The Trench: August 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

How to Make a Telephone Cable - DIY Video

To get started, let's make sure you have the necessary tools:

You'll Need:
RJ11/RJ45 Crimp Tool
Bulk Cat3/Cat5e Cable
RJ11 6P6C Modular Plugs
Electricians Scissors
RJ11/RJ45 Cable Tester

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

2) Video: How It's Made - Bulk Cat6, Cat5e, Cat3, and OSP Cable

3) Crazy Data Center Wiring Pictures

4) UL Warning: Counterfeit Cat6 Communications Cable on the Market

5) UL Requires New Holographic Labels for Low Voltage Communications Cable

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

8 Outlet Rack Mount Power Strip Video

The MinuteMan UPS Rack Mount Power Strip is the star of this weeks Product Video Blog.

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.

This rack mount power strip works great with:
- 2 Post 7ft Data Racks
- Wall Mount Server Cabinets
- Wall Mount Swing Racks

Watch the Video!

Features and Benefits of the MinuteMan MMPD815HV:

- Unit can be mounted vertically or horizontally

- Longer 15-foot cord is standard

- More Outlets for your Dollar than the Competition

- High Standards - Unit is Listed with higher UL 60950-1 standards

- Rack mount and 0U Brackets Included

- Great Limited Warranty

- Easy to order from Discount-Low-Voltage.com

- More...

2) Instant Rack! Mount it Anywhere

3) Crazy Data Center Wiring Pictures

4) Video: 4 Post Data Rack Installation

5) Video: 19" Hinged Wall Mount Brackets

Monday, August 22, 2011

Contractor Testimonial: Cat3, Cat5e, and Cat6 KWIK System

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 : )

Order all the Kwik Tool and Kwik Jacks online at Discount-Low-Voltage.com/The-Kwik-Jack-System

Or by phone (888) 797-3697

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Is There Signal Loss Using Coax Cable TV Splitters?

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.

For weekly videos, check out the Discount Low Voltage YouTube Channel and for more of Ron, check out his channel at Ron Kipper Data Comm YouTube Channel.

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!

Related Posts:
How to Fish Wires Through a Wall or Ceiling
How to Crimp RG6 F-Connectors
How to Make an Ethernet Cat5e/Cat6 Cable
How It's Made: Low Voltage Cable

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Everfocus EN720P19 High-Def CCTV Monitor Video

The Everfocus EN720P19 Monitor is the star of this weeks Product Video Blog.

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...

Monday, August 8, 2011

HD High Definition CCTV Security Surveillance DVR by EverFocus

As we continue to move away from standard definition to HD High-Definition from our Televisions to our phones, the security industry has also begun integrating HD into surveillance applications. We got a chance to speak with Annie Wu from Everfocus about these new HD DVR's and what's so great about them. Take a look:

Capture scenes with stunning HD clarity and get uncompressed full motion MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL video over standard coaxial cable. Attach familiar BNC connectors on the HD CCTV cameras and HD DVR, then display live and recorded images in astounding detail on the HDMI main monitor screen. Get HD 1080p with 6 times the resolution of traditional cameras to deliver the ability to zoom with clarity.

If your looking to upgrade your old analog system, Everfocus has two great DVR options for you. A hybrid solution gives you the flexibility of installing a handful of HD cameras to cover certain areas, while using the rest of the ports for traditional analog cameras. A full HD DVR solution is also offered to cover all your camera locations in High Definition.

Excellent choice for upgrading your current CCTV location because you can use your existing coax cable versus an IP camera solution that requires new cabling and networking. Get Superior 2-Megapixel/1080i and 1-Megapixel/720p quality over existing coaxial cable! HD CCTV provides unmatched clarity and Vivid Detail even while zooming in on live and playback. Call a Discount-Low-Voltage.com sales professional today to get your custom HD CCTV solution started. It's easier than you might think.

(888) 797-3697

Related Posts:
How to View Security System DVR with Your Cell Phone - iPhone - Blackberry
Ideal SecuriTEST Pro CCTV Security Camera Tester
DVR Frames Per Second Comparison Video
CCTV Glossary of Common Terms and Definitions
Everfocus EN220 Security Camera Monitor Test Kit

Friday, August 5, 2011

How To Terminate Cat6A Keystone Jacks - Video and Pictures

Cat6a keystone jacks and cat6a cabling are not much different than regular cat6 products, but do require a little extra attention to detail. The individual pairs in cat6a cable are twisted much tighter, and need to remain that way all the way up to the termination point. If the pairs are untwisted, you may not get your cable to pass the certification tester. In today's blog, we'll take you step-by-step through the process of terminating cat6a keystone jacks, using cat6a cabling. To get started, let's make sure you have the necessary tools:

You'll Need:
Cat6a Keystone Jacks
Cat6a Bulk Cable
Punch Down Tool
110 Blade for Punch Tool
Electricians Scissors
Keystone Jack Palm Puck (optional)

Now that we have all the right tools, let's terminate some cat6a jacks.

Step 1) Strip off about 2-3 inches of the cable jacket

Step 2) Pull the 4 pairs of cable back, and remove the center divider (spline)

Step 3) Each Cat6a jack has the 568a and 568b wiring diagram chart on it. We will be using the most commonly used, 568b wiring diagram.

Step 4) Lace up all 4 pairs of cable on the cat6a jack, remembering to follow the 568b diagram

Step 5) Punch down wires onto keystone jack using the punch down tool and 110 blade. Make sure the side that says "Cut" on the 110 blade is pointing towards the outside of the cat6a jack.

Step 6) Put the dust cap cover on the cat6a jack and your done! It can now be inserted into wall plates, surface mount boxes or keystone patch panels.

Watch the video: How to Terminate Cat6A Keystone Jacks

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Fiber Optic Visual Fault Finder - AFL HiLite Product Video

The AFL HiLite fiber optic visual fault finder is the star of this weeks Product Video Blog.

First, some information on visual fault finders:
Fault finders are designed to troubleshoot faults on fiber optic cables by sending a red laser beam through the fiber optic cable. Light generated by these units will escape from sharp bends and breaks in jacketed or bare fibers, as well as poorly mated connectors. They can identify faults in fiber optic jumper cables, distribution frames, patch panels, and splice trays. In addition, they can also be used to aid installation of AFL FAST fiber optic connectors.

Watch the Video!

Features and Benefits of the AFL HiLite:
- Compact, lightweight size
- Visible red laser source, 650 nm
- Easily locate faults in fiber optic cable, fiber jumpers, and more
- Includes 2.5mm adapter for popular SC and ST fiber optic connectors
- High power, 1 mW
- Universal connector interface for quick connection
- Easy to order from Discount-Low-Voltage.com

Monday, August 1, 2011

Industrial Cat5e Bulk Cable Solution for Mobile MRI Machines

Rick Dressel from Alliance HealthCare Services came to us looking for a solution to connect his mobile MRI machine to the clients Hospital. Alliance Imaging provides mobile MRI, PET/CT and CT, in addition to state-of-the-art dedicated breast MRI systems.

Rick had problems with previous cabling he was using. He started with a traditional solid conductor Cat5e PVC indoor cable. Unfortunately, over time he had to constantly replace these cables due to the repeated exposure to UV rays and harsh weather elements. In addition, the cable jacket was being torn up from repeated contact with the ground.

His next cable selection was a Cat5e solid direct burial cable. Although this cable is meant to stand up to the elements, it is gel filled, making working with this cable a hassle. The drag on different surfaces also eventually ate through the jacket.

We made the recommendation of using Datamax Extreme Cat5e Cable. This Quabbin 5730R cat5e cable has a polyurethane jacket, aluminum shield, and drain wire for superior harsh environment conditions. This cable uses a stranded conductor design, providing the flexibility Rick needed. Having sold this cable to production studios, we knew the DataMax Extreme cat5e cable would withstand the constant abuse. After having this cable installed on Rick's mobile MRI, here's what he had to say:

"Mr. Mercy Salinas, thank you for your expert knowledge in finding the perfect cat-5 cable, for our application. The Quabbin 5730R is exceeding far beyond expectations. I believe this cable will last in a outdoor environment for years. Any company using cat-5 in a outdoors environment, should try this cable. Thank you again for all of your help." - Rick Dressel