One of the most over looked part of a fiber optic network installation is the cleaning. I know it's one of the smallest parts of the overall install, it's inexpensive and not sexy but what do the facts say about fiber optic cleaning.
• Proper cleaning saves money – by eliminating service calls caused by dirty connectors
• Clean connectors maximize the performance of the network and reduce repair cost
• Proper cleaning extends the life of connects and reduces replacement costs
• Dirty connectors cause a major percentage of fiber optic network failures
• Prevention is simple – Clean Connectors!
• Cleaning Saves Time and Money!
For keeping your connectors and adapters clean you have several options available and you might be asking yourself what's my best option? That question seems to be an installer preference but one of those preferences that network professionals commonly use is the AFL one click cleaner.
The AFL one click cleaner is designed to be extremely easy to use for connectors, patch jumpers and adapters. Simply push the cleaner until a click is heard. Your push sends a fiber optic grade cleaning tape into action ensuring your fiber optic end face is effectively and gently cleaned. Excellent choice for field technicians and small enough to fit in your shirt pocket.
Questions? Contact Mercy Salinas at 888-797-3697 extension 232.
"By Mercy Salinas"
Friday, May 18, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Running fiber to the antenna (FTTA)? Need help?
Contractors are realizing that fiber optic fed architectures are rapidly becoming the new norm for new tower builds and retrofits. This fiber solution is viewed by the industry as the best solution to support current demand, save energy and leave a smaller footprint.
Why now? This transition from traditional coax cables to fiber has been pushed by radio cell sizes becoming smaller due to increasing data rates, higher transmission frequencies and increased volume of data. In the figure below notice how the GSM system is at a lower frequency and new systems operate at a higher frequency.
With new systems like 4G the propagation losses increases with the square of the frequency, meaning that smaller radio cells are needed for equivalent network coverage. Number of antennas and base stations now increase.
Now that more and more antennas are being installed the traditional coaxial cable system has its limitations. These cables are limited to less than fifty meters and are very prone to losses that can hurt cell phone coverage. With a FTTA installation the electronics are taken from the base and are located at a remote radio head (RRH) by the antenna then is linked to the base using fiber cable. Your typical data rates are one Gigabit per second base to remote radio head.
Network operators also view FTTA as an excellent way to reduce capital and operating expenditures.
* Less or no additional space required for installation
* Less power provision and lower power amplification required
* Lower acquisition cost
* Simple system install
* Up to 40% less power consumption
* Lower rental cost of telecom and antenna cost
The most common way to install your fiber optic cable is to home run the cable. Many installations will use a pre-terminated solution saving on installation time and labor.
Next to the RRH Corning has a product called a remote radio distribution terminal that allows you to keep not only the signal but also the power organized in a clean weatherproof rated environment.
At the base your traditional 19 inch rack mountable enclosure can be used to hold your fiber cable.
If your looking for durability you might also consider a environmental distribution center as a demarcation point.
Now that you have a better understanding of the need for FTTA and what materials are used don't forget to recycle that old coaxial cable.
Please comment if you have any questions or you may contact Mercy Salinas at 888-797-3697 extension 232.
"By Mercy Salinas"
Why now? This transition from traditional coax cables to fiber has been pushed by radio cell sizes becoming smaller due to increasing data rates, higher transmission frequencies and increased volume of data. In the figure below notice how the GSM system is at a lower frequency and new systems operate at a higher frequency.
With new systems like 4G the propagation losses increases with the square of the frequency, meaning that smaller radio cells are needed for equivalent network coverage. Number of antennas and base stations now increase.
Now that more and more antennas are being installed the traditional coaxial cable system has its limitations. These cables are limited to less than fifty meters and are very prone to losses that can hurt cell phone coverage. With a FTTA installation the electronics are taken from the base and are located at a remote radio head (RRH) by the antenna then is linked to the base using fiber cable. Your typical data rates are one Gigabit per second base to remote radio head.
Network operators also view FTTA as an excellent way to reduce capital and operating expenditures.
* Less or no additional space required for installation
* Less power provision and lower power amplification required
* Lower acquisition cost
* Simple system install
* Up to 40% less power consumption
* Lower rental cost of telecom and antenna cost
The most common way to install your fiber optic cable is to home run the cable. Many installations will use a pre-terminated solution saving on installation time and labor.
Next to the RRH Corning has a product called a remote radio distribution terminal that allows you to keep not only the signal but also the power organized in a clean weatherproof rated environment.
At the base your traditional 19 inch rack mountable enclosure can be used to hold your fiber cable.
If your looking for durability you might also consider a environmental distribution center as a demarcation point.
Now that you have a better understanding of the need for FTTA and what materials are used don't forget to recycle that old coaxial cable.
Please comment if you have any questions or you may contact Mercy Salinas at 888-797-3697 extension 232.
"By Mercy Salinas"
Friday, May 4, 2012
Fiber Optic Cable Cleaver Tool Overview
The CT-10A fiber optic cleaver provides high quality cleaving at an economical price. Designed for cleaving single fiber only, this cleaver is best suited for the installation of field installable connectors and mechanical splices. The rugged yet scaled-down design offer cleave quality approaching that of more expensive high precision cleavers. The long-life, 16-position fat diamond blade is easily replaced by the end user and performs cleaving operation in one single step. An optional scrap collector can be purchased separately.
• Dedicated for single fiber cleaving
• User replaceable flat diamond blade
• Simple and single-step operation
• Blade life up to 64,000 cleaves
• Compact and light weight
• Detachable fiber scrap collector FC-03 available as option
Applicable Fiber: Conventional silica optical fiber
Fiber Count: Single fiber
Coating Diameter: 250µm to 900µm
Cladding Diameter: 125µm
Cleave Length:
6 to 20 mm (with AD-10 & coating = 250µm)
8 to 20mm (with AD-10 & coating > 250µm)
10mm (with FH-50/60 fiber holders)
Cleave Angle: Capability Typically 0.5˚
Dimensions: (W x D x H) 71mm x 88mm x 48mm (2.8" x 3.5" x 1.9")
Weight: 220g (0.48 lbs)
For more information on termination fiber optic cable and connectors you may contact Mercy Salinas at 888-797-3697 extension 232 or comment below!
"Author: Mercy Salinas"
• Dedicated for single fiber cleaving
• User replaceable flat diamond blade
• Simple and single-step operation
• Blade life up to 64,000 cleaves
• Compact and light weight
• Detachable fiber scrap collector FC-03 available as option
Applicable Fiber: Conventional silica optical fiber
Fiber Count: Single fiber
Coating Diameter: 250µm to 900µm
Cladding Diameter: 125µm
Cleave Length:
6 to 20 mm (with AD-10 & coating = 250µm)
8 to 20mm (with AD-10 & coating > 250µm)
10mm (with FH-50/60 fiber holders)
Cleave Angle: Capability Typically 0.5˚
Dimensions: (W x D x H) 71mm x 88mm x 48mm (2.8" x 3.5" x 1.9")
Weight: 220g (0.48 lbs)
For more information on termination fiber optic cable and connectors you may contact Mercy Salinas at 888-797-3697 extension 232 or comment below!
"Author: Mercy Salinas"
Friday, April 27, 2012
Why and when would I need a Nitrile glove?
Nitrile is a synthetic rubber and when combined with a glove you get a superior disposable glove. This material also enhances the strength of the glove.
- Higher degree of flexibility
- Resistant to many oils
- Resistant to some acids
- Recommended for people with latex allergy
- Three times more puncture resistance than natural rubber gloves
For our low voltage contractors we typically sell these with direct burial cable. Excellent for keeping that ETPR compound away from you.
These gloves in my opinion feel like an excellent choice for pulling cable to avoid cable pulling blisters? If you have a preferred application for these gloves please comment below.
"By Mercy Salinas"
"By Mercy Salinas"
Friday, April 20, 2012
Greenlee Sidekick 7B 1134-5029 will test telephone stress and leakage
Before we get into stress and leakage lets go back to October 22nd 1991 when patent 5,059,911 was issued for a cable fault location detector.
The present invention relates to a method of detecting a location of a break in a conductor of an electrical that has a multiple number of conductors therein means of a timer.
In the past it has been difficult to determine the location of a break in a conductor that is located within a cable that has a multiple number of conductors therein. One such means of detecting the location for such a break was by visual inspection. However such a method is not reliable when the break or discontinuity is hidden from view.
A probe that can detect an open a break or an unused pin in a multi-conductor cable is known in the art. The probe operates based on the amount of capacitance between the conductor and the cable. However, the probe cannot precisely determine the location of a break in a conductor of the cable since the probe does not have a timing means.
The present invention is an improvement in the art of detecting the location of a break in a conductor of a multi-conductor cable. In the present invention the amount of capacitance between the conductor under investigation and adjacent conductors is determined by means of a timer The smaller the capacitance is between the broken conductor and adjacent conductors the closer the break is to the automatic cable tester.
That's an intro into this patent and I'll fast forward to the point in case your yawning. If you do want more info including drawing sheets, here's a link to the U.S. patent.
Cable Locator Patent
The Stress Test reads the audible noise produced on a faulted pair that is stressed by a 90 dBrn longitudinal excitation. The Stress Test determines the capacitive and series resistance balance characteristics of twisted pair at any point along the pair. It is capable of identifying DC resistive or capacitive imbalances undetected by other subscriber loop tests. The Stress Test is also highly effective in identifying imbalances produced by series resistance opens (high joints).
The Leakage Test detects intermittent resistance faults that do not appear under normal VOM tests. When a faulted pair is taken out of service, galvanic action forms an insulating oxide layer over the faults. When returned to service, such pairs develop "noisy static" in a relatively short period of time. The Leakage Test uses 135 Volts to "punch through" the oxide layer and reveal the fault.
The Sidekick 7B is the test set used in every major telephone company in the United States for troubleshoot twisted pair applications. This light-weight, hand-held meter quickly and accurately uncovers intermittent troubles that other test sets can't detect. Since the introduction of the patented Stress Test and Leakage Test in 1991, the Sidekick has become a benchmark in communications technology. Technicians now have the versatility to identify faults in locations ranging from outside plant cable to inside wiring, and from closures to connecting blocks, without sacrificing standard features, AC/DC, VOM, Kick Meter, they have come to rely on. The versatile Sidekick 7B is used throughout the telephony industry, including LAN/WAN, Private Networks, and BICSI applications.
For more than 140 years, Greenlee has been a provider of quality tools to the wood working industry and, for over 70 years, to the electrical industry as well. Over 20 years ago, Greenlee made a commitment to the high technology necessary to keep pace with the changing needs of our customers. Proof of that commitment is in the modern facilities, state-of-the-art production equipment, and enhanced quality assurance programs which comprise the Greenlee way of doing business today.
The Sidekick is a cool tool but I'm also a big fan of the 501 Tracker 2 Underground wire tracker and the 521A irrigation wire and valve locator. If you're looking for some kind of wire tester and not sure what to use for your application check out Greenlee for their wide selection of wire and cable testers.
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a method of detecting a location of a break in a conductor of an electrical that has a multiple number of conductors therein means of a timer.
Background of the Invention
In the past it has been difficult to determine the location of a break in a conductor that is located within a cable that has a multiple number of conductors therein. One such means of detecting the location for such a break was by visual inspection. However such a method is not reliable when the break or discontinuity is hidden from view.
A probe that can detect an open a break or an unused pin in a multi-conductor cable is known in the art. The probe operates based on the amount of capacitance between the conductor and the cable. However, the probe cannot precisely determine the location of a break in a conductor of the cable since the probe does not have a timing means.
The present invention is an improvement in the art of detecting the location of a break in a conductor of a multi-conductor cable. In the present invention the amount of capacitance between the conductor under investigation and adjacent conductors is determined by means of a timer The smaller the capacitance is between the broken conductor and adjacent conductors the closer the break is to the automatic cable tester.
That's an intro into this patent and I'll fast forward to the point in case your yawning. If you do want more info including drawing sheets, here's a link to the U.S. patent.
Cable Locator Patent
Stress Test
The Stress Test reads the audible noise produced on a faulted pair that is stressed by a 90 dBrn longitudinal excitation. The Stress Test determines the capacitive and series resistance balance characteristics of twisted pair at any point along the pair. It is capable of identifying DC resistive or capacitive imbalances undetected by other subscriber loop tests. The Stress Test is also highly effective in identifying imbalances produced by series resistance opens (high joints).
Leakage Test
The Leakage Test detects intermittent resistance faults that do not appear under normal VOM tests. When a faulted pair is taken out of service, galvanic action forms an insulating oxide layer over the faults. When returned to service, such pairs develop "noisy static" in a relatively short period of time. The Leakage Test uses 135 Volts to "punch through" the oxide layer and reveal the fault.
The Sidekick 7B is the test set used in every major telephone company in the United States for troubleshoot twisted pair applications. This light-weight, hand-held meter quickly and accurately uncovers intermittent troubles that other test sets can't detect. Since the introduction of the patented Stress Test and Leakage Test in 1991, the Sidekick has become a benchmark in communications technology. Technicians now have the versatility to identify faults in locations ranging from outside plant cable to inside wiring, and from closures to connecting blocks, without sacrificing standard features, AC/DC, VOM, Kick Meter, they have come to rely on. The versatile Sidekick 7B is used throughout the telephony industry, including LAN/WAN, Private Networks, and BICSI applications.
For more than 140 years, Greenlee has been a provider of quality tools to the wood working industry and, for over 70 years, to the electrical industry as well. Over 20 years ago, Greenlee made a commitment to the high technology necessary to keep pace with the changing needs of our customers. Proof of that commitment is in the modern facilities, state-of-the-art production equipment, and enhanced quality assurance programs which comprise the Greenlee way of doing business today.
The Sidekick is a cool tool but I'm also a big fan of the 501 Tracker 2 Underground wire tracker and the 521A irrigation wire and valve locator. If you're looking for some kind of wire tester and not sure what to use for your application check out Greenlee for their wide selection of wire and cable testers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)