Cim 20071001 oct_2007

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Solutions for Premises and Campus Communication Systems Worldwide October 2007

www.cablinginstall.com
_____________________

UTP cabling
performance
up close
The not so
intimidating OTDR

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Installation 7Maintenance
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Exceptional optical performance comes naturally.
Nothing is more treasured in field termination than exceptional optical performance. The secret to UniCam® Pretium™-
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a no-epoxy/no-polish (NENP) connector. UniCam Pretium-Performance Multimode Connectors offer 0.1 dB insertion loss.
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Customer-focused innovation is second nature at Corning.
www.corning.com/cablesystems/cimls

© 2007 Corning Cable Systems LLC / LS-02413

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trade name and trademark. All rights reserved. 1007

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Our U.S. delivery area.

No matter where you’re located, our fiber optic cable products are there. Optical Cable Corporation
has built a network of reliable stocking distributors and a dedicated sales team committed to
getting you the best fiber optic cables for your requirements when you need them...where you
need them. For over 20 years, we have been manufacturing the broadest range of top-performing
tight-buffered fiber optic cables for most applications in the government, military, and commercial
markets. Your order is our top priority. Contact Optical Cable Corporation for a stocking
distributor nearest you. We are where you are.

1-800-622-7711
5290 Concourse Drive • Roanoke, Virginia 24019
Phone 540-265-0690 • www.occfiber.com

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COVER CONCEPT BY DAN RODD

OCTOBER 2007 VOL. 15, NO. 10

ABOUT THE COVER
Used primarily in long-
haul OSP applications, features
9
fusion splicing is now
an alternative to field A close examination of
terminations in the data UTP cabling performance
center due to its effectiveness Answers to many of the”why” questions associated
in meeting critical density
with the installation and maintenance of unshielded
and performance demands.
TO LEARN MORE,
twisted-pair systems. JAMES ANDRESS
SEE PAGE 27.

21 Using an OTDR: How to keep it simple
Not just for use in public networks, the optical time-
domain reflectometer no longer has to be an
intimidating tool. CHRISTIAN SCHILLAB

27 The ins and outs of fusion splicing
Still primarily for use in the outside plant, the technology is now
seeing deployment in premises applications. BETSY ZIOBRON

35 Enclosures play a role
in thermal management
Dealing with heat close to its source takes
several forms. PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN

39 Surveillance market seeing
many IP rumblings
Acquisitions, alliances, and increasing attention are more evidence of
the shift to Internet Protocol-based systems. PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN departments
6 Editorial
45 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
■ Berk-Tek unveils smaller diameter
LEED by example
51 New Products
fiber cable for data centers 58 Product Focus:
■ A pioneering 40-Gbit optical active cable PATCH PANELS
■ Hybrid connector solution developed
for harsh environments
■ Structured cabling system aimed at
home, small office markets

CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE (ISSN 1073-3108), a trademark, is published 12 times a year, monthly, by PennWell Corporation, 1421 South Sheridan Road,
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www.cablinginstall.com
______________ Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ October 2007 ■ 3

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Chief Editor / Patrick McLaughlin
(603) 891-9222 • patrick@pennwell.com

Executive Editor / Steve Smith

LEED by example (603) 891-9139 • stevesm@pennwell.com

Senior Editor / Matt Vincent
(603) 891-9262 • mattv@pennwell.com
At the most recent BICSI Conference, tions, it would be in their best inter-
Circulation Manager / Michelle Blake
held the second week of September in est to acquire the ability to bid on and (603) 891-9360 • michellb@pennwell.com
Las Vegas, I enjoyed the presentation carry out LEED-based contracts. Art Director / Kelli Mylchreest
delivered by Bill Weekes, a Registered Even so, I couldn’t shake the irony
Lead Illustrator / Dan Rodd
Communications Distribution Design- of my own actions immediately fol-
er with Fancom Network Integrators lowing that presentation. I got out of Senior Vice President/Group Publishing Director
Mark Finkelstein
(www.fancomni.com). He provided my chair, grabbed my empty water (603) 891-9133 • mark@pennwell.com
firsthand, practical information on a bottle, and looked for something I Associate Publisher/National Sales Manager
topic that might knew I wouldn’t find—a recycle bin. Ed Murphy
(603) 891-9260 • edm@pennwell.com
not be extremely So, I threw the bottle in the trash bar-
familiar to many rel, on top of paper products and alu- CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE
in the cabling in- minum cans that also occupied it. EXECUTIVE AND EDITORIAL OFFICES
dustry—the Unit- A few years ago, at a different con- PennWell ATD
98 Spit Brook Road
ed States Green ference in Las Vegas, I wanted to Nashua, NH 03062-5737
Tel: (603) 891-0123, fax: (603) 891-9245
Building Council’s deposit my empty aluminum can Internet: www.cablinginstall.com
Leadership in En- into a recycle bin, so I asked a
ergy and Environ- member of the convention center’s SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES:
For subscriptions or to change your format to print
mental Design (LEED) program. maintenance staff where I could find or digital, please go to: www.cim-subscribe.com.
Weekes was not familiar with one. Based on the look she gave me, I Subscriptions outside the USA are available in digital
format only.
LEED when he first got involved in initially believed she did not under-
it, as he freely admitted during his stand English. In fact, she spoke the
presentation. In fact, if I remember language fluently as far as I could
his story correctly, he was commit- tell; it was the notion of a recycle bin
CORPORATE OFFICERS
ted to carrying out a certain project that put such a perplexed look on her
Chairman / Frank T. Lauinger
before learning it would be LEED- face. That’s when I realized the city’s
certified, so had to take a crash course punchline of a motto was true on sev- President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert F. Biolchini
in the topic to go along with on-the- eral levels, and in this case could be
Chief Financial Officer / Mark C. Wilmoth
job training. That’s where much of the changed to, “What happens here, gets
value in his BICSI presentation comes landfilled here.” ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
from. Here was an RCDD speaking Expecting a place known as Sin Senior Executive Assistant
Carol Woodward
to other RCDDs about what it’s really City to provide a positive example of Tel: (603) 891-9112, fax: (603) 891-9287
going to mean to them when they get environmental stewardship is unre- carolw@pennwell.com
involved in a project that is gunning alistic. But, as Weekes’ presentation VP Audience Development / Gloria S. Adams
for LEED certification. pointed out, when those controlling
It doesn’t matter where a project’s the purse strings are thinking envi- ATD PUBLISHING SERVICES DEPARTMENTS
tradespeople stand on the sociopo- ronmentally, the dynamic changes. Art Director / Meg Fuschetti

litical spectrum when it comes to I’ll be interested to hear more about Production Director / Mari Rodriguez
(603) 891-9193 • marir@pennwell.com
environmental causes; if the project our industry’s take on LEED.
is aiming for LEED certification, and Marketing Communication Manager
Kristen Jones
these trades want to be paid, they’ll (603) 891-9425 • kristenj@pennwell.com
comply with the building owner’s Ad Traffic Manager / Jackie Linker
demands for enviro-friendly materi- (918) 832-9314 • jackiel@pennwell.com

als, processes, and systems. So, while PATRICK McLAUGHLIN
Mc
some who saw Weekes present last Chief Editor PRINTED IN THE USA GST NO. 126813153
month might scoff at LEED’s inten- patrick@pennwell.com
Publications Mail Agreement Number 40052420

4 ■ October 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

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THE
PRESENTATION.
THE SIGN-OFF. THE LAST HURDLE
TO THE FINAL APPROVAL OF WHAT YOU
BELIEVED WAS ALREADY OVER.

There comes a moment in every project when each decision
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you’re not on your own. Our nationwide supply chain, local
support network and trusted suppliers stand ready for any
‘moment of truth’ you encounter. So keep pushing forward;
we’ll be right there.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT GRAYBAR.COM/CORNING OR CALL 1-800-GRAYBAR (472-9227).
___________

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Turn your cable tester into an OTDR

N E T W O R K S U P E R V I S I O N

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and watch the transformation begin.

See how the DTX Compact OTDR Module can turn
your cable tester into an OTDR and your staff
into fiber experts – to completely transform
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the transformation begin.

Go to www.flukenetworks.com/seehow to enter to
win a DTX Compact OTDR and see a live demo.

©2007 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved. 02177

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Mohawk’s pre-terminated fiber optic Plug’n Play
solutions combine ease of installation with the
flexibility to work with any corresponding fiber
cassette.
Whether long runs or short runs, Mohawk’s Plug’n Play
fiber solutions complement data center performance with
its compact cable size and maximum flexibility.
Features and Benefits:
• Pre-terminated cables for premium performance.
• Small diameter and bend radius for installation in
high density environments.
• The MPO terminations allow the cables to plug
into any corresponding fiber cassette.
• Compliant to TIA-568-C.3.

MOHAWK
For more information or a copy of our Application Note
visit www.mohawk-cable or call 800-422-9961.

Cabling Excellence for
Open Architecture

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www.cablinginstall.com design

A close examination of
UTP cabling performance

M ost of us are fa-
miliar with the installation
specifications that have been
Answers to many of the “why” questions
associated with the installation and
maintenance of UTP systems.
written for unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cabling sys- Any information that is transmitted involves the use
tems. These specifications include such topics as pair of frequencies or bits, even including 60-hertz alternat-
untwist, bend radius, and pulling tension. And while ing current (AC) power. Information includes voice, mu-
we are familiar with these standard requirements, sic, radio, data, video, television, or even light, as in fiber
many—especially those new to the trade—may wonder optics. The more information we have to transmit, the
why such handling restrictions exist.
What happens if the specifications are not followed Hertz vs. bits
exactly? And why are the specifications more critical, and
4 Hz 4 bits/sec
more restrictive, when transmitting higher data rates?
The key point of this entire article is: installation
1 second 1 second
quality and correctness. They are vital, and they are
entirely up to you.
Let’s fi rst consider that the twisted pair was de-
signed several decades ago to transmit a voice signal
at 4,000 Hz. Over the past 15 to 20 years, to accom-
modate computer and data networking traffic, the
design has been upgraded to allow transmission
rates to go from 4,000 bits/sec to millions and poten-
tially billions of bits/second. And, of course, installation Although the relationship between hertz and bits is not always
methods have had to be upgraded accordingly. 1:1, there is a correspondence between the two. Shown on
the left is a cycle of 4 hertz/second; on the right is a cycle of 4
The lexicon of data transmission bits/second.
Throughout this article, I will use the terms “frequency,”
“hertz,” “megahertz,” “megabits,” “gigabits.” Let’s more hertz, or bits, it takes to do so, and the more com-
ensure we know what they all mean. plex the technology required to transmit it.
Hertz, or cycles per second, is an analog term. A hertz In the computer and data business, all of the informa-
is one electrical energy cycle, above and below the cen- tion seen on the computer screen is converted to electri-
ter line, occurring in one second of time. In digital cal, or ones and zeros—a bit represented by a one and the
terminology, we use the term “bit,” which is one elec- absence of a bit represented by a zero. But there are other
trical energy pulse, above or below the center line or a types of information sources, such as data transducers,
combination of both, occurring in one second of time. industrial devices, and cameras that are frequency-based.
Multiple hertz, or bits, can occur—four, forty, thousands, In most of these cases, the frequencies are converted to
even millions—in a single second. bits before they are transmitted.
Often, there are significant differences between hertz
JAMES ANDRESS is an engineering consultant for telecommunications and bits concerning how they are processed and convey
at New Mexico State University’s Physical Science Laboratory. information; but considering our discussion on ➤

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ October 2007 ■ 9

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Signal-to-noise ratio examples Resistance (R) is the resistance of the conductor to the pas-
sage of electric current. Resistance is constant along the con-
Analog signal Digital signal
ductor, controlled primarily by the size of the wire (the larger
Good
Good S/N the wire, the less resistance it has) and the type of material
S/N Poor
Poor S/N (copper being the almost universal choice), and is measured in
S/N
ohms(Ω). Another contributing factor to overall resistance is
the type, thickness, and density of the insulation. Collectively,
these resistance factors result in less signal received at the
receiver, a poorer SNR, and a higher bit error rate.
Leakage or conductance (G) is the conductance of the insu-
Noise
Static lation on each conductor to the passage of current leaking out
Hum to the adjacent conductor of the pair, or to the other pairs, or
Crosstalk
to ground. It is almost negligible in its electrical effect on the
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a critical electrical performance parameter, circuit, but it is there nonetheless and needs to be mentioned.
and shown here are examples of good and poor SNR in analog trans- Being very high in value, it is measured in megohms, or mil-
mission (left) as well as digital transmission (right). lions of ohms. It combines with resistance to weaken the sig-
nal along the pair, and is also constant along the conductor as
cabling-installation specifications and practices, we can deal well as controlled by the type of insulating material, its thick-
with the two terms interchangeably. ness, and its density.
Another term we will use when talking about cable perfor- Inductance (L) and its current-flow-inhibiting effect, induc-
mance is signal-to-noise ratio, or SNR. This is simply a num- tive resistance (X L), are also significant characteristics. Induc-
ber expressing the difference between the power level of the tance is the magnetic effect of alternating current signal flow
information signal in a circuit, and the power level of the noise, in a conductor. It opposes the applied signal voltage, which in
hum, static, crosstalk, or other undesired interfering signals turn reduces the signal current flow, which then results in less
that are also in the circuit. SNR is expressed as a ratio; the signal into the receiver, and then to a poor SNR and poorer
larger the number, the better the circuit quality. BER. Inductance is also constant along the conductor. But in
Directly related to SNR is bit error rate (BER). As the bit this case, the higher the signal frequency or bit rate, the higher
power level gets down close to the noise level, the receiver may the current-inhibiting effect. Although inductance is inherent
have difficulty deciding if there is a one or a zero at a given in any conductor, it is significantly increased when the con-
period of time. If the receiver makes a mistake and reads ductor is curved or formed into a coil. The sharper the curve,
a one instead of a zero, or vice versa, we have a bit error. or more rotations in a coil, or the smaller the diameter of the
coil, the greater the inductance. These factors relate problems
Twisted path of twisted pair resulting from tight bends or kinks in the cabling.
The twisted pair is a rather high-tech precision piece of hard- Capacitance (C)—and its signal coupling effect, capacitive
ware. Two areas of concern and how they relate to each other reactance (XC)—is the coupling effect of alternating current
are: 1) the physical construction of the cable, and 2) the elec- signal flow between electrical conductors and components.
trical characteristics of signal transmission. It allows signal coupling between the wires of a pair and
The cable’s physical construction incorporates four signifi- between pairs. The common effect is crosstalk. Capacitance
cant characteristics: is inherent in a conductor or component. It is also increased
1. The diameter of the conductor and conductor material; by closer spacing or by a larger-size conductor or component.
2. The type of insulating material along with its density and These factors relate to problems resulting from crushing, twist-
thickness; ing, and bends that bring the conductors closer together.
3. The spacing between the insulated conductors of the pair as Impedance (Z) is a frequently discussed characteristic.
well as the spacing between the four pairs in the cable; Expressed in ohms (Ω), it is a mathematical result of com-
4. The twist rate, or number of twists per inch, of the two con- bining the values of resistance, inductive reactance, and
ductors of a pair—but also the relative twist rate of each of capacitive reactance. It is also a design value of all major
the four pairs in the cable, each pair in a given cable having circuit components, such as transmitter, cable pair, and
a different twist rate. receiver. In designing and installing a circuit, try to keep all com-
The electrical characteristics of signal transmission include ponents and connections as close as possible to the design imped-
the following items, each of which is complex and requires ance, which in the case of network circuits is 100 Ω. In contrast,
detailed explanation: older data and telephone circuits were 600 and 900 Ω, ➤


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Panasonic recommends Windows Vista® Business.

LEGALLY,
WE CANNOT SAY
EVERY SINGLE CALL WILL BE A
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Intel, Intel logo, Intel Centrino, Intel Centrino logo, Intel Inside, Intel Inside logo and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and
other countries. Toughbook notebook PCs are covered by a 3-year limited warranty, parts and labor. To view the full text of the warranty, log on to panasonic.com/business/toughbook/support.asp.
Please consult your Panasonic representative prior to purchase. ©2007 Panasonic Corporation of North America. All rights reserved. TriplePlay_CABLE_FY07-1

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the circuit. All of these characteristics working
Excess pulling tension
together (or, in another sense, working against
Correct form and spacing Elongation with reduced density and diameter one another) determine the electrical perfor-
mance of the UTP cable. They collectively affect
the smooth flow of current, which makes up the
data signal, through the cable.
High-tech cables are designed and constructed
Excess pulling tension elongates a twisted-pair cable’s conductors and insulation which, as very precisely. The dimensions and com-
this exaggerated-for-effect illustration shows, reduces the diameter of both components. position of the conductors and insu-
lation are carefully controlled. We are
respectively. From a practical viewpoint, when installation speaking of dimension tolerances of thousands-of-an-
errors occur, such as tight bends and tie wraps, damaged inch and material compositions in parts-per-million. This is
cable or components, or poor joints, the component and over- also related to the relative placement of each conductor and
all design impedance is changed. And when all circuit com- its placement in the cable. So, any physical factor that distorts
ponents are not working at 100 Ω, one or more impedance or affects these tolerances, even ever-so-slightly, changes the
mismatches occur. inductive and capacitive design parameters, which in turn
These cause, at the location of the mismatch, signal reflec- affect the electrical reactive values, which then affects the flow
tions back toward the transmitter and a reduction in signal of signal current through the cable. In these cases, impedance
power going to the receiver. The worse the cumulative mis- mismatches and reflections cause crosstalk, signal loss, noise,
matches, the less the signal that is actually sent to the receiver, and then bit errors.
resulting in poorer SNR or BER. The signal reflections are Let’s look at some of the installation specifications and see
called return loss, and are expressed in dB. The higher the how even small mechanical distortions can affect transmis-
dB number, the fewer installation problems and the better sion performance.
• Excess pulling tension—One action
that can adversely affect signal trans-
mission is exerting too much pulling
tension or, stated differently, stretching
the cable. The Telecommunications In-
dustry Association sets the maximum
pulling tension at 25 pounds. When install-
ers exceed that limit, it results in elonga-
tion of conductors and insulation, which
in turn reduces the diameter and densi-
ty of those components (the insulation
more so than the conductor). Exerting
too much pulling tension also lengthens
the twist rate of not only each individual
pair but also the relative rate between each
of the four pairs. In both cases, it would
likely occur in isolated sec-
tions, not the total cable length, de-
pending on the nature of the pull.
• Bend-radius violations—Violating mi-
imum bend-radius limits by bending the
cable too tightly or even kinking also has
deleterious effects on signal transmission.
Current specifications call for a minimum
bend radius of four times the cable diam-
________
eter in horizontal applications. Often, you
will see two values: static and dynamic.
The static value is the minimum bending


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radius of the cable after it is positioned
or placed in its permanent loca-
tion, with no further movement. The
dynamic value is the minimum bend
radius to be observed when the cable
is being pulled and placed into posi-
tion. This is the larger of the two num-
bers because of the added stress being
placed on the cable as it is being in-
stalled. Ignoring the bend-radius
specification results in stretching or
elongating the pair twist on the outer
edge of the cable, and compression or
buckling of the smooth lay and pair
twist on the inner edge. The normal
concern is for cable in trays and race-
ways in long horizontal runs. The
worst problem exists when excess
slack is pushed back into a pullbox
or outlet box, where very tight bends
or even kinking could occur. Kink-
ing, which can occur even when pull-
ing the cable out of its supply box, is,
of course, a severe case; once done,
a kink really cannot be completely
undone. In any case, a kink produces
a severe inductive-reactance spike. It
also likely will cause the conductors
to be pushed closer together.
• Cinching too tightly—Fastening ca-
bles too tightly with tie wraps, clamps,
or staples is a specification violation.
Generally, specifications are rath-
er subjective about this matter, but
the overall creed is not to cinch the
cables so tightly that the cable can-
not be gently pulled under the fas-
tener, or so that the tie wrap cannot
be slid along the bundle. Failing to
adhere to this guideline can result
in crushing the cable, thereby in-
creasing the density and reducing
the diameter of the insulation sur-
rounding the conductor, as well
as the cable sheath. Additionally,
it reduces the spacing between
the conductors of a pair and the ___________________

spacing among the four pairs of the
cable. Finally, in extreme cases (as
with a staple), the conductors can be
bent or kinked. ➤


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receiver so that the original signal can be properly detected
Example of cinching cables
and decoded. If there is too much difference in the rela-
Wires kinked and pushed together with insulation diameter
and density crushed and reduced tive data length of each of the four pairs, some bits will be
delayed too much and get recombined out of their proper
order, with resultant bit errors. The specification allows for
differences in propagation delays due to the different twist
rates on each of the four pairs; however, when cutting the
four pairs to the same length, extra care must be taken so
that the retained slack does not become kinked nor violate
the minimum bend radius specification.
• Cable combing—Combing the cable installa-
Cinching cable bundles too tightly by any means may kink or crush tion—installing or laying the cables in a tray
conductors, adversely affecting their performance. neatly, side by side—is a practice not addressed in specifi-
cations yet, but may soon be. It is, without question, a tech-
• Insulation, jacket removal—Specifications also address the nical-performance concern. In long runs of several cables,
untwisting of the twisted pairs prior to termination. Specif- it is customary to install the runs in an orderly, straight,
ically, installers are told to untwist as little as possible, but in and side-by-side manner. This technique provides a very
no case exceed ½-inch or extend beyond the rear of the con- neat and professional appearance; however, particularly at
nector. And although it is unavoidable at the point of connec- very high data rates, it also allows the inductive reactance
torization or punchdown, this action, even for a very short coupling of electric fields surrounding the conductors
distance, untwists the conductors of the pair and sometimes
increases the spacing between them. This concern is also Combed vs. random bundles
true for the four pairs in the cable. Depending on the type of
Combed installation Random lay installation
connector block, specifications vary concerning how much
insulation may be removed from the conductor, as well as
how much sheath may be removed from the cable. Generally,
specifications say to remove only as much as is absolutely
necessary. The ideal case is with punchdown blocks, where
no insulation is cut back at all. Disregarding the specifica-
tions about insulation removal will cause a small change
in the cable’s impedance, because the insulation on a con-
ductor is one factor that determines impedance. Addition-
ally, the sheath is the key factor in holding the four pairs in
place and in relative position to one another. So, removing
the sheath also removes this stabilizing factor.
• Effects on delay skew—Even delay skew, an electrical char-
acteristic most closely associated with the material used to
insulate conductors, is subject to variation, depending on
installation technique. Workmanship involves terminat- While aesthetically pleasing, neatly combed bundles are proving detri-
ing the pairs of the cable in such a way that each pair is cut mental to cable performance. Randomly laid cables may not look pretty,
to length in the connector or terminal block. Mechanically, but yield better results.
this avoids having extra-length pairs bunched up in the
connecting area. In so doing, however, each of the four pairs to more easily combine and build up, and the capacitive
ends up having a slightly different length. Specifications call for reactance coupling between the conductors to further mini-
a 45-nanosecond maximum delay skew, among the four cable mize. The main concern is not totally between the four pairs
pairs, along a 100-meter span. That is the difference in time, in a given cable, but the cable-to-cable coupling directly
among the four pairs, one to another, for the signals to prop- affecting alien crosstalk. By using a random lay, the cables
agate through the cable from the transmitter to the receiver. are constantly changing their relative spacing and crossover
Erroneous installation methods can have a detrimental effect. position. This reduces the chances for a long exposure to
Very high data-rate signals that are divided into four parts inductive and capacitive coupling. In fact, coupling fields
must be recombined in the proper order, or sequence, at the can actually experience some cancellation as they wander


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Are you ready to feel the speed?
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__________________________ engineers by calling our 800 #s.

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006

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in a random fashion along the cable tray or rack. the greater the reactance, or current-inhibiting effect, or induc-
Even if you have followed the installation specifications per- tive reactance X L. As the data rate, frequency, or inductance
fectly, it is more difficult to get good BERs at high data rates increases, XL also increases.
than at lower rates. (Please note that the following formulas This can be expressed mathematically with the following for-
only illustrate relationships, and should not be used for actual mula: XL=2ΠfL. 2Π is a constant with a value of 6.28; f is the
circuit calculations). Critical factors are inductive and capac- data rate or frequency; and L is the inductance of the pair or
itive reactance. other component at a given point in the circuit.
Remember that inductance is constant along the conduc- XL exists even in all good circuits, but its effect is made worse
tor; however, the higher the signal data rate, or frequency, by problems with too-tight bends, kinks and, to some extent,
with staples and tie wraps.
Capacitance is also constant along the
conductors. But in this case, the capacitive
resistance, XC, in contrast to XL, decreases
as the signal data rate increases. So, with
a smaller XC, or opposing effect to signal
coupling, crosstalk can increase as the da-
ta rate, or frequency, increases.
This also can be expressed: XC = 1/2ΠfC.
2Π is the constant 6.28; f is the data rate
or frequency; and C is the capacitance be-
tween the pairs or other components at a
given point in the circuit.
Like X L , XC is a factor in well-estab-
lished circuits, but its effect can eas-
ily be made worse by problems with
crushing, twisting, bends that bring the
conductors closer together, and long
installation runs of combed cable.
The resistance effect also increases with
higher data rates, although it is not quite
as contributory as is inductive reactance.
The increasing effect is due to the way the
higher-frequency energy propagates along
a conductor—a condition called skin effect.
Also of importance is the chemical com-
position of the insulating materials, which
affects the impedance characteristic of
an insulated conductor. Higher frequen-
cies are attenuated more so than the lower
ones. This effect is related to the insulation
dielectric constant. (Please note that when
discussing signal transmission, most spec-
ifications and other literature refer to resis-
tance factor as attenuation.)

Quality control
Installation quality and correctness lead
directly to maximum signal-to-noise ratios
and minimum bit errors. In that sense, sys-
__________________
tem performance is up to you—the install-
ers and operators of cabling systems.


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___________________________

_____________________

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Chrysler Financial is a business unit of Chrysler Financial Services.

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48 REASONS
to use our Modular Patch Panel.
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© 2007 CommScope, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks identified by ® or TM are registered trademarks or trademarks, respectively, of CommScope.

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www.cablinginstall.com installation

Using an OTDR:
How to keep it simple

C ommunications net-
works never go slower, never
get simpler, and never stay
Not just for use in public networks, the
optical time-domain reflectometer no
longer has to be an intimidating tool.
the same. Likewise, certifica- A typical OTDR setup
tion testing for fiber-optic cabling has also changed. Launch Tail
New test equipment and enhanced testing regiments cord Cabling under test cord
OTDR
help ensure that cabling can support the new demands
placed on networks. Born from legacy test equipment 0
for telecommunications networks, some of these fiber
testers were difficult to use. But a new generation of -5
fiber test equipment is designed to make it easy to certify Local
interface Remote
fiber to the latest standards. -10 insertion interface
Not long ago, the state-of-the-art for fiber-optic loss insertion loss

cabling was the 100Base-FX standard from the Institute -15
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE; www.ieee.
Source: Fluke Networks
org), which supported a bit rate of 100 Mbits/sec over a
__

channel with an attenuation of 11 decibels (dB). Today, According to ISO-14763-3, the correct setup for an OTDR uses
for IEEE 10GBase-S to support a transmission rate 100x both launch and receive (tail) cords, but no measurement device
higher than 100Base-FX, the transmission channel must on the far end. The gaps in red show the loss at each connector.
attenuate the light by no more than 2.6 dB. It is this tight-
ening of requirements for the physical media that repre- test with an OLTS is an essential part of fiber installa-
sents a challenge for all components used to build and tion. Every link needs to be tested to ensure it is within
test a transmission path. the loss limits. But an OLTS will only show if a link has
A standards-compliant connector can contribute up passed or failed. If it fails, the OLTS will not show you
to 0.75 dB (0.5 dB typical) to the total loss. This would why it failed, or where.
mean that if you patch two fiber segments together, there For these answers, an optical time-domain reflec-
would be a total of four connectors, which could—even tometer (OTDR) comes into play. Using an OTDR need
though each individual segment is compliant—result in not be complicated or confusing. Understanding a few
worst-case loss of 3 dB (4 x 0.75). This exceeds the loss basic concepts will make OTDR use as straightforward
budget left for the entire link, and with a negative allow- as using a copper certification tool.
ance left for the fiber itself. Testing fiber links as defined by national and inter-
national standards, such as the TIA/EIA-568-A and
More than a loss measurement ISO-11801 specifications, includes the use of an OLTS.
It is here where new test methods are required. Installers Recently updated standards that focus on test methods
who work with optical fiber are, no doubt, familiar with for installed fiber links, such as ISO-14763-3 and TIA
the optical loss test set (OLTS). Performing a loss-length TSB-140, now recommend the complementary use of an
OTDR. These new standards add the use of an OTDR to
CHRISTIAN SCHILLAB is segment product manager with Fluke verify not just that the link has passed, but to ensure the
Networks, Europe (www.ﬂukenetworks.com).
____________ quality of each installed component on the link. ➤


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Newer OTDRs will create an image of the thinkingis in contrast to the certification of twist-
ed-pair copper cabling systems, where after setting
proper setup configuration. You merely need the correct standard, a single press of the autotest
button does everything.
to make connections and have the instrument Fortunately, the actual use of the OTDR is not
as challenging as it appears. Making sure that test
“learn” the launch and receive fibers. leads, launch fibers, andreceive fibers are in a crisp
Two levels of testing are defined in these updated stan- condition, and are clean and correctly connected, will always
dards: Basic (or Tier 1) testing uses an OLTS. Extended be your responsibility. But the remainder of the setup steps
(or Tier 2) testing involves the use of an OTDR and an OLTS. can be taken care of by the instrument. Newer OTDRs will
The following example helps demonstrate how an create an image of the proper setup configuration. You
extended test regime can help to ensure consistent merely need to make connections and have the instrument
quality during installation. Assume that the first con- “learn” the launch and receive fibers.
nector in a 2-connector, 100-meter fiber link performs After this step, the tes- Launch and receive
extremely well, while the second connector is poorly installed ter will be ready to certify Set Launch Method
or contaminated. In such a circumstance, the measurement links and all included
Launch Only
components for their
A compliant link with a “bottle neck” Launch + Receive
compliance. Often, a Launch + Fiber + Receive
Component Limits [dB] Actual [dB] project-specific standard,
First connector 0.3 0.05 which is derived from
100-m fiber 0.35 0.31 the manufacturer’s data Connect fiber(s)
Last connector 0.3 0.57 sheet or reference imple- as shown.
Total 0.95 0.93 mentation, will be used
to set these limits. Highlight method,
with an OLTS may show that the link passed by a slim mar- Press TEST
gin of 0.02 dB, but does not identify the second connector as Pass, fail, or squeak by View
a bottleneck (noted in bold). When the tester is proper- Settings
Identifying bottlenecks is the strength of an OTDR, which ly configured, the tests are The OTDR will learn the launch and
sends a pulse of light into fiber and measures the light as simple as copper certi- receive fibers, thereby allowing it to
reflected back at each component as the light lost at that compo- subtract their loss contribu-
nent. The same is true for backscattered light along the length A reported link failure tion from the overall link
of the fiber itself. OTDR Results FAIL
measurement.
DCO-DUBLIN-03

Little setup required Multimode 62.5 fication. The most com-
An OTDR can produce accurate, highly detailed measurements, Dual 850/1300 nm mon situation should be
if the correct setup and necessary accessories are employed. End 1: DATA CENTER that the link passes, and
Recent versions of standards like ISO-14763-3 make an attempt a “pass” indication on the
to specify all necessary elements for a correct measurement Length 49.5 m summary screen will in-
Overall Loss 1.07 dB
with an OTDR, eliminating common sources of measurement dicate the tester evaluat-
X Largest Event 0.92 dB
error, including: ed all elements of the link.
• Specifications for launch and receive fibers; Results are stored for later
• Correct use of launch and receive fibers; reporting. The instru-
• Instructions detailing how to position the cursor for the cor- View View View ment also automatically
rect reading of link, component, and segment attenuation; Trace Events Limits subtracts the contribution
• List of conditions under which it is vital to measure each This is a report of a link that failed even of the launch and receive
fiber in both directions. though the overall loss was below the fibers from the total link,
You may view these setup requirements as overly complex, allowable limit. The reason for failure showing only the total
which may explain why many consider the OTDR to be a tool was the single largest event of 0.92 dB, overall loss.
for experts only. This is also why installers and contractors which was outside the design specifica- While this example is
may choose not to bid on projects that require an OTDR, or tion. Standard loss-length tests would sufficient information for
subcontract this work to a company specializing in fiber. Such not identify this single event. a passing link, you ➤


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Room to Successful data center design requires more than

Grow
simple, high-density solutions. ADC’s Managed
Density™ approach not only minimizes valuable
floor space, but allows logical and orderly growth
as well as easy maintenance and access.

Space Savings
ADC’s entire copper and fiber product lines
provide the maximum density in any situation.

Improved Reliability
The critical bend radius and physical protection
provided by our products avoid cable pile-ups
and mishaps – maximizing uptime

Exceptional Manageability
With ADC, you can expand and manage your data
center without stranding network capacity.

Green Technology
Proper cable management also enhances airflow
and cooling in the data center – bringing energy con-
sumption down and assisting with LEED certification.

ADC’s Data Center Tap into ADC’s years of experience designing the
Optical Distribution Frame (ODF) world’s largest data centers. Contact us today to
- also available in plug-and-play versions get your Free Managed Density Overview.
ADC’s ODF modules provide single circuit access in a
high-density environment, bend radius protection and 1-800-366-3891
intuitive cable routing in the most advanced and efficient or +1-952-938-8080
cross-connect system on the market. www.adc.com/truenet

©2007 ADC Telecommunications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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It’s already known will need to dig deeper
A detailed link trace

as the easiest ever! and get more-detailed
information if the link
OTDR Trace
DCO-DUBLIN-03
dB
850 nm

1X
End 1
1X
(or parts of it) failed the 10.5
specified limits. 5.8

You can see, for 1.2
example, that the loss -3.4
may be 1.07 dB and -8.1 m
0.0 49.4
within the limits, but a Event:
49.5 m
Receive Event
single bottleneck con- 0.92 dB FAIL
tributes 0.92 dB to the Cursor Event
overall loss. Press ENTER to Set Mark
A fully automatic View Change Next
Events To Zoom Trace
OTDR automates the
test to the same level This OTDR trace of a link with a 0.92-dB
as a copper field tester, event at 49.5 meters provides a
using internal expert great deal more detail than could be
diagnostics to inter- obtained from an OLTS.
pret all the information
from the OTDR test, and presents the results in a simple,
New Megger SCT2000 easy-to-understand table.

Structured Cable Tester Everyone’s an expert
The SCT2000 is the first tester to truly uncomplicate the Many react negatively when they hear the term “OTDR.” But
certification and evaluation of copper and fiber cabling rather than thinking of words such as “complicated” and “ex-
installations. It is simply the must intuitive and easy-to-
pensive,” you could think phrases such as “just like my cop-
operate LAN certification tester on the market today!
That alone makes it a tester to try. per tester,” and “a chance to grow my business.” Installing
Now, add all of these other impressive features: and testing fiber may be new to some contractors, but the
1 to 1,000 MHz frequency range. Certifies twisted pair right equipment can make the job easier.
to all approved ISO and TIA standard, including ISO Class F. An expert reader of this article will recognize the trace
Powerful diagnostics pinpoint the distance to link shown in the illustration above. The launch and receive
disturbances on each measured pair.
Unique “connector-less” recessed copper and fiber optic
events are clearly visible to the left and to the right of the link.
adapters eliminate virtually all potential adapter or tester Rather than thinking of words such
damage…keeping your SCT on the job.
Unparalleled result storage capability. Internal memory
stores over 5,000 certification test results, or 100 graphic
as “complicated” and “expensive,” you
results.
Powerful certification management software organizes, could think phrases such as “just like
edits, views, prints, saves or archives test results by job site,
customer, campus building and more.
Large color VGA LCD display provides a rich graphical user
my copper tester,” and “a chance to
interface, speeding users through twisted pair and fiber
optic cabling certification and diagnosis. grow my business.”
“Talk” feature allows two-way voice communication
between the main and remote units. Also visible is the 0.92-dB receive event at 49.5 meters. But
Really? How easy is it? the key to today’s OTDRs is that you don’t have to be an
Request a live demonstration at your location today by calling expert. If you are an installer of copper cabling systems, an
1-800-723-2861 ext. 8518, email us at dean.craig@megger.com or
go online to www.megger.com/sct for complete product specifications.
OTDR will offer you three qualities:
1. Expert diagnostics that make the OTDR work much like
your familiar copper certification tool;
2. A means of bidding on more jobs, growing your business
and increasing profits;
3. The ability to move your knowledge of copper systems
WWW.MEGGER.COM
____________
into a new area and become a fiber expert.


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CABLING SYSTEMS MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION cabling systems

Modular Plugs Patch Cords Copper Cables

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Fiber Optic Cables Optical Connectors

Cross Connection

Cable Trays Installation Accessories

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www.hyperline.com

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See what our experts
have to say...
Lyle Menard breaks down the features and
benefits of pre-terminated copper and fiber
trunking cable assemblies

➤ Watch his video at: www.siemon.com/lyle

LYLE MENARD
Structured Cabling Specialist
RCDD/NTS

CONNECTING THE WORLD TO A HIGHER STANDARD
W W W W .S S I I EE M O N . .C C O M
W W . M O N O M
_________________________

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www.cablinginstall.com technology

The ins and outs of
fusion splicing

T he process of fusion
splicing has been around for
several decades, and in out-
While primarily for use in the outside
plant, the technology is also seeing
deployment in premises applications.
side plant (OSP) applications,
it remains the most common and trusted
method for permanently fusing together the
ends of two optical fibers to realize a specific
length or to repair a broken fiber link.
But while fusion splicing is primarily used
on singlemode fiber in long-haul OSP appli-
cations, it also occurs in premises LAN appli-
cations for both singlemode and multimode
fiber types. And in data centers, the emphasis
on density and performance combined with
the need to ensure a return on investment has
some installers opting to fusion splice rather
than perform field terminations.

New prices and trends
Fusion splicing involves the use of localized Fusion splicers are small and portable enough for the data center and central
heat to melt together or fuse the ends of two ofﬁce. The Fujikura SpliceMate (FSM-11) is one of the world’s smallest and
optical fibers. The preparation process involves most portable fusion splicers.
removing the protective coating from each
fiber, precise cleaving, and inspection of the fiber end- “The core alignment splicer is the primary choice of any
faces. (Inspection is critical since splice loss is directly contractor doing fusion splicing, because you never know
related to the angle and quality of the endface.) Once what type of specifications and loss budgets you’re go-
the fibers are properly prepared, they are placed into the ing to be required to meet,” says
fusion splicer, aligned, and fused together. Greg Pickeral, product man-
Fusion splicing yields a very low loss of typi- ager of fusion splicing for
cally less than 0.02 dB and, therefore, has lit- AFL Telecommunica-
tle impact on overall link performance. tions, a subsidiary of
The two basic types of fusion splicing tech- Fujikura Ltd. of Japan (www.
____

nology in use today are core and V-groove afltele.com). “When you’re
_______

alignment systems, with the core type align- dealing with many fibers, a
ing a single fiber and offering better accuracy multi-fiber V-groove
and lower loss. splicer is a more ef-
ficient method, but the ➤
BETSY ZIOBRON is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Cabling Core alignment splicers, such as this Fujikura FSM-50s from AFL,
Installation & Maintenance. She can be reached at: bziobron@comcast.net
Maintenance. are popular for their accuracy and performance.


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Pickeral says the new splice-on connectors let service provid-
ers build customer drop cables to length so they don’t have to
deal with slack storage at the curb or customer location.

Behind closed doors
The first and primary use of splicing in the telecommunications
industry is to link fibers together in underground or aerial out-
side-plant fiber installations. Over the past 15 years, several
innovations have drastically reduced the amount of fusion
splicing taking place in the premises environment, including
advancements in field installable no-epoxy/no-polish connec-
tors and indoor/outdoor cables.
According to Warren Hicks, manager of marketing
strategy and development for private networks at Corn-
ing Cable Systems (www.corningcablesystems.com),
“It used to be very common to do fusion splicing
at the building entrance to transition from
outdoor-rated to indoor-rated cable,
because the NEC specifies that
Mass fusion splicers, such as the Fujikura FSM-50R12, are based on outdoor-rated cable can on-
V-groove technology and can splice 12 ﬁbers at a time. ly come 50 feet in-
to a building
design engineer must understand the tradeoff in
accuracy and loss estimation, and properly design around it.”
Today’s fusion splicers range in cost from $7,000 to $40,000.
The highest-priced units are designed for specialty optical
fibers, such as polarization-maintaining fibers used in the
production of high-end non-electrical sensors. The lower-end
fusion splicers, in the $7,000 to $10,000 range, are primarily
single-fiber fi xed V-groove type devices. The popular core
alignment splicers range between $17,000 and $19,000, well Corning Cable Systems’ UniCam MTP connectors offer a no-epoxy/no-
below the $30,000 price of 20 years ago. polish ﬁeld-installable MTP/MPO style that provide an alternative to
“The prices have dropped dramatically due to more effi- fusion splicing or preterminated trunk cables in the data center.
cient manufacturing, and volume is up because fiber is no
longer a voodoo science and more people are working in that due to its flame rating.” He adds, “The advent of plenum-rat-
arena,” says Pickeral. “Recently, we’ve seen more fiber being ed indoor/outdoor cable has driven that transition splicing to
deployed closer to the customer premise with higher splice- a minimum. But that’s not to say that fusion splicing in the
loss budgets, which results in a greater participation of premise isn’t going on.”
Verizon and AT&T installers who are purchasing lower-end Hicks believes that longer distances in the outside plant could
splicers to accomplish their jobs.” mean that sticking with standard outdoor-rated cable and
According to Pickeral, in fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) fusion splicing at the building entrance could be the more eco-
applications, fusion splicing is now being used to install con- nomical choice.
nectors for customer drop cables using new splice-on connec- “It’s important to do the math,” he says. “If it’s a short run
tor technology and lower-end V-groove splicers. between building A and B, it makes sense to use newer indoor/
“Historically, the choices were to either fusion splice on a outdoor cable and come right into the crossconnect; however,
pigtail or install connectors in the traditional hand-polishing because indoor/outdoor cables are generally more expensive,
method where consistency, insertion loss, and other perfor- if it’s a longer run with lower fiber counts between buildings,
mance measurements are determined by the installer’s abil- it could ultimately be cheaper to buy outdoor-rated cable and
ity,” says Pickeral. “The newest fusion-installable connectors fusion splice to transition to indoor-rated cable, even with the
use fusion splicing to connect the ferrule to the fiber, and then additional cost of splice materials and housing.”
the connector is assembled around the splice.” Hicks continues, “It often comes down to who’s driv- ➤


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__________________

ing the boat. If it’s the contractor, and he has access to a
fusion splicer, he may take the time to do the calculation and
determine which option is less expensive, because that can
mean a higher margin for him. If the end user is driving it,
they may decide they don’t want the loss associated with the
transition splice and choose the indoor/outdoor cable.”
While fiber-to-the-desk applications remain rare, it is
another situation that may call for fusion splicing in the prem-
ises environment.
“If you want to go the full 300 meters in a fiber-to-the-desk
application, you have to either fusion splice or do an intercon-
nect; however, an interconnect can introduce 0.75dB of loss
while the fusion splice is typically less than 0.02dB,” Hicks
explains. “Therefore, the easiest way to minimize the amount
of loss on a fiber-to-the-desk circuit is to bring the individual
fibers from each workstation back to the closet and then splice
to a higher-fiber-count cable.” This approach also enables cen-
tralizing electronics for more efficient port utilization.
Fusion splicing in the premises is more common with sin-
glemode fiber applications because many customers are still
uncomfortable with field-installing singlemode connectors.
“We have some customers futureproofing with singlemode

Some installers choose fusion-splice ﬁber pigtails, like these factory-
terminated LC ﬁber pigtails from Ortronics.

fiber, and instead of the more difficult task of field-polish-
ing singlemode connectors, they have chosen to fusion-splice
preterminated pigtails,” says Rudy Montgelas, senior prod-
uct manger of fiber optics for Ortronics/Legrand (www. ____

_________ “There’s more variation and higher loss when
ortronics.com).
field terminating fiber connectors, while the factory-termi-
nated connectors on a pigtail ensure a premium polish and
better performance. Because fusion splicing can provide very
low loss, fusion splicing to factory-terminated pigtails can
result in better performance.”

An option for data centers
A significant increase in the number of applications support-
ed by data centers has resulted in more cables and connec-
tions than ever, making available space a chief concern. As a


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7
Installation Maintenance
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manager for fusion splicers with Sumitomo Electric
Lightwave (www.sumitomoelectric.com). “Fusion
splicing provides permanent low-loss connections that
are performed quickly and easily, which are definite
advantages over competing technologies. In addition,
current handheld fusion splicers are designed to pro-
vide enhanced features and high-quality performance,
and be very affordable at the same time.”
According to Ortronics’ Montgelas, splicing in the
Each fusion splice is protected with a splice sleeve. data center involves the use of a splice tray for stor-
ing and organizing the splices. “Splice trays can be
result, many data center managers are turning to higher-den- located in the back of a patch cabinet, or for very high-density
sity solutions like MTP/MPO (mechanical transfer pull-off/ splicing, the splice trays could be located in a separate splic-
multi-fiber push-on) connectors and multi-fiber cables that ing cabinet,” says Montgelas. “The tradeoff between the labor,
take up less pathway space than running individual duplex equipment, and materials involved in fusion splicing versus the
cables. Since few manufacturers offer field-installable MTP/ cost of the factory-terminated trunk cable needs to be consid-
MPO connectors, many managers are selecting either mul- ered on a case-by-case basis.”
tifiber trunk cables with MTP/MPOs factory-terminated on Montgelas adds: “When you select trunk cables with connec-
each end, or fusion splicing to preterminated MTP/MPO or tors on each end, data center managers often specify lengths
multifiber LC pigtails. a little bit longer because they can’t always predict exact
“We are seeing higher usage of handheld V-groove-based distances between equipment and they don’t want to be short;
fusion splicers for termination applications in the premise however, they then have to deal with excess slack. When there
and data center environment,” says Josh Seawell, product are thousands of connections, that slack can create a lot ➤

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of congestion and limit prop- MPO connector that is built
er air flow and cooling. One around our Unicam technology,”
alternative is to purchase a says Hicks. “The UniCam MTP
multi-fiber pigtail and then can be terminated in the field in
splice to a multi-fiber cable, about four minutes.”
which some installers are While the UniCam MTP con-
choosing to do.” nectors pass all industry stan-
Sumitomo’s Seawell notes, dards and tests for optical
“Projects utilizing MTP/ performance, each one involves
MPO-style connectors cou- a mechanical splice, which con-
pled with the use of ribbon tributes slightly higher loss than
fiber or the ability to ribbon- Fusion splices are stored in a splice tray, like Ortronics’ 12-inch fusion a fusion splice.
ize single fibers allow users splicing tray mounted either behind the patch panel or in a separate “If I already own a fusion splicer
to experience significant splicing rack or cabinet. and space isn’t an issue, I may
time savings by fusion splic- choose to fusion-splice factory-
ing multiple fibers at once. Imagine splicing four, eight, or 12 terminated pigtails to achieve lower loss,” says Hicks. “But our
fibers in the same time frame as splicing only one fiber. This stance is that the field-installable connectors are the most eco-
is possible using mass- or ribbon-fusion splicers. Mass-fusion- nomical method because you’re eliminating the capital expense
splicer technology has been around for decades and now is of a fusion splicer, eliminating the expense of additional splic-
available in handheld models, such as Sumitomo’s Type-25eM ing materials and consumables, and maximizing density in the
TomCat 4-ct ribbon splicer.” Seawell adds that another of his rack by eliminating the need to accommodate splice trays.”
company’s products, the Type-66 TuffCat 12-ct ribbon splicer,
can accommodate larger fiber counts. Making the choice
Corning Cable Systems is one of the few manufacturers Today’s fusion splicers “offer many advantages in the premises
offering a field-installable MTP connector, which is another environment, from being lightweight and compact to operat-
option for those data center customers that don’t want to pur- ing on a battery,” says Sumitomo’s Seawell. “These new units
chase pre-terminated trunk cables and deal with slack. “MTP/ minimize setup time and are ideal for use in locations where
MPO connectors are difficult to terminate using the epoxy- space is tight. In addition, the total splice and heater cycle time
polish method; however, we offer a no-epoxy, no-polish MTP/ is less than one minute, thereby enabling technicians to move
through many termination locations quickly.”
Adds Hicks: “We foresee fusion splicing decreasing, because
ultimately, customers that can’t deal with slack are going to
demand field-installable connectors. Many more will rely on
the preterminated trunk cables and sacrifice the inconvenience
of dealing with slack, because it offers faster deployment.”
Montgelas says that preterminated solutions offer the most
benefits: “It’s easy to install preterminated cables, and because
they’re available in custom lengths, it’s easy to get the exact
lengths required to limit the excess slack.”
When deciding between fusion splicing and field-installable
connectors, Montgelas says there are other factors to consider:
“Fusion splicing is taking on more of an interest in the data
center for singlemode applications, but compared to how
much it will take off versus field-installable connectors
remains to be seen.”
He concludes, “As you get into significantly higher
fiber counts, fusion splicing could save time over installing
connectors; however, contractors and installers that don’t have
Sumitomo Electric Lightwave offers single- and mass-fusion splicers, a fusion splicer or splicing experience may want to consid-
including the Type-25eM TomCat 4-ct and the Type-66 TuffCat 12-ct er whether to invest in a fusion splicer and the cost and time
ribbon splicers. required to train their staff.”


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www.cablinginstall.com data center

Enclosures play a role
in thermal management

T he vexing problem of
heat generation in the data
center and, more specifically,
Dealing with heat close to its
source takes several forms.

within racks and enclosures is top-of-mind and top-of- have much greater heat-transfer and -carrying capaci-
agenda for professionals who manage such high-den- ties than traditional air.”
sity computing environments. Villa further explains the liquid cooling package’s
“The IT [information technology] world knows the two characterization as a closed-loop, close-coupled system:
critical concerns in the data center are power availability “‘Close-coupled’ means the heat transfer and removal
and cooling capacity,” says Herb Villa, technical manager process is adjacent to the heat-producing component.
with Rittal Corp. (www.rittal-corp.com). The two are ‘Closed-loop’ means air in the enclosure is circulated
interrelated in that the equipment required to cool these through the enclosure,” via fans.
spaces consume significant amounts of power. Four or five years ago, the prospect of introducing
Dense servers known as blades are the primary sources chilled liquid so close to a data center’s central nervous
of this concentrated heat. Quite often, blade servers are system made many feel, well, nervous. “Customers would
stored in enclosures or cabinets. Over the past several say, ‘I’m not bringing water into my data center,’” Villa
years, and with increasing frequency more recently, recalls. “Yet they already had water in their data center
enclosure manufacturers are designing their wares to deal in many other aspects,” including sprinkler systems.
with concentrated heat loads in some form or fashion. Happily, he reports, “We have overcome the water big-
Villa notes that Rittal offers a full breadth of products otry. People realize they need to consider these solutions
with thermal-management capabilities: “You have to be for high-density cooling.” Whereas a half-decade ago,
able to support customers who will put a few servers in Villa’s potential customers would ask him why they’d
a cabinet in a data room, as well as high-end users.” The ever put water into their enclosures, today, they’re ask-
products and technologies designed to support low and ing other questions. Namely, he says, “How do we get it
medium heat-load densities are pretty well established, installed, and what is the total cost of ownership/return
he says, and include server cabinets with characteristics on investment? (TCO/ROI)”
that include perforated doors and mounting rails. Typ- Villa reports that Rittal has completed one study and is
ically, enclosures of this sort can accommodate 8 to 10 working on another that can, in fact, quantify TCO and
kilowatts of heat per cabinet. ROI. Savings can be realized, Villa explains, by reducing
the number of enclosures needed to house servers, thereby
Liquid-cooled method saving floorspace. Additionally, the water-cooled system
The technology that has gotten Rittal the most press the lets users turn off and/or not have to purchase computer
past few years, however, has been its closed-loop close- room air conditioning units (CRACUs), which can, above
coupled solution. This proprietary liquid-cooled solution and beyond saving the costs of these units, entitle some
uses water rather than air as the cooling agent. “Every- data centers to rebates from their electric utilities.
one understands the physics of water versus air,” Villa
states. “We know that refrigerants, such as water and gas, A versatile approach
Panduit (www.panduit.com) recently introduced the Net-
PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN is chief editor of Cabling Installation & Access Server Cabinet, adding it to a product line that
Maintenance.
Maintenance. already included the Net-Access Switch Cabinet. ➤


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While the two systems’ dimensions are the same, the compo- “Everything that’s done in the data center, when you follow
nents within them make them appropriate for housing either industry understanding of best practices, is really designed to sep-
switches or servers. arate the supply air from the return air as much as possible. That’s
Panduit’s business development manager, Charles Newcomb, why you want to seal off access cutouts, floor tiles, blanking tiles,
explains: “Thermal management is very different for each and locate your cooling units in hot aisles so you prevent your
application. In general, switches breathe side-to-side while return air path from migrating into the cold-aisle space.”
servers breathe front-to-back. Cable management is key in Seaton continues, “All those design considerations and best
these environments, and it is important to have a cabinet that practices that we define as ‘best practices’ are geared to ac-
allows you to properly route cables—to route them away from complish as much separation as possible to keep supply air, as
switch exhaust and intake.” delivered to equipment, from exceeding the clinical definition
Newcomb says that switches “typically do not comply with hot- of what a hotspot would be.”
aisle/cold-aisle designs, so the Net-Access Switch Cabinet was Chatsworth’s solutions continue on those best practices,
specifically designed to provide large pathways for cable routing Seaton says, but take them to an extreme. The company’s pas-
and airflow. To optimize switch performance, exhaust ducting sive cooling system represents one of three approaches to hot
direct hot air from the switch out of the cabinet to the hot aisle.” air/cold air isolation: “You can build a room around a cold aisle
He adds, “A server application is very different. It is important and keep it separate from the rest of the data center so your re-
turn air is in free space and returns to CRA-
“Cable management is key in these environments, CU, without mixing with the cold aisle. Or,
you can build a room around a hot aisle, and
and it is important to have a cabinet that allows you duct the air out of the room directly back to
to properly route cables—to route them away from youCRACU, a solution like ours, taking Or,
the
can use
thereby keeping separation.
ad-
vantage of your suspended ceiling plenum
switch exhaust and intake.”
space and accomplish the same thing.”
to block airflow between the cold aisle and hot aisle. Blanking The CPI system employs several accessories to accomplish
panels ensure air cannot pass from cold aisle to hot aisle.” hot-air/cold-air isolation, including raised-floor grommets,
Cable management is important here too, Newcomb says, snap-in fi ller panels, mounting rails to seal the front of the
but it presents a different set of challenges. “A server cabinet cabinet from the back, and a vertical exhaust-duct system.
contains lots of cables, but of different types—power, as well as These three manufacturers offer a sampling of the many
copper and fiber communications cables,” he notes. “It is criti- enclosure products available with some form of thermal man-
cal to provide cable pathways to route cables away from server agement built into them. Importantly, each vendor says their
fans and remove airflow blockages behind servers. Those block- individual systems are not standalone solutions to the heating/
ages trap air inside, and force the server to operate at a higher cooling issues affecting data centers.
temperature. A way to eliminate that is to allow the flexibility Next month, we will have further commentary from these
to mount patch panels vertically. The width of the Net-Access and other industry experts on the topic of taking a holistic
Server Cabinet allows patch panels to be mounted outside the approach to thermal management.
traditional 19-inch area.”
Marc Naese, solutions development manager with Panduit, Cabling Installation & Maintenance
adds, “The lifecycle of equipment in a data center can be two
to three years; the lifecycle of a cabinet is much longer. Users Tell us your story.
expect their cabinets to be able to grow with the infrastructure,
and serve them every time they change out equipment.”
We’ll tell the world.
If you have taken part in the design, instal-
Consequently, notes Naese, “most data center managers are
lation, or maintenance of an interesting or
moving away from 24-inch cabinets and going to a wider cab-
unique premises-cabling project, let us know. We
inet, where they can efficiently manage more equipment.” may feature your story as an article in Cabling
Installation & Maintenance.
Sealing off access
The merits of isolation between hot air and cold air are also For more information, contact senior associate
editor Patrick McLaughlin at
evident in the TeraFrame series of enclosures from
tel: (603) 891-9222 or
Chatsworth Products Inc. (CPI; www.chatsworth.com). Ian
e-mail: patrick@pennwell.com.
Seaton, the company’s technology marketing manager, reflects,


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Pigtail Splicing Redefined
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© 2007 AFL Telecommunications LLC.

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www.cablinginstall.com security

Surveillance market seeing
many IP rumblings

O ver the course of just
a couple of months, several
announcements from the
Acquisitions, alliances, and increasing
attention are more evidence of the shift
to Internet Protocol-based systems.
surveillance industry un- tric Building Automation business unit, adds: “The com-
derscore the notion that the technology is increasingly bination of our companies will create a unique portfolio
moving in the direction of Internet Protocol-based of products, services and solutions in the building man-
delivery. The often-used-but-rarely-defi ned term “con- agement industry. Pelco’s unique position in IP-based vid-
vergence” is typically invoked to describe a setup in eo security represents a tremendous additional organic
which several systems run over a single, structured in- growth opportunity. With this acquisition, a very impor-
frastructure, and that term applies to several of the re- tant additional step is made to further reinforce our lead-
cent happenings in the security/surveillance industry. ership in open and integrated solutions for building IT.”
On August 1, Schneider Electric (www.schneider-
___________ The financial aspects of the acquisition break down
________ announced it was acquiring security-sys-
electric.com) as follows: The price to be paid for Pelco is $1,220 mil-
tems provider Pelco (www.pelco.com) for $1.54 billion lion, expressed as an enterprise value on a cash-free/
in a deal expected to close this month. debt-free basis. In addition, Schneider Electric
According to the companies, Pelco will pay to the sellers the net pres-
will report into Schneider Elec- ent value of a tax benefit
tric’s Building Automation busi- resulting from the
ness unit, encompassing power and step-up of Pelco’s
heating, ventilation, and air-condition assets, representing
(HVAC) control plus electronic security and $320 million. As a
fire safety applications, and will assume leadership of consequence, the
Schneider’s present Fire & Security product division. total price paid in
“This acquisition significantly reinforces our build- cash at closing will be
ing automation business unit,” comments Jean-Pascal $1,540 million. Pelco had a net debt of
Tricoire, CEO of Schneider Electric. “Pelco systems will roughly $139 million as of June 30.
integrate gradually into our power and control solutions As the acquisition awaits T-crossing and I-
for buildings and infrastructure. Security offers a highly dotting, Pelco continues to bring to market
attractive growth profile and video is becoming the key new IP-based video surveillance technol-
application in the building management market.” ogies, some of which are designed to pro-
Arne Frank, executive vice president of Schneider’s Elec- vide a bridge between existing analog and
new digital systems. Last month, the com-
While this network camera from Axis Communications can point at pany expanded its Endura IP video secu-
many points within an enterprise, companies including rity system with the addition of a
CommScope are pointing their attention at alliances with new software version, mapping
security-system providers like Axis. tools, intelligence encoders, a
gateway, and wireless encod-
MATT VINCENT is senior editor and PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN is chief ers and transmitters.
editor of Cabling Installation & Maintenance.
Maintenance. “Whether customers are ➤


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looking for a sensible migration path from analog to digital, a According to Peterson, as part of CommScope’s Alliance
digital extension to an existing analog system, or a full digital program, the relationship with Axis Communications is
system, the solution built on the Endura platform can evolve expected to open opportunities for CommScope to promote
to meet customers’ demands,” says Rob Morello, Pelco’s senior the idea of an intelligent building infrastructure to customers
product marketing manager for digital systems. around the world by linking them to an expert in converged
surveillance operations.
Other forms of partnership “In order to allow our customers to deploy a high-quality,
Meanwhile, a major name in the IP-surveillance market- top-performing, and seamless network for all IP devices, Com-
place has partnered with the market-share leader in struc- mScope is combining our strengths in the physical infrastruc-
tured cabling systems. In mid-August, CommScope (www. ____ ture space with the strength of companies that have their own
commscope.com), provider of the Systimax and Uniprise
___________ unique expertise,” he continues. “In the security space, Axis
brands, announced an alliance with Axis Communications has the clear leadership and expertise in IP-based video sur-
(www.axis.com). veillance. We believe that the alliance represents a great way
“In order to be more diligent and efficient with security to help our customers receive exceptional intelligent build-
programs, many companies are merging physical security ing solutions.”
departments with IT departments,” comments Mark Peter- The two companies plan to engage in cross-training pro-
son, senior vice president of enterprise global marketing at grams with their sales force. “We believe the training will
CommScope. “In addition, many organizations are planning assist with the delivery of prompt responses to customers’
to add more intelligence to buildings, where data, building needs,” says Peterson. “In addition, this alliance may culti-
automation and safety and surveillance systems all con- vate the need for more education within the consulting com-
verge on a single infrastructure platform. With this alliance, munity about convergence, recognizing the potential benefits
CommScope and Axis help bring the intelligent building to from the collaborative designs of surveillance systems and IT
customers.” network infrastructures.” ➤

_______________


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BECAUSE YOUR BUSINESS RUNS THROUGH US

All New Cable Design
From Berk-Tek!

A New Breed of Fiber Optic Cable
All of the cool data centers are using it.
Berk-Tek’s new patent-pending MDP
fiber optic cable has been designed Finally, a fiber optic cable designed specifically for data center and storage area
exclusively to deliver best-in-class
micro-cabling technology specifically network applications. Berk-Tek’s Micro Data Center Plenum cable construction
to indoor-only DC/SAN and building provides a 50% smaller cross-sectional area than equivalent fiber count indoor
backbone environments. fiber optic cables. This prevents cabinet and pathway congestion and allows for
Intelligent Design enhanced airflow. The result: more efficient cooling.
Available from 4-72 fibers
Over 50% smaller than ribbon cable All Berk-Tek MDP cables are offered in multimode and single-mode fiber
No preferential bend, as is common constructions, including GIGAlite™, GIGAlite-10 and GIGAlite-10XB, the
in ribbon cable
Incorporates all-dry loose-tube industry’s highest performing laser optimized 50 micron fiber. Engineered to
technology reduce cabinet and pathway congestion and to make installing, terminating
Available with aluminum or steel
interlocking armor and subunit handling easier, MDP is the choice for all your DC/SAN installations.
Improved ease of installation,
termination and subunit handling For more information on Berk-Tek’s patent-pending Micro Data Center Plenum fiber optic
Available pre-terminated with cable, call 1-800-BERK-TEK or visit www.berktek.com, Quick Search Term: MDPFOC.
multifiber or single-fiber connectors
NEW 48F 48F STACKED
MDP CABLE RIBBON CABLE
(0.231“ OD) (0.520“ OD)

MICRO DATA CENTER PLENUM (MDP)

www.berktek.com
Illustrations enlarged for detail.

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“CommScope is helping us communicate more effectively Users taking notice
to our customers the importance and benefits of an intelli- End-user organizations from many vertical markets are tak-
gent building network system where all applications, from ing particular notice of the theme of IP convergence. The pro-
servers to video surveillance system, are converged onto one fessional organization ACUTA (www.acuta.org) is an example
infrastructure platform,” remarks Fredrik Nilsson, general of such attention. The abbreviation originally stood for the
manager of Axis Communications. “We are thrilled to have Association of College and University Telecommunications
an opportunity to build upon CommScope’s expertise while Administrators, but in time, the group’s scope went far beyond
delivering the latest converged video security solutions to our telecommunications technologies. While it has kept the name
customers.” by which it has become known, today, ACUTA bills itself as the
Association for Communications Technol-
ogy Professionals in Higher Education.
ACUTA recently announced the agenda
for its fall seminars, being held this month
in Minneapolis, MN. Educational sessions
concentrating on converged mobile com-
munications will address topics such as
campus Wi-Fi, wireless local networking,
mobile phone financial issues, and mobile
integration. On the business continuity and
disaster recovery side, presenters will cover
topics that include campus emergency
response, emergency notification options,
• Smart Solutions: NVR, IP software, hybrid systems
and campus security issues. A “simulated IT
• Powerful monitoring features included department disaster” will also be staged.
• Megapixel IP cameras and analog cameras “This year’s Fall Seminars will deal with
• Open integration with other systems some of the most pressing issues facing
• Simple, cost-efficient IP camera licensing ACUTA member colleges and universi-
ties,” comments Jeri Semer, the organiza-
• One easy to use, powerful interface
tion’s executive director. “How to cope with
the surge in wireless communications and
deal with emergencies on their campuses
are major concerns today. In our seminars,
the educational sessions combine with
extensive networking opportunities, so
communications technology professionals
can learn from each other, developing
information sources and contacts that ben-
efit them and their institutions.”
More and more, professionals concerned
with enterprise communications systems
and their infrastructures are required
to become knowledgeable of several dif-
ferent systems. While those systems still
include voice and data transmission, some-
times voice and data are one and the same,
as in Voice over Internet Protocol. Ad-
ditionally, security applications of many
www.exacq.com • 317.845.5710 stripes, including surveillance, emergency
response, and access control, are now
within the realm of communications sys-
tems managers’ responsibility.


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Don’t trust your cabling to
just anyone.
Choose the experts in Cable Management.
Whether you are upgrading your current infrastructure or designing a new installation,
trust the experts at Chatsworth Products, Inc. (CPI), to deliver the most comprehensive
line of Cable Management Products in the industry.

Over 500 Standard Cable
Management Products
• Extensive selection to satisfy various
applications
• Provides vertical and horizontal options in
a variety of widths, heights and depths
• Available to meet project scheduling needs

Critical Cat 6a Support
• Designed to meet ANSI/TIA/EIA
installation guidelines for Cat 6a cabling
and fiber
• Proper bend radii ensures maximum
quality of data transmission
• Meets high-density cabling requirements

Cost Effective Solutions
• Quality products that simplify network
maintenance and costs
• Easy moves, adds and changes to save
time and money
• Supports future growth and cabling
demands

At CPI, we don’t just take your order. We work with you
personally to find a solution for your specific project. If you
need a design that we don’t currently offer, CPI will create
a custom solution to fit your exact requirements.

www.chatsworth.com or techsupport@chatsworth.com
800-834-4969

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7
Installation Maintenance
Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B
Next Page EMaGSF

Leviton makes it easy
When reliability and performance are of the utmost importance, choose Leviton connectors featuring
Retention Force Technology® (RFT).

This state-of-the art patented technology (available in our CAT 5e+, CAT 6 & CAT 6A connectors and
patch panels) includes a polymer spring to support tines against deformation from 4P and 6P plug insertions.

Damaged connectors are expensive to replace, an estimated $150 for one connector. With Leviton’s
RFT, users are guaranteed long term reliability and performance; eliminating costs involving customer
service calls, new connectors, contractor wages, technical support, and delivery. Leviton makes it

easy and reliable with RFT.

For more information, call 800.722.2082 or visit www.leviton.com
__________

RETENTION FORCE TECHNOLOGY

Available in our Cat 5e+/Cat 6/Cat 6A jacks & panels Reduced tine contact failure
RFT

Long-term network reliability and performance Patented polymer spring

Saves $150 per jack in replacement costs Minimized labor costs

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

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Compiled by Steve Smith

Berk-Tek unveils smaller diameter fiber cable
for data centers
I ncorporating a patented dry loose-
tube technology in a smaller outside
diameter, Berk-Tek’s new Micro Data
Center Plenum (MDP) fiber-optic cable
technology is designed to relieve conges-
tion in the data center and storage area
The MDP cable design for data center and SAN
installations incorporates Berk-Tek’s patented
dry loose-tube technology in a smaller outside
diameter.

A pioneering 40-Gbit optical active cable network (SAN).
The MDP cable’s patent-pending con-

B lazar, a 40-Gbit optical active cable (OAC), and billed as the world’s first CMOS
Photonics product, will combine the benefits of optical modules and copper
cables to deliver a high-bandwidth interconnect solution for InfiniBand and 40-Gbit
struction provides 50% smaller cross-sec-
tional area than comparable fiber-count
indoor cables, which Berk-Tek claims
proprietary rack-to-rack interconnect applications. will help prevent cabinet and pathway
With support for Quad Data Rate (QDR), congestion by enhancing airflow and
the singlemode cable’s 40-Gbit band- allowing more efficient cooling.
width and extended reach up to 300 With plenum ratings up to 72 fibers,
meters is designed to overcome speed the MDP cables are available with alu-
and range barriers that have limited In- minum or steel interlocking armor, as
finiBand applications to small computer well as pre-terminated cable assemblies
clusters. Developer Luxtera (www.luxtera. with multi-fiber MTP/MPO connectors
com) says Blazar will enable InfiniBand
___ or single-fiber type connectors (e.g., SC,
to become “a ubiquitous data center Blazar, said to be the industry’s first 40-Gbit ST, and LC).
interconnection” for a wide range of appli- optical active cable, combines optical “The MDP boasts a size and weight that
cations that require higher capacity and modules and copper cabling to provide is half that of competing cable designs,
performance. high-bandwidth interconnection to the data and has made possible specific enhance-
“This is a groundbreaking technology,” center. ments to system performance, reliability,
says Jag Bolaria, senior analyst at The modularity, and flexibility in the NetClear
Linley Group (www.linleygroup.com). “Migration to 40G connectivity allows for denser [partnership with Ortronics] solutions
clusters, and the 300 meter range extends the reach of these clusters. This should for high-density data centers and storage
have a positive impact for high-performance computing and data centers.” area networks,” says Beni Blell, RCDD,
Luxtera says Blazar will enable data center managers to fully populate racks with fiber-optic product business manager at
servers and switches, eliminating the need to expand physical facilities to increase Berk-Tek.
computing capacity. In addition, the cable’s power consumption is rated at 2.2 “When combined with the Ortronics
watts per cable end, resulting in 0.05 watts per gigabit of data, reducing the overall (www.ortronics.com) 12- or 24-fiber MPO
power consumption required by data centers to power network equipment, and sig- low-loss cassettes and cable management
nificantly reducing cooling costs. systems,” Blell claims, “a far superior
By permanently attaching fiber cable to optical transceivers, and powering four offering to the data center/SAN system
transmitters with a single hermetically sealed laser, Blazar is designed to reduce designer has now been made available.”
installation and maintenance costs while providing more reliability compared to typi- Berk-Tek says that, compared to tra-
cal VCSEL-based technologies. ditional ribbon interconnect, premises
Blazar connects to a system via a QSFP MSA-compliant connector cage. The elec- distribution, and indoor/outdoor loose
trical cage is SFP+ compliant, which enables it to support data rates of 1 to 10.5 giga- tube cables, the MDP offers “improved
bits per transport lane, for a total throughput of up to 42 Gbits/sec. density, ease of installation, termination,
Luxtera will begin sampling Blazar later this year, with production quantities avail- and sub-unit handling.”
able in 2008. Cables are offered in multimode and
singlemode fiber construction.


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Hybrid connector solution
developed for harsh environments
A pplied Optical Systems (AOS;
appliedopticalsystems.com) has
developed a long-distance hybrid ca-
occ.com) MX-Series Messenger Cable,
the pull strength on the F-Link solution
exceeds 250 pounds, and functions well
bling system built to carry electrical in an outdoor environment.
and multi-channel fiber optics for Sound & Signal Systems replaced
LAN and wireless LAN (WLAN) the previous broken connections
in harsh environments. with F-Link products on approxi-
The F-Link family of products is mately 40 portable buildings and,
equipped with up to 34 fiber-optic according to Ahlgrim, there has not
channels and a fiber-optic backshell, been a single breakage problem since.
plus plug-and-play connectors and He adds that the system has reduced
terminals. While comparable opto- overall costs from tens of thousands
electrical systems have connectors that of dollars to just hundreds of dollars
can withstand 20 to 30 pounds of strain, per relocation.
the F-Link connectors are designed with “We now have about 400 to 500
a strain resistance of 250 to 400 pounds F-Link systems deployed within the dis-
(depending on quality of fiber or compos- Applied Optical Systems’ F-Link long-distance trict, and it’s growing every day,” says
ite cable), making it suitable where high hybrid connector system carries both electri- Ahlgrim. “Though the district is not real-
winds or rough handling may occur. cal and multi-channel ﬁber optics for LAN and ly seeing the huge savings yet, they’ll start
In addition to many industrial ap- WLAN applications. seeing it as they move from area to area
plications, F-Link is also being used in connections, and vandalism. Research- and experience the savings based on the
portable classrooms for school districts, ing a supplier of plug-and-play opto-elec- ease and simplicity of un-plug and re-plug,
where frequent handling and vandalism trical technology led Ahlgrim to AOS, saving on labor, repair, and replacement
are issues. The Albuquerque, NM Public whose products include ‘tactical’ fiber- costs. Plus, connector inventory is greatly
School District, for example, owns more optic connectors conforming to mili- simplified, and maintenance personnel
than 1,300 portable buildings, and each tary specifications. can be trained on a single, easy system.”
year, 150 or more of them are relocated. “AOS tailored their F-Link platform to As a result of the success of the F-Link
Substantial costs result from hiring a con- keep the cost down while also provid- connector in the portable classrooms,
tractor to disconnect and re-connect the ing a system that is robust and rugged the Albuquerque school district has de-
data communication lines that integrate enough for the environments we’re put- cided to use it for its intercom, fire alarm,
the classroom with the school. ting it in,” Ahlgrim says. “Continuous security, and phone systems throughout
“It costs tens of thousands of dollars vandalism of the previous ‘quick discon- all of its facilities.
every time we have to cable a group of nect’ product led the school district to re-
portables,” explains Doug Ahlgrim, solve the issue with the first installation (Freelance technical writer Ed Sullivan of
RCDD/NTS, of Albuquerque-based of the F-Link interconnect system. When Hermosa Beach, CA contributed to this
Sound & Signal Systems. “That was used with Optical Cable Corp.’s (www. article.—Ed.)
____

much too wasteful, so we developed a
‘quick disconnect’ plug-and-play design Cabling Installation & Maintenance
that would facilitate hooking up or un- Editorial Mission
hooking a hybrid plug-and-play design Installers of premises and campuswide communications systems face constantly evolv-
that would facilitate connection or dis- ing standards, products, and technology. Keeping pace with these changes requires
connecting all low-voltage systems.” access to current inform-ation from informed peers who are knowledgeable in fiber
To ensure lasting performance and and copper technology relative to premises communications. Cabling Installation &
Maintenance provides peer-to-peer perspective in its interpretation of standards and
durability, Ahlgrim’s team had to
technology, its presentation of installation techniques and in the selection and use of
address New Mexico’s seasonal temper- products in premises communications.
ature extremes, rough treatment of the


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ON-TIME
DELIVERY
IS NOT AN
OPTION.
To call it an option implies we offer something else.

At ScanSource Security, our 600,000 square foot warehouse, ﬁlled with the most up-to-date products, like
Panasonic video surveillance products, is located right on the property of one of the world’s largest overnight
delivery companies. And because our logistics team is focused on speed, accuracy, and accountability,
we’ve been able to achieve a 99.7% shipment accuracy rate, even while offering free shipping on most
orders. Which means you can keep your promises to your customers. And we can keep our promise to you.
800.964.8994 | www.scansourcesecurity.com

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Structured cabling system aimed at
home, small office markets
D esigned for managing high-band-
width content within a small office
or home network, Telect’s (www.telect.
Color-coded connectivity within
Telect’s Media Gateway lets small
office and home network users match
Category 5e
and RF video
connectivity
com) Media Gateway system address-
___ numerical and color-corresponding and distribu-
es the need to distribute, manage, and wall outlets with ports in the panel for tion compo-
deliver ever-increasing data rates quick connection or simplified recon- nents, along
throughout a small network. figuration for future service changes. with wall out-
Featuring a flexible design and a color- lets for each
coding system to simplify connectivity, signed for simplified structured cabling office or home location. It sup-
Media Gateway includes central distri- management. ports distribution of video-on-de-
bution panels, wall outlets, cabling, and “A well-designed network is absolutely mand, high-speed data, IP video, and
accessories to enable triple-play (voice, crucial for successfully delivering high- VoIP applications. Enhanced cable
video, data) distribution throughout an bandwidth content,” says Mark Hawley, management in the panel includes cable
office or home. The color-coded connec- Telect’s broadband solutions program tie-downs to keep installations clean, and
tivity system helps users match numeri- manager. “The Media Gateway will ap- space for jumpers and other cabling.
cal and color-corresponding wall outlets peal to everyone, from service providers Media Gateway systems support
with ports in the panel, while clearly la- to developers, home builders, installers, applications ranging from new housing/
beled connectivity modules, splitters, and end users.” greenfield developments to retrofits in
and other devices in the panel are de- The patent-pending system features existing homes and office spaces.

___________


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Short runs…
RICHARDSON, TX—Network infrastructure developer CommScope Both were unaffected, with the LANmark-10G cable continuing
(www.commscope.com) has formed an alliance with network to meet all requirements of the draft TIA 568-B.2-10 Augmented
video solutions provider Axis (www.axis.com) to deliver intelligent Category 6 specifications. “The performance of the LANmark-
building solutions to its customers. “To be more diligent and 10G cable combined with the co-engineered Clarity 10G
efficient with security programs, many companies are merging termination products from Ortronics allows the NetClear GTX
physical security departments with IT departments,” says Mark channels to be intermixed with channels of lower category
Peterson, senior vice president, global marketing/enterprise at performance, without interference,” says Jim Frey, Berk-Tek
CommScope. “In addition, many organizations are planning copper products manager.
to add more intelligence to buildings, where data, building
DUBLIN, IRELAND—A newly released study from Research and
automation and safety and surveillance systems all converge on a
Markets, “2007 Global FTTH—Fibre Networks Becoming a Reality”
single infrastructure platform. With this alliance, CommScope and
(www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/544344), finds that fiber-
Axis help bring the intelligent building to their customers.”
to-the-home deployment worldwide “will be much faster in areas
NEW LONDON, CT—Following tests conducted at the Nexans where there are clear business models for it,” and that “education
Data Communications Competence Center, Ortronics/Legrand is just one of the important social aspects of fibering up countries—
(www.ortronics.com) and Berk-Tek (www.berktek.com) say interactive video is going to add that special element to education,
their warranted NetClear GTX 10G UTP cabling system can be which will make fibre-optic networks even more important for
installed alongside existing NetClear structured cabling systems community social structures.” The report provides insight and
within the same pathway without performance degradation of analysis into the trends and developments taking place in the FTTH
either system. The tests placed Berk-Tek’s (a Nexans company) sector, taking a global overview, as well as providing information
LANmark-10G Augmented Category 6 in the same raceway as targeting North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East,
LANmark-1000 and LANmark-2000 Category 6 cables. and Asia Pacific markets.

_________________________________


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NAIL DOWN L OW VO LTAG E B R AC K E T
THE SAVINGS
LOW VOLTAGE MOUNTING BRACKETS
LVN1 w/ nails for CLASS 2 WIRING LV1
Just nail or screw these Single-gang
Low Voltage brackets to a wood or
Mounting • Seats wall plates
steel stud – and you’re flush with
Bracket
ready to install low mounting surface
voltage Class 2 wiring!
• Adjusts to fit Recessed
• Lower cost than 1/4" to 1" thick Screw Hole
extension rings drywall or paneling seats wall plate
flush with wall
• Non-conductive • Installs faster surface
• Eliminates costs less than metal!
pushback Thin
3-gang Front Lip
LV3
Faster to install 2-gang seats better
than mud rings! LV2 on drywall

© Arlington Industries, Inc.
LVN2
© 2003, Rev 2007 Arlington Industries, Inc.

Also available:
Screw-on LVS1
& LVS2 for steel Oval
4-gang Hole
LV4 for final shifting,
straightening of device
Patented Patented

Arlington 800/233-4717 • www.aifittings.com Arlington 800/233-4717 • www.aifittings.com

EMT BUSHINGS THE LOOP
L OW- C O S T H A N G E R
™

THE BEST CABLE PROTECTION f o r C O M M U N I C AT I O N S C A B L E
5"
• Fast & easy press-on installation 2.5" TL50 Flexible and
2"
• Holds tight as cables are pulled TL20 TL25 non-metallic,
• Protects cable from abrasion The LOOP holds
a 2" to 5"
• Can be substituted for costly fittings
diameter bundle
when used just for wire
of CAT5 or
fiber optic cable
for 1/2" to 4" without sagging,
bending or damaging
EMT • Rigid • PVC the cable!
TL50
for a
5" diameter The 2.5" TL25 holds
bundle the same amount of
cable as a J-hook at
1/2 the COST!
© 2001-2006 Arlington Industries, Inc.
© 2001, Rev 2006 Arlington Industries, Inc.

Listed for
Air Handling
Spaces

Listed for
R
Air Handling
R Spaces
Patented.

Arlington 800/233-4717 • www.aifittings.com Arlington 800/233-4717 • www.aifittings.com

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New Products Compiled by Steve Smith

Handheld OTDR agement of large cable bundles. Available charger are included. SC, FC, ST, and
Weighing in at 1.7 pounds, the Noyes sizes are: 42U/600-mm, 48U/600-mm, universal 2.5-mm adapter tips are
OFL 250 is a singlemode handheld and 42U/750-mm. available.
OTDR with integrated optical power APC FIBER INSTRUMENT SALES
meter (OPM), laser source (OLS), and www.apc.com www.ﬁberinstrumentsales.com
visual fault locator
(VFL). Featuring Interlocking armored cable Universal splicer
short dead zone This 12-strand, 62.5-μm multimode The Universal Mechanical Splice (UMS)
and mid-range optical-fiber cable needs no pre-installed system can splice fiber from 250 to
dynamic range innerduct, providing a single-pull solu-
performance, the tion that can reduce labor and cost. The
OFL 250 is suit-
ed for testing
optical fibers in
FTTx networks.
It supports auto-
matic and man- 900-μm with a single-hand action. The
ual set-up, precision event analysis, and lightweight, handheld wedge tool device,
multiple wavelength testing. Other fea- cable’s aluminum interlocking armor is measuring 142 × 57 × 22-mm, offers a
tures include 12-hour battery life, inter- designed to provide maximum protec- cost-effective alternative to pre-connec-
nal data storage, and USB connectivity. tion in remote or harsh environments. torized cables for FTTx installations.
All models come with a carry case, SC Especially suited for Gigabit Ethernet The UMS has been tested in accordance
and FC adapters for the OTDR/OLS backbones where ruggedness and rodent with Telcordia GR-765-CORE generic
port, 2.5-mm universal adapters for the resistance are required, the lightweight, requirements for singlemode optical
OPM and VFL ports, USB cable, AC pow- flexible cable is UL-listed and plenum- splices and splicing systems, demonstrat-
er adapter with country-specific power rated, and is available in customer-spec- ing maximum insertion loss of 0.5 dB
cord, and a user guide. ified lengths. and an average return loss of 40 dB.
AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS BLACK BOX FUJIKURA EUROPE
www.aﬂ tele.com www.blackbox.com www.fujikura.co.uk

Deep enclosure Scope with probe Digital balun for A/V
The NetShelter SX This compact, handheld video fiber-optic The digital FatCAT series of precision
1200-mm deep enclo- microscope includes a 200× probe baluns is designed for distributing HDMI
sures, built for deeper that’s designed for inspect-
servers and larger vol- ing adapter
umes of cable in data panels. The mi-
centers, is five inches croscope fea-
deeper than a standard tures a bright
1070-mm enclosure. It 3.5-inch dis-
includes an additional play, variable
pair of cable channels coa x ia l i l- video
in the back that en- lumination, and audio sig-
able organization of more power and data and contrast nals over Category
cables, and additional room to mount up 5 or 6 cable. Incorporat-
to four vertical rack power distribution ing a proprietary HDMI Path technology
units on the side of the enclosure. This en- that prevents EDID miscommunication
closure also features larger cable openings and results in a clean HDMI signal transfer
along the sides of the roof to enhance cable and bright- from source to display, the FatCAT series
access, while an enlarged center rear open- ness control. Li-Ion supports video resolutions up to 1080 p
ing is designed for better routing and man- batteries and AC and meets the HDMI 1.3 standards ➤


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New Products
for fully high-definition performance cision mechanical termination of sin-
capability. Both the transmitting and glemode and multimode fiber. No
receiving units are available in either proprietary tools, epoxy, or hand-polish-
free-standing or wall-plate versions. (The ing are required, resulting in quick field
wall-plate version includes an additional termination. FastCAM is available in LC,
coaxial digital audio signal port.) SC, or ST singlemode or multimode (50/
KEY DIGITAL 125-μm, 62.5/125-μm, and Laser Opti-
www.keydigital.com mized 50/125-μm) configurations termi-
nated on 250 or 900-μm buffered fiber.
Pre-polished LCs cess. It features a 125° C temperature
LEVITON VOICE & DATA DIVISION
FastCAM LC fiber-optic pre-polished www.levitonvoicedata.com rating, high proof test level, and max-
connectors are designed to provide pre- imum resistance to moisture in such
Hard coating 62.5-μm applications as utility control rooms,
This 62.5-μm optical-fiber cable with factory automation, indoor and out-
hard clad silica (HCS) fiber coating is door industrial manufacturing, and
designed for high bandwidth communi- infrastructure industries. Bandwidth is
cation in industrial environments, and greater than 200 MHz-km at 850 nm.
especially suited for environments with OFS/SPECIALTY PHOTONICS DIVISION
high pull forces. The fiber is available www.ofsoptics.com
cabled and preterminated from the
factory or can be field-terminated with Rear-loading panels
ST and SMA connectors using the com- Available in flat and angled versions, Clar-
pany’s simplified “crimp and cleave” pro- ity individual jack panels use reduced-

MicroScanner 2. Envision cable
verification raised to a higher power.
Introducing MicroScanner2 – a revolutionary way
to verify voice/data/video cabling and services.
It streamlines verification testing by displaying key
results – wiremap, pair lengths, cable ID and dis-
tance to fault – all on one bright oversized screen.
Plus, its built-in RJ11, RJ45, and coax ports test
virtually any low-voltage cable with no need for
adapters. With all this plus 10/100/1000 Ethernet,
POTS, and PoE service detection, it’s clear this is
one high-powered tester that’s going to streamline
your voice/data/video testing in a blink of an eye.

Take a virtual demo today. Visit
www.flukenetworks.com/SeeMicroScanner2
and find out how you can win one for yourself.

MicroScanner2
C a b l e Ve r i f i e r

N E T W O R K S U P E R V I S I O N ©2007 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved. 02114

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New Products
other discontinuities that can affect per- locate faults in up to
formance and result in signal loss. It also 5 km of fiber. It ac-
size aids end-to-end fiber identification within cepts all standard
Clarity 6 and 5E a fiber bundle, or when looking for cracked 2.5-mm optical con-
panel jacks that can be terminated fiber in splice cases. It pinpoints problem nector types for single-
and snapped in place from the back of areas on an optical fiber by generat- mode and multimode
the patch panel. The recessed design pro- ing a bright red glow at the fault site. operation.
vides a low-mounted profile and directs The pen-size FFD100 uses a 635-nm PHOTONIC PRODUCTS LTD.
patch cords to vertical management in red laser diode with CW operation to www.photonic-products.com
limited rack space. These panels feature
universal TIA-568A/B wiring and sup-
port 110 termination practices.
ORTRONICS/LEGRAND
www.ortronics.com

Data center cabinet
The NET-ACCESS server cabinet system
is designed to manage, protect, and show-
case cabling and equipment by providing
open-rack accessibility with the aesthetics
and security of a cabinet. The cable man-

agement design organizes power and data
cables through vertically-mounted patch
panels and power outlet units, reducing
patch cord slack, improving airflow, and
enhancing network reliability. A scalable
thermal management design provides a
migration path from initial power and
thermal requirements to future higher
heat densities. For added thermal manage-
ment, a rear cooling door option leverages
IBM cooling technology to eliminate hot
spots and enable increased server density. ______________
PANDUIT
www.panduit.com

_______
Fiber fault-ﬁnder
The battery-powered FFD100 fiber fault
detector quickly locates breaks, bends, and


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Product Focus: patch panels
Category 6A angled connectivity Test-built Category 5e and 6 panels
CopperTen Augmented Category 6 (6A) angled patch panels Allen Tel patch panels undergo thorough in-house and
optimize 10-Gbits/sec transmission performance with nationally recognized tests for channel compliance exceed-
offset jack positioning to coun- ing TIA/EIA Category standards. A full array of Category
ter the negative 5e and 6 patch panels are available, with Category 6A
effects of alien panels pending. In addition, rack- and
crosstalk. The an- wall-mount fiber-optic
gled port design cabinets—the equiva-
is built to improve all as- lent of copper patch
pects of managing horizontal cable and patch cables while im- panels—provide the
proving density when used with the company’s Glide Cable same reliability and flex-
Management. This patch panel is designed to prevent ibility. All copper and fiber
unintended disconnects and cable damage, and protects bend patch panels are available
radius to avoid violations that can result in signal degradation. exclusively through Graybar
The system’s patent-pending design also minimizes alien cross- (www.graybar.com).
talk and insertion loss, and meets the performance require- ALLEN TEL
ments of IEEE 802.3an and TIA 568-B.2-10 draft standards. www.allentel.com
ADC
www.adc.com
Rack-mountable ﬁber termination
1U, 48-port system Light-Link LanSystem series of rack-mountable fiber termina-
10GX 48-port ultra-high-density patch panels fit into a 1U space, tion patch panels are available empty for complete field config-
compared to similar systems requiring 2U. When used with uration, with adapters ready to accommodate field-installable
the company’s high-density modular racking system, the 10GX connectors or factory preterminated cables, and preterminated
patch panels deliver four times the density of standard panels. with cable stubs or pigtails. An aluminum construction is
Units are available for Category 5e, Category 6, and Catego- designed to save weight and ease installation. Smaller 1U and
ry 6A, and are suited for data centers, equipment distribution 2U panels can support patch, patch and splice, or splice-only,
areas, and other high-throughput environments. The heart while the 3U and larger panels feature a removable master
of the 10GX is
modules that
incorporate
three patent-
pending tech-
nologies: MatriX
IDC locates each
IDC connector
at a right angle
to its neighbor,
effectively can-
celing out alien
near-end cross- plate and cable guide trays to simplify field provisioning and
talk; FleXPoint provide unobstructed access to internal components. Patch
PCB is a flexible printed circuit board configuration designed and splice panels feature a telescopic 48-position splice tray
to provide excellent crosstalk performance up to 625 MHz; that provides full access to all splices without having to search
X-Bar is a termination technology that enables precise, accu- through or unstack traditional splice trays. The LanSystem is
rate positioning of each UTP pair for termination on the mod- available with densities ranging from 6 to 288 fibers, and rack
ule’s IDC pins under typical field conditions. sizes up to 9U.
BELDEN AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
www.belden.com www.afltele.com


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THERE ARE
THOSE WHO WANT
TO INSTALL
THE BEST CABLE
AND THOSE
WHO HAVE TO
When even the slightest delay can mean the
difference between disaster and success, there’s
no room for compromising on data cable. That’s
why more network designers choose Superior Essex
for critical environments. Our data cable products
are engineered to outperform the industry standard
on every level – for customers whose networks
are anything but standard.

For detailed performance information and real-life case
studies, visit www.spsx.com/comm/performance

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Housings for various connector panels, modules
Pretium Connector Housings, feature a removable top that slides
designed for the LAN and data center forward, providing unencumbered
environment, accept numerous con- access to interior components. A
nector panels and modules. Avail- rack-mountable Pretium 1U Housing,
able in a wide variety of port counts with the capacity to hold 96 fibers,
and connector styles, these housings fits into a 19-inch utility rack, while
are four inches deeper than standard the Pretium 3-Module is a 1U hous-
connector housings, and are shipped ing that holds three reduced-depth
with everything needed for immediate Plug & Play System modules. When
deployment. The Pretium 4U housing using LC duplex or MT-RJ adapters,
accepts 12 of the company’s CCH connector panels or connec- 24 fibers per module are available, providing a total modular
tor modules, and contains an integral hinged jumper manager 1U density of 72 fibers.
on the front. The 1U and 2U housings accept two and four CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS
CCH connector panels or modules, respectively. All housings www.corningcablesystems.com

Preterminated and ready to go RapidNet ports to fit into the same footprint, allowing for more
The RapidNet modular patch panel is a preterminated plug-and- network flexibility. According to the company, proven installa-
play system requiring no on-site termination or certification test- tion time reductions of 85% or more have been achieved. The
ing. Simplified installation is via RapidNet cassettes that snap company terminates and tests each link, and provides testing
into the panel. The 1U modular panel accepts four cassettes, results with each order.
while the 2U panel accepts eight cassettes. These panels, HELLERMANNTYTON
which fit on standard 19-inch racks, allow both copper and fiber www.hellermann.tyton.com

Cable management trays included
The company’s copper and fiber patch panels comes with inte-
gral cable management trays for cable strain relief and cable
dressing. Ports can be labeled or color-coded using an icon for site-
specific administration. PowerCat 6 patch panels feature DataGate
Plus, a spring-loaded RJ-45 connector with proprietary shutter designed
to protect the connector from
Rack-mount Category 5e, dust and contaminants, and to
Category 6 panels eject improperly seated patch
The Unity series of Category 5e and 6 patch pan- cords. PowerCat 6 angled pan-
els is designed to exceed all standards performance els are built for high-density
requirements, and built for maximum performance termination in open bay rack
headroom plus optimum qual- installations where extensive
ity and reliability. All panels side and end-of-rack cable man-
are 19-inch rack-mountable, agement is needed. The an-
support TIA/EIA 568-A and gled design eases port access
568-B installation require- and minimizes patch cord bend
ments, and are compatible with 110 and Krone punch- radius. Other solutions include
down tools. Patch panels are available in sizes ranging the C5e UTP high-density panel, 10G FTP and C5e FTP panels, multime-
from mini-12 ports to 96 ports. Custom patch panels dia units, and C6 and C5e intelligent infrastructure management panels.
are also available to meet proprietary needs. MOLEX PREMISE NETWORKS
GRUBER INDUSTRIES www.molexpn.com
www.gruber.com


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The Kwik-LatchTM design is integral to Cope’s Cat-TrayTM cable tray products.
Kwik-LatchTM allows the sturdy steel cable tray sections to quickly snap together
for the easiest installation in the industry! This integral latch system makes even
the most complex field installations a snap – change directions or navigate around
obstacles with ease!
Cat-TrayTM makes your cable tray installations flexible, quick, and easy!

Cat-TrayTM – The Trusted Name in Wire Basket Tray Systems
Ask your local sales rep for the Cat-TrayTM catalog today!
Or, get it online at: http://www.alliedeg.com/cope

Allied Tube & Conduit • AFC Cabling Systems® • Power-Strut® Metal & Fiberglass Framing • Cope® Cable Tray

Cat-Tray, Kwik-Latch, Cope, Allied Tube & Conduit, AFC Cable Systems, Power-Strut, and Tyco are trademarks or registered trademarks of Tyco International
© 2007 T.J. Cope, Tyco International. and/or its affiliates in the United States and in other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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Maximum density in 1U
Clarity maximum density patch panels offer 48 ports of Cat- performance measurable in the link or channel. Icon-compati-
egory 6 or 5e performance in 1U, suitable for data center ble for simplified port identification, the RoHS-compliant patch
and other high-density installations. These patch panels are panels feature universal T568A/B wiring, and support stan-
dard 110 termination practices. They come supplied with
24 rear-loading dual port termination modules to service
48 ports. Individual dual port jacks in a range of colors,
ETL-tested and verified plus unloaded panels, are also available to support field-
to TIA Category 6 and 5e component specifications. They are configured installations.
precision-tuned with Clarity patch cords, using the company’s ORTRONICS/LEGRAND
center-tuned technology for improved crosstalk and return loss www.ortronics.com

Zero-U patch panel
The patent-pending VertiGO Zero-U patch panel consumes Power over Ethernet panel
no rack space, eliminating interference with cooling racks or The DPoE 1Gig 24-port pow-
other panels. VertiGO can be installed in server cabinets, free- er patch panel extends the
standing racks, on a lad- capabilities of a network’s
der tray, or in raised floor infrastructure by support-
installations. A hinged open- ing Power over Ethernet
ing makes this patch panel (PoE) devices, such as
more adaptable to moves, IP telephones, wireless
adds, and changes, and access points, and IP net-
protects terminations when work cameras. The sys-
the door is closed. A magnified label holder improves visibility tems offer scalability by
inside dark or far-away spaces. VertiGO panels are available enabling network managers
in the company’s QuickPort and Opt-X styles, and compatible to buy only the ports and
with copper and fiber connectors to maximize versatility in a power they need, when they
variety of media applications. The panels can also share mount- need it. Two power buss
ing hardware with existing servers. inputs provide power redun-
LEVITON VOICE & DATA DIVISION dancy, load balancing, and
www.levitonvoicedata.com zero transfer time in the event of a power disruption. Built-
in network manageability lowers operational costs by pro-
Rack-mount RJ-45 alternative viding remote accessibility, usage and status information,
The VisiPatch 360 system is both an RJ-45 alternative rack- and management of multiple sites with a single graphical
mount patching solution and an optimized wall-mount system user interface.
designed to make cable management easier. By protecting PANDUIT
www.panduit.com

cords away from the user and into the patching field, VisiPatch
360 makes the patch cord plug-end more accessible, and
simplifies reading of labeling information for faster moves,
adds, and changes. Built to reduce cord clutter and patch cord
and cable congestion, the VisiPatch 360 system supports
10-Gbits/sec and 1-Gbit/sec applications. Snap-together com-
ponents enable simplified installation, while a modular design
provides versatility for both small and large installations.
SYSTIMAX SOLUTIONS
www.systimax.com


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Advanced Fiber-optic
Technologies
WEBCAST
While copper-based cabling systems reach new engineering
heights to accommodate today’s fastest available data rates, fiber-
optic systems can boast of having supported these applications for
years. The relative stability of fiber gives many users the impression
7
ER 1 N
that it is relatively dormant as a medium, with little technological

CTOBISTRATIO webcast
development taking place. And still, the perception exists that an
O E REG optical infrastructure brings with it a significant cost hike over a
FRE m/ .com
install
mixed fiber-and-copper plant.
g !
.cablin NOW
This web-delivered seminar produced by Cabling Installation &
www N UP
Maintenance seeks to clarify some misconceptions and detail
SIG important information about the installation, use, and maintenance
of fiber-optic cabling systems. From cost comparisons, to what’s in
the short- and long-term future, to getting the most of the installed
fiber plant, this seminar puts optical networking and cabling
systems into perspective.
Presentation 1: A cradle-to-grave cost examination of optical
systems
Presentation 2: Impending standards and the fiber solutions
for each
Presentation 3: Testing fiber infrastructure for today’s applications

Moderated By: Patrick McLaughlin,
Chief Editor
Date: October 17, 2007
Time: 1:00 pm EDT/10:00 AM PDT

Sponsored by:

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Compact ﬁber distribution system
Designed to meet cable management needs of larger fiber-optic The FDUs are designed to provide crossconnect and intercon-
networks in data centers, telecom closets, and central offices, nect between fiber distribution cables and fiber-optic equipment.
the 8400 Series fiber distribution system is a compact solution Available for rack-or wall-mount applications, the system uses
a common set of coupling adapter plates available in
common connector styles, singlemode and multimode,
and simplex and duplex. Rack-mounted vertical jumper
organizers with top and bottom troughs allow for
simplified storage and access to jumpers and patch
cords within or between racks. Rack-mounted FDUs
are modular and accommodate from 24 to 144 con-
nector ports. Three sizes of wall-mounted FDUs have
lockable doors and accommodate from 12 to 48 fiber
connector ports. All components are galvanized steel
with options for customization and growth. The 8400 consists with baked powder-coated epoxy paint for long life.
of individual fiber distribution units (FDUs) plus a broad range 3M COMMUNICATION MARKETS DIVISION
of coupling plates and fiber cable management components. www.3M.com/telecom

Speedy copper, ﬁber solutions
The company’s line of patch panels provides fast network trans- Custom passive patch panels
mission speeds (up to 10 Gbit) and supports a wide variety of White Sands Engineering builds custom passive patch
applications with the functionality and compatibility found on panels to customer specifications, with ports for all types
name-brand panels. Category 5e and 6 panels come in 12, 24, of connectors, including coax, telco, and fiber. Panel fea-
or 48 ports, with 1U feed-through or wall-mount designs. The tures include 1U to 4U (or larger) height, standard or high-
density port spacing, and custom screening or labeling.
Blank panels, right-angle brackets, and lashing bars are

company’s 16-port fiber-optic panels are available in LC/LC, also available. As a provider of cabling products for CMTS
MTRJ/MTRJ, SC/SC, ST/SC, and ST/ST. Heavy-duty, 14-gauge (cable modem termination system) applications, the com-
steel wall-mounted brackets are an alternative to a full-size pany specializes in panels designed to simplify head-end
rack, while laser-cut metal construction keeps all edges smooth, wiring.
reducing the possibility of injury or wear on cable jackets. WHITE SANDS ENGINEERING
TRIPP LITE www.whitesandsengineering.com
www.tripplite.com

MTP-style 1U panel
At 1U high, these MTP-style fiber-
optic patch panels feature 16 MPT
couplers, and are especially suited for
data centers or where management of
MTP ribbon fibers is required. In ad-
dition, the company also manufactures MTP panel-mount L-COM CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS
couplers, as well as MTP connector and coupler dust covers. www.l-com.com


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New Products
Surface-mount seal standard requirements, and are com- SS-60300 Series of Category 6A jacks in
A surface-mount version of the Air Guard patible with standards-based RJ-45 out- patch panels and wall outlets.
Cable Seal is designed to reduce cool-air lets, ensuring long-term resistance to STEWART CONNECTOR/BEL FUSE
loss in data centers. Although packaged humidity-based corrosion, extreme www.belfuse.com/stewartconnector
with mounting hardware, an adhesive temperature, and airborne contami-
nants. The cords use include a color- Ethernet, WAP device
coded clip feature, allowing simplified SMCWEB-N EZ Connect can operate in
patch field identification and manage- either wireless access point (WAP) mode
ment. The MC plugs offer an ultra-slim to add high-speed wireless connectivity
boot for tight side-stackability in high- to the network, or in Ethernet client mode
density patching environments, and
its cantilevered latch protection lim-
its snagging while allowing the latch to
be operated from further back on the
plug.
SIEMON
www.siemon.com

strip covered by a foal seal provides an Cat 6A, 7 termination block
installation alternative. A 10 × 10-inch The SS-51 Series of punchdown blocks
Air Guard covers irregular, existing cut- is engineered to allow field termination
outs and protects cable arrangements of insulated 22 to 26 AWG solid copper
in up to a 6 × 7-inch area. Overlapping wire in Category 6A and 7 applications to connect multiple Ethernet-enabled
brushes seal cable openings to help pre- in which wires are individually shielded. devices simultaneously via an integrated
vent under-floor contamination and Employing insulation displacement 4-port 10/100 switch. Featuring advanced
overheating of critical equipment by im- contact (IDC) technology, the RoHS- performance and security features, this
proving static pressure to cool data center device is especially suited for multimedia
equipment. Air Guard’s flame-retardant and security installations. Configuration
ABS polycarbonate finish, solid construc- is via an installation wizard, web-based
tion, and textured surface complement management interface, and slide switch
all floor coverings. for selecting operating mode.
PDU CABLES SMC NETWORKS
www.pducables.com www.smc.com

Hybrid RJ-45 patch cord Ethernet ﬁber multiplexer
These 10-Gbits/sec-capable patch cords The TC8518 Ethernet and T-1/E-1 fiber
feature a standards-recognized TERA compliant devices are designed for rap- multiplexer multiplexes 8/16/20/24
(Category 7) interface on one end and id mass termination of multiple wires for T-1 channels of 8/16/20 E-1 channels,
a redesigned version of the company’s telecom and datacom systems. The blocks and three 10/100 Ethernet switch ports
RJ-45-style MC plug on the other. The feature a notched-head design to secure over multimode or singlemode fiber-
cord supports current network equip- the wires in the plastic housing before optic cable. (The three Ethernet ports
ment, and future application speeds of termination, ensuring a mechanically support non-blocking 100 Mbits/sec
10-Gbits/sec and beyond. Featuring a stable connection between the conductor bandwidth.) The 1U high unit supports
Category 7 stranded cable, the hybrid and the terminating contact. This allows distances to more than 100 km and
patch cords meet or exceed all 10GBase-T for staggered pair-to-pair arrangements offers standard redundant power
in multi-port designs to reduce alien and optics, including automatic ➤
crosstalk in Category 6A applications. The
SS-51 Series is most commonly employed
in network wall sockets, patch panels
and distribution frames, and can also be
used in conjunction with the company’s


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New Products
switchover. Designed as a point-to- 3-phase 120/208-volt hardwire input/out- the need for heat guns or torches. While
point solution for combining mul- put. A static bypass and manual main- shrink tubing must be slipped onto the
tiple T-1/E-1 lines and Ethernet tenance bypass are designed to ensure wire prior to connection, X-Treme Tape
over a single fiber, the multiplexer continuous availability by safely passing provides immediate insulation with a
can extend signals from cell towers to through AC power if the UPS requires permanent air and water seal, no con-
central offices, and add Ethernet service maintenance. Battery runtime is scalable nector damage, and allowing for quick
to existing T-1/E-1 fiber-optic links. Set- from 5 to 31 minutes at full load with the access to repair or change a connection.
up, diagnostics and control is accessed 20-kVA model. The systems are available No-melt capacity is 260° C, with flexibil-
by a Web interface, serial console, tel- in 20- and 30-kVA base models, and two ity ranges to -50° C.
net, or SNMP management. Diagnostics extended runtime models. VYPAR PRODUCTS
include LED indicators, dry contact TRIPP LITE www.vyparproducts.com
alarms, and local and remote loopback. www.tripplite.com
Fiber optic connectors are SC, and stan- Security DVR
dard power supplies are redundant and Insulated wrap For video surveillance installations, the
hot-swappable 110/230 volts AC. An alternative to shrinkable tubing, Kollector Lite XG network DVR is de-
TC COMMUNICATIONS X-Treme Tape is a self-fusing wrap signed for the company’s ViconNet dig-
www.tccommunications.com designed to insulate connections ital and IP-based video management
regardless of size or design, eliminating soft ware. Available in 60- and 120-fps
3-phase UPS model, and with up to 1 TB of local stor-
SmartOnline 3-phase UPS systems fea- age, the DVR’s flexible frame rate adjusts
ture what the company claims is the across the number of camera inputs, let-
smallest footprint in their class. Power ting system designers accommodate
and battery components have been com-
bined into a single, com-
pact module designed to
save floor space. The UPS
features on-line, double-
conversion operation, required maximum viewing and record-
IGBT technology that ing rates by adjusting inputs-per-unit.
provides <3% total har- VICON INDUSTRIES
monic distortion, and www.vicon-cctv.com

Network simulator
bulletin boards This 250-kilometer network sim-
ulation module is designed as a
platform for improved testing and
measurement of fiber networks, test
10Gig Testing equipment, and optical subsystems
White Paper requiring extended channel lengths.
It requires less rack space than com-
Learn about the testing parable simulators and eliminates
White Paper
challenges for 10Gig
Without sophisticated
frequency

Near-End
and for higher

Crosstalk
Figure 1 –
returns to

digital signal
frequencies.
Near-End
the receiver

processing
Crosstalk
side and

techniques
This phenomenon
White Paper
(NEXT) measures
competes
with “Signal
B

in the electronics,
sets a limit
to A” arriving
at the same

reliable transmission
receiver
over pair
2 that
2.
Ethernet over copper daisy-chaining of multiple mod-
cabling and see how new
ing signal or NEXT measures in bandwidth is no longer
is launched. the crosstalk for twisted-pair possible around

ules to achieve longer length sim-
multiple Figure 1 illustrates signal that 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
Alien Crosstalk Figure 3 shows as it is the adjacent

installation and testing
most significant cabling links.
will be measured the Alien
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 by wire pairs for the
Sum Alien
FEXT (PSAFEXT) (usually referred pairs, as well as Alien in adjacent
cables.
Ethernet to as the FEXT. Since

s for 10 Gb/s
should be victim wire-pair) the combined
computed impact of
and evaluated must be assessed, many wire-pairs
Testing Challenge
for wire-pairs Power Sum in
in a cabling Alien NEXT
bundle. (PSANEXT)
air Cabling

ulation channels. Modules can
over Twisted-P
(AXTalk)
Alien Crosstalk
help combat
and testing guidelines
New installation

guidelines help combat
Ethernet over twist- Table of contents
for 10 Gigabit/sec
The standards
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 ...........
..4
standards on 10
measures
of the transmitted Crosstalk . .
the crosstalk
an over- Testing Alien induced in
This paper provides signal and
competes wire-pair. . . . . . . . . 5
. . 4 that travels
published in mid-2006. test strategy
with the clarity the
cabling Alien Crosstalk of “Signal . . . 6 length of the cable
for the twisted-pair .
. . . . . . 4” arriving at Receiver

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

be built to emulate virtually any
measure and certify ........7
and methods to ...........
Recommendations ..8
cabling system. ...........
of the installed ...........
Conclusion .
Fluke Networks

3
www.fluke
networks.c
om

Download our white network or scenario, with such
paper today at
www.flukenetworks.com/10Gig
options as specific events at
defined locations, multiple connec-
tion types, and multiple channels
with varied lengths.
NETWORKSUPERVISION
_________ TIMBERCON
©2006. Fluke Corporation.
www.timbercon.com


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hot products
Extend T1/E1 over:

Ethernet
IP/Ethernet

Fiber
Miles of Fiber

Wire
Up to Several Miles
of 2-pair Wire

www.textender.com
800-432-2638

Data Comm for Business, Inc. _____________

Protect your Connect
INSPECT.......
CLEAN......
RESTORE.....
The NEWest concept in Field
Connector Cleaning Kits.
Now you have a cost effective
Dirty Clean new compression tool for use
with a wide variety of
connectors including most
59, 6, 7 and 11 “F”
connectors and many RCA
and IEC connectors.
Polished Scratched Compact and sturdy, the
CT2 has spring-loaded
handles with a push
button lock and is
designed for easy use
in tight spaces. No
Includes special adjustments,
• Rugged carrying case for protection no adapters… just
and organization of supplies
• Video Inspector CI-1000 w/ 400x mag. reliable performance
• MicroCare cleaning fluid and wipes day after day. For more
for wet & dry applications
• Ferrule Mate™ SFM-250 for 2.5mm info visit www.ripley-tools.com
connections & SFM-125 for 1.25mm or call 860-635-2200 today.
applications
• Repair Mate™ SFP-Lite for
restoration of connector scratches

www.SeikohGiken.com Tel: 770-279-6602 46 Nooks Hill Road, Cromwell, CT 06416 USA

www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ October 2007 ■ 63

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
COMPANY PAGE PHONE WEB
ADC 23 800-366-3891 www.adc.com
AFL Telecommunications LLC 38 800-235-3423 www.afltele.com Chief Editor / Patrick McLaughlin
Senior Vice President/Group Publishing Director
(603) 891-9222 • patrick@pennwell.com
Agilent Technologies 15 800-829-4444 www.agilent.com/find/wirescope
Mark Finkelstein
ext 5465 Tel: (603) 891-9133; fax: (603) 891-9297
Executive Editor / Steve Smith
Arlington Industries Inc 50 800-233-4717 www.aifittings.com mark@pennwell.com
(603) 891-9139 • stevesm@pennwell.com

Belden/CDT C3 800-BELDEN-1 www.belden.com Associate Publisher/National Sales Manager
Senior Editor / Matt Vincent
Ed Murphy
(603) 891-9262 • mattv@pennwell.com
Berk-Tek 41 800-BERK-TEK www.berktek.com PennWell Corp./ATD
Byte Brothers 53 800-999-2983 www.bytebrothers.com 98 Spit Brook Road
Circulation Manager / Michelle Blake
Nashua, NH 03062-5737
(603) 891-9360 • michellb@pennwell.com
Snake Tray 800-308-6788 www.snaketray.com Tel: (603) 891-9260; fax: (603) 891-9245
edm@pennwell.com Mylchreest
Art Director / Kelli
Chatsworth Products 800-834-4969 www.chatsworth.com
Commscope 20 www.commscope.com/ Digital Media Account Manager
Lead Illustrator / Dan Rodd
Maureen Christenson
designguide Tel: (603) 891-9423
Senior Vice President/Group Publishing Director
Cope - Allied Electrical Group 29, 57 800-882-5543 www.alliedeg.com/cope maureenc@pennwell.com
Mark Finkelstein
(603) 891-9133 • mark@pennwell.com
Corning Cable Systems C2 800-743-2671 www.corning.com/cablesystems Reprint Sales
Diane Troyer
Associate Publisher/National Sales Manager
Daimler Chrysler Vans 18-19 800-4ADODGE www.dodge.com/sprinter Tel: Murphy
Ed (603) 891-9385; fax: (603) 891-9245
Datacom For Business 63 800-432-2638 www.textender.com dianet@pennwell.com
(603) 891-9260 • edm@pennwell.com
Diamond Ground Products 63 805-493-3837 www.diamondground.com List Rental / Bob Dromgoole
(603) 891-9128 • bobd@pennwell.com
CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE
Engineered Products Company 12 866-631-4238 www.pducables.com
EXECUTIVE AND EDITORIAL OFFICES
Exacq Technologies 42 317-845-5710 www.exacq.com
INTERNATIONAL SALES
PennWell ATD
EXFO 37 www.EXFO.com Australia/New Zealand / Glenn Clarke
98 Spit Brook Road
Fax: +61 NH 03062-5737
Nashua, 3 9 568 4955
Fiber Instrument Sales 31 315-736-2206 www.fiberinstrumentsales.com
glennclarke@build.com.au
Tel: (603) 891-0123, fax: (603) 891-9245
Fluke Inc. 6-7 www.flukenetworks.com/seehow Internet: wwww.cablinginstall.com
France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Andora, Greece,
Fluke Inc. 52 www.flukenetworks.com/ Spain, Portugal, Western Switzerland / Luis Matutano
SeeMicroScanner2 Tel: +33 1 39 66 16INQUIRIES: 1 39 23 84 18
SUBSCRIPTION 87; fax: +33
luism@pennwell.com change your format to print or digital,
For subscriptions or to
Fluke Inc. 62 www.flukenetworks.com/10Gig please go to: www.cim-subscribe.com. Subscriptions outside
Austria, Eastern Europe,
Graybar Electric Company, Inc. 5 800-GRAYBAR www.graybar.com the USA are available in digital format only.
Germany, Northern Switzerland / Holger Gerisch
Tel: +49 8801-302430; fax: +49 8801 913220
Hellerman Tyton 34 800-822-4352 www.hellerman.tyton.com/cm1 holgerg@pennwell.com
Hyperline Systems Canada 25 866-63-HYPER www.hyperlinesystems.com India / Rajan Sharma
ICC Premise Wiring 1 888-275-4422 www.icc.com Tel: +91 11 686 1113; fax: +91 11 686 1112
rajan@interadsindia.com
JDSU 33 805 383-1500 www.jdsu.com/know CORPORATE OFFICERS
Israel / Dan Aronovic
Leviton 44 800.722.2082 www.leviton.com Tel: +972 9 899 5813 Lauinger
Chairman / Frank T.
aronovic@actcom.co.il
Live Wire & Cable 62 888-897-6008 www.live w-c.com President and Chief Executive Officer / Robert F. Biolchini
Italy / Vittorio Rossi Prudente
Megger 24 800-723-2861 www.megger.com/sct
Tel: +39 0 49 87 Officer fax: +39 0Wilmoth 98
Chief Financial 87 584; / Mark C. 49 66 04
x8518 prudente@aviationweek.com
Micro Care Corp. 49 800-638-0125 www.MicroCare.com/ ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
Russia / Anton Antoniuk
CableBandwidth Tel: +7 095 234 5678; fax: +7 095 234 5665
Senior Executive Assistant
anton@ccc.ru
Carol Woodward
Mohawk 8 800-422-9961 www.mohawk-cable.com
U.K.(603) 891-9112, fax: (603) 891-9287
Tel: & Scandinavia / Amanda Loftus
Optical Cable Corp. 2 800-622-7711 www.occfiber.com carolw@pennwell.com
Tel: +44 0 1793 862111; fax: +44 0 1793 862110
Paladin Tools 16 800-272-8665 www.paladin-tools.com amandal@pennwell.com
VP Audience Development / Gloria S. Adams
Panasonic PCSC 11 800-662-3537 www.panasonic.com/toughbook/ Asia Sales Manager / Adonis Mak
Tel: +852 2 838 6298; fax: +852 2 838 2766
broadbandcable
ATD PUBLISHING SERVICES DEPARTMENTS
adonism@actintl.com.hk
Panduit Corp. C4 800-777-3300 www.panduit.com/opt23 Art Director / Meg Fuschetti
Japan / Manami Konishi
Pulizzi Engineering Inc. 30 977-PULIZZI www.pulizzi.com Tel: +81 3 5771 8886; fax: +81 3 5771 8887
manami.konishi@ex-press.jp Rodriguez
Production Director / Mari
Quiktron 40 800-361-0471 www.quiktron.com (603) 891-9193 • marir@pennwell.com
Korea / Paek Kwon
Ripley Tools 63 860-635-2200 www.ripley-tools.com Tel: +82 2 420 1293 or 1213; Manager2/ 420 1294
Marketing Communication fax: +82 Kristen Jones
Scan Source Security Distribution 47 800-964-8994 www.scansourcesecurity.com pkwon@kescor.co.kr
(603) 891-9425 • kristenj@pennwell.com

Seikoh Giken USA Inc. 63 770-279-6602 www.SeikohGiken.com Singapore,Manager / Indonesia, Thailand
Ad Traffic Malaysia, Jackie Linker
Grace 832-9314 • jackiel@pennwell.com
(918) Leung
Siemon Company 26 www.siemon.com Tel: +65 6 836 2272; fax: +65 6 735 9653
gleung@publicitas.com
Superior Essex 17, 55 www.spsx.com/comm/
performance Taiwan / Anita Chen
Tel: +886 IN8751 USA fax: +886 2 8751 8861 NO. 126813153
PRINTED 2 THE 5162; GST
Superior Essex www.NextLANsystems.com anita_chen@globalitmedia.com
Publications Mail Agreement Number 40052420
Western Telematic, Inc 48 800-854-7226 www.wti.com
The index of Advertiser’s is published as a service. The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions.

64 ■ October 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance wwww.cablinginstall.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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or NEW
Ceramic s
e Ferrule
Composit

Consistent High Performance

LC SC ST

PANDUIT ® OPTICAM ® Pre-Polished Fiber Optic
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Visit us at www.panduit.com/opt23
Contact Customer Service by email: cs@panduit.com
or by phone: 800-777-3300 and reference ad # opt23

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