Pulling Fiber Optic Cable - Tips and How To Advice

Pulling fiber optic cable takes a lot of preparation. Without the right tools and knowledge, you can have a big mess on your hands.We'll go over some of the common steps to get you ready to make the pull.

1) Measure twice cut once:
First and foremost, get the correct measurement. An easy way to do this would be to fish some pull string through your conduit. Make sure to follow the exact path the fiber will take, end to end. Once your string is all the way through, attach a heavier rope to the end, pull it all the way back and measure your string. Leave the rope in place, you will be using this to pull your fiber through later. (Tip: Always add at least 15ft to the final number. It may cost a little more, but can save you a lot of time and headache if you come up a few feet short. It is also a lot easier to work with the cable if you have some slack, vs a cable that barely reaches).

2) Plan your Run:

Buildings- Although it is not necessary to run the fiber through innerduct, many people prefer this to keep it clean and professional looking. If you prefer not to use innerduct, try to keep your pulls as straight as possible. Pulling diagonal is OK, but it will make for a neater appearance if your fiber is running parallel. Get it done right the first time. If someone is unhappy with the appearance, it will take much longer to correct, or re-pull the fiber. (Tip: Never pull around corners, even if you have a helper. You should always pull out the excess fiber to the corner, laying it down in a figure 8 pattern as your doing it. Then flip the whole bundle over and continue to pull on the other side).

Conduits- It is important to plan ahead, especially if your planning on pulling the fiber through underground conduit. Just like measuring the fiber, it's very important to get this done right the first time. A general rule of thumb is to use a 1.5" to 2" conduit for the fiber pull. If your running long distances, or using a thick armored fiber, you may want to increase the size to 4". It may also be a good idea to plan ahead and install a second conduit if you plan on future expansion. (Tip: Minimize the number of bends in your run. The fewer bends there are, the easier the pull will go. If you can't get around it, install junction boxes. Also make sure to protect the fiber by putting plastic bushings on the end of the conduit).


3) Which Jacket is Right?

Outdoor - Outdoor fiber is used for all outdoor applications (except direct burial). It is flooded with a water resistant gel, which means it can be run in buried conduit. But that also means there is a 50ft limit to being run indoors due to Fire and Safety codes. For direct burial applications, we suggest you use an armored fiber. If you need to suspend the fiber for arial applications, you can buy the fiber with a messenger attached, or buy it separately and and attach it yourself.

Indoor - For indoor applications, you need to use a Plenum rated fiber. Plenum fiber complies with all Fire and Safety codes.

Indoor/Outdoor - For applications you need to run the fiber indoors and outdoors, you should use an indoor/outdoor rated fiber. This fiber can be run in underground conduit, and doesn't have the 50ft limitation for indoor use. A great all around fiber.

4) Pulling the Fiber:

Communication is Key
Pulling fiber almost always requires at least 2 people, so communication is very important. Most fiber runs are a few hundred feet or more, so yelling back and forth isn't an option. What to do? Walkie Talkies can be a great way to keep in touch with the guy at the other end of the cable. Get some with wrist straps or a belt clip so you don't have to constantly pick it up off the ground.

Lube it Up
Make sure you properly lube the fiber during the entire run. You will want to start off with a generous coat on the pulling eye and mesh. It would be a good idea to stop from time to time and apply more lube to the fiber as you pull. Always use lubricant that is designed for cable pulling, not just anything off the shelf. If you use the wrong type of lube, it may damage the jacket of your fiber, or other cables around it. It can also clog up the conduit once it dries. Cable pulling lube is designed to resist freezing and clogging.

 Use the Right Rope
We recommend using a 1/4" to 1/2" thick pull rope, not pull string. You want to minimize the amount of stretching during your pull and string isn't very good at doing that. Stretching can make pulling your fiber very unstable.

Pulling Eye Removal
Never use a knife or blade to remove the pulling eye. This can damage the jacket of the fiber, or worse, the fiber itself. Always use a pair of electrician scissors.

Stay up to Code
Honesty is the best policy. The NEC requires that cables used in premises, both commercial and residential, be “listed for the purpose” by a Nationally Recognized Test Laboratory (NRTL, pronounced “nurtle”).Always obey all fire and building codes. Never try to cheat the system just to save a buck, especially when peoples lives are at risk. If plenum rated fiber is required, use plenum rated fiber. It's the right thing to do.




5) Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Cable
The greatest thing to happen since sliced bread. Pre-terminated fiber optic cable assemblies save you time and headache. No need for expensive tools. No need for testing. Our pre-terminated fiber comes to you on a wooden spool, with the connectors already assembled on the fiber. We have the connectors staggered by 1/2" to make it easier to pull through conduit or innerduct. The pulling eye is very strong and wont break on you. Test results are included. It doesn't get any easier than this.


To order any of the products talked about in this article, visit Discount-Low-Voltage.com
Or call us at (888)797-3697

"By Mercy Salinas"

19" Hinged Wall Mount Bracket Video

Check out our video on the 19" hinged wall mount brackets, used for mounting patch panels.



Description:
The Dynacom hinged patch panel brackets are made of cold-rolled steel and are rigorously tested to ensure the highest quality. They are an ideal alternative to a full size rack and require much less labor to install. Mounting is very easy, requiring only 4 screws and can be used either left or right hinging. The mounting holes are spaced 16 inches apart for mounting onto studs. They come in four sizes: 1.75"(1U), 3.5"(2U), 5.25"(3U), and 7"(4U) and fit to any industry standard 12, 24, 48, and 96 port patch panels.

Features:
- Powdercoated .060" Steel
- Mounts with 4 screws
- Left or right hinging
- More cost effective than a full size rack
- 6" Deep
- #10-32 Screws Included

To order, visit Discount-Low-Voltage.com
Or call us at (888) 797-3697

Arlington Industries LV1 Drywall Mounting Ring

Arlington Industries' LV1 drywall mounting ring is this weeks Featured Product. The LV1 is a single gang mounting bracket used for installations on existing construction. It is designed for use on Low Voltage Class 2 only and features a non-metallic, plastic design. The LV1 is great for communications, cable TV or computer wiring. Installation is as easy as 1,2,3. The LV1 bracket is its own template for cutout. Simply mark the wall, cut out the hole and tighten the LV1 into place. The specially designed wing flips up when the mounting screw is tightened for a secure mount.Check out the video on How To Install the Arlington Industries LV1 Drywall Ring

Features:
- More cost effective than metal rings
- Non-Metallic
- For communications, cable TV and computer wiring
- Cat5 listed
- Adjusts to fit .25" to 1" thick drywall, wallboard or paneling
- Bracket is its own template for cutout
- Easy installation

To order, visit Discount-Low-Voltage.com
Or call us at (888) 797-3697

4 Post Relay Rack Video

Today we bring you a video of the 4 post relay rack. We'll show you how the rack is packaged, then take you to one of our customers job sites to see what it looks like fully assembled. Enjoy



Description:

The Tandem Rack, featuring a unique dual rack chassis, is a cost effective solution for networking servers and other 19" rackable equipment. The superior strength of a cabinet in an open rack solution makes it easy to expand and maintain your systems and access to cables has never been easier. The unique design makes cable management, heat dissipation and the ability to cross-connect easy. Available in 29" and 36" fixed depth models with 12-24 tapped or M6 cage-nut mounting rails.

Features:
- Load Capacity: 2000 LBS
- EIA Rack Width: 19"
- Mounting Rails: 12-24 Tapped or Cage-Nut
- Mounting holes on both sides of rails
- Meets all server manufacturers mounting requirements for 19"/EIA-310-D specifications
- Tapped models are constructed of 6061-T6 aluminum extrusion
- Multiple depths: 29" or 34"
- 1/2" Junction holes on uprights for multiple rack coupling or cable manager installation
- Top cross angles include junction holes for overhead ladder rack installation
- Base angles: 3.5" x 6" x 3/8", 2 included
- Top angles: 1.5" x 1/2" x 1/2", 2 included
- Assembly required, UPS shippable
- Durable black epoxy powder-coat finish
- UL Listed
- Made in Southern California

For more information, or to order, visit Discount-Low-Voltage.com
4 Post Data Rack
Have a question, give us a call at (888) 797-3697

Common HDMI Cable Terms for your TV cable

Common HDMI Terms:

First things first, what is HDMI?
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first and only industry supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI delivers a crystal clear, all-digital audio and video signal through a single cable, greatly simplifying the cabling process and provides a high quality home theater experience. An HDMI cable provides an interface between any audio/video source (DVD player, DVR, Gaming console) and an audio and/or video monitor (Television, PC).

What are "Gold Plated" connectors?
Gold plating refers to the connectors. Most HDMI connectors nowadays have gold plated, corrosion resistant connectors. The main purpose is to reduce corrosion that would impede signal transfer.

What's the difference between HDMI and DVI?
HDMI and DVI are the exact same as one another, image-quality-wise. The principal differences being that HDMI carries audio and uses a different type of connector. HDMI can be a big advantage since your only running 1 wire, making your installation easier and with less clutter. I personally prefer to work with the HDMI cables as well, since the connector is smaller and easier to work with. Here you can see the size difference:

What is AWG?
AWG (American Wire Gauge) is a standardized wire gauge system used since 1857 for the diameter of wire. The lower the number, the larger the size of the cable. For example, a 22awg wire is significantly larger than a 28awg wire.

What size AWG should I use?
As a general rule of thumb, HDMI cables 15ft or less can use a 28awg wire, while anything longer than that would benefit from a 22 or 24 awg wire. That will insure you don't have any signal loss.

What are Ferrite Cores and what do they do?
Ferrite cores are are a barrel shaped device (see picture below) that assists in signal transfer and help eliminate interference.

1080i vs 1080p
1080 refers to the vertical lines of resolution (1920 x 1080). Both 1080i and 1080p have 1,080 lines of resolution, but the way the picture gets conveyed onto the screen is different. 1080i conveys the images in an interlaced format. As the picture is being "painted" on the screen, the odd-numbered lines of resolution appear on your screen first, followed by the even-numbered lines--all within 1/30 of a second. 1080p conveys all of the lines of resolution sequentially in a single pass, which makes for a smoother, cleaner image, especially when watching sports and other motion-intensive content.

Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the carrying capacity of a data. High-bandwidth connections are also known as high-speed connections, because they can transmit large quantities of data very quickly. HDMI has extremely high bandwidth capacity: up to 10.2 gigabits per second.

Component Cable
Component video cables are commonly referred to as R, G, B (red, green, blue) and consists of 3 separate cables (usually connected together) that distribute the 3 primary color components to the display.

Compression
Technologies designed to increase the carrying capacity of a data connection by compacting the data stream at one end and re-expanding it at the other end. One of the advantages of HDMI over other connection technologies is its enormous carrying capacity, which makes compression unnecessary.

Deep Color
The expanded bandwidth of HDMI 1.3 is allowing manufacturers to design displays with much greater Color Depth. These new “Deep Color” monitors will be capable of rendering many more distinct hues than current displays – up to trillions of colors rather than thousands or millions.

DTV
Digital televisions, the successor technology to analog TV, are televisions capable of receiveing a ditigal terrestrial or cable broadcast signal.

HD
HD (High Definition) is usually used to describe any device capable of generating or displaying a signal with a resolution of at least 720 vertical lines.


HDCP
HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a form of digital copy protection, developed by Intel to prevent copyrighted audiovisual content.

HD-DVD
High-definition DVD, one of two potential successor technologies to the DVD. A high-density optical disc format designed for the storage of high-definition video. HDMI is the interconnect standard for HD-DVD players.

HDMI Repeater
An HDMI repeater is a device that both receives and sends HDMI signals, such as an AV receiver. A/V receivers are considered HDMI repeaters.

HDMI Source
HDMI source refers to a device that sends an HDMI signal. Examples would be a DVD player or Set-top box.

HDMI Version 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4?
HDMI devices are manufactured to adhere to various versions of the specification, in which each version is given a number. Each subsequent version of the specification is backward-compatible and uses the same kind of cable but increases the bandwidth and/or capabilities of what can be transmitted over the cable. A product listed as having an HDMI version does not necessarily mean that it will have all of the features that are listed for that version, since some HDMI features are optional, such as Deep Color and xvYCC.


HDTV
An HDTV (High Definition Television) is a TV capable of displaying a 720p signal or better.


Mini HDMI Connector
A miniature HDMI connector, introduced in HDMI 1.3, designed for use in mobile and hand held products where space is at a premium. The Mini HDMI Connector is pin-for-pin compatible with the larger Standard HDMI Connector and completely compatible as well. The Mini HDMI Connector is referred to as the Type C Connector in the HDMI specification.

MPEG
MPEG is part of a family of audio/video codecs developed by the Motion Picture Experts Group. The majority of TV content, including cable, broadcast, and satellite, is currently transmitted in the MPEG-2 format. HD-DVD and Blu-ray disc players, along with some recently launched satellites, rely on the newer and more powerful MPEG-4 format.

NTSC
The legacy analog television broadcast system used in the US, being replaced by the ATSC digital system.

Refresh Rate
The frequency with which a video image is refreshed, expressed as either frames per second (i.e. 60 fps) or as an equivalent frequency (i.e. 60 Hz). Faster refresh rates tend to render smoother motion sequences. Refresh rates for broadcast TV vary by region – for example, European HD systems run at 50 Hz.

Set-top Box
A device for decoding incoming AV signals, such as programs from a cable or satellite TV network. Many models also include DVR (digital video recorder) technology. Virtually all STBs now rely on HDMI output.


YCbCr Color
A family of color spaces, used in some HD applications, where color is expressed using a luma component plus red and blue chroma components, rather than by describing absolute color values, as in the RGB color model. Also known as YPbPr color. 

 Now you know it all and where to get your HDMI cables from.

Thanks!

"By Mercy Salinas"

Hellermann Tyton Vertical Wire Management Panels Video

Here is a video we recently made of the Hellermann Tyton Vertical Wire Management Panels.

The vertical wire managers are available in single and dual sided styles. They can be mounted on the side of the relay rack as well as between two adjacent racks. Equipped with feed-through holes to move cable from back to front and vice versa, the black vertical wire management brackets are offered in 35" lengths and 83" lengths.

In case of lost covers, Hellermann Tyton offers replacement covers for the vertical wire management brackets. Hellermann Tyton's wire managers also feature an easily removable plastic film on the cover to eliminate scratches during shipment. This plastic film ensures a neat appearance and improves rack aesthetics when the wire managers are installed, an important consideration to installers and end-users.

Hellermann Tyton also offers replacement/extra hinges for the wire management brackets. All designs of wire management brackets perform with the wire management bracket hinge. This hinge allows the cover to remain with the manager. It easily snaps onto the cover and the channel. Once assembled, the hinge permits the cover to open like a door, protecting the wire and cable.



For more information, or to order, visit Discount-Low-Voltage.com

Have a question, give us a call at (888) 797-3697

IDEAL Industries 61-844 Thermal Imager

The IDEAL Industries 61-844 Thermal Imager is this weeks Featured Product. What it is and what it's used for:

Description:
Troubleshoot and identify potential problems before they happen with the IDEAL HeatSeeker™ Thermal Imager. What makes HeatSeeker so useful are the dual cursors that instantly locate the hottest and coldest temperatures on a live screen, and the camera’s ability to overlay a thermal image on top of a digital image for easy on-the-job decision making. HeatSeeker’s easy set-up and operation make it a cost effective tool for electrical service, industrial maintenance and building inspection.

Features:
• Blended thermal/digital image
• Hottest/coldest temperatures displayed
instantly on live screen
• 1,849 temperature measurements
live on camera screen
• Class II Laser
• Built-in LED illuminator
• High and low temperature alarms
• Mark images with text and voice annotation
• Measurement range of 14° F to 660° F
• Adjustable emissivity for maximum accuracy
• Accuracy of +/- 2% or +/- 4° F
• 6-hour battery life
• Tripod mountable
• Carrying case included
• ThermalVision PC software included
• 2-year warranty
• Adjustable Blended View for Ease of Use:
The HeatSeeker captures both a full infrared image and a digital photo. The thermal image can be overlaid on top of the digital image in various % blends for clarity.






Provides real-time analysis and is ideal for:

Electrical Safety
• Identifies overloaded circuits,loose/corroded connections and failing breakers in electrical panels
• Identifies blown fuses, overloads, phase imbalance and harmonics problems
• Identifies hot spots from high resistance connections

Energy Efficiency
• Identifies inefficient heating and cooling transfer
• Identifies draft sources from missing insulation in rafters/walls/floors
• Identification of problem areas helps reduce heat gain/loss and carbon footprint

Building Maintenance
• Discovers sources of moisture in roofs and areas behind walls
• Checks air distribution for blockages in pipes, damaged duct work and insulation gaps
• Checks fluid distribution for stuck valves and burst pipes

Preventive Maintenance
• Identifies equipment efficiencies/inefficiencies
• Applications include motors, pumps, boilers, radiators, heaters, chillers and transformers

 Screen Features:
 Adjustable LCD brightness
 • Hot/cold temperatures and difference (∅)
 • 6 hour battery life
 • Microphone records voice annotations
 • Speaker
 • Cursors continuously find hottest and coldest temperatures
 • Easy-to-use navigation and set-up keys

What You Get:
• USB Cable
• Camera Handle
• Carrying Case
• Power Supply
• ThermalVision Software


For more information, or to order, visit Discount-Low-Voltage.com

Leviton Cat5e Jack vs Cat5e Kwik Jack Video

Here is a video we made showing some of the key features the cat5e Kwik jack has that the Leviton cat5e jack doesn't.



Kwik Jack Key Features:
- Pointed 110 conectors
- No split pairs
- Saves time and labor
- 10% savings

When comparing the two jacks, we instantly noticed the pointed 110's on the Kwik jack. This is a big time saver, especially for contractors who install these things by the minute. With the pointed tips, it makes lacing the wires in the jack much easier. Another time saver for the Kwik jack is that there are no split pairs. Let me explain: Your cat5e cable has 4 pairs of wires, each with a particular color coding on it. With the Leviton jack, you have to untwist the pairs of wires a little more than you would with the Kwik jack because the pairs are not side by side. This feature alone can save you a considerable amount of time. And we all know, time is money. Lastly, besides all the time and labor your saving, you generally get a 10% savings by buying the Kwik jack instead of the Leviton jack. We hope you enjoyed the video and would love to hear from you if you have any additional comments.
For more information, or to place an order, visit Discount-Low-Voltage.com

Greenlee TG-600 Infrared Thermometer

The Greenlee TG-600 Infrared Thermometer is this weeks Featured Product. Need a safe and easy way to take temperature measurements? Look no further than Greenlee's TG-600. It's loaded with convenient features that make this tester a must have for any contractor. There's an easy-to-read backlit display for use in low-light conditions and an auto power off for longer battery life. The TG-600 also has the capability to display temperature in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. It comes with a battery, carrying case,and of course, Greenlee's lifetime limited warranty.

Some of the Features Include:
- Safe, non-contact temperature measurement

- Laser indicates approximate center of the target area

- Displays temperatures in either Fahrenheit or Celcius

- Auto power off for longer battery life

- Easy to read backlit display for use in low light conditions

- Accessories included: (1) 9V battery and carrying case



Specifications:

- Optical resolution: 12:1 at focus point

- Target Temperature Range: -4°F to 932°F (-20°C to 500°C)

- Accuracy: ±2% or 4°F (±2°C)

- Repeatability: Within ±1% of reading or ±2°F (1°C)

- Response Time: 500 ms, 95% response

- Emissivity: Preset at 0.98

What You Get:

TG-600 Infrared Thermometer

Battery

Carrying Case

Lifetime Limited Warranty

To order this and many other items by Greenlee, visit Discount-Low-Voltage.com or call us at (888) 797-3697