After hunkering down for a while you might find yourself buried alive under the amount of low voltage networking information.
While crawling and running in the trench you'll bump into fellow soldiers cat5e, fiber optic cable, security cameras. You'll also find tutorials, tips, installation aids and all kinds of cool networking stuff!
The commander and chief is Discount-Low-Voltage.com
About a week ago I received a phone call from one of our good contractor customers who has a large upcoming project for a international hotel chain. He needed an RG6 coaxial cable for new DirecTV technology called D2 advantage. We looked into this new technology a bit more so we can get a better feel for the appropriate cable.
After researching it a bit more, D2 technology reduces the cost of installation of the DBS service in apartments, hotels and large muti-unit dwellings. D2 uses a centralized signal distribution system that delivers DirecTV service to each tenant without the need of attaching a Dish to each tenant. All the resident needs is a set top box! So far, D2 technology has been tested in Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles and Boise. Everything appears to be working excellent with a larger roll out next year.
Wow! Sounds kinda cool that tenants in all these types of buildings can now get DirecTV, and my personal favorite, NFL Ticket.
Let's see what Mike Olson, V.P. of MDU sales for DirecTV had to say. "DirecTV D2 advantage's lower installation cost, and it's ability to be used across the entire portfolio of MDU properties, fundamentally changes the game in the MDU market and has opened up a huge opportunity for us. The equipment is unobtrusive, easy to install and we require no investment by the property owner. And by lowering our cost on equipment and installation, we're able to enter this market with a business model that makes sense and will be profitable. It also provides a much needed solution for the undeserved, small MDU property market."
With this new technology delivered to the tenant what DirecTV programming will they have access to? Apparently quite a bit:
* More than 160 full time HD channels
* DirecTV Whole-Home DVR services
* DirecTV Cinemaplus
* DirecTV MediaShare (View your photos and videos on the TV)
* International services
If your a property owner reading this right now, your probably asking yourself how to apply for this new technology, especially since property owners are entitled to a cash bonus by DirecTV for a limited time.
* Owners of these types of building should provide their individual details including name, tax ID number.
* Provide details about the property such as the location number of units and the who's in charge of the property (owner or manager)
* Then you should check out the "Owner right of entry" to accept the terms with DirecTV. Here's a link to DirecTV for more informationhttp://www.directvforapartments.com/
After investing our time, we now have a better understanding of what our RG6 Coaxial cable is delivering. Keep in mind there are also other things you need to know during installation in order to deliver a proper signal to these new set top boxes.
If your a new cable installer, you need to be certified and you should be able to:
* Identify all of the components of the D2 Advantage distribution system
* Understand the differences between the D2 Advantage distribution system and standard satellite distribution system
* Explain the importance of using high frequency components
* Read system design specifications for D2 Advantage technology
* Properly install D2 Advantage distribution for both satellite and off-air reception
* Balance the system to ensure proper operation
* Effectively troubleshoot D2 Advantage systems
If your interested in taking a certified course, check out SBCA National Standards & Testing Program at www.sbctest.com
Finally, back to the RG6 coaxial cable. After a long conversation with a DirecTV engineer and the instillation contractor, we narrowed down a cable that would fit the need for proper delivery for D2.
You can order online along with other types of coaxial cables, Cat5e, Fiber optic and much more. If you have a Hotel or Apartment coax cable installation project coming up, contact us for project pricing at 888-797-3697.
Recently Signamax introduce the 065-73FX series of Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) fiber modules that support Fast Ethernet, SONET OC-3, or SDH STM-1 over fiber cable. Multimode models support transmission distances of up to 5 kilometers; singlemode models can support transmission distances of up to 110 kilometers. These modules adhere to the IEEE 802.3u standard for Fast Ethernet over multimode fiber at 1310 nm (multimode and singlemode 20 and 40 km span models) and 1550 nm (80 and 110 km span singlemode models). These new SFP modules are a cost-effective method of providing changeable Fast Ethernet / OC-3 / STM-1 multimode interfaces to switches and media converters designed for these applications that are equipped with a standard 100Base or SONET OC-3/SDH STM-1 SFP receptacle.
Sounds good, but I want to know more. We called Ron Thompson, the Director of System Development and Training at Signamax to tell us more about the product. Lets see what he had to say.
It's nice to know we now have an interchangeable SFP product that will also be cost effective! Don't forget Government and Military installations can contact Ron for a system design.
This recent standard defines requirements for twisted-pair and fiber optic cabling. It lays down the design, installation, and maintenance best practices as described in BICSI's Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual. The manual covers over 300 pages of information, but lets take a quick look at some key features of the new standard.
ANST/TIA-568-C.0
Generic Telecommunications Cabling for Customer Premises
Generic terminology has been introduced to describe cabling segments and connection points
Category 6A has been added as a recognized media
Optical fiber link test requirements were moved to this document
Optical fiber link performance requirements were moved to this document
The installation bend radius requirement for UTP and F/UTP cables has changed to "4x cable o.d." and the patch cord bend radius requirement has changed to "1x cable o.d." to accommodate larger diameter cables
Stewardship text has been added recognizing the need to support sustainable environments and conserve fossil fuels
ANSI/TIA-568-C.1
Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard
Category 6A has been added as a recognized media
850nm laser-optimized 50/125µm optical fiber is recommended if multimode optical fiber is used for backbone cabling
Category 5, 150 Ohm STP, and 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm coaxial cabling have been removed from the list of recognized media
ANSI/TIA-568-C.2
Balanced Twisted Pair Telecommunication Cabling Components Standard
Category 5e cabling is recommended for support of 100 MHz applications
Category 5 channel performance values have been preserved in an informative annex
Balanced twisted-pair channel and permanent performance requirements were moved to this document
Performance equations for individual transmission parameters are listed in a single table for all categories
Coupling attenuation has been introduced as a parameter that is under study for characterizing radiated peak power generated by common mode currents for screened cables
One laboratory test method has been defined for all categories of connecting hardware
ANSI/TIA-568-C.3
Optical Fiber Cabling Components Standard
ISO nomenclature for optical fiber cable type (i.e. OM1, OM2, OM3, OS1, and OS2) has been added to transmission performance tables
Recommended connector strain relief, housing, and adapter color coding has been added to support installations when color is used to identify fiber type
Minimum OFL bandwidth for 62.5/125 mm optical fiber cable has been increased from 160 MHz·km at 850 nm to 200 MHz·km at 850 nm.
When might you see this standard? An example would be when a specific customer premise standard that outlines terminology does not exist. Then the 568 C.0 is only to be used.
A copy of the standard can be purchased from IHS at (www.global.ihs.com).
Pre-terminated fiber optic cable assemblies cut installation time and cost drastically. Many people unfamiliar with fiber optic cable and termination believe it to be very complex, fragile and expensive. Pre-terminated fiber optic cable offers a fast, simple and reliable solution that also installs in half the time of traditional field terminated systems.
Traditional premise fiber optic cables, hardware, fusion splicing and connection in the field have remained more or less the same over time. Trying to hurry the installation process using these old methods carries a risk that quality and reliability can suffer. As a result, the final deployment can be more costly and slower, and can significantly affect the production environment. Generally speaking, it all becomes more complex and costly than is strictly necessary.
Brian Miller from Miller communications has made purchases for this cable from Discount-Low-Voltage.com and he was nice enough to give us a phone interview about his experience after his installation. Let's see what he had to say:
Fiber cable preterminated is available in a single-mode, 50µm, or 62.5 µm, and loose tube outside plant or flame retardant indoor/outdoor cable carrying from six to 144 fibers and just about any other fiber you can think of.
This solution will require slightly more time in the design phase spent in determining and measuring appropriate lengths, spacing and technical requirements. Long term expansion and growth can be easily planned during this time. Time spent early in the design phase results in reduced time spent in the field installation phase.
You can order this cable in any length, with any connectors and any fiber type your application calls out for. Order online or call us at 888-797-3697
Special thanks to Brian Miller from Miller communications. If your looking for phone system and communications work in the pacific northwest call him at 503-244-9714.
Instructions for splicing fiber optic cable with the AFL CS004162 mechanical splice kit. Watch quick overview video at bottom of post.
1.0 GENERAL 1.01 These instructions describe the operation of the SpliceConnect™ Universal Mechanical Splicing Tool. Please be sure to read these instructions carefully before proceeding.
WARNING: Always wear eye protection when handling optical fibers. Dispose of any cut or cleaved ends properly. Do not touch the wedge with bare hands.
2.0 INSTALLATION 2.01 Identify components of the kit. (see Figure 1)
2.02 Securely set the mechanical splice into the tool with the “F” logo upside down and on the left side. (see Figure 2)
2.03 Push the Red lever fully to engage the wedge into the splice. (see Figure 3)
2.04 Avoid damage to the fibers by making sure the fiber holder grooves and stripper are free of dust. (see Figure 4)
2.05 For 250µm: Mark 35mm from the end of the fiber. Strip the fiber to the mark. Clean the bare fiber. (see Figure 5)
For 900µm: Mark 35mm from the end of the fiber. Strip the fiber to the mark by removing 7mm at one time. Clean the bare fiber. (see Figure 5)
2.06 For 250µm: Place end of the fiber coating at the 10mm mark on the cleaver and cleave the bare fiber. The result is 10mm of bare fiber remaining after cleave. (see Figure 6)
For 900µm: Place end of the fiber coating at the 15mm mark on the cleaver and cleave the bare fiber. The result is 15mm of bare fiber remaining after cleave. (see Figure 6)
2.07 For 250µm: Set the fiber onto the holder with a protrusion of 25mm (10mm of bare fiber and 15mm of buffer coating). Gripping the front portion of the holder, slide the clamp downwards to lock the fiber. (see Figure 7)
For 900µm: Set the fiber onto the holder with a protrusion of 25mm (15mm of bare fiber and 10mm of buffer coating). (see Figure 7)
2.08 Set the fiber holder in the tool in line with the arrows on the rail. The fiber end should coincide with the tip of the fiber guide. (see Figures 8 and 9)
2.09 Slide the fiber holder forward until it is secured by the fiber holder lock. (see Figures 10 and 11)
2.10 Repeat steps 2.05 through 2.09 for the opposite fiber.
2.11 Insert opposite side of holder and fiber should bend on the side of the inserted holder. (see Figures 12 and 13)
(Except for 250µm to 900µm, the fiber on the opposite side of the inserted fiber holder should bend. (see Figure 14)
2.12 Press down the fiber bend and the opposite side should form a bend. (see Figures 15 and 16)
2.13 Balance the fiber bends on both sides. If the fiber bends cannot be balanced, restart the process with a new mechanical splice. (see Figures 17 and 18)
2.14 When the fiber bends on both sides are balanced, push the yellow lever to disengage the wedge. Fiber splice is completed. (see Figure 19)
2.15 For 250µm: Release the fibers from the fiber holder by sliding the clamps towards the splice side. Make sure the fiber does not get caught by any part of the splice tool. Remove the splice gently. (see Figures 20 and 21)
For 900µm: Release the fibers from fiber holders by opening the fiber holder covers. Make sure the fiber does not get caught by any part of the splice tool. Remove the splice gently. (see Figures 22 and 23)
2.16 Slide the fiber holder backwards and remove it from the lock. Do not keep the fiber holders locked in the tool. (see Figures 24 and 25)
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The 1st Place Winner is...
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The 2nd Place Winner is...
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Cheryl Lovell (BlueRooster), from San Luis Obispo CA
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Now that we have all the right tools, let's make some telephone cables.
Step 1) Strip off about 1-2 inches of the cable jacket, being careful not to cut the individual strands of cable
Step 2) Separate all 4 pairs of cable
Step 3) Cut off the brown pair, and line up the cables using the USOC wiring diagram. We will be using conductors 2-7, since this is an RJ11 6P mod plug.
Step 4) Cut the cables as straight as possible, leaving around 1/4" of cables
Step 5) Insert the cable into the modular plug. Keep constant pressure on the cable, to assure the pairs do not come out of order. Make sure to press the cable all the way to the front of the mod plug.
Step 6) Insert the assembly into the 6P slot on your crimp tool, keeping pressure on the cable. By pushing slightly on the cable towards your tool, you will reduce the risk of the cables backing out slightly. Squeeze the tool all the way, remove the plug and repeat the same steps on the other side.
Watch the video: How to Make a Telephone Cable Using USOC Wiring
First, some information on the MinuteMan MMPD815HV:
This 8 outlet rack mount power strip is ideal for data and communications equipment, typically installed on data racks and server cabinets. The 8 outlet power strip provides power to 8 pieces of equipment, and comes standard with a long 15ft power cord. This power strip is UL listed and works with any data/communications products you need to install.
Tight on space? This 8 outlet power strip can also be installed using the 0RU rack brackets.
We've been bragging about how good the KWIK System is and how much time and cost of labor can be saved at the job-site, but don't take it from us, take it from a contractor himself!
Doug Lynn from All Cal Communications has been doing low voltage installation work since 1989, and has worked with a wide spectrum of cables. In addition, he regularly works with and installs Panasonic phone systems. Let's see what he had to say about the Kwik Tool and Kwik Jacks:
So what else makes the Kwik System so cool besides saving time and cost on labor?
- The same cutting head is used for the Cat3, Cat5e and Cat6 keystone jacks. The cutting head is good for at least 1000 terminations, and an additional cutting head is included free of charge.
- Excellent cable test/certification results, so printed reports for your customers are a breeze. No additional labor in troubleshooting is accrued.
- Count on quality! Ever go back to a job-site to troubleshoot a keystone jack that was working when you left? Not with the KWIK jack, once it's done, it's done.
- 25 year TIA/EIA smart link performance warranty is an excellent offering for Hospitals, Military, Government and fortune 500 companies.
- The "High Density" design allows for a wide selection of applications; such as: modular furniture face plates, decora wall plates, and high density keystone patch panels. Saves valuable space.
- No split pairs! No split pair design saves time when lacing the wires onto the keystone jack.
- Color coded for 568B and 568A. Cat3 is colored for USOC wiring. Great for the new guy or home DIYer who always forgets the color code.
- UL and RoHS listed.
- 10 different colors available (Almond, Black, Blue, Gray, Green, Ivory, Orange, Red, Yellow, White).
All that and you get to work with a company that has been offering solutions for over 10 years. Sounds to me like you have a win win : )
So your installing a structured wiring system with coax cable and your wondering how much signal loss you'll get using coax splitters. If you have a handful of coaxial cable splitters, what's the best way to reduce your signal loss? Should you use multiple 2-way splitters, or a single 8-way splitter? Our good buddy Ron Kipper from Ideal Industries gives an excellent explanation of how much signal loss you can expect.
On a personal note, as a video gamer I had a constant problem with my internet signal dropping in the middle of a match on XBOX live. This is very irritating and a problem that shouldn't be happening. After a technician troubleshooted the problem, he replaced a 4 way splitter with a 2 way that was on the external part of the house. No problem ever since! Wish I viewed this video before.
We hope you learned something. If you did, leave a comment for us below. Or ask us your questions in the comments box. Want to see something else? Suggest it below!
First, some information on this 19" LCD CCTV monitor:
The Everfocus EN720P19 is a high resolution, 19" display monitor for CCTV systems. It features 720P resolution, with HDMI, BNC, VGA, S-Video, RCA inputs. Great for setting up security camera systems with 4 cameras, all the way up to 16 cameras. You can view all the cameras on the screen at the same time, or display 1 camera full screen for close up viewing. This high resolution monitor works best with the HD DVR's we offer. High definition video has taken over the cable world, and is starting to make a big entrance into CCTV.
Watch the Video!
Features and Benefits of the EN720P19 CCTV Monitor:
- High Definition 720P Display
- HDMI, BNC, VGA, S-Video, RCA inputs
- Wide screen 16:9 aspect ratio
- 3D comb filter with de-interlace & noise reduction
- 500+ lines of resolution
- Easy to order from Discount-Low-Voltage.com
- More...
