                                         for twisted-pair                    possible around
                                                                                                                                                                       Figure 1 illustrates            signal that




           copper-covered steel conductor with an
                                                                                                                                           multiple                                                                                                              cabling.                           that
                                                                                                                                                      wire-pairs                              Near-End               appears at
                                                                                                                                          Figure 2).              as is the                             Crosstalk                 the same
                                                                                                                                                                             case in 1000BASE-T                     in a two                  end of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              wire-pair                     cabling link
                                                                                                                                                                                                    and 10GBASE-T,                         system. If                     from which
                                                                                                                                         The crosstalk                                                                  Far-End Crosstalk               transmission                    the test or
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             (FEXT) must               simultaneously               disturb-
                                                                                                                                                          depicted                                                                                                                       takes place
                                                                                                                                         Crosstalk                  in figures                                                                                be considered
                                                                                                                                                    is the exact                1 and 2                                                                                      and tested               over
                                                                                                                                                                  same phenomenon, takes place between                                                                                    as well (see
                                                                                                                                                                                          but the crosstalk       wire-pairs
                                                                                                                                       Alien Crosstalk                                                                        in one cable
                                                                                                                                                          is a                                                coupling                         (wire-pairs
                                                                                                                                       10GbE application challenge for unshielded                                        now occurs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        between
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             wrapped
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       in the same
                                                                                                                                                             when using                     twisted-pair                                           wire-pairs                         sheath).
                                                                                                                                                                           UTP cabling.                    cabling (UTP)                                       in different,                   Alien
                                                                                                                                                                                           Figure 3 shows                   as it is the                                      adjacent




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    installation and testing
                                                                                                                                      Alien Crosstalk                                                                                                                                    cabling links.
                                                                                                                                                        will be measured                                    the Alien                     most significant
                                                                                                                                     the bundle                              as Alien NEXT                              Crosstalk                             disturbance
                                                                                                                                                   upon the                                                                         in a wire                               or noise source
                                                                                                                                                               wire-pair                     between                                            pair induced
                                                                                                                                     and Power                            under test                   wire pairs,                                             by wire pairs                  for the
                                                                                                                                                  Sum Alien                           (usually referred              as well as                                               in adjacent
                                                                                                                                                               FEXT (PSAFEXT)                                                    Alien FEXT.                                                cables.
                                                                                                                                                    Ethernet                                              to as the                             Since the
                                                                                                                                s for 10 Gb/s
                                                                                                                                                                                 should be                           victim wire-pair)                      combined
                                                                                                                                                                                             computed                                                                   impact of
                                                                                                                                                                                                         and evaluated                    must be assessed,

                                                                                                              Testing Challenge
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          for wire-pairs                                            many wire-pairs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Power Sum                            in
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            in a cabling                     Alien NEXT
                                                                                                                             air Cabling
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           bundle.                         (PSANEXT)




           additional copper-tin composite braid foil.                                                        over Twisted-P
                                                                                                                                                                 (AXTalk)
                                                                                                                                                 Alien Crosstalk
                                                                                                                                     help combat
                                                                                                                                          and testing guidelines
                                                                                                              New installation




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    guidelines help combat
                                                                                                                                                    Ethernet over twist-          Table of contents
                                                                                                                                  10 Gigabit/sec
                                                                                                              The standards for
                                                                                                                                                   T) are still in the                             to 10GBASE-T
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       field
                                                                                                                                cabling (10GBASE                                                                                          ...2
                                                                                                               ed-pair copper                                                    Introduction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ...........
                                                                                                                                     Many issues and
                                                                                                                                                        requirements             testing and certification
                                                                                                               development stage.                                                                                              and
                                                                                                                                              months; we expect
                                                                                                                                                                     the                               Alien Crosstalk
                                                                                                                                    in recent Figure                              Understanding                                          ....2
                                                                                                               have been defined                      2 – Far-End                                       10 Gb/s performance
                                                                                                                                                       be finalized and (FEXT) how it impacts
                                                                                                                                                                 Crosstalk
                                                                                                                                  Gb/s Ethernet will direction                    measures                             ...........
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ..4
                                                                                                                standards on 10                                   of the transmitted                 Crosstalk . .
                                                                                                                                                                                            the crosstalk
                                                                                                                                                                 an over-          Testing Alien          induced in
                                                                                                                                          This paper provides                        signal and                      wire-pair. . . . . . . . . 5
                                                                                                                                                                                                           with the clarity . . 4 that travels the
                                                                                                                                                                                                competes
                                                                                                                published in mid-2006.                                                                   test strategy
                                                                                                                                                                    cabling        Alien Crosstalk                           of “Signal                 length of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  the
                                                                                                                                            for the twisted-pair                                                                           . ..6
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               . . . . . . 4”. arriving at Receiver cable in the




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Alien Crosstalk.
                                                                                                                 view of the requirements                                                                   types. . . . . .
                                                                                                                                                                                    Applicable cable                                                                4.




           According to the company, the cables
                                                                                                                                                          the performance                                                           ........7
                                                                                                                                   measure and certify                                                        ...........
                                                                                                                 and methods to                                                     Recommendations                                             ..8
                                                                                                                                   cabling system.                                                                       ...........
                                                                                                                  of the installed                                                                     ...........
                                                                                                                                                                                     Conclusion .
                                                                                                                      Fluke Networks


                                                                                                                                                                                                       3
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  www.fluke
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     networks.c
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   om




           provide 100% shielded coverage                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Download our white
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    paper today at
           designed for outstanding voltage stand-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    www.flukenetworks.com/10Gig
           ing wave ratio (VSWR) and lower inser-
           tion loss up to 18 GHz. In-stock and
           customized lengths are available.
           EMERSON NETWORK POWER                                                _________
                                                                                                         NETWORKSUPERVISION
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ©2006. Fluke Corporation.
           www.emersonnetworkpower.com


            www.cable-install.com                                                          Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                                                                                                                                                   ■   March 2007          ■    65




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   New Products
            eliminates the need to invest in specialty AP-5181 is mesh-capable, allowing for cre-        ments for Category 6 component perfor-
            splicing equipment, reducing cost of own- ation of self-assembling, self-healing, flex-      mance, this system also complies with
            ership. According to the company, the ible outdoor wireless networks that can                all performance requirements for
            connector’s termination eliminates the be managed remotely with wireless next-               Gigabit Ethernet, 10 and 100Base-TX,
                                                       generation (Wi-NG) architecture.                  Token Ring, 155-Mbits/sec ATM,
                                                                                 SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES     100-Mbits/sec TP-PMD, ISDN, analog
                                                                                        www.symbol.com   and digital video, and analog and digi-
                                                                                                         tal voice (VoIP).
                                                                  Secure Ethernet connector                                      TYCO ELECTRONICS
                                                       The RJ45 SECURE jack-and-plug con-                                   www.tycoelectronics.com
           need to predetermine the length of pre- nector system features mutually exclu-
           terminated jumpers required for a given sive keys for restricted access to network             Fiber-optic assemblies
           application, letting field technicians cus- connection points. The system, which              Customized singlemode and multimode
           tomize terminations while ensuring accu- consists of modular jacks and patch ca-              fiber-optic cable assemblies are available
           rate and permanent connectorizations.       ble assemblies, is designed so that the           in simplex, duplex, and up to 24-pair fan-
                       SUMITOMO ELECTRIC LIGHTWAVE     modular jacks match with the patch ca-            out construction. Connector options
                             www.sumitomoelectric.com  ble assemblies via a keying configura-            include SC, LC, and ST. Hybrid con-
                                                       tion. Mating a cable to a jack is possible        nection custom lengths are also available.
           Outdoor access point                        only if the key-                                  According to the company, the assem-
           The AP-5181 access point is designed for ing matches.                                         blies meet Telcordia GR-326 compliance
           outdoor use and can withstand wind, Built to meet                                             standards, and undergo in-house testing
           rain, lightning, extreme temperatures, or exceed TIA/                                         to ensure quality.
           and power surges. Extending enterprise EIA and ISO/                                                        COMMUNICATIONS TEST DESIGN
           communication beyond office walls, the IEC require-                                                                        www.ctdi.com




            hot products
                                                                                          Extend T1/E1 over:
                               Wireless Mounting Solutions


                                                                                             Ethernet
                                                                                               IP/Ethernet



                                                                                                         Fiber
                                                                                                    Miles of Fiber
                                New “Z” Dualband Antenna
                 Shown in the Oberon Model 1050-00 Access Point Enclosure

                            Material: UL 94-V0 PC/ABS
                            Size: 1.75 inches high
                                                                                                                        Wire
                                                                                                                 Up to Several Miles
                            Cable: 16” Plenum Rated RG-58/U PL
                                                                                                                   of 2-pair Wire
                            Connector Options: RPTNC(Male) or RPSMA(Male)
                            Mounting Method: Through hole 15/16 dia (0.94)
                            78-14 UNF Plastic Hex Nut                                                            www.textender.com
                            Gain: 2.4GHz—4dBi (802.11b/g)
                            Gain: 4.9GHz-5.8GHz—4dBi (802.11a)                                                   800-432-2638
                            Cost: As low as $27.35

                                    Visit www.oberonwireless.com
                                   Call 1-877-867-2312 for details.                                              Data Comm for Business, Inc.




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                                                                                                               hot products




                                        _________________



                                                                                                                                                     _____________




                                                                                   Approved by
                                                                                  Major Telecom
                                                                                     carriers




                        For 1.25mm, 2.5mm PC and APC type ferrules and connectors
                        Portable, lightweight cleaner with no battery or power source required
                        Ultra dust-free, lint-free, micro-fiber cleaning cloth – completely dry process
                        Spring-loaded tip for controlled cleaning pressure
                        Adjustable tip up to 45 degree for hard to reach connector
                        Custom adaptors available upon request for: Mil/Aero termini, OptiTap, etc.




                            Functions




                                                                                  Results
                                                                       Before                    After




                                                          www.seikohgiken.com         Tel: 770-279-6602



            www.cable-install.com                                                                                      Cabling Installation & Maintenance   ■   March 2007   ■   67




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                                       INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
            COMPANY                                     PAGE          PHONE                 WEB
            ADC                                         21            800-366-3891          www.adc.com/truenet                        Senior Vice President/Group Publishing Director
                                                                                                                                       Mark Finkelstein Patrick McLaughlin
                                                                                                                                        Chief Editor /
            AFL Telecommunications LLC                  47            800-235-3423          www.afltele.com                             Tel: (603) 891-9133;patrick@pennwell.com
                                                                                                                                        (603) 891-9222 • fax: (603) 891-9297
            Agilent Technologies                        11            800-829-4444          www.agilent.com/find/wirescope              mark@pennwell.com
                                                                                                                                        Executive Editor / Steve Smith
                                                                      ext 5465                                                         Associate Publisher/National Sales Manager
                                                                                                                                        (603) 891-9139 • stevesm@pennwell.com
            Allied Electrical Group                     insert        800-688-4857          www.alliedeg.com/cope                      Ed Murphy
                                                                                                                                       PennWell Corp./ATD Vincent
                                                                                                                                        Senior Editor / Matt
            Bel Stewart Connector                       20            717-235-7512          www.belfuse.com/stewartconnector/          98 Spit891-9262 • mattv@pennwell.com
                                                                                                                                        (603) Brook Road
                                                                                                                                       Nashua, NH 03062-5737
            Belden/CDT                                  C3            800-BELDEN.1          www.belden.com                             Tel: (603) 891-9260; fax: Jayne 891-9245
                                                                                                                                        Circulation Manager / (603) Sears-Renfer
            Berk-Tek                                    24            800-BERK-TEJ          www.berk-tek.com                           edm@pennwell.comjaynesr@pennwell.com
                                                                                                                                        (603) 891-9416 •

            Brother International                       12-13         877-4ptouch           www.brother.com                            Reprint Sales/ Kelli Mylchreest
                                                                                                                                        Art Director
                                                                                                                                       Diane Troyer
            Cable Management Solutions                  4             800-308-6788          www.snaketray.com                          Tel: (603) 891-9385;Chris (603) 891-9245
                                                                                                                                        Lead Illustrator / fax: Hipp
            Cables To Go                                61            800-287-2843          www.rapidrun.com                           dianet@pennwell.com
                                                                                                                                        Senior Vice President/Group Publishing Director
            Cablofil Inc.                                41            800-658-4641          www.cablofil.com                             Mark Finkelstein
                                                                                                                                       List Rental / Bob Dromgoole
                                                                                                                                       (603) 891-9128 ••bobd@pennwell.com
                                                                                                                                        (603) 891-9133 markf@pennwell.com
            Communications Supply Corp.                 44            800-321-9122          www.gocsc.com/vodavi
                                                                                                                                        Associate Publisher/National Sales Manager
            Corning Cable Systems LLC                   C2            800-743-2671          www.corning.com/cablesystems                Ed Murphy
                                                                                                                                       CI&M ONLINE
                                                                                                                                        (603) 891-9260 • edm@pennwell.com
            Datacom For Business                        66            800-432-2638          www.textender.com                          Senior Vice President/Director of Internet Services
            Diamond Ground Products                     67            805-498-3837          www.diamondground.com                      Tom Cintorino
                                                                                                                                       Tel: (603) 579-9002; fax: (603) 579-9030
            Diamond SA                                  34            41 91 785 45 45       www.diamond-fo.com                          CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE
                                                                                                                                       tcintorino@pennnet.com
                                                                                                                                       EXECUTIVE AND EDITORIAL OFFICES
            Dow Wire & Cable                            50            800-444dow            www.dowwireandcable.com
                                                                                                                                        PennWell ATD
                                                                                                                                       INTERNATIONAL SALES
            Dymo Corp.                                  30                                  www.rhinolabeling.com                       98 Spit Brook Road
                                                                                                                                       Australia/New Zealand / Glenn Clarke
                                                                                                                                        Nashua, NH 03062-5737
            Emerson Network Power                       19            800-247-8256          www.emersonnetworkpower.com/               Fax: (603)3891-0123, fax: (603) 891-9245
                                                                                                                                       Tel: +61 9 568 4955
                                                                                            connectivity                               glennclarke@build.com.au
                                                                                                                                        Internet: www.cable-install.com
            Fiber Instrument Sales                      22            800-5000-FIS          www.fiberinstrumentsales.com                Canada / Fred Ouimette
            Fluke Inc.                                  1, 65         800-508-0490          www.flukenetworks.com/itpropormo            Tel: (905) 890-1846; fax: (905) 890-3829
                                                                                                                                       fredoui@kerrwill.com INQUIRIES ONLY:
                                                                                                                                        FOR SUBSCRIPTION
            General Cable Company                       55            800-424-5666          www.generalcable.com
                                                                                                                                       France, the Netherlands,(847) 291-4816
                                                                                                                                        Tel: (847) 559-7520, fax: Belgium, Andora, Greece,
            Hellermann Tyton                            59            800-822-4352          www.hellerman.tyton.com/cm1                Spain, Portugal, Western Switzerland / Luis Matutano
                                                                                                                                       Tel:Europe: 66 16 87; fax: +33 1 39 23 84 18
                                                                                                                                        In +33 1 39
            Hoffman Enclosures Inc.                     7                                   www.ehoffman.com
                                                                                                                                       luism@pennwell.com fax: +44 181 675 0301
                                                                                                                                        Tel: +44 181 675 9775,
            Hyperline Systems Canada                    49            866-63-hyper          www.hyperlinesystems.com                    HRA@pennwell.com
                                                                                                                                       Austria, Eastern Europe,
            ICC Premise Wiring                          5             888-ASK-4ICC          www.icc.com                                Germany, Northern Switzerland / Johann Bylek
                                                                                                                                       Tel: +49 89 904 80 144; fax: +49 89 904 80 145
            Leviton                                     23            800-922-6229          www.levitonvoicedata.com
                                                                                                                                       johannb@pennwell.com
            Light Connection                            67            315-736-7384          www.thelightconnection.com
                                                                                                                                       India / Rajan Sharma
                                                                                                                                        CORPORATE OFFICERS
            Live Wire and Cable                         65            888-897-6008          www.live w-c.com                           Tel: +91 11 686 1113; fax: +91 11 686 1112
                                                                                                                                        Chairman / Frank T. Lauinger
                                                                                                                                       rajan@interadsindia.com
            Micro Care Corp.                            42            800-638-0125          www.MicroCare.com/
                                                                                            CableBandwidth                             Israel / Dan AronovicExecutive Officer / Robert F. Biolchini
                                                                                                                                        President and Chief
                                                                                                                                       Tel: +972 9 899 5813
            Mohawk                                      14            800-422-9961          www..mohawk-cable.com                      aronovic@actcom.co.il / Mark C. Wilmoth
                                                                                                                                        Chief Financial Officer
            Oberon Inc.                                 66            877-867-2312          www.oberonwireless.com                     Italy / Jean-Pierre Bruel
            Optical Cable Corp.                         2             800-622-7711          www.occfiber.com                            Tel: +39 03 175 1494; fax: +39 03 175 1482
                                                                                                                                        ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
                                                                                                                                       medias@pcbrianza.net
            Paladin Tools                               18            800-272-8665          www.powerplaytools.com                      Senior Executive Assistant
                                                                                                                                       Russia / Anton Antoniuk
                                                                                                                                        Carol Woodward
            Panduit Corp.                               28, C4        800-777-3300          www.panduit.com                            Tel: +7 095 234 5678; fax: +7 095 234 5665
                                                                                                                                        Tel: (603) 891-9112, fax: (603) 891-9287
            Prime Communications                        67            888-289-4899                                                     anton@ccc.ru
                                                                                                                                        carolw@pennwell.com
                                                                      ext. 233                                                         U.K. & Scandinavia / Amanda Loftus
            Pulizzi Engineering Inc.                    40            877-PULIZZI           www.pulizzi.com                            Tel: +44 0 1793 862111; fax: +44 0 1793Adams
                                                                                                                                        VP Audience Development / Gloria S. 862110
                                                                                                                                       amandal@pennwell.com
            Rittal Corporation                          53            937-390-5599          www.rittal-it.com
                                                                                                                                       Asia Sales Manager / Adonis Mak
                                                                                                                                        ATD PUBLISHING SERVICES DEPARTMENTS
            Samsung Electronics                         39            972-245-7353          www.samsung-security.com                   Tel: +852 2 838 6298; fax: +852 2 838 2766
                                                                                                                                        Art Director / Meg Fuschetti
                                                                                                                                       adonism@actintl.com.hk
            Seikoh Giken USA Inc.                       67            770-279-6602          www.seikohgiken.com
            Server Technology                           58            800-835-1515          www.servertech.com                          Production Director / Mari Rodriguez
                                                                                                                                       Japan / Manami Konishi
                                                                                                                                        (603) 891-9193 • marir@pennwell.com
                                                                                                                                       Tel: +81 3 5771 8886; fax: +81 3 5771 8887
            Siemon Company                              43                                  www.siemon.com                             manami.konishi@ex-press.jp
                                                                                                                                        Marketing Communication Manager / Kristen Jones
            Systimax Solutions                          17            800-344-0223          www.systimax.com/visipatch360              Korea 891-9425 • kristenj@pennwell.com
                                                                                                                                        (603) / Paek Kwon
           Terahertz Technologies Inc.                  48            315-736-3642          www.terahertztechnologies.com              Tel: +82 2 420 1293 or 1213; fax: +82 2 420 1294
                                                                                                                                       pkwon@kescor.co.kr / Lacy Ward
                                                                                                                                        Ad Traffic Manager
           Tessco Technologies                          29, 33        800-472-7373          www.tessco.com/go/square                    (918) 832-9268 • lward@pennwell.com
                                                                                                                                       Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand
           Test-Um/JDSU                                 35, 56        805-383-1500          www.test-um.com                            Grace Leung
           Toyota Motor Sales USA                       8-9           800-732-2798          www.toyota.com                             Tel: +65 6 836 2272; fax: +65 6 735 9653
                                                                                                                                       gleung@publicitas.com
           Transition Networks                          36            800-526-9267          www.milan.com
                                                                                                                                       Taiwan / IN THEChen
                                                                                                                                        PRINTED Anita USA                        GST NO. 126813153
           Tyco Electronics Corp.                       38            800-553-0938          www.ampnetconnect.com                      Tel: +886 2 8751 5162; fax: +886 2 8751 8861
                                                                                                                                               Publications Mail Agreement Number 40052420
                                                                                                                                       anita_chen@globalitmedia.com
           The index of Advertiser’s is published as a service. The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions.

            68 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance                                                                                                     www.cable-install.com




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               Belden and DuPont
                            ®                TM




               The Clear Standouts in Cabling Solutions




               Working together,      From the new Belden System 10GX® to                           All of Belden’s limited
               Belden and DuPont      innovative DuPont Abandoned Cable Services                    combustible cabling
               lead the industry in   to the leading limited combustible cabling                    products use DuPont
                                      products available, Belden and DuPont lead                    Teflon® FEP insulation
               creating innovative
                                      the way in structured cabling solutions.                      and jacketing materials
               structured cabling                                                                   to lower smoke generation by 2000%
               technologies and       The Belden System 10GX, utilizing DuPont
                                                                                                    compared to conventional plenum-rated
               solutions.             materials, isn’t simply tweaked Category 6
                                                                                                    cable. In fact, no other structured cabling
                                      technology. It’s a revolutionary new system
                                                                                                    company uses as much Teflon ® as Belden!
                                      designed around four totally new enabling
                                      technologies that deliver on the two most                     Belden and DuPont clearly
                                      critical factors in 10 Gigabit service: reduction             do stand out from the rest.
                                      of Alien Crosstalk and controlled performance                 For more information,
                                      up to a minimum of 500 MHz.                                   please call Belden at
                                                                                                    1.800.BELDEN.1
                                      DuPont Abandoned Cable Services,
                                      supported by Belden, consist of a suite of                    www.belden.com
                                      services designed to make understanding and                   www.dupont.com/
                                      responding to changing building safety codes                  cablingsolutions
                                                                                                    ___________
                                      and standards relating to cabling simple and
                                      affordable. These services identify and report
                                      on abandoned cable hazards and provide
                                      detailed plans for cable removal management
                                      and infrastructure improvement.




                                                          ®

                                      DuPont, Teflon® and the DuPont Oval are a trademark or
                                      registered trademarks of DuPont and its affiliates.


                                                                                                    ©2006, Belden Inc.




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          PANDUIT introduces the affordable
          and powerful COUGAR ™ LS9 Hand-Held
          Thermal Transfer Printer
           ■   Prints a wide variety of continuous tapes for marking of cables,
               patch panels, faceplates and other network applications

           ■   Legends can be easily aligned with ports on patch panels and
               faceplates, eliminating the need for manual spacing and guesswork
           ■   Partial cut feature available to provide tear-apart strips of labels

           ■   P1 ™ Label Cassette contains integrated memory device for
               automatic formatting, recall of last legend used, and number of
               labels remaining in the cassette

           ■   Fast loading label cassette includes both label material and ribbon to        PANDUIT is a Global Leader
               make changing labels easy
                                                                                             Providing Innovative End-To-End
           ■   Large graphic display for improved visibility                                 Network Connectivity Solutions
                                                                                             that Enable the Deployment
          PANDUIT offers a broad range of economical identification products
          that aid in TIA/EIA-606-A compliance including labels, labeling
                                                                                             of Technology.
          software, and printers.
                                                                                             ■   Network Identification Systems
                                                                                             ■   Copper Cabling Systems
                                                                                             ■   Fiber Cabling Systems
                                                                                             ■   Outlets
                                                                                             ■   Raceway Systems
                            Cable Marking                Network Components
                                                                                             ■   Zone Cabling Systems
                                                                                             ■   Network Management and
                                                                                                 PoE Systems
                                                                                             ■   Fiber Routing Systems
                                                                                             ■   Racks and Cable Management
                                                                                             ■   Network Grounding Systems
                                                                                             ■   Network Cable Ties and
                            Partial Cut Strip             P1 ™ Label Cassette
                               of Labels                                                         Accessories
                   Visit us at www.panduit.com/ls902
                Contact Customer Service by email: cs@panduit.com
                 or by phone: 800-777-3300 and reference ad # ls902



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Cim 20070301 mar_2007

  • 1.
    Contents Zoom In Zoom Out For navigation instructions please click here Search Issue Next Page Solutions for Premises and Campus Communication Systems Worldwide March 2007 www.cable-install.com THE WORLD’S GOING GREEN ...and how cabling is keeping pace Pathway prep for 10-Gbit installation The data center over/under: You’ve got to have a plan Finding MIMO Contents Zoom In Zoom Out For navigation instructions please click here Search Issue Next Page
  • 2.
    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F Thoughtful design comes naturally. Fiber optic hardware plays a critical role in the network, protecting your fiber optic connections while making them convenient to access and manage. Corning Cable Systems Pretium™ Fiber Optic Hardware has been thoughtfully designed to do so with the unique needs of communication networks in mind. Pretium Hardware features deeper housings for high-density connectivity, integrated cable and jumper management for easy network administration, and designed-in cable strain-relief. That’s thoughtful design, and it’s a natural fit in your enterprise network. Customer-focused innovation is second nature at Corning. www.corning.com/cablesystems/cimls © 2007 Corning Cable Systems LLC. C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
  • 3.
    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F See how far the right tool can take you - from 10Meg to 10Gig. The industry’s most powerful cable tester gives you everything you need to put 10Gig to the test—with the DTX CableAnalyzer from Fluke Networks. We were the first to bring digital technology to cable test and certification. The first to provide a complete Cat 6 solution to reduce your total time to certify by as much as 4 hours a day. Now with DTX, we’re the first to deliver a 10Gig solution that equips you to meet both today’s test standards and the new 10Gig standards including Alien Crosstalk—in one rugged, reliable tool. Like our DSP platform, which served the market for a decade, DTX is built on our commitment to industry-leading speed, accuracy and ease-of-use. So whether you’re installing or upgrading your cabling infra- structure, you’ve got the total 10Gig testing solution at hand. Only from Fluke Networks—the technology leader in network testing. See how far DTX can take you: Check out the DTX CableAnalyzer and look for new 10Gig DTX accessories at www.flukenetworks.com/10gig. Download our whitepaper, “Testing Challenges for 10Gb/s Ethernet over Twisted-Pair Cabling.” N E T W O R K S U P E R V I S I O N TM ©2006 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved. 02036 www.flukenetworks.com/10gig C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
  • 4.
    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F ______________ C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
  • 5.
    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F COVER IMAGE FROM BIGSTOCK PHOTO MARCH 2007 VOL. 15, NO. 3 ABOUT THE COVER Two years ago, the prevailing attitude in the cabling industry was that features there was little motivation for making RoHS-compliant 15 Cabling goes ‘green’ with new attitudes, materials products that were not big Amid new and pending environmental legislation in the United States sellers. Today, that attitude has changed. and abroad, most cabling vendors have overcome challenges TO LEARN MORE, to offer 100% RoHS-compliant products. BETSY ZIOBRON SEE PAGE 15. 25 10-Gbit transmission impact on cable pathways Larger and/or heavier cables affect such issues as conduit fill and bend radius. DALE BUDENSKI & CYNTHIA MONSTREAM 31 Open architecture cabling suits luxury apartments The Hartford 21 building is helping to revitalize the Connecticut city, while plenum-rated cable helps pamper its residents with communications services. SHARON CARDINAL 37 Cable conveyance requires planning and execution Whether cables run overhead, underfloor, or both, planners must pay attention to what else is running through a data center’s specs. PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN 45 802.11n: The next generation in wireless LAN technology departments Multiple-input multiple-output transmission is the key for high- 6 Editorial Ray of light throughput wireless networking. FANNY MLINARSKY 10 Ask Donna 51 Want some cable with INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT that furniture? ■ Belden set to acquire Hirschmann, LTK in deals totaling $260 million 57 New Products ■ Category 6A UTP cables get smaller 64 Product Focus: Coaxial connectors CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE (ISSN 1073-3108), a trademark, is published 12 times a year, monthly, by PennWell Corporation, 1421 South Sheridan Road, Tulsa, OK 74112; telephone (918) 835-3161; fax (918) 831-9497; Web address www.pennwell.com. Editorial offices: 98 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH 03062-5737; telephone (603) 891-0123. © 2007 CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE. All rights reserved. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, is granted by CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE (ISSN 1073-3108), provided that the appropriate fee is paid directly to Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA; (978) 750-8400. Prior to photocopying items for educational classroom use, please contact Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA; (978) 750-8400. For further information, check CCC Online at the following address: http://www.copyright.com/. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted. Bulk reprints can be ordered from Diane Troyer, telephone (603) 891-9135. Corporate officers: Frank T. Lauinger, Chairman; Robert F. Biolchini, President and CEO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE, Circulation Dept., P.O. Box 3280, Northbrook, Il 60065-3280. Return undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: P.O. Box 1632, Windsor, ON N9A 7C9. Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK 74101 and other additional offices. Subscriptions: In the U.S.: one year $74; Canada/Int’l surface : one year $84; International via air: one year $100. If available, back issues can be purchased for $16 in the U.S. and $21 elsewhere. We make portions of our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies that offer products and services that may be important for your work. If you do not want to receive those offers and/or information, please let us know by contacting us at List Services, CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE, 98 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH 03062-5737-“Canada return address: PO Box 122, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6S4”. www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ March 2007 ■ 3 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
  • 6.
    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Chief Editor / Patrick McLaughlin (603) 891-9222 • patrick@pennwell.com Executive Editor / Steve Smith (603) 891-9139 • stevesm@pennwell.com Senior Editor / Matt Vincent (603) 891-9262 • mattv@pennwell.com Circulation Manager / Jayne Sears-Renfer (603) 891-9416 • jaynesr@pennwell.com Art Director / Kelli Mylchreest Lead Illustrator / Chris Hipp Senior Vice President/Group Publishing Director Mark Finkelstein (603) 891-9133 • mark@pennwell.com Associate Publisher/National Sales Manager Ed Murphy (603) 891-9260 • edm@pennwell.com CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE EXECUTIVE AND EDITORIAL OFFICES PennWell ATD 98 Spit Brook Road Nashua, NH 03062-5737 Tel: (603) 891-0123, fax: (603) 891-9245 Internet: www.cable-install.com SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES: For subscriptions or to change your format to print or digital, please go to: www.cim-subscribe.com. Subscriptions outside the USA are available in digital format only. CORPORATE OFFICERS Chairman / Frank T. Lauinger President and Chief Executive Officer / Robert F. Biolchini Chief Financial Officer / Mark C. Wilmoth ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DIVISION Senior Executive Assistant Carol Woodward Tel: (603) 891-9112, fax: (603) 891-9287 carolw@pennwell.com VP Audience Development / Gloria S. Adams ATD PUBLISHING SERVICES DEPARTMENTS Art Director / Meg Fuschetti Production Director / Mari Rodriguez (603) 891-9193 • marir@pennwell.com Marketing Communication Manager / Kristen Jones (603) 891-9425 • kristenj@pennwell.com Ad Traffic Manager / Lacy Ward (918) 832-9268 • lward@pennwell.com PRINTED IN THE USA GST NO. 126813153 Publications Mail Agreement Number 40052420 ________________ 4 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
  • 7.
    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Yours! With the money you saved! Save more with ICC’s NEW Plug and Play Fiber Optic MPO Cassette Modules! ICC’s new pre-terminated fiber optic MPO cassette modules are designed with a simple “plug and play” system that requires no field termination or splicing, saving contractors significant amounts of time during installation. Get premium quality at affordable prices for optimum fiber optic technology from ICC! No tool kits, no splicing, no mess. Save with Take the headache out of installation and get... maximum performance! ICC SOLUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FROM HUNDREDS OF DISTRIBUTORS NATIONWIDE. • Meets all industry standards CALL 888.ASK.4.ICC • Available with LC and SC style connections PH: 888.275.4422 • WEB: www.icc.com • Multimode 62.5/125µm and 50/125µm micron types PremiumProducts I ProvenPerformance I CompetitivePrices...ICC C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
  • 8.
    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Ray of light R ay Gendron, recognized by Ray was working. body in the room knew that no such most who were familiar with For those of you who have not challenge had been issued. Who him as the face and voice of attended a BICSI conference, the knows how many times Ray told that BICSI Cares, passed away on Feb- format has been the same as long made-up story? Each region lunch, ruary 18 after a lengthy battle with as I have been paying attention. The times three conferences per year, cancer. Ray leaves a wife, three chil- charitable contribution is made on times however many years he was dren, and five grandchildren. a Thursday morning, one of the last at it. He put forth a lot of those made- He also leaves behind him on this pieces of official conference busi- up challenges. But if one of them— earth literally thousands of people, ness. From what I can tell, every mo- just one over those years—inspired most of them very young, whose ment of every day leading up to that one person’s competitive spirit and lives were made better by Gendron’s time, Ray was working somebody to ultimately resulted in more help for generous and self- donate money to the cause. And if they a group of children in need, then Ray less efforts. The had already donated, he’d encourage accomplished his goal. story goes that the them to donate again. Dig a little While everyone knew who Ray founding of BICSI deeper, he’d say. “For the kids.” Gendron was, he couldn’t personally Cares was an im- At each conference, Wednes- know every one of the few thousand promptu happen- day is BICSI’s Regional Lunch day. people gathered at a conference. But ing, when Ray Attendees from each of the associa- many times, I saw him glance at a literally passed a tion’s geographic regions are invited person’s name badge and politely- hat down a row of to dine with other attendees from yet-energetically call them by name. seated attendees that same region. It’s an opportuni- That’s what he did with me, and he at a BICSI conference sometime in ty to do some social networking, and never failed to make my experience the late 1970s. When the hat came the region director conducts a good- at a BICSI conference a better one for back filled with cash, Ray decided to and-welfare meeting of what’s going having spent a little time with him. give the money to a local children’s on locally. For Ray Gendron, these Likewise, the money raised for char- charity. So was born the tradition of lunches represented fish in a barrel. ities, thanks in such a large part to BICSI adopting a local charity, He’d make about a five-minute visit Ray’s efforts, made life a little bet- always one benefiting children, in to each of them, his voice raspy and ter for so many others he also didn’t the city in which it was hosting a sometimes barely audible because know personally. “For the kids.” conference. of how fervently he had been It’s sobering to realize that some Anyone who has at- fundraising to that point. Ray of the children who directly bene- tended a BICSI confer- would talk about the specif- fited from BICSI Cares’ fundraising ence has been asked, ic charity that would receive efforts preceded Ray Gendron in nudged, harassed, the donation and, of course, departing from this earthly life. My cajoled, and/or guilted encourage everybody to do faith and optimism tell me, however, —most often by Ray him- what they could to help. that Ray was warmly received into Ray Gendron self—into donating mon- But something else Ray did their eternal company ey to the local charity. The first time at these region luncheons struck I saw Ray in action, I walked away me years ago, and has stayed with convinced that 90 percent of his con- me since. He would state that an- versations consisted of three words: other region had issued a challenge, “For the kids.” That phrase was om- claiming that it could collectively nipresent whenever he was around, donate more money to BICSI Cares PATRICK McLAUGHLIN Mc its purpose to remind everybody of than the region he was currently Chief Editor the ultimate beneficiaries for whom addressing. The thing was, every- patrick@pennwell.com 6 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
  • 9.
    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F I need to install a Cat 6 network with VoIP serving 200 drops in eight weeks. I need thermal and cable management solutions that fit my project and budget. I need one source I know will deliver. I need Hoffman. When you have a lot of decisions, there’s one choice that’s simple: Hoffman. You may know us as the leading choice in enclosure technology. But do you know everything else we can do? Hoffman offers: The broadest range of innovative racks, cabinets, cabling solutions and network accessories at affordable prices. A wide array of modification options. Thermal management solutions that handle next-generation servers and networks. Answers to seismic vibration, with cabinets compliant to Telcordia GR-63-CORE, NEBS™ Requirements: Physical Protection and California Building Code. Improved installations resulting from versatile cable management systems. EMI/RFI shielding for data reliability. Fast ordering and local availability. Turn to one trusted source for all your storage and protection needs. Hoffman. www.ehoffman.com Hoffman. What your work demands. ©2006 Hoffman Enclosures Inc. C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F ________ C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Want some cable with that furniture? C abling’s transition from the tors can bury their mistakes, but building pathway into the architects can only advise their cli- system furniture pathway is ents to plant shrubbery. Well, as tele- a critical but often overlooked de- communications systems designers, tail in cabling projects. For exam- it may be time to bring in the potted ple, the United States Marine Corps plants on this one. hired a project manager to provide, Practically speaking, for the first and I quote, “aggressive quality as- situation, the floor tiles could be care- surance advocacy for the commu- fully cut and the transition from un- nication and information systems” derfloor-to-furniture relocated under being installed in their new com- the furniture-system wall panel. mand operations facility building. As for the second situation—and That’s a good idea, yes, this only addresses aesthetics and but it sounds like not cable support or abrasion protec- they arrived at it a tion—covering the exposed cables In a move that would consider aesthetics little late in the de- with a split, flexible, non-metallic tub- only, try using a split, flexible, non-metal- sign/build process. ing in gray or black is about as good lic tubing colored gray or black to cover The project manager as it gets. Unless, of course, you want up this mess. sent me an e-mail to pull the cables back to the wall and describing the sit- reroute, reterminate, and retest. NEC 2005 Article 605 Office Furnish- ings (Consisting of Lighting Acces- I believe it was Frank Lloyd Wright who sories and Wired Partitions) states: “All conductors and connections shall commented that doctors can bury their mistakes, be contained within wiring channels of metal or other material identified but architects can only advise their clients as suitable for the conditions of use. Wiring channels shall be free of pro- to plant shrubbery. Well...it may be time to jections or other conditions that may bring in the potted plants on this one. damage conductor insulation.” So, why not add the requirement uation and attached these photos. My motto is, “When in doubt, for another “wiring channel” or two Acting as a commissioning agent, spec it out,” borrowing where pos- to your project specifications, sepa- he has already exhausted his list sible from the NEC requirements rate from the channel containing the of requirements from the project for branch circuits. For example, branch circuits for light and power, specifications, and had hoped some for the telecommunications cable? National Electrical Code require- Have your “wiring channels” extend ment would “cover” this issue. And, from the termination of the building of course, there are none. He is pathway (wall or floor) to the work understandably frustrated. area outlet in the office partition. I believe it was Frank Lloyd Still worried about what the tran- Wright who commented that doc- sition will look like? Require a For a snafu like this, very carefully cut shop drawing and/or a mockup be DONNA BALLAST is BICSI’s standards the floor tiles, and the transition from provided for your approval prior to representative, and a BICSI registered communications distribution designer the underfloor system to the furniture installation of the cabling. (RCDD). Send your question to Donna at: could be relocated under the furniture It sure beats watering all those dballast@swbell.net system’s wall panel. plants. 10 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
  • 13.
    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F Are you ready to feel the speed? Super fast testing with the WireScope Pro LAN Cabling Tester Agilent’s WireScope Pro tester sweeps a full 1GHz in a few seconds, boosting your test speed to new industry leading Cat 6A and Cat 7 autotest times of 9 seconds. It also accelerates your copper and fiber testing with dual- wavelength fiber probes, the elimination of field calibration, and a new auto-increment capability. The WireScope Pro tester is the only handheld to provide Alien Crosstalk (AXT) measurements simultaneously on multiple ‘exciter’ cables, as well as produce final results on the spot, so you can quickly handle any future AXT field testing requirements. Alternative approaches could take hours to complete and require PC post processing to see the results. With simple software upgrades and a robust hardware platform operating at 1 GHz frequency, you’ll save on the cost of test because you’ll stay state-of-the-art for many years, eliminating the need to buy new testers every year or two. u.s. 1-800-829-4444, ext. 5465 Experience the speed of the WireScope Pro tester now at canada 1-877-894-4414, ext. 5465 www.agilent.com/find/wirescope or by talking to one of our ______________________ www.agilent.com/find/wirescope __________________________ engineers by calling our 800 #s. © Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F ADVERTORIAL New Integrated Solution for Printing Cable Labels BROTHER’S SPECIALLY From D-Tools and Brother P-touch® FORMULATED FLEXIBLE ID TAPE Electronic Labeling Systems This tape is specially designed for wrapping around cylindrical surfaces, Flexible Integration Allows Users to Design & Print Professional including wrapping and flagging cables Quality Laminated Cable Labels, Maximizing Operational Efficiency and wires. Its unique adhesive allows tight wrapping without uncurling, and With all of the technologies needed to integrate and manage business today, allows the tape to stick to itself for it’s no wonder we’d rather quickly scribble off a handwritten label than try to secure flagging and tagging. use computer software and run multiple unlinked programs. Eliminating costly problems caused by illegible, handwritten or incomplete labels can seem like a daunting task. Now there is a solution that increases productivity, streamlines operations and manages assets efficiently and effectively, including professionally documenting your work using P-touch® labels. Professional-quality cable labels D-Tools software P-touch printer P-TOUCH® COMMERCIAL Brother International Corporation is a leading manufacturer of electronic labeling LABELING SOLUTIONS systems. D-Tools is a worldwide leader in easy-to-use, highly accurate system Brother currently markets more than design software. The two companies have worked together to provide the ultimate twenty P-touch® Electronic Labeling labeling solution for printing professional quality cable labels. Systems, encompassing handheld and desktop models and computer With P-touch® PC connectable label printers, audio/video designers and installers, connected label printers. as well as system integrators who use D-Tools’ unique system integrator software to design, estimate and manage their products, can now easily print cable labels Some P-touch® models feature a half- directly from D-Tools System Integrator™ 4.5 software. This solution gives inte- cutter, which slits only the laminated grators, designers and installers the advantage of producing legible and extremely label, leaving the label backing intact. durable P-touch® laminated labels, and helps eliminate costly problems caused by This allows you to print easy-peel illegible, handwritten or incomplete labels, at a price that’s more cost effective labels – one at a time, or in strips. than other methods. With ink sealed between two tough “This offers a seamless, cost-effective way to print P-touch® laminated polyester laminates, Brother’s patented cable labels directly from D-Tools System Integrator software, instead P-touch® laminated labels are extremely of running multiple, unlinked programs,” says Duane Yamashita, durable—protecting against extreme Marketing Manager for Brother International Corporation. temperatures, abrasion, fading, exposure to chemicals and moisture, and other Cable label management is a critical part of every system integrator’s productivity. harsh conditions. The variety of D-Tools, an industry leader, has been recognized and awarded for its innovations laminated tapes includes standard, in important technologies for system integrators. Marking cables with P-touch® extra strength adhesive, flexible ID laminated labels satisfies labeling concerns over readability, accuracy and tamper-evident tapes. and dependability. CONTACT: This solution provides software that touches each phase of system integration ® Brother P-touch 1-800-4PTOUCH projects – from design, proposal, project management and reporting – streamlining the process, improving the quality of tasks accomplished, and ©2006 Brother International Corporation ensuring that end users will not need to make software changes for each client Bridgewater, NJ • Brother Industries, Ltd., and for every label printer. Brother’s quality P-touch® products are known for Nagoya, Japan. All trademarks and registered trademarks referenced herein are the property producing durable and legible labels. of their respective companies. For more information about Brother P-touch® line of products contact: www.brother.com or 1-800-4PTOUCH. For more information about D-Tools System Integrator 4.5 please visit www.d-tools.com or call 1-866-386-6571. C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Laminated label printed using model PT-9500PC ® Now, print high-quality cable labels right from your Excel® spreadsheet. Choose from a wide range of desktop, handheld and PC-compatible models. Documenting your installations is important — it says a lot about you and the quality of your work. That's why P-touch electronic labeling systems are ideal for contractors and installers. A solution that will always give your work the professional touch. To learn more, Dependable - Tapes with special adhesives designed for labeling cables, panels and visit www.brother.com, faceplates assures labels will not fall off* or call toll free 877-4PTOUCH Time-saving - Pre-print a roll of labels using data from an Excel® spreadsheet or other common database files Available At: Versatile - Input data one at a time, print from a database, or transfer the data into Commercial dealers and industrial resellers memory and print out in the field Professional - Print high quality laminated labels on demand* Easy-to-use - Drop-in cartridges make labels simple to change Practical - Affordably priced, so you can have one for each installer See www.brother.com for online resellers Some models and accessories not available in stores, but can be special ordered © 2006 Brother International Corporation, Bridgewater, NJ • Brother Industries, Ltd., Nagoya, Japan. All trademarks and registered trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective companies. *P-touch® products include starter roll of standard tape. Additional purchase required for all other tape and label supplies. C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F Like the hovercraft, Mohawk gives you versatility. In Open Architecture it’s all about choice. Now Mohawk’s ChannelMate™ warranty lets you match their cable with any TIA/EIA-568-B verified compliant hardware. Have it your own way, from backbone to outlet fiber and copper, vertical to horizontal, by creating your own customized net- work infrastructure. Mohawk accredited contractors ensure high-performance with end-to-end inter- operability with a system warranty from 15 years to a lifetime. One cable company, many system options. The choice is yours. The guarantee is ours. To find out more, visit www.mohawk-cable.com or call 800-422-9961. MOHAWK Cabling Excellence for Open Architecture C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F www.cable-install.com design Cabling goes ‘green’ with new attitudes, materials W Amid new and pending environmental legislation hen CI&M first re- in the United States and abroad, most cabling ported on the RoHS (Restric- vendors have overcome challenges to offer tion of Hazardous Substances) initiative (see “Get Ready for 100% RoHS-compliant products. Green Initiatives from All Corners,” January 2006, p. 42), many cabling vendors were in the early stages of changing raw materials to meet RoHS require- ments, and few were well on their way to 100% compliance. Now, more than a year later, concern for the environment is at the forefront of many industry objectives, and “green” initiatives are emerging in all These microscopic tin whiskers, caused when corners of the globe. pure tin rather than a tin-lead combination is used in circuitry, can cause short circuits. Changes in attitudes RoHS is the European Union (EU) directive (2002/95/EC) abide by,” says Todd Harpel, director of marketing for that went into effect on July 1, 2006 and required cable manufacturer Berk-Tek (www.berktek.com). “We, cabling vendors throughout the industry to restrict levels therefore, felt it was beneficial for us to also comply here of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, and in the States. As a result, we undertook the effort of iden- two fire retardants in electrical and electronic products tifying what materials needed to be changed in all of our entering the European market. manufacturing facilities, and we are now 100% RoHS- In late 2005, cabling vendors were being bombarded compliant on all copper and fiber cables.” daily with RoHS concerns from customers while dealing Now that dollars have been spent on compliance, most with the logistical nightmare of information manage- manufacturers believe it makes more sense to make and ment, determining which products to convert, changing sell RoHS-compliant products exclusively versus main- manufacturing processes to comply, and retesting and taining two separate versions. recertifying the new products. Two years ago, the pre- “Carrying multiple lines of any specific product vailing attitude was that there was little motivation for increases the risk for selling the wrong product, and making RoHS-compliant versions of products that were it would take a lot of logistics to keep track of compli- not big sellers. Today, that attitude has changed. ant and non-compliant versions,” says Mike Barnick, “While RoHS is not a U.S. initiative, we knew that it senior manager for solutions marketing at SYSTIMAX was something that our factories abroad would have to (www.systimax.com). “Also, when you sell through dis- tribution, there’s no way of really knowing where some- BETSY ZIOBRON is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Cabling thing is going to end up.” Installation & Maintenance. She can be reached at: bziobron@comcast.net Exemptions undeniably have been the most debat- ➤ www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ March 2007 ■ 15 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F able RoHS issue due to the directive’s generic and often confusing lieve that perhaps the cost to comply did not turn out as high language, not to mention the appealing possibility of avoid- as initially thought,” says Barnick. “I also believe there is peer ing immediate compliance. Consequently, several proposed pressure. Once some become compliant, it becomes the thing exemptions are under review or pending review by the EU to do, and vendors had to decide whether they were going to Commission. When RoHS first came on the scene, some in get in the game.” the cabling industry believed the term “equipment” did not Says Chuck Schumacher, corporate RoHS and WEEE (Waste apply to network cabling, and that cabling was a “fi xed instal- Electrical and Electronic Equipment) compliance program lation” and, therefore, exempt. That perception has also shifted manager for Panduit (www.panduit.com), “Since the begin- among cabling vendors. ning, our position on exemptions has been that they are tempo- rary provisions of the law that allow companies to sell existing New view on exemptions stock and provide some time to modify manufacturing pro- “In the beginning, some were under the impression that the cesses. Our goal was to be 100% compliant without taking cabling in the walls did not have to be compliant, but I be- advantage of any exemptions because the exemptions will eventually go away.” According to the RoHS directive, exemp- Latest RoHS initiatives tions will be reviewed at least every four F years, with the goal of eventually eliminating ollowing in the footsteps of the 2006 RoHS directive are several recent environ- those exemptions unless there is no proven mental initiatives affecting the electrical and electronics industry. REACH—Regis- tration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals—was published at the end of 2006 alternative technology. Some RoHS exemp- and enters into force on June 1. REACH will require manufacturers and importers to tions have been clearly stated and are likely gather and report information on the properties of their substances so that consum- to remain, such as equipment used for na- ers can find information on hazardous chemicals used in the products they purchase. tional security applications and the 4% lead China has taken a different approach to RoHS that goes into effect this month. Unlike by weight found in today’s copper alloy. the EU, China RoHS requires every electrical and electronic product to be labeled with “There have been studies that show lead- hazardous substance levels and a “safe use” period, which indicates the number of years free processes to not be as reliable, and that that environmental protection is required for the product. The directive also calls for man- is why military, nuclear medicine, and other datory testing of all electronic products in one of China’s certified testing facilities before critical applications are exempt from that they can receive government requirement,” says Dave Sauder, director of compliance certification. corporate quality for ADC (www.adc.com). For now, any product can “We interpreted the RoHS directive to require be sold into China as long as it is properly labeled; however, a pretty much everything we make to be com- catalog of products that China pliant with no exemptions; except, of course, plans to publish this year will the copper exemption. We use a lot of copper, eventually list all products re- and you just can’t buy it without 4% lead— The pollution control mark (left) is required under China quired to meet RoHS hazard- it’s what makes copper machineable.” RoHS on product packaging when no toxic substances ous substance levels. are present, meaning that the product is recyclable. The Closer to home, several Seen and unseen differences second mark (right) is used when the product contains states like California continue According to Berk-Tek’s Harpel, RoHS compli- toxic substances. The number in the middle represents to draft and adopt legislation, ance was an invisible change to the customer and NEMA made a recent en- the number of years of environmental protection because the form and function of the products vironmental pledge with their required for the product. were not altered. While that is the consensus “call to action” on restricted among vendors, some chose to change their substances. Under phase one of the plan, all NEMA companies that manufacture products within the scope of the EU’s RoHS will be required to meet RoHS compli- part numbers while others did not. ance in all markets worldwide by July 1, 2010. Phase two calls for NEMA members to “We didn’t feel the need to change part restrict hazardous substances for nearly all other NEMA products by July 1, 2014. numbers,” says Harpel. “We keep an eye on “With China RoHS a reality and the many other initiatives on the horizon, our RoHS inventory and estimated that the likelihood team is still quite active,” says Panduit’s Bernie Westapher. “We have a group that of having non-compliant product in distribu- maintains vigilance on environmental regulations worldwide so that we can take tion inventory at the July 1 deadline was very immediate action to comply when it’s relevant to our product lines. At this point, I small.” To ensure that non-compliant product don’t believe any company could say that they’re done dealing with these initiatives was not sold into the European market, Berk- or know when they will be done.”—BZ Tek date-coded all products and stamped them with the RoHS designation. ➤ 16 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F “Art is either plagiarism or revolution.” — Paul Gaugin This is revolutionary. What if you could add a whole new dimension to your communications room—and also save time, space and money? Introducing the ergonomically designed, aesthetically pleasing SYSTIMAX® VisiPatch® 360 System: a patching system that will dramatically alter the way you view performance. Are you ready to experience the revolution? Visit www.systimax.com/visipatch360 or call 1800 344 0223 to experience performance, redefined. www.systimax.com ©2006 CommScope, Inc. C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F In response to a request from the National Electronic Dis- While all agree that the change to RoHS is virtually invisi- tributors Association (NEDA; www.neda.org), some vendors ble to customers, no one can deny that to comply with RoHS, did change part numbers. “It was made clear by OEMs and something had to change in the composition of cables and con- the supply chain that a part number change was essential so necting hardware. “There are basically two things that have to that there would be absolutely no confusion as to whether or be taken into consideration with RoHS: The polymers and the not a product is compliant,” says Bernie Westapher, group vice metals,” says Panduit’s Schumacher. “With cable, the jacket and president of marketing services for Panduit. “Stock is all over insulation materials involve PVC and other polymer materials, the world in various forms of compliance and non-compliance, and in many cases, there were lead stabilizers that had to be and it’s very difficult for distributors to know what they’re sell- replaced. With connectivity, the biggest challenge was replac- ing when part numbers don’t change.” ing some of the metals used in platings and solder.” According to ADC’s Sauder, the abundant use of cadmium plating in connectivity had to be eliminated. “Cadmium has a lot of nice features that make products very easy to work with,” he explains. “Not only does it provide S- IN-O OL 24 NE TO Get the Advantage! “We interpreted the RoHS TELECOM DATACOMM ELECTRICAL directive to require pretty Paladin Tools has developed the PowerPlay™ series with legendary much everything we make knife and tool maker SOG Specialty Knives to be the ultimate in quality and utility for wire & cable professionals. With PowerPlay you're not just in the game, you've got the advantage! to be compliant with no exemptions; except, of course, the copper ex- emption. We use a lot of copper, and you just can’t buy it without 4% lead— it’s what makes copper machineable.” corrosion resistance, but when added to the plating of connectors, it provides a slight lubricating property for fasteners.” Sauder says that while, to date, there has been no material found to replace the lubricating properties of cadmium, ADC was able to switch its fastening strategy to ensure fasten- ers had their own lubrication prior to use. The change in raw materials and sub- stances causes a chain reaction through- out the entire manufacturing process. “The majority of the components in our cable products have always been compli- ant; however, a few constructions required raw-material manufacturers to formu- late to lead-free alternatives,” says Jim Crompton, director of product manage- ➤ To enter a drawing for a free PT-525, to order, or for more information visit: www.cable-install.com www.PowerPlayTools.com or call: 800.272.8665 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Wired or Wireless . . . The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of RJ45 ©2007 Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions, Inc. Emerson Emerson Electric Co. N Type provides your Connectivity Solutions. SMA Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions is a global manufacturer of connectivity products supporting; wireline & wireless communications, networking, RF/Microwave, test & measurement, broadcast, medical, military and industrial applications. Our premium line of Johnson® sub- and micro-miniature connectors include SMA, SMB, SMC , MCX, MMCX, in various mounting types, including cable mount, bulkhead and board mount Attenuator versions. A wide selection of alternative Hard-to-Find connectors such as Non-Magnetic, Reverse-Polarity, Reverse-Thread, End-Launch and Quick-Connect versions is available. Designed to meet the precise requirements of the RF/Microwave industry, we also offer a wide variety of D.E.S.C. and QPL approved components through our Midwest Microwave product line. These products include: attenuators, D.C. Blocks, terminations, gain equalizers, phase shifters, couplers, connectors, adapters and custom cable assemblies, and are designed and End-Launch manufactured for military and commercial programs. In addition, Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions offers our AIM-Cambridge quality connectors, available in both 50 and 75 ohm versions. Our connectors are designed to provide the highest quality data transmission for audio, video and data applications, and are available in BNC, ‘N’, ‘F’, RCA, UHF, Mini-UHF, TNC, D-Subminiature, Modular Plugs and more. . . Each of our product lines has custom cable manufacturing capability, and is available through MCX our worldwide distribution channel. Contact Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions today to request more information on our connectivity product offering or visit us at: www.EmersonNetworkPower.com/Connectivity. ISO 9001:2000 AIM CAMBRIDGE For product information: For product information: For product information: call +1 800 247 8256 call +44(0) 1245 359515 (UK) call +1 800 327 8663 Connectivity Solutions +1 734 429 4773 (USA) E M E R S O N. C O N S I D E R I T S O LV E D . ™ C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F ment with the AMP Netconnect division of Tyco Electronics tunity to review and enhance performance wherever possible. (www.ampnetconnect.com). “It’s not like you can just empty _________________ the hopper of one material and pour in the other. When you Not without challenge change the raw material, it’s a total re-evaluation of the prod- “One of the biggest impacts is change itself,” says Westapher of uct. For example, changing a cable jacket formula can change Panduit. “If you change how you manufacture a product for the product’s burn-performance characteristics, which re- any reason, there are entire systems involved–quality systems, quires requalifying with UL for NFPA 262 or ANSI/UL 1666 computer systems, bills of material–the list goes on and on. compliance.” Change has to be managed carefully, and in today’s complex According to Crompton, working with suppliers to reformu- and global processes, every aspect has to be reviewed and ad- late to RoHS compliance also gave AMP Netconnect the oppor- dressed, which is a significant cost to manufacturers.” In addition to the challenging logistics and cost to become RoHS-compliant, ven- dors have also faced technical challenges. Structured Connectivity For example, RoHS requires replacement for the tin-lead coatings used on many lead Components frames and printed circuit boards, but pure “What the world doesn’t need is a different RoHS. It’s common logic that we need a global standard, otherwise manufacturers would have to go through everything we’ve been DATA VOICE VIDEO For long-term compo- repeatability, and superior through all over again.” tin is susceptible to the formation of tiny nent performance, premise installation and applied cost whiskers. (See photos, page 15.) network designers and efficiencies. “Lead suppresses tin-whisker growth, cabling professionals rely and there have been some high-profile ex- on Stewart Connector’s CAT 6 Shielded/Unshielded Cat 5e and Cat 6 modular Plugs and PCB Jacks amples where moving to a lead-free solder plugs and jacks. caused the tin to grow tiny whiskers that CAT 5e Shielded/Unshielded Engineered with the can reach lengths long enough to cause an Plugs and PCB Jacks quality you’ve come to electrical short in tightly spaced circuitry,” expect from Stewart, our CAT 6 Products Handle explains ADC’s Sauder. products meet and exceed Speeds Beyond 1000Base-T the requirements for NEXT With the tin-whiskering effect, space be- Easy, Fast and Secure and Return Loss, and tween adjacent circuitry, plating process Terminations support today’s and tom- control, and good design practices can be morrow’s communication Custom Design, Engineering and Manufacturing critical. “The risk from whiskers for our networks. What’s more, product family is very small,” says Tyco they’re manufactured to Value Added Services for ensure incomparable Structured Cabling Solutions Electronics’ Crompton. “We use the best known whisker management practices to Stewart Connector design our products, and we’ve conducted extensive testing of tin-plating chemistries. CAT 6 Component Performance in Accordance with ANSI/TIA/EIA For AMP Netconnect, it’s more about hav- www.belfuse.com/stewartconnector/ 717/235-7512 ing a solid solder joint, which depends on making sure you achieve proper wet- ➤ 20 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Cool Technology When it comes to cable, smaller is best. That’s what you get with copper cable made with AirES® technology – exclusively from ADC’s TrueNet® structured cabling systems. Air chan- nels are integrated into the insulation to lower the dielectric constant and improve electrical performance while reducing cable size. In fact, ADC’s NEW Plenum CopperTen® cable is .275”, a 22% reduction in cross-sectional area compared to typical Augmented Category 6 cables. What does this mean for you? Improved data center cooling 22% Smaller smaller cable enhances airflow and improves reliability and uptime Reduced installation costs smaller, lighter cable means pulling more cable at the same time Decreased capital expenses smaller cable improves fill rates in cable trays, conduit and raceways For cooler data centers and maximum system uptime, insist upon cable made with exclusive ADC AirES technology. For more information on all ADC’s TrueNet structured cabling systems contact us today. Ask for your complimentary interactive Cable Selection Guide. 1-800-366-3891 or +1-952-938-8080 www.adc.com/truenet Angled Copper Patch Panels Fiber Patch Panels CopperTen® Cable Angled MPO Cassettes FiberGuide® Raceway ©2007 ADC Telecommunications, Inc. All rights reserved. C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F ting and good hole fills with the higher temperatures of the the benefits. In other words, the U.S. has become compliant no-lead process.” only because of the EU’s directive. While not completely whisker-free, matte tin finish has “We no longer carry non-compliant products or components,” shown significant reduced whisker formation and has become says SYSTIMAX’s Barnick. “If we can be environmentally the finish of choice among many vendors. friendly after spending the money to reformulate and get to a Aside from tin-lead whiskering, cable and connectivity man- RoHS-compliant state while still maintaining excellent per- ufacturers have also had to retest all products for performance formance characteristics, then that’s where we are, and we’re and safety requirements per standards, such as Underwriters better for it. Why go back? In the long run, we have finite re- Laboratories fire-retardancy requirements. Meeting the stan- sources; we only have so much water, air, and land. We can’t dards requirements was not overly difficult for vendors, but continue to abuse it.” finding an orange colorant without cadmium was not as easy. Most agree that RoHS legislation is imminent in the U.S. “Any time you change something in the insulation of a con- “As more states enact their own limited form of RoHS, I be- ductor, it changes the electrical properties,” says Berk-Tek’s lieve that the impact on state-to-state commerce will cause Harpel. “To find a new orange colorant that allowed us to con- the issue to be forced up to the federal level,” says ADC’s tinue meeting electrical performance on the orange pair was Sauder. “In my opinion, the EPA [Environmental Protection honestly the most difficult challenge we faced. The other col- Agency] would be smart to get ahead of the curve and adopt orants were easy to replace.” According to Harpel, there is a something similar to the European and China RoHS for the slight hue change from the original orange color, but it is so entire nation.” subtle that most don’t notice it. Panduit’s Westapher agrees: “What the world doesn’t need is a different RoHS. It’s common logic that we need a glob- Affecting the homeland al standard, otherwise manufacturers would have to go Because most cabling vendors have switched their product through everything we’ve been through all over again. Our lines to be RoHS-compliant without maintaining non-com- hope, expectation, and communication are that one standard is pliant versions, other countries, including the U.S., are reaping imperative.” We’ve got solutions. FIS offers a large and diverse inventory of copper products to complement our fiber optic products, providing you with total system solutions Fiber Optic Solutions for your network. • Fiber Optic Cable • Patchcords Fiber • Enclosures • Connectors • Test Equipment & Copper. • Security Cameras Together at last. Copper Solutions • CAT 5e & CAT 6 Patch Cables S p$e8.75a l ! • Media Converters ci • Faceplates • Jack Boxes • Copper Tools • Test Sets SC-LC Patchcord • 50/125µm 800.5000.FIS www.fiberinstrumentsales.com • 3mm jacket 161 Clear Rd. • Oriskany, NY 13424 • 315.736.2206 • Fax 315.736.2285 22 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F 10GBASE-T Leviton makes it easy eXtreme® 10G. Leviton’s innovative 10G solution is designed specifically for demanding 10GBase-T applications and provides consistent performance beyond 500MHz. Backwards compatibility provides support for today’s and tomorrow’s Ethernet networks. Patented Retention Force Technology® provides unsurpassed electrical performance, and ensures full compatibility with future connectivity hardware. Patent-pending Cone of Silence™ mitigates alien crosstalk between neighboring connectors. Ensuring long system life is easy with Leviton’s advanced 10G solution. For more information, call 800.722.2082 or visit www.leviton.com/extreme10G. MADE IN USA LEVITON CAT 6A EXTREME 10G PERFORMANCE SYSTEM 10G Exceeds TIA 568-B.2-10 component requirements Patent-pending Cone of Silence Supports IEEE 802.3an applications Patented Circuit Board Technology Independently tested & verified by ETL Patented Retention Force Technology leviton.com :: 800.722.2082 :: 425.483.5270 ISO 9001:2000 registered quality manufacturer :: © 2007 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F BECAUSE YOUR BUSINESS RUNS THROUGH US Cool New Features From Adventum™ Losing your cool is just not an option. Berk-Tek Adventum indoor/outdoor loose tube fiber optic cables are now smaller Not when your data center feeds mission-critical applications throughout the than ever. All configurations, including enterprise. And with a full spectrum of copper and fiber optic network cables the patent-pending Dual-Unilite™ constructions, have been redesigned to designed for the high-speed, high-volume transmissions your data center reduce cabinet congestion, enhance airflow supports, Berk-Tek gives you one less detail to sweat. Even as you move to 10G. for more efficient cooling, and increase overall performance in your mission-critical Berk-Tek has two copper cabling options that fully support the IEEE 802.3an data center and LAN applications. 10GBASE-T standard, LANmark™-10G and LANmark-6 FTP. And for fiber optic Intelligent Upgrades cabling, we have the industry’s highest performing laser optimized multimode Up to 19 percent in reduction of fiber, GIGAlite™-10XB. And now, GIGAlite-10XB is available in our newly overall diameter redesigned Adventum cables. Engineered to reduce cabinet congestion and Removal of space holders originally used to maintain round design make installing, terminating, and sub-routing easier, Adventum is the choice Up to 38 percent in reduction of to help keep your cool. individual cable weight A 50 percent smaller cross-sectional For more information on Berk-Tek’s complete line of fiber optic and UTP cables, area in Dual-Unilite configurations including downloadable tech specs, visit www.berktek.com or call 1-800-BERK-TEK. OLD DESIGN NEW DESIGN NEW ADVENTUM DUAL-UNILITE™ CABLE The redesigned 48 fiber Adventum cable is smaller than ever. Shown here at actual size. www.berktek.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F www.cable-install.com installation 10-Gbit transmission impact on cable pathways Larger and/or heavier cables affect such W idespread adoption of 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10-GbE) is gaining momentum in data centers and as issues as conduit fill and bend radius. backbone applications, so it is critical that the design and installation of any structured cabling system takes into account the appli- cation’s unique requirements. Every aspect of structured cabling system pathways must be designed to ensure the highest channel performance. Yet today’s familiar pathways and installation methods may not be ade- quate for new cable technologies that accom- modate 10-GbE. The Telecommunications Industry Asso- ciation (TIA; www.tiaonline.org) has yet to update the TIA/EIA-569-B standard to ad- dress the larger cable needed to support 10-GbE. Factors to consider include the larger diameter of the cable, additional bend radius required, and increased weight of cables, such as Augmented Category 6 UTP (Category 6A) and shielded cables (Category 6 FTP, Catego- ry 7 STP). These requirements differ signifi- cantly from those of older cable designs and have a direct bearing on the performance of The effects of larger and heavier cables needed to support 10-Gigabit Ethernet a 10-GbE system. are felt building-wide, from the entrance facility through the telecommunica- tions rooms, pathways and spaces, all the way to the work area. Next-generation cable There is no guarantee that Category 6 UTP cable will www.ieee.org) has shown that most Category 6 UTP support 10-GbE transmission for a defined minimum cables will not support 10-GbE beyond 55 meters, and distance. Instead, TIA developed a Telecommunications many do not come close to 55 meters. Category 6A UTP Systems Bulletin, TSB-155, which defi nes additional cable is designed to support 10-GbE on a four-connec- testing guidelines to qualify installed Category 6 UTP tor, 100-meter channel. To provide this higher level of and its ability to support 10-GbE. Testing within the performance—without adding shielding—the cable was Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE; redesigned to reduce the effects of alien crosstalk. Alien crosstalk (electrical noise from other cables) has DALE BUDENSKI is with Wiremold/Legrand (www.wiremold.com). CYNTHIA MONTSTREAM is with Ortronics/Legrand (www.ortronics. become the dominant noise source for 10-GbE because com). Lylette Macdonald of Ortronics/Legrand also contributed to this __ external noise cannot be controlled through digital sig- article. nal processing (DSP) techniques. DSP techniques are ➤ www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ March 2007 ■ 25 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F only able to eliminate internal cable noise like near-end and installation and to accommodate moves, adds, and changes. far-end crosstalk; and echo cancellation techniques minimize the effect of return loss. The way to minimize alien crosstalk is Building-wide impacts to provide greater separation between cable pairs or by shield- The impact of 10-GbE cabling will be felt throughout the build- ing pairs from neighboring cables. ing from the main equipment room to the workstation. (See Category 6A UTP cables have larger overall diameter that photo, page 25.) Not only is the twisted-pair copper cabling provides additional separation between twisted pairs within becoming larger and heavier, but there is an additional need adjacent cables to reduce alien crosstalk. There are two shielded to better manage cable bundle size and to provide adequate options that support 10-GbE: Category 6 FTP cables em- separation between cables: ploy foil around all four pairs while Category 7 STP cables • Entrance facility/equipment room. Cable-management have a shield around each pair and an overall shield around requirements will be impacted by cable diameter, weight, all four pairs. The larger diameter and bend radius of these and bend radius. The cable management used must be able to cabling options have a significant impact on the cabling path- accommodate the additional size and weight of the cable. way design. This will require additional space in the racks, including The difference in diameter between Category 6 and Cat- vertical and horizontal management that will allow random egory 6A may seem trivial, but it can have a significant im- cable placement to minimize alien crosstalk issues. pact on the number of cables that can be accommodated in Insufficient cable management may result in cables becom- a particular pathway. For example, TIA recommends that a ing compressed or kinked, which will result in decreased per- 0.75-inch (21-mm) conduit will hold two Category 6 cables, formance. When selecting a rack solution, make sure it will but only one Category 6A cable, at 40% fi ll. Similar capaci- accommodate the larger bend radius of the backbone cabling; also keep in mind the additional requirements for Diameter, bend radius for 10-GbE cabling equipment or patch cords on the front of the rack. Cable Diameter Bend radius • Telecommunications room. As in the entrance facility, Category 6 0.22” (5.72 mm) 1.00” (4 x OD) adequate cable support is needed in the telecommunica- Category 6A 0.35» (9 mm) 1.42» (4 x OD) tions room. Typically, there are three different cable sys- tems that need to be managed—backbone, horizontal, and Category 6 FTP 0.28” (7.24 mm) 2.28” (8 x OD) cross-connect—introducing a range of cable types from Category 7 STP 0.33” (8.38 mm) 2.64” (8 x OD) fiber to high-pair-count and the new Category 6A UTP cables. Diameters listed in this table are nominal values of cables currently Additionally, telecommunications room space is at a premi- being sold. Not all cables of a particular category have the outside um, contributing to the need for higher cable density. Racks diameter listed here. and cable management must accommodate the routing demands of cables that may be larger, heavier, and require a ty reductions are noted for other cabling pathways. System greater bend radius, often in limited available space. designers should plan for perimeter raceway systems, cable trays, • Horizontal and backbone pathways. A wide variety of wire furniture systems, and other pathways to handle the largest and cable management systems are available to support cable outside diameter (OD) to be installed for the life of those Category 6 FTP and Category 6A UTP cable. The selection systems. TIA recommends a minimum of two cables per work of a particular system depends on many factors. Of partic- area; however, BICSI-suggested best practice is to design path- ular concern is maintaining the proper cable bend radius, ways for three cables. supporting extra weight, and providing additional space to The larger bend radius of Category 6 FTP and Category 6A manage larger, loose cable bundles. UTP cables also requires more space—in telecommunications – Perimeter raceway systems are available in many sizes to rooms, horizontal pathways, and at the workstation—so as to accommodate larger cables. New internal configurations avoid creating tight bends that degrade performance. Addi- have been developed to provide more space for required, tionally, Category 6 FTP and Category 6A UTP cable is heavier larger cable bend radius. And removable covers facilitate than the cable that is currently in use. Caution must be taken lay-in installation. so that even if the current TIA guidelines for fill-rate are fol- – Cable tray is a popular pathway solution, but larger trays lowed, the additional weight of the cable does not cause prob- may be needed when installing Category 6A cable. Trays lems for the cable at the bottom of the conduit. must have drop-out fittings that meet or exceed bend- Any distortion of the cable jacket could result in perfor- radius specifications. Trays and supports must meet high- mance problems during the life of the system. And because er weight requirements; hooks will not give the support its greater weight makes cable more difficult to pull, pathways required for large bundles of larger, heavier cabling. that offer in-lay installation may be preferable both for initial – Underfloor and cellular duct systems offer ample ➤ 26 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F Connecting the organizations that develop cabling technology with those that use it. • Monthly Magazine in • Contractor Directory • White Papers Print or Digital Format Search Engine • Article and • Industry Leading Buyers • eNewsletter Advertising Reprints Guide Print and Online • Lead Generating • List Rentals • Cutting Edge Website Webcasts • And Much More! www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F capacity and may be more cost-effective than using conduit to feed floor boxes. – Conduit must be sized appropriately—a mini- mum of 1.0 inches for two cables and 1.25 inches for four cables. • Work areas. Larger diameters and greater bend- radius requirements dictate more spacious housing for cable slack that will be hard to manage in stan- dard wall boxes. Even if the slack is pulled back into the wall, a larger box still must be used to maintain the larger bend radius required. Th is additional slack-space requirement must be designed into the pathway. Double-gang boxes should be used for two cables, per BICSI recommendations, and it is suggested that triple-gang or larger boxes be used for four cables. This cutaway of Wiremold’s DS4000 raceway shows the additional bend-radius it A long-term view allows. The impact of larger and heavier cables must be considered at every point in both pathways and spaces. Designers and installers must also be aware of continuously Even if an end user is not ready for a 10-GbE system yet, path- evolving standards, codes, and regulations. Although 10-GbE ways and spaces are static components that have a life expec- over twisted pair presents some new challenges, quality prod- tancy far greater than that of the cabling system, so long-term uct, quality design, and quality installation remain the basis planning is always a wise choice. for the highest channel performance. PANDUIT ® OPTICAM ® Pre-Polished Fiber Optic Connectors provide field terminations in less than half the time of field polish connectors and deliver yield rates approaching 100%. LC ■ Factory pre-polished fiber stub endface eliminates inconsistent, time-consuming field polishing to reduce installation costs, labor, scrap and the number of tools required SC ■ Patented dual cam design secures both the fiber and the buffer in one action and allows up to two re-terminations to ensure consistent termination results ■ Universal tool with integrated Visual Termination Indicator (VTI) offers visual indication of proper ST termination for all OPTICAM ® Connectors to virtually eliminate operator error; hand-held tool allows termination at the application Visit us at www.panduit.com/opt12 Contact Customer Service by email: cs@panduit.com Together these features virtually eliminate operator error to or by phone: 800-777-3300 and reference ad # opt12 deliver higher yield rates for lower installed costs. OPTICAM ® Connectors are available in singlemode or multimode types, and in simplex or duplex variations, as part of the complete range of fiber optic connectivity solutions available PANDUIT is a Technology Developer Partner from PANDUIT.. for Storage Networking Hardware. C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F __________ ________________________________ C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F PRICED SO EVERY TRUCK CAN CARRY ONE. RhinoPRO™ 5000 has the features you want, at a price you can handle. When it comes to labeling, you want to “reduce your workload without adding to your pay- load.” That’s why RhinoPRO 5000 is designed to meet rugged jobsite challenges, without putting a dent in 5000 Features: 1 Back-lit display for your budget. With its powerful, easy-to-use functions, low-light environments your crew will save time and you’ll save money. Sound simple? You should see RhinoPRO 5000 in action... 2 One-touch Hot Keys for cable/wire wraps, patch panels, terminal blocks, Exclusive one-touch “hot keys” eliminate guesswork fixed length and vertical and provide instant label formats (like wire wraps and labels, eliminate guesswork and complicated menus patch panel labels). And with its rubber bumper and back-lit display, you’ll have no problem handling it, 3 Includes commonly used finding it, even dropping it. datacom and electrical symbols: ohm, ground, RhinoPRO labels stick and last. Our easy-load, all-in- phone, data, fax one cartridges hold easy-peel, split-back labels that resist heat, UV, moisture and more. And with industri- 4 Separate save and recall keys for quick al-strength adhesives, RhinoPRO labels stick and stay access to label memory stuck. So don’t spend an extra moment labeling – or waste your money on a tool that can’t do the job. 5 Durable rubber bumper Get RhinoPRO 5000 and get the job done for less. Visit www.rhinolabeling.com for details. A v a i l a b l e a t A c c u - Te c h , A D I , C S C , F i b e r I n s t r u m e n t S a l e s a n d M i l e s Te k A2044 ©2006 Sanford, LP., Oak Brook, IL 60523 A Division of Newell Rubbermaid www.rhinolabeling.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F www.cable-install.com technology Open-architecture cabling suits luxury apartments T he City of Hartford, CT leapt forward at the turn of the millenni- um with the creation of a new Civic The Hartford 21 building is helping to revitalize the Connecticut city, while plenum-rated cable helps pamper its Center, convention center, and an ambitious Connecticut River water- residents with communications services. front destination called Adriaen’s Landing. Symbolically and econom- All cabling for data, ically, the availability of upscale, voice, and video services in-town residential space was criti- is concentrated in a resi- cal to the new millennium of Hart- dential cabinet about the ford’s prominence. size of a medicine chest, The Northland Company of in a closet within each Newton, MA (www.northland.com) apartment. already had a major presence in the city, with properties including 242 Trumbull, 90-104 Allyn Street, City- time. With the infra- Place II, Goodwin Square, and Metro structure available for Center. For Hartford 21, Northland multiple technologies shared the vision, attracting residents within the building, epitomizing Hartford’s emerging suc- vendors would be free cess—upwardly mobile and technolog- to compete for sub- ically literate. To support the intended scribers while tenants clientele, the Hartford 21 cabling infra- enjoyed access to ev- structure would serve 262 luxury res- er-improving choices idences, each complete with flexible of vendors a nd access to high-speed data, cable televi- technologies. sion, satellite, and telephone facilities. McPhee project Turner Construction’s offi ce in manager Brian Parent Milford (www.turnerconstruction. undertook the two- com) chose McPhee Electric Inc. of Farmington (www. ___ ____ year-long project with full support of Local 35 inside mcpheeusa.com) to install the security, surveillance, wiremen and technicians, who are certified to in- card access, temperature-control, building-automa- stall Siemon (www.siemon.com) and Mohawk (www. ____ tion, fi re-alarm, data-communications, and telecom- mohawk-cable.com) systems. Parent was tasked with munications infrastructure. To enhance the building’s anticipating the frequent breakthroughs in high-speed competitive technological advantage, McPhee’s open multimedia, and to accommodate them cost-effectively architecture system would set Moore’s Law in action to at Hartford 21. McPhee’s certification for Siemon’s 20-year run its natural price/performance advancements over warranty was a critical consideration for Northland, which would manage the network upon occupancy. SHARON CARDINAL is copper product specialist with Mohawk The $160 million, 35-story tower includes panoramic (www.mohawk-cable.com). northwestern views of the city and the Metacomet ➤ www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ March 2007 ■ 31 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F ridges of Avon Mountain as well as the distant Berk- In one of the 30 intermediate cross- shires. Located at Asylum and Trumbull streets, connects at Hartford 21, a Siemon adjacent to the Hartford Civic Center, Hartford 21 110-style block terminates a 50-pair was in the very core of the city’s downtown busi- copper backbone cable. ness district. Residential cable cabinets comes with the hardwired net- McPhee’s modular architecture concentrates all work security. cabling for data, voice, and video for each apartment Wallplates carry two 8-pin in a residential cable cabinet—the size of a small, modular RJ-45 jacks, one for recessed medicine chest—located in the residence’s voice and one for data, with- coat closet near the front door. This location cen- in twin coaxial connectors be- tralizes connectivity within the apartment, allow- low—blue tagged for cable and ing voice, Digital Subscriber Line, or satellite video red tagged for satellite televi- service personnel to install, activate, and troubleshoot services sion. At the time of this writing, the satellite vendor(s) for the conveniently within the apartment. complex had not been determined. Terminated in each of the 262 residential boxes are two RG-6 broadband coaxial cables, as well as two 4-pair, Intermediate cross-connects color-coded, unshielded Category 5e cables—blue for Access by telecommunications carriers is easy in Hartford 21’s data and white for 30 intermediate cross-connect (IC) spaces. On each floor, a voice. In total, more compact Siemon 110 termination block terminates a 50-pair than 400,000 feet of copper backbone. Chatsworth ladder trays support runs to Mohawk MegaLAN cable cabinets in individual apartments. Each floor’s IC breaks Plenum Category 5e out its own 50-pair home runs and RG-11 coaxial cable from ➤ cable is installed, with 150,000 feet of RG-6 and 70,000 feet of RG-11. Inside are cross-con- nects for four to six voice, video, data, and satellite outlets in the apartment. Additional port capacity is provid- ed within the enclosure for future expansion, The wallplates are color-coded; the blue while electrical outlets RJ-45 port is for data, while the blue and a wide space re- coaxial port supports cable TV and the main to accommodate red coaxial port supports satellite TV. a cable or DSL modem, or other device (com- plete with tie wraps to hold it in place). Cable identification labels are attached to panel surfaces. Each bedroom supports one workstation, while living-room jacks are conveniently placed on opposite walls to accommo- date two possible workstation locations. Each of the 60 one- bedroom units has four data/voice/CATV/satellite wallplates and one wall phone jack. Two-bedroom units (there are 198 in all) have six wall- While the term “telecommunications closet” has fallen out of use in plates and one wall phone, while penthouse units have ad- favor of the more politically correct “telecommunications room,” at ditional plates to support libraries and additional bedrooms. Hartford 21, the voice, data, and video cabling systems do indeed This allows users both flexibility and the peace of mind that converge inside a closet, as shown here. 32 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F __________ ________________________________ C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Crocodile These conduits are partially empty of ascending cables, having discharged Fusion most of their runs on lower floors. The remaining runs pass upward to “Alberino” and through intermediate cross-con- nects on floors above. . . . the complete solution for connector field the main cross-connect, passing installations & repairs the rest through for breakout in respective floors above. Each apartment is supported by redundant RG-6 coaxial cables, and up to four 4-pair Cate- gory 5e MegaLAN cables, patched through to specific jacks. ICs are preinstalled with a vacant innerduct for the future addition of fi ber through this otherwise inaccessible space, or, as described by McPhee’s project manager Parent, “an unimpeded raceway right back to the core.” Main cross-connect Securely located below ground level among the dense concrete floors of Hart- ford 21’s four-floor parking garage, the main cross-connect (MC) supports 30 ICs’ data, CATV, satellite, and telephone wiring. Vacant fiber conduit from all 30 ICs enter from above, with vacant conduit exiting the building from future fiber applications. Mounted on one wall, a set of punchdown blocks supports the YMCA’s offices and facilities, which are on the first two floors. Mounted on the same wall, the enclosed SBC/AT&T installation brings 1,000 wire pairs from the street. ZEUS Fusion Splicer   Compact, battery operated   Simple, user friendly process The Crocodile Alberino ferrule assem- bly features active core alignment, a factory polished end face for low inser- tion loss and back reflection, as well as integrated, floating splice protection.   Available in MM & SM PC/APC, High Power Version and attenuated Empty 4-inch conduits are ready to feed south-facing retail space along Asylum Street as well fiber as the adjacent Civic Center and shops facing Trumbull Street.   Reliable field termination of E-2000™, F-3000™ (LC), SC, FC, ST™ connectors   5-minutes installation time With the building occupied, property owner Northland manages the MC, which   Cost-sensitive procedure is under the 20-year Siemon/Mohawk warranty. Communications utilities, such as Cox and AT&T, will perform cross-connects for their own customers within Visit us at the OFC 2007, booth # 2740 the building. Even after construction, the MC space has plenty of expansion capacity, with Diamond SA • via dei Patrizi 5 space for future applications. Empty 4-inch conduits with orange bushings are CH-6616 Losone ready to feed south-facing retail space along Asylum Street as well as the adjacent Tel. +41 91/ 785 45 45 Fax +41 91/ 785 45 00 interior Civic Center and shops facing Trumbull Street. Ladder racks line the walls, ready to support cabling from future racks and electronics supporting retail busi- w w w. d i a m o n d - f o . c o m ness, restaurants, offices, and nearby public gathering spots. 34 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F How many tools do you use to Certify, Identify, Configure & Document your Ethernet network? (That’s too many!) Validator-NT ™ The All-in-One Network Management Tool CERTIFY individual Ethernet cable runs up to 1 Gigabit Speed per IEEE802.3 specifications. Test for TIA568 Interconnect problems. Determine fault locations, cable length and delay or noise 4" color LCD screen conditions. Produce and print cable test schedules Lithium/ion battery and cable test results. Qualify lines for VoIP usage. provides 8 continuous hours of use IDENTIFY active components of your network on Unlimited flash the other end of the cable. Identify all types of equipment card memory and port service discovery with advertised speed ratings and DHCP negotiation. Access IP addresses, ping equipment and flash hubs/switches for positive port location. CONFIGURE links between nodes at Gigabit speed. Check IP addresses on netmask, Gateway/routers and domain name servers. Confirm links between equipment for changes or upgrades. DOCUMENT the network with the included powerful Plan-Um™ software. Create layouts of offices/premises or import existing Visio/AutoCAD drawings. Show cables and equipment they connect to in physical locations. Print out layouts and corresponding Cable Test Schedules. The Network Tool section of Plan-Um™ allows you to create a complete topology layout of the network for on-site reference, showing connections, equipment and cable pathways. You can add notes to each component of the network for future add, changes, and move legacy information. Powerful Plan-Um™ Everything you need to Test, Trace and Tune your Ethernet Network. software included NT955 MSRP only $1495.00 www.test-um.com 805-383-1500 P H O N E 805-383-1595 F A X C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F MILAN make the connection. MILAN SWITCH AND WIRELESS PRODUCTS SIMPLY CONNECT THE DEVICES YOU NEED. MILAN’s MIL-SM801 series of layer 2 The ShAir AccessG Pro AP/Bridge: The MIL-SM2401M Series is MILAN’s managed switches provides high MILAN’s new cost-effective, enterprise- most powerful, flexible line of Layer 2 performance non-blocking switching. class wireless access point. management switches. MILAN makes switching and wireless technology accessible to even more applications, more needs, and more importantly, more people.Transition Networks, the industry leader in product quality, availability and support, now offers MILAN switching and wireless products as a way for schools to simply connect the devices they need. www.milan.com 800 ~ 526 ~ 9267 Why pay more for simplicity? C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F www.cable-install.com data centers Cable conveyance requires planning and execution I n this, the third installa- tion of a year-long series of articles covering technical Whether cables run overhead, underfloor, or both, planners must pay attention to what else is running through a data center’s spaces. and business issues associ- ated with structured cabling systems in data centers, we examine the considerations that go into the decision to run cables overhead or un- der a raised floor. While some of those considerations reflect trends that mark the current state of data center management, for many, the primary consideration is already shaping up as a trend in this series—thermal management. This month’s article on overhead/underfloor cable convey- ance will focus, to some extent, on thermal management. Last month’s article (“Performance, workmanship play key roles in data centers,” February 2007, p. 31) discussed the idea of proper cable management ensuring that ca- bles do not inhibit airflow, which is critical to thermal management. And the article that kicked off the year- long series (“Cabling in the data center: Just a piece of This image of cables running through the Snake Canyon shows the other the puzzle,” January 2007, p. 37) on data centers included systems around which communications cables must be conveyed, even the following quote from Corning Cable Systems’ (www. ____ when run under a raised floor. corningcablesystems.com) Alan Ugolini: “If you stacked up the issues that are important in a data center, cool- especially true of bigger data centers, many of which run ing would be on top.” cable overhead because they don’t want anything in the This month, the discussion begins with Rog- floors but air.” The extent to which those floors are raised er Jette, president of Cable Management Solutions in large-scale data centers can be eye-opening as well, he (www.snaketray.com), describing current trends affecting says. “Three- to four-foot floor height is preferable,” in users’ choices to convey cable above racks and cabinets or extremely high-dense data centers, Green notes, adding under a raised floor in data centers. “One of the driving that, typically, the only thing running underneath that factors has little to do with cable, but rather with ther- highly raised floor is air. mal management,” he begins. “Some data center manag- “The upper echelon of data centers may use 3- or 3-½- ers want to keep the space underneath the floor reserved foot raised floors,” says Andy Chaloupka, business devel- for massive amounts of air to help cool the data center. opment manager with Panduit (www.panduit.com). “And They run the cable overhead so nothing but air can run they prefer to put no cable down there. One of their pri- under the floor.” mary concerns is they don’t want to put anything in the Adds Alan Green, partner with technology consulting way of airflow.” firm Grid Associates (www.gridassociates.net), “That is Furthermore, from a practical standpoint, access of- PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN is chief editor of Cabling Installation & ten matters. “The pathway up above is generally more ac- Maintenance. cessible than that beneath a floor,” Chaloupka adds. ➤ www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ March 2007 ■ 37 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F 1990s 1970s Shielded “Vampire” Modular Tap Jack 1980s 4 Position Data Connector Follow The Leader In Shielded Technology Tyco Electronics has always been on the cutting edge of shielded technology. We have been designing and manufacturing quality shielded communications products for more than three decades. In fact, we introduced our first fully shielded twisted pair cabling products in the early ‘80s – and from that point forward, have been the leading advocate for shielded technology across the globe. Tyco Electronics has always believed what the industry is just now realizing, that a Shielded System is by far the best choice for today’s 10 G performance requirements. Proceed With Confidence If you are considering upgrading to a 10 G solution, then come to the The new AMP-TWIST brand that knows shielded best! Jack is our latest shielded Visit www.ampnetconnect.com to see why a high performance 10 G Shielded product evolution. It can be Cabling System from Tyco Electronics terminated and grounded in about 90 seconds, is the best choice for your structured quicker and more reliably than any similar cabling needs. product on the market. The Leading Brand in Shielded Cabling Solutions! AMP, AMP NETCONNECT, NETCONNECT, AMP-TWIST and Tyco are trademarks. Other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. 1- 8 0 0 - 5 5 3 - 0 9 3 8 o r v i s i t w w w. a m p n e t c o n n e c t . c o m ____________________________________________ C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F Cable Management Solutions’ Mega Snake product line (the tray on top) is frequently used in overhead data-center applications, in large part because of its significant capacity. “Routing cable overhead allows moves, adds, and changes dur- ing normal working hours. In many instances, getting access to underfloor systems can only happen after hours, and some- times at a higher labor rate.” Design considerations In 2005, Julie Roy, principal of C2 Consulting (www.csquared- __________ consulting.biz) and contributor to www.bcsreports.com, made _________ a presentation at a BICSI conference about the Telecommu- nications Industry Association’s TIA-942 standard covering data center infrastructure. In her presentation, she discussed considerations that should be made when cabling is placed either overhead or underfloor. Among those considerations are that a raised floor provides more flexible cooling options than does ducted air. Additionally, cabinets and racks should be arranged on raised floors to permit tiles along the front and rear of the racks/cabinets to be lifted. She also pointed out that cable trays suspended from the ceiling provide more flexibility for supporting racks/cabinets of various heights, and for adding and removing cabinets and racks. As a good-practice recommendation, she also pointed out that cable trays can be installed with several layers; a three- layer system would include copper-based communications cable in the bottom layer, fiber-based communications cable in the middle layer, and power cable in the top layer. “Going overhead requires more engineering, because you have to avoid things like fluorescent lighting and sprinkler sys- tems,” states Tony Lookabill, RCDD, national accounts man- ager for GS Metals’ Flextray line of cable tray. While thermal management is one consideration, Cable Management Solutions’ Jette points out, “Management of the cable is highly critical. It is necessary to coordinate to get path- ways into specific places, so coordination of all services is a key ingredient to successful conveyance.” Obstacles to cable conveyance can be anywhere and every- where above a series of racks or enclosures, and as Jette fur- ther notes, thermal management can be an issue there as well: _________________________ www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Power cables, like these running underfloor through Cable Manage- ment Solutions’ Power Snake Canyon, should run in the data center’s cold aisle. “I have been in data centers where active cooling componen- try is above each tray, and in data centers where chillers are directly on top of enclosures.” Such arrangements make for challenging designs of cable-conveyance equipment. ____________________ _____________ Inherited space Another reality creating challenges in these environments is the types of buildings in which they reside. “Very often, a data- center user, such as a bank, will buy an old warehouse,” notes Grid Associates’ Green, adding that such spaces provide high ceilings that allow tall raised floors. But, he says, these envi- ronments can also present challenges because the structure was built without a data center’s requirements in mind. “One client of ours bought a 300,000-square-foot warehouse, and the data center is going into a bolt-on,” he explains. “Another data center is in an existing building, and there are all kinds of things to work around.” These workarounds can be accom- plished—and, in fact, are some of the tasks Green’s company is hired to accomplish—but nonetheless they are a fact of life when cable is run overhead. For some data center managers, visual appeal plays a role in deciding whether to go overhead or underfloor. “Some data centers are showplaces, where the owners might take custom- ers or investors through,” says Panduit’s Chaloupka. “Many of them do not want anything above the cabinets for aesthet- ic reasons.” Other reasons can also push users to underfloor cabling. C2’s Roy stated in her presentation that most standalone computer systems are designed for cabling from below. Jette adds, “In the current trends we’re seeing, many users have one pathway for ca- ble above cabinets and one path beneath the floor.” Sometimes, he says, users run only power beneath the floor. Other times, both power and data cabling are beneath a raised floor. When to go under When data cabling does run underneath a raised floor, Cha- loupka points out, “it is important to keep cables in close prox- 40 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F UFS Under Floor Cable Management – built with your system in mind. Cablofil’s new Under Floor Cable Management System (UFS) is a wire mesh tray system that’s adaptable to any installation – and it’s self-supporting so it won’t void the warranty of your floor. 2’ tray sections can be installed through a single floor opening – multiple height supports are available in kits, making UFS easy to order and install. And UFS integrates with our 10’ tray – an industry first. www.cablofil.com UFS from Cablofil – Under Floor Cable Management made easy. Phone: 618-566-3230 800-658-4641 Fax: 618-566-3250 8319 State Route 4 To find out about our new program, call 800.658.4641 Mascoutah, IL 62258 USA C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F maximum amount of airflow possible to run under the raised floor. He adds that everything run under a floor, including power cables in the data center’s cold aisles, should be in a tray system up off the floor. “If possible, the different cable types can run in different tray systems,” Lookabill says. An absolute-must in these situations is to run underfloor cable-support structures in the hot aisles of hot-aisle/cold-aisle setups. By doing so, any heat generated by cables will not ad- versely affect the cold air flowing through the cold aisle. Like- wise, when access to the cable is necessary, lifting a tile to gain access will not disrupt the flow of cold air in the cold aisle. As is the case with overhead conveyance, underfloor cable pathways require coordination with other trades. While the Panduit’s Fiber Runner system is appropriate for both fiber-optic and ideal situation might be for nothing else other than cold air high-end copper cabling systems. Among the system’s benefits in running beneath a raised floor, in reality, the pathways for data centers are easy access, bend-radius control, cable-management other utilities frequently reside there as well. capability, and the lay-in trough system’s allowance for technicians to When data center managers get the opportunity to decide minimize or eliminate the need to bundle cable. whether to establish cable pathways overhead or underfloor, they must take several factors into consideration, from build- imity to inlets going into the racks,” he says, “in order to protect ing structure to thermal-management needs and aesthetics. and support cables transitioning up into a cabinet or rack.” The issues are many and can conflict with one another. Re- “When you run cable underfloor, it is important to get the gardless of the method used, and even if both areas are desig- cable as high off the floor and as close to the floor as possible,” nated for cable pathways, having to effectively working around notes GS Metals’ Lookabill, noting that doing so allows for the other data center services is a virtual guarantee. ________________________________ 42 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F TERMINATE IN LESS THAN 175 SECONDS PERFORMANCE BEYOND 10GB/S INTEGRATED QUICK-GROUND FEATURES ELIMINATES ALIEN CROSSTALK SURPRISINGLY QUICK TERMINATION 10G 6A™ F/UTP ➤ QUICK INSTALLATION ➤ QUICK GROUNDING ➤ SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE We all know the performance benefits of Siemon’s end-to-end screened category 6A cabling WHERE THE PERFORMANCE, SECURITY AND ALIEN CROSSTALK system - superior 10Gb/s performance, elimination of alien crosstalk, reduced cable diameter RESISTANCE OF A SCREENED AUGMENTED CATEGORY 6 vs. category 6A UTP, less restrictive installation practices - the list goes on. But who knew it SOLUTION MEETS THE EASE OF UTP could be so Quick? With Siemon’s tool-less Quick-GroundTM termination, screened cable is stripped, terminated and grounded in less than three minutes. CONNECTING THE WORLD TO A HIGHER STANDARD W W W . S I E M O N . C O M __________________________ C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F Network Convergence Bring (it) together with CSC. One Distributor. Everything Infrastructure. CSC Brings(it)Together Voice. Data. Video. Security Solutions. Your search for an all-in-one IP voice and data communications solution for your small business ends here! Vertical Xcelerator IP™ is a new category of communications product. Xcelerator IP integrates voice, data and wireless networking in one compact, affordable device that can dramatically reduce communications capital and operating costs for small businesses. Setup is fast and easy. One Xcelerator IP gateway can support up to 24 Vertical IP2007 SIP endpoints plus an additional office device. Xcelerator IP affords you greater IP functionality at a lower cost. One Call. One Click. One Source: CSC. For more information about the Xcelerator IP, please call 800–321–9122 or visit www.gocsc.com/vertical1 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F www.cable-install.com wireless 802.11n: The next generation in wireless LAN technology W ireless data networking, frequently referred to as Wi-Fi, started its life in the small- office/home-office environment where perfor- Multiple-input multiple-output transmission is the key for high- throughput wireless networking. mance takes second place to cost. But this wireless local area networking (WLAN) technology is about to tiple data streams via the available spatial paths. turn the corner into the lucrative enterprise and wire- MIMO radios use multipath to achieve gains in oper- less video-distribution markets with the emergence ating range and throughput. Two techniques employed of a high-speed physical-layer technology now being in MIMO are spatial multiplexing and beamforming: standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Elec- • When the MIMO radio uses spatial multiplexing, tronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11n task group. it sends more than one data stream simultaneously to The IEEE 802.11n specification, due to be released in increase throughput. October 2008, raises the throughput of WLAN by a factor • When it employs beamforming, it sends multiple ver- of four or higher and guarantees at least 100 Mbits/sec of The multipath challenge real data throughput, with data rates reaching 600 Mbits/sec. Already, pre-standard chipsets from TX such companies as Intel, Broadcom, Qualcom, Athe- ros, and Marvell claim measured throughput in the 300-Mbits/sec range or higher. With this level of through- RX put on the airlink, wireless access points (WAPs) will need to step up to 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet-level con- nections to the infrastructure in order to keep up. Finding MIMO IEEE 802.11n owes its high-throughput performance to Multipath creates multiple versions of the signal by virtue of the latest wireless transmission advancement—multiple- reflections from walls, floors, ceiling, furniture, and people. The input multiple-output (MIMO). The 802.11n wireless reflections accumulate in the air, making it challenging for the transmission technology is based on MIMO signaling. receiver to recover the original signal. MIMO is a significant innovation in the area of wire- less data transmission. It turns the long-time nemesis of sions of a single data stream via multiple antennas to im- WLANs—multipath—into a friend. Multipath is com- prove reception and minimize packet error rate. mon indoors, where the wireless signal reflects from walls, Beamforming works in conjunction with maximum floors, ceilings, furniture, and people. Reflections add ratio combining (MRC), which is a digital signal process- together in the air, presenting a challenge to the receiver ing (DSP) technique that adjusts amplitudes and phases that has to separate the original transmitted signal from of received data signals, and adds them in such a way as the reflections. While today’s 802.11a/b/g radios struggle to optimize the bit error rate (BER) performance. to separate the signal from this muddle, 802.11n MIMO Spatial multiplexing can yield higher throughput than radios actually take advantage of multipath to send mul- beamforming by virtue of sending multiple distinct da- FANNY MLINARSKY is president and principal consultant at octoScope ta streams, but it may not work in some environments (www.octoscope.com), a consulting company focusing on wireless and RF where line-of-sight transmission paths dominate and product design and advocacy. She can be reached at: fm@octoscope.com multiple paths may not be available. ➤ www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ March 2007 ■ 45 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F A MIMO N × M system Typical MIMO system stream. Radios establishing typically refers to radios with or maintaining a link must N transmitters and M re- automatically negotiate the TX RX ceivers. The signal from optimum MCS based on 2×3 each transmitter is received channel conditions and by each receiver through then continuously adjust the wireless channel. The This is an example of a 2 × 3 MIMO system with two transmitters and three the selection of MCS based possible number of paths receivers, totaling six paths. on motion of devices or through the channel are changing channel condi- N × M, so a 2 × 3 MIMO channel has six paths. tions caused by fading and other real-time events. The communicating radios automatically determine the There are 77 different MCSs specified in IEEE P802.11n/ best possible signaling scheme based on the channel condi- D1.10—the current draft of the 802.11 standard as of Janu- tions. For channels where direct line-of-sight path dominates, ary—with eight of those MCSs being mandatory for 802.11n- beamforming is used to send the same data stream from each compliant devices to implement. The table “Rate-dependent transmitter so that multiple versions of the same signal can parameters” is an example of how MCSs are specified. be received by the receivers and either combined using MRC The highest data rate of 600 Mbits/sec is achievable with MCS or selected based on signal integrity. #31 using 64-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) in a When multipath creates multiple spatial paths, the Legacy 802.11 physical layer operation data stream can be di- Supported date rates (Mbits/sec) Supported frequency band (GHz) vided and sent in parallel 802.11b (DSSS) 1, 2, 5.5, 11 2.4 by multiple transmitters 802.11a (OFDM) 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 5.8 through each of the avail- 802.11g (11b and 11a) 1, 2, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 2.4 able paths, thereby multi- plying data throughput. The receivers each can select one 40-MHz channel and operating with a short guard of the unique spatial streams and then recombine them interval (GI) of 400 nanoseconds. GI is the time delay into the original data signal. Highly sophisticated DSP is the receiver uses when recovering data. It is optimized for needed to dynamically adjust and negotiate the transmis- data sampling in the presence of propagation delays, echoes, sion scheme between the communicating radios. and reflections in a multipath channel. Legacy WLANs based on 802.11a, b, or g specifications use With 77 MCSs from which to choose, the complexity of automatic data rate adaptation based on channel conditions— MCS adaptation decisions becomes considerably higher than the better the channel, the higher the rate. (See table, “Legacy in legacy networks. This level of complexity likely makes in- ➤ 802.11 physical layer opera- tion.”) These legacy radios Rate-dependent parameters transmit a single data stream (For mandatory 20 MHz, NSS=1, MCSs, NES=1) using either Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) or MCS Modulation R NBPSCS NSD NSP NCBPS NDBPS Data rate (Mbits/sec) Orthogonal Frequency Di- index (iss) 800 ns GI 400 ns GI vision Multiplexing (OFDM) 0 BPSK 0.5 1 108 6 108 54 13.5 15 modulation. 1 QPSK 0.5 2 108 6 216 108 27 30 In 802.11n MIMO net- 2 QPSK 0.75 2 108 6 216 162 40.5 45 works, signaling selection is considerably more com- 3 16-QAM 0.5 4 108 6 432 216 54 60 plex than in legacy networks, 4 16-QAM 0.75 4 108 6 432 324 81 90 which has driven the 802.11n 5 64-QAM 0.66 6 108 6 648 432 108 120 task group to introduce the 6 64-QAM 0.75 6 108 6 648 486 121.5 135 concept of modulation cod- 7 64-QAM 0.83 6 108 6 648 540 135 150 ing scheme (MCS). The GI = Guard Interval, or the time delay used by the receiver in recovering data NSD = Number of data subcarriers variables in MCS selection in- NSS = Number of spatial streams NSP = Number of pilot subcarriers clude such factors as number R = Code rate NCBPS = Number of coded bits per symbol of spatial streams, and mod- NBPSC = Number of coded bits per single carrier NDBPS = Number of data bits per symbol NBPSC (iss) = Number of coded bits per single carrier for each spatial stream, iss ulation and data rate on each 46 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F TM HANDHELD FUSION SPLICER _________ __________ ___________ ____________ C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
  • 50.
    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F teroperability between devices from different MIMO is a significant innovation in the area of vendors challenging. IEEE 802.11n networks use existing unli- wireless data transmission. It turns the long-time censed bands at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, match- ing the frequency plan of legacy networks. nemesis of WLANs—multipath—into a friend. But while legacy networks occupy a single 20-MHz channel, 802.11n networks can use 20- or 40-MHz 802.11a, b, and g networks. The secondary channel is the adjacent channels. A 40-MHz channel consists of two 20-MHz chan- 20-MHz channel, either above or below the primary channel. nels—a primary and a secondary. The primary 20-MHz chan- This secondary channel may be shared among different basic nel boundaries and regulations are the same as for the legacy service sets. A basic service set is analogous to a cell in a cellu- lar network, and consists of the WAP and its associated stations. g rtin 5 Automated Fiber 802.11n will also operate in the 3.65- to Sta $119 3.70-GHz contention-based band being at Loss Test Sets standardized by the IEEE 802.11y task group. MIMO devices can operate in three modes: Legacy (802.11a/b/g/), mixed mode (802.11n The LTS-1500 and HPT-5100 Fiber Optic Loss Test Sets from TTI cover the wide and 802.11a/b/g), or greenfield (802.11n gamut of measurements required by only). The highest throughput is achieved in installers, OEM equipment manufactur- greenfield mode, when only the 802.11n de- ers and maintenance crews. vices are present on the network. The mode Both of these rugged, low cost instru- of operation impacts network throughput. ments automatically measure fiber loss At this phase of the 802.11n technologi- at multiple laser wavelengths. cal progress, it is important to compare the throughput performance of legacy, mixed, The hand-held LTS-1500 incorporates and greenfield modes. A single legacy up to three lasers for unidirectional loss _________________________ www.terahertztechnologies.com measurements as well as a power station on an 802.11n network can signifi- meter with better than -75 dBm cantly decrease total network throughput. sensitivity. It performs fiber identifica- Greenfield 802.11n networks are made up tion tasks and stores up to 1000 entirely of MIMO devices and can achieve multi-wavelength loss measurements. the highest throughput, which makes them The powerful HPT-5100 measures dual suitable for video transmission. wavelength bi-directional loss as well as Optical Return Loss in real time. Communi- New cabling opportunities cation via bi-directional The emerging 802.11n standard creates two text messaging is types of opportunities for the cabling and provided to maximize user productivity. network installer community: First, it is enterprise-ready because of its Both units are powered high throughput, maturity, improved se- by rechargeable cells curity, and manageability. Enterprise net- and equipped with works may require upgrades to cabling and computer interfaces and free PC application telecommunications-room equipment to software. support the new Gigabit Ethernet and Pow- er over Ethernet-capable MIMO WAPs. We invite you to In addition, 802.11n is poised to jump- contact us for further start the huge wireless video distribution information or a demo. market, which has the potential of signif- icantly increasing the demand for video- Terahertz Technologies Inc. Tel: +1 315 736 3642 grade cabled networks in the homes to 169 Clear Road Fax: +1 315 736 4078 Oriskany NY 13424 sales@terahertztechnologies.com interconnect MIMO WAPs. The wireless multimedia communica- tions era is just beginning. 48 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F EXCELLENT QUALITY, REASONABLE PRICE, FAST DELIVERY cabling systems Modular Plugs Patch Cords Copper Cables Patch Panels Fiber Optic Cables Optical Connectors Cross Connection Cable Trays Installation Accessories Access Floor Cabinets and Racks Tools Hyperline Systems 2212 Gladwin Crescent, unit C7, Ottawa, Ontario, K1B 5N1, Canada Phone: 1-613-736-8500, toll-free: 1-866-63-HYPER (1-866-634-9737), fax: 1-613-736-9752 www.hyperlinesystems.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Nice jacket. Where’d you get it? It pays to ask your cable supplier where And Dow Wire & Cable’s global presence they buy their jacket and insulation mate- means you can get the product and sup- rials. Because if those materials come port you need, when you need it, any- from Dow Wire & Cable, you can be sure where in the world. your manufacturer chose their materials supplier for all the right reasons. It matters where your manufacturer buys jacket and insulation materials. The best- Like consistent quality and purity for dressed cable in the world has materials longer cable life and reduced mainte- from Dow Wire & Cable. nance costs. And, the product portfolio and expertise to provide the right com- Materials. Solutions. pounds for every application in every envi- ronment. Dow Wire & Cable works with industry- leading associations and institutes around the world like AEIC, NEETRAC, WHVRI, SECRI, VNIIKP and UL as well as perform- ing extensive in-house testing and even pilot manufacturing. So your manufactur- er knows they have the right stuff before they start making your cable. Contact Dow Wire & Cable: w w w . d o w w i r e a n d c a b l e . c o m __________________ In USA and Canada: 1-800-441-4DOW / In Europe: 00800 3 694 6367 (800 783 825 from Italy, 990 3 694 6367 from Finland) / In Asia Pacific: + 800-7776-7776 / Use reference #494-IOMG5 ®Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company Dow Wire & Cable is a global business unit of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries. C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Compiled by Patrick McLaughlin & Steve Smith Belden set to acquire Hirschmann, LTK in deals totaling $260 million I n late January and early February, Belden (www.belden.com) announced the intention to acquire two companies America and Europe, and underrepre- sented in emerging markets including China and India. Second, the majority of in separate deals whose value total more the company’s business comes from cop- than $450 million. The company char- per cables, while every vertical market it acterizes the acquisitions as significant serves has developed increasing interest steps toward its strategic objectives. in fiber-optic and wireless technologies. On January 30, the company announced And third, the company wanted to shift it had entered into an agreement to pur- its business toward solutions as opposed Hirschmann Automation and Control added chase Hirschmann Automation and Con- to component strategy. these cable sockets and plugs to its SunCon trol GmbH (HAC; www.hirschmann-ac. The Hirschmann acquisition ad- connector system in late January. Just a few com) from European private-equity in- ___ dresses Belden’s third observation, as days later, Belden announced it was acquiring vestor HgCapital for a cash price of ap- Hirschmann is a systems-solution pro- Hirschmann, taking possession of this and proximately $260 million. Hirschmann is vider to the Industrial Ethernet market- all other product lines aimed at the industrial a supplier of Industrial Ethernet solutions place. Stroup says it also helps address networking market. and industrial connectivity that generated the second observation about serving $250 million in revenues last year. vertical markets through fiber-optic tronic Control Systems. The Industrial “The acquisition of Hirschmann is and wireless technology. Hirschmann Ethernet division, or “INet” as Belden re- a major achievement in our pursuit to has three divisions: Industrial Ether- fers to it, produces rail- and rack-mount- expand our business in desirable end- net, Industrial Connectors, and Elec- ed Industrial Ethernet switches and ➤ markets, beyond cable, to signal trans- mission solutions,” says John Stroup, Belden’s president and chief executive Category 6A UTP cables get smaller officer. “In addition to having a broad portfolio of connectors for the industrial market, Hirschmann is the undisputed leader in the application of industrial B efore it made news with its two re- cent acquisitions, Belden was one of two companies that announced at added that the industry average Cat- egory 6A UTP cable is 0.31 inches, meaning CopperTen achieves a 22% Ethernet solutions.” the BICSI Winter Conference in late reduction in cross-sectional area by The company expected a mid-March January that it had developed a small- comparison. close date for the acquisition. In a con- er-diameter Category 6A unshielded “This reduction in the size of Augmented ference call on February 16, Stroup stat- twisted-pair (UTP) cable. ADC (www. ____ Category 6 UTP cable will give data cen- ed the Hirschmann acquisition came adc.com) made a similar announcement ter and network managers more flexi- after a bidding process that included while the conference was being held bility and higher performance for their several suitors. January 23-25. investment,” says Jaxon Lang, vice presi- The newest generation of Belden’s dent of product management, structured According to plan 10GX cable is 0.295 inches in diameter. cabling for ADC. “The market has been Also in that conference call, Stroup stated The 23-AWG copper cable is available in demanding a smaller Augmented Cate- that Belden developed its strategic plan CMR (riser), CMP (plenum), and LSZH gory 6 UTP cable, and ADC delivered.” after an assessment of the threats and (low-smoke, zero-halogen) versions. Cabling Installation & Maintenance opportunities ahead of it. While assess- ADC’s next-generation CopperTen will track the market to see if other Cat- ing its own situation, Stroup said, Belden Category 6A UTP cable (see page 57) egory 6A UTP manufacturers intro- made three primary observations. First, has an average outside diameter of duce smaller-diameter versions of the its business was concentrated in North 0.275 inches, the company says. ADC cable. www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ March 2007 ■ 51 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F related equipment, including wireless overall connectivity portfolio, improv- connectivity as well as switches.” Stroup access points. Industrial Connectors, or ing market access, providing solutions also stated that the go-to-market chal- “ICon,” provides industrial connectors for its existing industrial customers, lenge will be real for this product line. for sensors and actuators. And Electron- improving the company’s position in “Customers are increasingly interested ic Control Systems (ECS) produces load emerging markets, and opening oppor- in solutions,” as opposed to components, moment indicators—safety devices used tunities in wireless and fiber optics in he stated. “The modes getting to market on cranes and other load-bearing equip- the industrial space. through channel partners are somewhat ment to prevent it from tipping over. According to Stroup, Belden’s first pri- bifurcated. Some are good with cable; As part of its announcement, Belden ority with Hirschmann is to achieve rev- others are good with automation. But we stated, “HAC’s product range is highly enue growth outside Europe. He said that have already had some encouraging con- complementary to Belden’s industrial while the company’s products are mar- versations with channel partners on both cable product line. In a factory, many of ket leaders in Europe, and well-known sides. We think we’ve got the method and the devices connected by Belden cable and respected outside the continent, they path to get there, but it will require energy are the kinds of products made by have not benefited from sales support and thoughtfulness.” Hirschmann. HAC’s industrial Ethernet outside Europe. They’ll now have that expertise together with Belden’s signal sales support, he says. Entering Asia transmission expertise will deliver to our “We are uniquely positioned because Eight days after the Hirschmann deal customers global networking solutions we’ve been on the factory floor and in was made public, Belden announced it for the most demanding environments.” the enterprise from a cable point of view,” is acquiring LTK Wiring Co. Ltd. (ltkca- Belden added that the acquisition fits he said in the February 16 conference call. ble.com), which the company described into its strategic plan by expanding its “Bringing on Hirschmann, we now have as one of the largest manufacturers ➤ Short runs… MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA—The Ethernet Alliance (www. ___ the past five years, there has been a rapid growth in acceptance ethernetalliance.org) has formed an Energy-Efficient Ethernet of laser-optimized multimode as an alternative to traditional (EEE) study group. “We’re going to look at ways to reduce power multimode and singlemode media. consumption by switching to lower speed during periods of low- DES PLAINES, IL—Gepco International (www.gepco.com), link utilization,” says EEE chairman Mike Bennett of Lawrence a manufacturer of professional audio and video cables, is Berkeley National Lab. “Considering that Ethernet is the network expanding its fiber-optic production capabilities. The growth technology of choice worldwide with an ever-increasing market includes new fiber-optic contact polishing technology that presence, it is clear that we have an opportunity to reduce energy exceeds previous methods and the SMPTE standard. Gepco use significantly while minimizing the impact on the industry.” If says it has further increased its assembly throughput capacity you’re interested in participating in the EEE, contact Bennett at: through additional equipment, personnel, and customized mjbennett@lbl.gov cable management techniques. The company’s hybrid fiber RICHARDSON, TX—A recent survey conducted by SYSTIMAX line includes cable assemblies terminated with Lemo or Canare Solutions from CommScope (www.systimax.com/research) connectors, distribution rack systems, bulk cable and connectors, indicates that responding users reported 1.9 hours on average of and breakout cable assembly solutions. network downtime a month, and found that companies that have SPARTANBURG, SC—Fiber-optic products manufacturer deployed higher performance cabling tended to experience lower AFL Telecommunications (www.afltele.com) and voice and average downtime. The survey of nearly 1,500 IT professionals data solutions provider Leviton Manufacturing Co. (www. ___ in 45 countries looks at the effects of network infrastructure levitonvoicedata.com) have embarked on a marketing and system solutions and support services on user productivity. “They [IT integration alliance to support fiber-to-the-home (FTTH). The professionals] probably have a sinking feeling that money is alliance is focused on supporting end-to-end solutions through draining from the company bank account every time a server a combination of Leviton’s FTTH Integrated Network home crashes or a service provision to a key user takes a week to fulfill,” technology portfolio, and AFL’s FTTH passive infrastructure, says Fiona Nolan, global marketing director of SYSTIMAX. “The network electronics, and system integration expertise. AFL will good news is that the study shows that professionals who are promote the alliance as part of the FTTH Made Easy program, a willing to invest in quality systems are better able to support comprehensive solutions-based program designed to meet the the evolving networking needs of the company.” According the needs of residential developers and builders seeking to integrate SYSTIMAX, the study shows that many IT professionals plans to FTTH within multi-dwelling unit and master-planned communities. install copper-based Category 6A cabling, while Category 5e is heading for obsolescence. As for fiber, the study shows that over BRIGHTON, MA—Dr. Paul Polishuk of the Information Gatekeepers 52 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F As Simple (and Quick) as 1 to 3 Get the cabinet you want, when you need it. Get the customized IT cabinet you Reliable need in just one to three days with two Flexible new quick-ship programs from Rittal. FAST 1 Day Program Within 24 hours, we will ship the Rittal cabinets and accessories you need. Simply choose the networking or server cabinets and sidewalls that best meet your requirements. Select the fans, electrical components, cable management devices, hardware or other accessories for your application. 3 Day Program Choose your cabinet. Select your accessories. We’ll assemble the complete unit to your desired configuration. The ready-to-use unit will ship in just three days. When you receive it, simply load it and plug it in. No muss…no fuss. Learn more about RittalXPress quick-ship programs at www.rittal-corp.com/rittalXpress/it.cfm. Rittal Corporation – One Rittal Place – Springfield, Ohio 45504 USA Phone: 937.399.0500 – Fax: 937.390.5599 – E-mail: rittal@rittal-corp.com – www.rittal-it.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F of electronic cable for the China market. infrastructure,” says Stroup. LTK has Mexico this year will serve the North Its 2006 revenues were $220 million. The three manufacturing plants in China— American market, and production facil- deal, which the parties expect to close in Huizhou, Shanghai, and Dalian—which ities within Europe will continue to serve early April, is an all-cash transaction for combined employ approximately 2,000. the European market. approximately $195 million. As to whether the acquisitions should “Th is acquisition propels us toward Long-range view be considered an “offensive” or “defen- one of our stated objectives, expanding Sizing up the acquisition’s fit with its cor- sive” move, Stroup characterizes it as our presence in faster-growing emerging porate strategy, Belden says it places the offensive. “We’re not seeing significant markets,” Stroup stated. “It adds another company in emerging markets thanks to cannibalization of our copper products prestigious brand to our portfolio and LTK’s sales offices in Japan, Taiwan, Ko- by wireless or fiber. We’re acknowledging better positions us to compete effectively rea, Singapore, and Thailand in addition that in many applications and in many in China.” He called the method by to China. It also will help Belden meet markets, a blend of these technologies is a which the companies courted each other demands of its regional customers in Asia, superior path for the customer. We want “nearly an ideal acquisition process.” thanks to the three manufacturing plants to be better than anyone else at supplying He added that LTK Wiring is a sup- in China. Belden also says the acquisition that. We are a company that comes from plier to companies manufacturing con- puts it into a leading position in consumer- copper, but we are increasingly becoming sumer electronics, telecommunications electronics, a new market for the company. a company that is blind to the medium equipment, white goods, automobiles, and And LTK wiring has greater depth of and really focused on giving the custom- other OEM products in China. Users of experience working directly with OEMs ers what they need.” Sony’s PlayStation3 and Nintendo’s Wii than Belden had previously. He said the back-to-back announce- video-game systems have made use of LTK Stroup says he does not see LTK’s ments were coincidental, explaining that products, as the company is a supplier for China manufacturing facilities as likely Belden will only enter into strategic deals both of those entertainment systems. sources for products that will be sold to that meet certain financial criteria. So, “With LTK’s manufacturing expertise North American or European customers. while his preference would be to not have and capacity, we are now positioned to “Freight and logistics generally offset cost a long stretch of time before the compa- better serve Belden’s Asia customers in advantages” of manufacturing in China, ny’s next acquisition announcement, that networking, broadcasting, and industrial he notes, adding that a plant opening in may, in fact, be the case. Short runs… Group (IGI; www.igigroup.com) and Frank Murawski, president of meter length with four connectors, in accordance with IEEE and FTM Consulting (FTM; www.ftmconsultinginc.com) are teaming draft TIA guidelines. According to SMP, there were no CRC errors in up to develop and market reports for the telecommunications and the received frames on both ends over several hours of testing. data communications industries. According to Murawski, “This BOTHELL, WA—Leviton (www.leviton.com) has formed a national relationship will allow FTM to focus on what it does best, namely, support team comprised of RCDD specification engineers production of high-quality market research reports,” while Polishuk (commercial cabling, design, and installation experts) who adds, “This new arrangement fits nicely with IGI Consulting’s are equipped to help build the best wired or wireless cabling new report series called IGI Certified Reports.” IGI technical and infrastructure possible for IT projects. This S3 Team is available to marketing staff reviews all reports for quality and value before it help specifiers with all information required to create solutions to agrees to market them under its own brand. challenging design and installation issues. The free service includes SWANNANOA, NC—At the Solarflare Communications (www. ___ materials available on the company’s website, as well as access to solarflare.com) test facility in Irvine, CA, SMP Data Communications local Leviton specification engineers. (www.smpdata.com) recently demonstrated what it says is the first WESTWOOD, MA—Recent analysis from Vertical Systems Group functional testing of 10GBase-T over Category 6A cabling performed (www.verticalsystems.com) indicates that Dedicated Internet Access on a 100-meter channel. Channel configuration consisted of six- (DIA) installations are the leading migration source for today’s 10+ around-one cables bundled every eight inches, and equipment Mbits/sec business Ethernet services, representing 35% of the U.S. used for channel performance validation was Solarflare’s 10Xpress port base. Dedicated IP VPN and ATM services represent the next 10GBase-T PHYs that are currently sampling to OEM customers. two most sizeable migration sources, followed by “Greenfield” or Bi-directional Ethernet traffic was sent over Solarflare’s 10GBase-T new applications, frame relay, and private lines. “Current growth link using two 10-Gbits/sec traffic generators with XAUI interfaces. of the 10+ Mbits/sec business Ethernet segment is driven by At the same time, SMP says, bi-directional traffic was running on customers upgrading or replacing other high-speed network services all six neighboring channels simulating a worst-case alien crosstalk at sites that are already fed by fiber,” says Rick Malone, principal at environment. All channels were configured for the maximum 100- Vertical Systems Group. 54 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F 10 Gig Which route will you choose? From copper to fiber, General Cable has a 10 Gigabit Ethernet solution for you. We’re proud to offer high-quality GenSPEED® and NextGen™ Brand cables ® that support 10 Gig, and can be customized to fit any network, including: • Backbone to horizontal drop • Outside plant to inside your data center • 55m to over 30km With more than 100 years of wire and cable experience, General Cable has the resources, product offerings and applications support you can depend on. You choose the route… we’ll help get you there. Delivering Solutions that Keep You Connected www.generalcable.com (800) 424-5666 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Introducing Tri-Porter ™ (voice/data/video) The first triple-play tester that DSL-safe telephone test set network tester tone generator cable tester/verifier tone detector/cable finder coax mapper replaces 6 traditional testers. Tri-Porter™ is the ultimate “Triple Play” solution with over 50 separate features and capabilities that will make your job of assuring customers’ cabling systems easier than ever before. It combines a world-class speakerphone butt set with a full ethernet network tester that has active network negotiation capabilities, as well as line testing at 100Mbits to qualify VoIP. The video/coax tests include a unique tone generation technology that will let you trace signals thru splitters, traps and filters to find the other end of a cable link. It further detects RF energy and measures signal strength Tri-Porter™ (IVT600) includes a handy carrying case, along with of cable runs. Tri-Porter™ handles a full range of physical the 20-piece wiremapping sets, wiring tests for the fast, efficient delivery of IP-based voice, for remote discovery of telephone, data and video services for either the home or small office. network and coax cables. The perfect 21st century tool for 21st century needs. www.test-um.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F New Products Compiled by Steve Smith A leaner Cat 6A more compact and light- CopperTen Category 6A UTP cable er weight cable with 2 to has an average outside diameter of 24 buffered fibers, and of- .275 inches, compared to the industry fer a higher performance average of .210 inches, and is designed over previous designs. These cables are speci- fied for campus networks between buildings where interbuilding lengths are short enough that the in- staller can gain savings by terminating tight-buffered cables. For indoor appli- cations, the cable is OFNR-listed, and for outdoor use, the cable features an to enhance airflow, reduce installation outer jacket that incorporates a UV sta- costs due to light weight and smaller bilizer for protection against exposure to tured cabling solutions for the “intelli- volume, and improve fi ll rates in cable the sun, as well as anti-fungus protection gent home”—including multimedia and trays, conduit, and raceways. The cable for underground installations. home theater, whole-home security and is built to run 10-Gigabit Ethernet over AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS access control networks, and lighting 100 meters. www.afl tele.com and environmental control systems. ADC BELDEN www.adc.com OSP enclosure conversion kit www.belden.com This Fiber Scalabilty Center (FSC) up- Power analyzer grade kit for the company’s outside plant Residential distribution Designed to measure and carry out diag- cabinets lets field The Residential Network Solution sup- nostic and power-quality work on single- technicians con- ports applications for current and phase systems or three-phase balanced vert a cabinet orig- emerging commu- low-voltage networks, the PowerPad Jr. inally deployed in nication and video Model 8230 is a single- a traditional PON entertainment. Da- phase power quality architecture into ta, voice and video analyzer. Compact a cross-connect signals converge in and shock-resistant, fiber-to-the-prem- the center and are the unit helps you ises (FTTP) so- then distributed to obtain instant wave- lution. The kit individual room forms of electrical also lets the user re-deploy the origi- outlets. A basic sys- characteristics, and nal splitter into a central office config- tem is pre-designed for voice and data then monitor their uration without changing the footprint applications, while the enhanced system variation over a peri- of the cabinet. The FSC is available provides flexibility for removing mod- od of time. This multi- in 48-port pre-terminated modules, with ules and allows plug-and-play for copper tasking measurement system is designed pre-terminated subassemblies, splice and fiber applications. Other features to handle all measurement functions and trays and associated hardware for patch- include an 8-port switch that lets us- waveform displays of the various magni- only and patch-and-splice applicatons. ers network up to seven computers, tudes. The instrument records volts, amps, APA CABLES & NETWORKS complete automation capabilities, and watts, VARs, PowerFactor, THD, and www.apaenterprises.com central control of multiple integrated other signals. home communication and video enter- AEMC INSTRUMENTS Home cabling solutions tainment applications. www.aemc.com Cable solutions for data, voice, video, COMMSCOPE audio and security applications in the www.commscope.com Indoor/outdoor cable home can be found in a new catalog Indoor/outdoor riser tight-buffered cables of HomeChoice cables. Featured prod- Secure connector have been redesigned to meet or exceed ucts range from cables designed for basic The secure Keyed LC Solution, a small- GF-409 and ICEA-S-104-696, provide a voice/data/video installations, to struc- form-factor LC connector format, is ➤ www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ March 2007 ■ 57 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F New Products designed for organizations that need to Loose-tube plenum timized), and singlemode versions, segregate networks due to privacy or se- FREEDM loose-tube, gel-free, plenum- FREEDM features a flame-retardant curity concerns. Based on the standard rated cables are designed for indoor/ jacket that is UV-resistant and enables LC single-fiber connector, the Keyed LC outdoor installation, including aerial, direct exposure to sunlight. Interlock- duct, and riser or plenum applications. ing armor is available for specialized According to the company, there is no applications. need to transition-splice when entering CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS the building (from dedicated outside www.corningcablesystems.com provides a physical separation for up to Analyzing internal security four networks, applications, or organi- OptiView Series III Integrated Network zations. Four color-coded key combina- Analyzer has been re-engineered to help tions prevent inadvertent or unauthorized network managers and engineers im- access to networks and enhance network plement current IT projects as well as ➤ identification. On the front and back of the patch panel, keyed connectors and adapt- plant cable to dedicated flame-retar- ers are used to match access rights to the dant OFNP cable), and minimizes rout- proper network. Key features in the con- ing restrictions once inside the building. nector and adapter cannot be duplicated The all-dielectric cable construction with standard LC components. This con- requires no grounding or bonding, and nector supports up to 288 fibers in a 4U the gel-free design provides for effi- rack-mountable housing. cient and craft-friendly cable prepara- CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS tion. Available with 12 to 60 fibers and in www.corningcablesystems.com 62.5-µm, 50-µm (including laser-op- How Do You Supply Solutions for the Data Center Equipment Cabinet Single Power Cord Devices with Dual, “Fail-Safe” Redundant Power? FSTS Features: > Patent Pending In-feed Sharing: Each in-feed supports half the load With Sentry! > Fast Transfer Rates: Power interruption will not affect uptime or performance Rack-Mount Fail-Safe Transfer Switches > Phase Synchronization: Power In-feeds do not need to be phase synchronized The Sentry Fail-Safe Transfer Switch™ (FSTS) features two > Input Voltages: 100-120 or 208-240 VAC, 20/30 Amp input power feeds (A & B In-Feeds). If either in-feed becomes > Patented Arc Suppression: Prevents arcing between relay points and contacts during power in-feed transfers unavailable, the FSTS auto-switches to the remaining source. > Branch Circuit Protection > Local RMS load current monitoring per circuit > Switches on power drop, brownout or over-voltage conditions Server Technology, Inc. tf +1.800.835.1515 1040 Sandhill Drive tel +1.775.284.2000 Reno, NV 89521 fax +1.775.284.2065 USA www.servertech.com sales@servertech.com ©Server Technology, Inc. Sentry is a trademark of Server Technology, Inc. 58 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGSF RapidNet Pre-terminated network cabling Dan Contractor Tim Data Center Manager I can offer: FAST AND EASY INSTALLATIONS Cool. (When can you start?) CATEGORY 6 AND FIBER OPTIONS GUARANTEED RELIABILITY ON TIME PROJECT COMPLETION (I can finish your cabling in one day... with a little help from RapidNet.) RapidNet pre-terminated network cabling system allows you the flexibility and efficiency to meet tight deadlines, complete more installations and better manage project fluctuations. Proven to reduce installation time more than 85%, each link is factory terminated and tested for opti- mal and guaranteed performance. Our patented cassettes simply click into the modular 19” patch panel. RapidNet installations are fully warranted and HellermannTyton will assist with take-offs and product selection. With a little help from RapidNet, deploy maximum performance even under unthinkable deadlines. p h o n e: [8 0 0] 8 2 2 4 3 5 2 e m a i l: i n f o@h t a m e r i c a s . c o m w w w. h e l l e r m a n n .t y t o n . c o m /c m1 ___________________ C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGSF
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F New Products perform rapid root-cause troubleshoot- The SurgeGate 72-port patch panel ing analysis. Designed in part to help line also includes This 72-port patch panel is designed to increase data security and regulatory add-on modules increase port density by 50% without compliance, the Series III supports free to protect com- increasing rack string match filters and triggers, 802.1x munications lines, unit space. Built authentication, gigabit line-rate traffic including tele- for zone enclo- generation and internetwork through- phone, T-1, leased sures, racks, and put testing, encapsulation-independent lines, LANs, and coax connections to cabinets, these protocol fi ltering, application-level traf- cable, satellite, and antenna lines. When 72-port panels are fic analysis, and application-layer bounce used in conjunction with an uninterrupt- available in stan- charts for performance visualization. ible power supply (UPS), SurgeGate can dard, angled, and FLUKE NETWORKS keep systems up and running through recessed configu- www.flukenetworks.com storms and blackouts. rations. All panel ITW LINX designs are QuickPort-compatible, pro- Control cables www.itwlinx.com viding Category 5e/6/6A connectivity This new line of control cables is de- options. signed to meet the needs of contractors Outdoor access point LEVITON VOICE & DATA installing home networks using Crestron- The JetWave 2410 is a 2.4-GHz IEEE www.levitonvoicedata.com branded automation and control com- 802.11g/b wireless outdoor access point designed to link two or more separate No-rack-space panel networks located in different buildings. VertiGO Zero-U patch panels consume no With data trans- rack space, eliminating interference with fer rates of up cooling racks or other panels, and lessen- to 54 Mbits/sec, ing the complexity of cable routing. Ver- this access point supports point- to-point and point-to-mul- tipoint bridge, ponents. Bundled within a single jacket, wireless client, the cables are designed to distribute con- or repeater modes. It integrates a 12 dBi trol signals, Ethernet data, CATV, satel- flat-panel antenna and 802.3af PoE port lite, broadband, and modulated video in for installation in areas where no power residential networks. They feature one outlets are available. tiGO can be installed in server cabinets, pair of 18 AWG or 24-volt power and KORENIX TECHNOLOGIES free-standing racks, on a ladder tray, or in one shielded twisted-pair of 22 AWG for www.korenix.com raised floor applications. A hinged open- control data, plus two or four Category 5e ing makes the patch panel more adaptable cables. Optional models for more com- High-density fiber panel to moves, adds, and changes, and protects plex installations include 24/4P control Featuring 96 LC ports, these 1U high- terminations when the door is closed. A wiring for two RG-6 BC quad-shielded density fiber patch panels with LC con- magnified label holder is designed to im- coax cables. nectors are designed for server farms and prove visibility inside dark spaces. HONEYWELL LEVITON VOICE & DATA www.honeywell.com www.levitonvoicedata.com Extra surge protection A/V cable info SurgeGate power protection devices are storage applications where minimizing Designed for commercial and residential designed to protect products from surges rack space is essential. Two models are A/V professionals, this 240-page catalog that would burn out typical suppressors. available: bronze alignment sleeves for provides a broad selection of wires, cables, They shut off the power for extended multimode applications, and ceramic installation components, tools, and spe- surges and sags, and reset when the dan- alignment sleeves for singlemode. cialized services. Also included is a tech- ger is past, saving communications equip- L-COM CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS nical glossary, a cable substitution chart, ment and cutting down on service calls. www.l-com.com and international AWG/metric conver- 60 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F New Products combined into a single management en- Component Video/Analog Audio Balun tity. Management enhancements include (500052, 500053) lets you connect one user-configurable utilization thresholds full YPbPr/RGB video channel plus one and automated power control. The Ver- mono hi-fi analog audio channel via Cat- sion. 5.0 software also features improve- egory 5 cable in a point-to-point configu- ments in navigation and configuration ration. The balun supports 480i/p video designed to simplify searching for spe- formats as well as high-definition 720p cific devices, making configuration up- and 1080i/p, supports an additional ana- dates, and for determing console server log audio connection for commercial and maintenance. residential A/V systems, and features a MRV COMMUNICATIONS modular RJ-45 connector. It is designed www.mrv.com to support up to 500 feet via Category 5 sion chart. This catalog is also available in HDTV mode. in CD-ROM format. A/V over Category 5 MUXLAB LIBERTY WIRE & CABLE Developed for audio/video (A/V) inte- www.muxlab.com www.libertycable.com grators and custom home installers, the Fiber microscope Server system upgrade The ViewConn hand-held video Improved clustering, security and man- microscope is designed agement features in software for the com- to eliminate guesswork pany’s LX Series of out-of-band console when mating fiberop- servers are designed to allow an unlim- tic connectors. Featur- ited number and combination of servers ing an eye-safe LCD in large data center applications to be monitor, the mi- ➤ _____________ www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ March 2007 ■ 61 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGSF New Products croscope looks for dirt and debris that security are critical. Copper cable is field-termination of individual cabling can affect signal quality. A cleaning tool available in plenum, riser, and LSZH fire channels. By consolidating multiple can be incorporated into the device to ratings, and system connectivity compo- cable runs, they are designed to improve reduce installation time. nents are 100% performance tested. cable management and pathway space LIGHTEL TECHNOLOGIES PANDUIT utilization in raised floor or overhead www.lighteltech.com www.panduit.com cable tray. Featuring individual outlets instead of cassettes, and a six-leg, dou- Harsh environment tie Vandal-resistant camera ble-ended construction with integrated Pan-Ty cable ties are designed for high- The SVD-4300N, 10x auto-focus zoom, pulling eye, these copper trunks utilize temperature (75º to 500º F) or harsh vandal-resistant dome camera features a closed-mesh sheathing to protect bun- chemical environments. Made from 500 TVL color and 570 TVL black and dles during pulling, and include a pro- polyetheretherketone (PEEK), an ex- white. Combined with its 10x optical prietary “trident cut” design that routes tremely chemical-resistant material with zoom, a 10x digital zoom provides 100x individual cables into position. Offering from 6 to 144 fibers per as- sembly, fiber-optic pre-terminated trunk low-smoke-low-gas, the cable ties are de- signed to provide excellent loop tensile strength in a lightweight material. PANDUIT www.panduit.com total zoom. Built of die-cast aluminum 10-GbE shielded cable with a thick polycarbonate dome, the Designed to provide exceptional alien SVD-4300 withstands a 10-lb. sledge- crosstalk performance beyond 500 MHz, hammer strike. It is IP66-rated and the TX6 10Gig is an end-to-end features motion detection and privacy 10-Gbit Ethernet (10-GbE) solution built masking accessible via on-screen display. to deliver ETL and Delta-tested perfor- With 3-axis adjustment and dual voltage, mance in a four-connector channel up to this security camera includes the com- 100 meters. According to the company, pany’s proprietary SSNR noise reduction the system also exceeds requirements of that provides clear pictures in low light plus DVR storage savings. SAMSUNG 360 assemblies (bottom photo) can be cus- www.samsung360.com tom-configured for permanent fiber Pre-terminated UTP, links in high-density environments, fiber trunking assemblies such as data centers. Also designed to Ten-Gigabit/sec-capable UTP and fi- reduce installation time up to 75% over ber-optic trunking cable assemblies are traditional termination methods, these designed to simplify installation of per- fiber-optic trunk assemblies feature LC, TIA/EIA 568-B.2-AD10 and ISO 11801 manent links. UTP pre-terminated trunk SC, ST, or MTRJ connectors, are avail- Class Ea Edition 2.1 draft proposals, and assemblies (top photo) are available in able in singlemode or multimode, and the IEEE 802.3an-2006 ratified standard custom lengths up to 120 feet, and offer with plenum, riser or LS0H ratings. for 10GBase-T transmission over twisted- multiple connector, cable category and Optional pulling eyes are available pair cabling. TX6 is built for data center jacket rating options. According to the to protect fiber connections during server links and high-end workstations company, these factory-terminated and installation. where suppression of EMI/RFI, in- tested assemblies can reduce deployment SIEMON creased transmission performance, and time by up to 75% compared to traditional www.siemon.com 62 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGSF
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F N EW ! ____________________________________ C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F Product Focus: coaxial connectors One-piece compression connector has wide range Low-loss F, BNC, RCA of tolerances The company’s line of F, The EZ line of one-piece coaxial com- BNC, and RCA coaxial con- pression connectors for mini-RG-59 nectors is designed for ex- cable is compatible with all major ceptional mechanical and domestic and import 23/24 AWG electrical performance. The cables, and accommodates a wide F connector features a BNC- style, two-piece center pin and body, designed to in- crease reliability and high- performance signal levels. The 75-Ω design, says the company, sistent cable center dimensions and delivers low return loss, and excel- reduced installation time. lent insertion loss and RF leakage ADC performance. A gold-plated crimp www.adc.com center pin is designed to create con- range of conductor, dielectric, and cable tolerances. These 75-Ω con- Low-profile ultra-mini nectors, available in F, BNC and RCA, Ultraminiature Coax Connector straight, and right-angle designs, are and Cable Assembly (UMCC) especially suited for security, audio/ series is a lower profile ver- video, and home theater applications. sion (2-mm off the board) of For higher performance applications, the company’s SSMT series. such as broadcast and CATV, a line Designed to meet next-gen- of one-piece connectors are com- eration wireless applications, patible with mini-RG-59, RG-59, and these connectors feature snap RG-6 precision video cables. on/off mating and a 3 x 3-mm WHITE SANDS ENGINEERING footprint, and are built for excellent elec- 1.32-mm diameter double-shielded cable, www.whitesandsengineering.com trical performance through 6 GHz. Con- as well as PCB jack receptacles for board- nectors and assemblies are available mount applications. as double-ended jumpers and inter-se- TYCO ELECTRONICS ries cable assemblies for 0.80-mm www.tycoelectronics.com/products/ LMR cable connectivity and 1.37-mm diameter single-shield, and rfcoax ____ Subminiature A (SMA) male plugs for LMR200 and LMR400 coaxial ca- ble are among the newest High-performance adapters additions to the compa- According to the manufacturer, these F-type coaxial adapters will ny’s line of connectivi- soon meet SCTE specifications, offering the highest level of video ty products. performance when used with RG-6 coax cable. Available in nickel- Also plated (1-GHz) and gold-plated (3-GHz) versions, these RCA and new are reverse- F-type compression connectors feature a radial polarized SMA plugs crimp to compress uniformly around the con- and SMA female jacks for nector body for increased audio/video signal in- LMR400 cable, as well as tegrity. The company’s QuickPort styles provide terminations type N plugs and jacks. at the wall plate. L-COM CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS LEVITON VOICE & DATA www.l-com.com www.levitonvoiceanddata.com 64 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F New Products Adapters for wireless Filtered power UPS An extensive line of coaxial RF connec- Designed to protect sensitive equipment tors and adapters is designed espe- against fluctuating power or power loss, cially for wireless applications. N-type, the S4K6U uninterruptible power system reverse polarity, TNC, MC Card, SMA, (UPS) features and MCX 50-Ω connector types are 10-kVA of power capacity, flexible Designed for 10-Gigabit Ethernet net- output voltage, working and computing applications, the internal batter- jacks’ patent-pending design integrates ies, and integrat- the capacitive and inductive compensa- ed maintenance tion on a flexible circuit board that bypass switch attaches directly to the tips of the jacks’ housed in a 6U contacts, close to where the jack and mod- enclosure. Its on-line double conversion ular plug connect. According to the com- topology is designed to continuously con- pany, this close proximity helps cancel vert incoming AC power into filtered DC NEXT crosstalk introduced to the jack power, then recreating it into low-distor- from the plug. In addition, as the flexible tion AC power. The UPS also automati- circuit board attaches to the jacks’ con- cally senses input voltage and configures tacts, the jacks are designed to preserve offered in crimp, straight, right-angle, output voltages to let users power a vari- the standard modular connector design, panel, bulkhead, and clamp styles that ety of loads with different voltages and thereby ensuring reliable connections. are designed to perform from DC to without an extra transformer. STEWART CONNECTOR 11-GHz. Sizes include RG-316 (100 Series), SOLA/HEVI-DUTY www.belfuse.com/StewartConnector RG-58 (195 Series), low-loss RG-8 www.egseg.com (400 Series), and large 900 Series. Splice-on connector HYPERLINK TECHNOLOGIES Category 6A jacks The Lynx CustomFit Splice-On connec- www.hyperlinktech.com The SS-60300 Series of Category 6A PCB- tor is a fully cross-compatible splice-on mounted jacks feature internal compen- connector for customized FTTH/FTTP, Fixed-length assemblies sation to enhance electrical performance outside plant, and field terminations. SMA hand-formable cable assemblies without the need for extensive second- Compatible with a wide array of splicer for RF/microwave applications are an ary compensation on the main PCB. and fiber holder brands, the connector ➤ alternative to semi-rigid cables. Featur- bulletin boards ing Johnson connectors on each end, they are constructed of a silver-plated, 10Gig Testing White Paper Learn about the testing White Paper challenges for 10Gig Without sophisticated frequency Near-End and for higher Figure 1 – returns to digital signal frequencies. Near-End the receiver Crosstalk processing side and White Paper (NEXT) measures competes techniques This phenomenon with “Signal B to A” arriving in the electronics, at the same reliable transmission receiver over 2 that pair 2. Ethernet over copper Crosstalk sets a limit cabling and see how new ing signal or NEXT measures in bandwidth is no longer is launched. the crosstalk for twisted-pair possible around Figure 1 illustrates signal that copper-covered steel conductor with an multiple cabling. that wire-pairs Near-End appears at Figure 2). as is the Crosstalk the same case in 1000BASE-T in a two end of the wire-pair cabling link and 10GBASE-T, system. If from which The crosstalk Far-End Crosstalk transmission the test or (FEXT) must simultaneously disturb- depicted takes place Crosstalk in figures be considered is the exact 1 and 2 and tested over same phenomenon, takes place between as well (see but the crosstalk wire-pairs Alien Crosstalk in one cable is a coupling (wire-pairs 10GbE application challenge for unshielded now occurs between wrapped in the same when using twisted-pair wire-pairs sheath). UTP cabling. cabling (UTP) in different, Alien Figure 3 shows as it is the adjacent installation and testing Alien Crosstalk cabling links. will be measured the Alien most significant the bundle as Alien NEXT Crosstalk disturbance upon the in a wire or noise source wire-pair between pair induced and Power under test wire pairs, by wire pairs for the Sum Alien (usually referred as well as in adjacent FEXT (PSAFEXT) Alien FEXT. cables. Ethernet to as the Since the s for 10 Gb/s should be victim wire-pair) combined computed impact of and evaluated must be assessed, Testing Challenge for wire-pairs many wire-pairs Power Sum in in a cabling Alien NEXT air Cabling bundle. (PSANEXT) additional copper-tin composite braid foil. over Twisted-P (AXTalk) Alien Crosstalk help combat and testing guidelines New installation guidelines help combat Ethernet over twist- Table of contents 10 Gigabit/sec The standards for T) are still in the to 10GBASE-T field cabling (10GBASE ...2 ed-pair copper Introduction ........... Many issues and requirements testing and certification development stage. and months; we expect the Alien Crosstalk in recent Figure Understanding ....2 have been defined 2 – Far-End 10 Gb/s performance be finalized and (FEXT) how it impacts Crosstalk Gb/s Ethernet will direction measures ........... ..4 standards on 10 of the transmitted Crosstalk . . the crosstalk an over- Testing Alien induced in This paper provides signal and wire-pair. . . . . . . . . 5 with the clarity . . 4 that travels the competes published in mid-2006. test strategy cabling Alien Crosstalk of “Signal length of the for the twisted-pair . ..6 . . . . . . 4”. arriving at Receiver cable in the Alien Crosstalk. view of the requirements types. . . . . . Applicable cable 4. According to the company, the cables the performance ........7 measure and certify ........... and methods to Recommendations ..8 cabling system. ........... of the installed ........... Conclusion . Fluke Networks 3 www.fluke networks.c om provide 100% shielded coverage Download our white paper today at designed for outstanding voltage stand- www.flukenetworks.com/10Gig ing wave ratio (VSWR) and lower inser- tion loss up to 18 GHz. In-stock and customized lengths are available. EMERSON NETWORK POWER _________ NETWORKSUPERVISION ©2006. Fluke Corporation. www.emersonnetworkpower.com www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ March 2007 ■ 65 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F New Products eliminates the need to invest in specialty AP-5181 is mesh-capable, allowing for cre- ments for Category 6 component perfor- splicing equipment, reducing cost of own- ation of self-assembling, self-healing, flex- mance, this system also complies with ership. According to the company, the ible outdoor wireless networks that can all performance requirements for connector’s termination eliminates the be managed remotely with wireless next- Gigabit Ethernet, 10 and 100Base-TX, generation (Wi-NG) architecture. Token Ring, 155-Mbits/sec ATM, SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES 100-Mbits/sec TP-PMD, ISDN, analog www.symbol.com and digital video, and analog and digi- tal voice (VoIP). Secure Ethernet connector TYCO ELECTRONICS The RJ45 SECURE jack-and-plug con- www.tycoelectronics.com need to predetermine the length of pre- nector system features mutually exclu- terminated jumpers required for a given sive keys for restricted access to network Fiber-optic assemblies application, letting field technicians cus- connection points. The system, which Customized singlemode and multimode tomize terminations while ensuring accu- consists of modular jacks and patch ca- fiber-optic cable assemblies are available rate and permanent connectorizations. ble assemblies, is designed so that the in simplex, duplex, and up to 24-pair fan- SUMITOMO ELECTRIC LIGHTWAVE modular jacks match with the patch ca- out construction. Connector options www.sumitomoelectric.com ble assemblies via a keying configura- include SC, LC, and ST. Hybrid con- tion. Mating a cable to a jack is possible nection custom lengths are also available. Outdoor access point only if the key- According to the company, the assem- The AP-5181 access point is designed for ing matches. blies meet Telcordia GR-326 compliance outdoor use and can withstand wind, Built to meet standards, and undergo in-house testing rain, lightning, extreme temperatures, or exceed TIA/ to ensure quality. and power surges. Extending enterprise EIA and ISO/ COMMUNICATIONS TEST DESIGN communication beyond office walls, the IEC require- www.ctdi.com hot products Extend T1/E1 over: Wireless Mounting Solutions Ethernet IP/Ethernet Fiber Miles of Fiber New “Z” Dualband Antenna Shown in the Oberon Model 1050-00 Access Point Enclosure Material: UL 94-V0 PC/ABS Size: 1.75 inches high Wire Up to Several Miles Cable: 16” Plenum Rated RG-58/U PL of 2-pair Wire Connector Options: RPTNC(Male) or RPSMA(Male) Mounting Method: Through hole 15/16 dia (0.94) 78-14 UNF Plastic Hex Nut www.textender.com Gain: 2.4GHz—4dBi (802.11b/g) Gain: 4.9GHz-5.8GHz—4dBi (802.11a) 800-432-2638 Cost: As low as $27.35 Visit www.oberonwireless.com Call 1-877-867-2312 for details. Data Comm for Business, Inc. C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F hot products _________________ _____________ Approved by Major Telecom carriers For 1.25mm, 2.5mm PC and APC type ferrules and connectors Portable, lightweight cleaner with no battery or power source required Ultra dust-free, lint-free, micro-fiber cleaning cloth – completely dry process Spring-loaded tip for controlled cleaning pressure Adjustable tip up to 45 degree for hard to reach connector Custom adaptors available upon request for: Mil/Aero termini, OptiTap, etc. Functions Results Before After www.seikohgiken.com Tel: 770-279-6602 www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ March 2007 ■ 67 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F INDEX OF ADVERTISERS COMPANY PAGE PHONE WEB ADC 21 800-366-3891 www.adc.com/truenet Senior Vice President/Group Publishing Director Mark Finkelstein Patrick McLaughlin Chief Editor / AFL Telecommunications LLC 47 800-235-3423 www.afltele.com Tel: (603) 891-9133;patrick@pennwell.com (603) 891-9222 • fax: (603) 891-9297 Agilent Technologies 11 800-829-4444 www.agilent.com/find/wirescope mark@pennwell.com Executive Editor / Steve Smith ext 5465 Associate Publisher/National Sales Manager (603) 891-9139 • stevesm@pennwell.com Allied Electrical Group insert 800-688-4857 www.alliedeg.com/cope Ed Murphy PennWell Corp./ATD Vincent Senior Editor / Matt Bel Stewart Connector 20 717-235-7512 www.belfuse.com/stewartconnector/ 98 Spit891-9262 • mattv@pennwell.com (603) Brook Road Nashua, NH 03062-5737 Belden/CDT C3 800-BELDEN.1 www.belden.com Tel: (603) 891-9260; fax: Jayne 891-9245 Circulation Manager / (603) Sears-Renfer Berk-Tek 24 800-BERK-TEJ www.berk-tek.com edm@pennwell.comjaynesr@pennwell.com (603) 891-9416 • Brother International 12-13 877-4ptouch www.brother.com Reprint Sales/ Kelli Mylchreest Art Director Diane Troyer Cable Management Solutions 4 800-308-6788 www.snaketray.com Tel: (603) 891-9385;Chris (603) 891-9245 Lead Illustrator / fax: Hipp Cables To Go 61 800-287-2843 www.rapidrun.com dianet@pennwell.com Senior Vice President/Group Publishing Director Cablofil Inc. 41 800-658-4641 www.cablofil.com Mark Finkelstein List Rental / Bob Dromgoole (603) 891-9128 ••bobd@pennwell.com (603) 891-9133 markf@pennwell.com Communications Supply Corp. 44 800-321-9122 www.gocsc.com/vodavi Associate Publisher/National Sales Manager Corning Cable Systems LLC C2 800-743-2671 www.corning.com/cablesystems Ed Murphy CI&M ONLINE (603) 891-9260 • edm@pennwell.com Datacom For Business 66 800-432-2638 www.textender.com Senior Vice President/Director of Internet Services Diamond Ground Products 67 805-498-3837 www.diamondground.com Tom Cintorino Tel: (603) 579-9002; fax: (603) 579-9030 Diamond SA 34 41 91 785 45 45 www.diamond-fo.com CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE tcintorino@pennnet.com EXECUTIVE AND EDITORIAL OFFICES Dow Wire & Cable 50 800-444dow www.dowwireandcable.com PennWell ATD INTERNATIONAL SALES Dymo Corp. 30 www.rhinolabeling.com 98 Spit Brook Road Australia/New Zealand / Glenn Clarke Nashua, NH 03062-5737 Emerson Network Power 19 800-247-8256 www.emersonnetworkpower.com/ Fax: (603)3891-0123, fax: (603) 891-9245 Tel: +61 9 568 4955 connectivity glennclarke@build.com.au Internet: www.cable-install.com Fiber Instrument Sales 22 800-5000-FIS www.fiberinstrumentsales.com Canada / Fred Ouimette Fluke Inc. 1, 65 800-508-0490 www.flukenetworks.com/itpropormo Tel: (905) 890-1846; fax: (905) 890-3829 fredoui@kerrwill.com INQUIRIES ONLY: FOR SUBSCRIPTION General Cable Company 55 800-424-5666 www.generalcable.com France, the Netherlands,(847) 291-4816 Tel: (847) 559-7520, fax: Belgium, Andora, Greece, Hellermann Tyton 59 800-822-4352 www.hellerman.tyton.com/cm1 Spain, Portugal, Western Switzerland / Luis Matutano Tel:Europe: 66 16 87; fax: +33 1 39 23 84 18 In +33 1 39 Hoffman Enclosures Inc. 7 www.ehoffman.com luism@pennwell.com fax: +44 181 675 0301 Tel: +44 181 675 9775, Hyperline Systems Canada 49 866-63-hyper www.hyperlinesystems.com HRA@pennwell.com Austria, Eastern Europe, ICC Premise Wiring 5 888-ASK-4ICC www.icc.com Germany, Northern Switzerland / Johann Bylek Tel: +49 89 904 80 144; fax: +49 89 904 80 145 Leviton 23 800-922-6229 www.levitonvoicedata.com johannb@pennwell.com Light Connection 67 315-736-7384 www.thelightconnection.com India / Rajan Sharma CORPORATE OFFICERS Live Wire and Cable 65 888-897-6008 www.live w-c.com Tel: +91 11 686 1113; fax: +91 11 686 1112 Chairman / Frank T. Lauinger rajan@interadsindia.com Micro Care Corp. 42 800-638-0125 www.MicroCare.com/ CableBandwidth Israel / Dan AronovicExecutive Officer / Robert F. Biolchini President and Chief Tel: +972 9 899 5813 Mohawk 14 800-422-9961 www..mohawk-cable.com aronovic@actcom.co.il / Mark C. Wilmoth Chief Financial Officer Oberon Inc. 66 877-867-2312 www.oberonwireless.com Italy / Jean-Pierre Bruel Optical Cable Corp. 2 800-622-7711 www.occfiber.com Tel: +39 03 175 1494; fax: +39 03 175 1482 ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DIVISION medias@pcbrianza.net Paladin Tools 18 800-272-8665 www.powerplaytools.com Senior Executive Assistant Russia / Anton Antoniuk Carol Woodward Panduit Corp. 28, C4 800-777-3300 www.panduit.com Tel: +7 095 234 5678; fax: +7 095 234 5665 Tel: (603) 891-9112, fax: (603) 891-9287 Prime Communications 67 888-289-4899 anton@ccc.ru carolw@pennwell.com ext. 233 U.K. & Scandinavia / Amanda Loftus Pulizzi Engineering Inc. 40 877-PULIZZI www.pulizzi.com Tel: +44 0 1793 862111; fax: +44 0 1793Adams VP Audience Development / Gloria S. 862110 amandal@pennwell.com Rittal Corporation 53 937-390-5599 www.rittal-it.com Asia Sales Manager / Adonis Mak ATD PUBLISHING SERVICES DEPARTMENTS Samsung Electronics 39 972-245-7353 www.samsung-security.com Tel: +852 2 838 6298; fax: +852 2 838 2766 Art Director / Meg Fuschetti adonism@actintl.com.hk Seikoh Giken USA Inc. 67 770-279-6602 www.seikohgiken.com Server Technology 58 800-835-1515 www.servertech.com Production Director / Mari Rodriguez Japan / Manami Konishi (603) 891-9193 • marir@pennwell.com Tel: +81 3 5771 8886; fax: +81 3 5771 8887 Siemon Company 43 www.siemon.com manami.konishi@ex-press.jp Marketing Communication Manager / Kristen Jones Systimax Solutions 17 800-344-0223 www.systimax.com/visipatch360 Korea 891-9425 • kristenj@pennwell.com (603) / Paek Kwon Terahertz Technologies Inc. 48 315-736-3642 www.terahertztechnologies.com Tel: +82 2 420 1293 or 1213; fax: +82 2 420 1294 pkwon@kescor.co.kr / Lacy Ward Ad Traffic Manager Tessco Technologies 29, 33 800-472-7373 www.tessco.com/go/square (918) 832-9268 • lward@pennwell.com Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand Test-Um/JDSU 35, 56 805-383-1500 www.test-um.com Grace Leung Toyota Motor Sales USA 8-9 800-732-2798 www.toyota.com Tel: +65 6 836 2272; fax: +65 6 735 9653 gleung@publicitas.com Transition Networks 36 800-526-9267 www.milan.com Taiwan / IN THEChen PRINTED Anita USA GST NO. 126813153 Tyco Electronics Corp. 38 800-553-0938 www.ampnetconnect.com Tel: +886 2 8751 5162; fax: +886 2 8751 8861 Publications Mail Agreement Number 40052420 anita_chen@globalitmedia.com The index of Advertiser’s is published as a service. The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions. 68 ■ March 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F Belden and DuPont ® TM The Clear Standouts in Cabling Solutions Working together, From the new Belden System 10GX® to All of Belden’s limited Belden and DuPont innovative DuPont Abandoned Cable Services combustible cabling lead the industry in to the leading limited combustible cabling products use DuPont products available, Belden and DuPont lead Teflon® FEP insulation creating innovative the way in structured cabling solutions. and jacketing materials structured cabling to lower smoke generation by 2000% technologies and The Belden System 10GX, utilizing DuPont compared to conventional plenum-rated solutions. materials, isn’t simply tweaked Category 6 cable. In fact, no other structured cabling technology. It’s a revolutionary new system company uses as much Teflon ® as Belden! designed around four totally new enabling technologies that deliver on the two most Belden and DuPont clearly critical factors in 10 Gigabit service: reduction do stand out from the rest. of Alien Crosstalk and controlled performance For more information, up to a minimum of 500 MHz. please call Belden at 1.800.BELDEN.1 DuPont Abandoned Cable Services, supported by Belden, consist of a suite of www.belden.com services designed to make understanding and www.dupont.com/ responding to changing building safety codes cablingsolutions ___________ and standards relating to cabling simple and affordable. These services identify and report on abandoned cable hazards and provide detailed plans for cable removal management and infrastructure improvement. ® DuPont, Teflon® and the DuPont Oval are a trademark or registered trademarks of DuPont and its affiliates. ©2006, Belden Inc. C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS B F
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    C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F PANDUIT introduces the affordable and powerful COUGAR ™ LS9 Hand-Held Thermal Transfer Printer ■ Prints a wide variety of continuous tapes for marking of cables, patch panels, faceplates and other network applications ■ Legends can be easily aligned with ports on patch panels and faceplates, eliminating the need for manual spacing and guesswork ■ Partial cut feature available to provide tear-apart strips of labels ■ P1 ™ Label Cassette contains integrated memory device for automatic formatting, recall of last legend used, and number of labels remaining in the cassette ■ Fast loading label cassette includes both label material and ribbon to PANDUIT is a Global Leader make changing labels easy Providing Innovative End-To-End ■ Large graphic display for improved visibility Network Connectivity Solutions that Enable the Deployment PANDUIT offers a broad range of economical identification products that aid in TIA/EIA-606-A compliance including labels, labeling of Technology. software, and printers. ■ Network Identification Systems ■ Copper Cabling Systems ■ Fiber Cabling Systems ■ Outlets ■ Raceway Systems Cable Marking Network Components ■ Zone Cabling Systems ■ Network Management and PoE Systems ■ Fiber Routing Systems ■ Racks and Cable Management ■ Network Grounding Systems ■ Network Cable Ties and Partial Cut Strip P1 ™ Label Cassette of Labels Accessories Visit us at www.panduit.com/ls902 Contact Customer Service by email: cs@panduit.com or by phone: 800-777-3300 and reference ad # ls902 C Previous Page A Installation 7Maintenance Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B Next Page EMaGS F