Wire | Progressive Office Cabling

Why Your Company Should Avoid CCA Cabling – Part 2

30 Oct 2018

Cat6 Office Cabling Dallas TX Pittsburgh PA As discussed in Part 1, companies that have a limited budget for network infrastructure may end up buying copper clad aluminum (CCA) cabling to save money. Although marketed as a sufficient substitute for solid copper cabling, CCA cables are far from being the right answer for trimming budgets. Part 2 will continue discussing CCA cabling related issues and counterfeit copper cabling.

Shortened Cable Runs

As lengthier CCA cable runs approach the 100-meter maximum, there will be a decrease of signal strength in comparison to solid copper CAT5e cabling. Reduced signal strength can result in data loss because increased packets of data must be retransmitted.

Unsuitable for Power Over Ethernet (PoE)

Since CCA wires have a higher DC resistance (about 55% greater) than solid copper, its conductors may need to be 60% larger than solid copper to compensate. Without resistance compensation, the drop in voltage will be greater for any channel length.

Longer cable runs of 65 meters or more will surpass TIA’s channel DCR requirements, limiting the available voltage for the device. In addition, higher resistance will result in a faster buildup of radiant heat, which may damage the device.

How to Identify CCA Cabling

CCA wire is also much more brittle than solid copper wire. Identifying CCA is easy because all you need to find is the silver color of the tip of the conductor. Another way is scraping away the thin copper surface of the conductor to reveal the aluminum.

CCA cables also weigh much less than solid copper cables. Go to the CCCA website for the CableCheck™ mobile app (http://cccassoc.org/news/free-apps/), which provides the approximate correct box weights to help detect CCA conductors being used to fraudulently substitute for solid copper conductors.

When a CCA cable is labeled as a Category 5e, 6 or 6A cable or CMP or CMR rated, it is counterfeit cable. It will also be non-compliant with industry performance standards and will pose a hazard by being unable to pass UL fire safety testing.

Progressive Office Cabling

Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking solutions on behalf of our clients. Efficiently working together, Progressive teams get cabling installed and operating as fast as possible while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll free number (800) 614-4560 today.

Network Cabling ,Data Cabling, Cat5e ,Cat6/6a Cabling

Reviewing Tools for Cabling Installation

30 May 2015

Stu Kushner

Network Cabling, Data Cabling, Cat5e,Cat6/6a Cabling Cabling installation requires a lot of expertise. This is important due to the complexity of networks cables for data and communication services. There are tools installers use to install and test cables. Some of the instruments include carts and caddies.

Basic Implements

Network carts and caddies hold cable spools for easier pulling. Reels can be set up on the wire cart which can hold 500 and 1000 foot reels. Cables are mounted on bars that slip through bored holes on the mounting framework. The cart contains a large, wide base that prevents tipping when you pull the cable. Wire caddies secure smaller cable spools which come in lengths of 500 feet or less. And it has dividers that prevent the wires from becoming crisscrossed and twisteded.

Termination Tools

The appropriate termination tool increases productivity. It allows installation and termination of Cat5e and Cat6 jacks onto the connectors on a patch panel.

This "punch down tool" ensures accuracy and consistency. There are three categories: manual, impact and multi-wire. Cable installers can opt for a manual but most consider the impact tool to be the best option.

The fundamental impact instrument is fitted with a spring-loaded head which can be triggered by the installer. Not much force is needed. The spring is released automatically after being compressed. Modern multi-wire tools like the Jack Rapid punch down tool can terminate jacks eight times faster.

You can use several interchangeable blades for various impact tools. However, this depends on your cabling system. The advantages of this tool are its speed, user-friendliness and uniformity of termination. Sophisticated models consist of fixed blades that cut off leftover wire instantly instead of having to use wire cutters. These new products include a handle that is easy to hold, a disposable blade head and fixed band that holds the jack in place.

Other Useful Tools

You might need professional shears to ensure a quick, clean, and accurate cut. Each job requires cutting of cables and trimming of excess wires. A premium cable stripper guarantees immediate and hassle-free elimination of exterior insulation from multi-core cables, unshielded twisted as well as shielded twisted pairs. The flexible depth gauge will give better results. Refrain from using pocket knives or ordinary scissors because you will probably end up damaging the cable. Other functional tools for cable installation are can wrenches for demarcation point boxes; crimping pliers; knives for splicing cables; voltage detectors; modular plug crimpers for telephones; and, probe picks to detect loose or broken connections.

But if you prefer to have a profession all do it all for you, contact us!

Cabling Tips for Security Cameras

11 Nov 2023

Stu Kushner

Cabling is definitely not the showy part of any security system. Nevertheless, it is an essential component of the system. It may seem complicated. There are many considerations in choosing and installing cables to ensure that the security system functions properly. Cables basically provide power for camera installation and transmit signals going back to the digital video recorder (DVR).

Deciding on the Perfect Cabling

Find out whether the system is analog (alternating current frequency has been modified) or digital (electronic technology). Then, you can figure out the proper cable for installation of your security cameras. Or simply refer to the manufacturing specs on the camera system.

The second step is to determine if your camera is powered remotely or connected to a nearby power outlet. It may be necessary to combine power and video cables. Security power and video cables can run next to each other or within one cable jacket. This makes installation easier by pulling one instead of two separate wires.

Make sure to test the cable before you install the CCTV. Examine each cable at the DVR position just to make sure that the cables are working prior to installation.

Cabling Guidelines

Quite often security cameras require coaxial cables to send video from the camera to your recorder. With the RG59 type of coax cable, it is possible to position the camera up to 600 feet away. The RG6 coax cable, on the other hand, may be extended up to 1,000 feet. Cut the cable according to your preferred length but leave an extra service loop of 10 – 20 feet for future flexibility.

What are the steps to follow?

Make the necessary BNC connection on the cable. This is a small quick round connector primarily for coaxial cables.

Plug one end of the BNC cable to the camera and the other to your DVR.

Strip the shield of the power cable to expose the black and red wires. Then, remove the jacket (at least ¼ inch) from each wire.

Put the wires inside the terminal block at the end of the female power wire plait. It should be red on red wires and black on black wires. Tighten screws on the terminals. Plug the camera into the fitting at the side of the braid.

Attach wires directly to the positive and negative leads respectively in the power box. Red wire is for positive while black is for negative. This is applicable if you will connect the camera to a multiple camera power supply unit.

In case you will attach the camera to a single power unit, connect the male power wire braid as well as power supply to the tip of the tress.

Now, the installation is complete and you are ready to use the system.

Fundamentals of Structured Cabling Systems

15 Nov 2014

Stu Kushner

structured cabling, Network Cabling, Data Cabling The structured cabling system is a comprehensive structure of wiring and the related hardware involved. This system ensures a complete and reliable telecommunications infrastructure. This network has several but mostly for providing telephone services or conveyance of data over a computer network. This type of cabling system also connects to the internet at the demarcation point.

A quality structured cabling installation has these common elements:

It must fir the architectural configuration of the building that hosts cabling installation

It made up of cable and connection fixtures

It connects equipment that cabling is setup to support

Can be designed to enable retrofitting and upgrading

Meets the objectives and requirements of the business

Is backed by a guarantee by the manufacturer and the installer

As installers, we use standardized techniques in the completion and upkeep of cabling systems. This is important to guarantee satisfactory system performance on a technically complicated infrastructure. The benefits of adhering to these standards are that they insure stability of connectivity after setup.

Structured cabling installations may include:

Entrance facilities

Perpendicular and horizontal backbone conduits or cables

Horizontal lanes

Work area facilities

Equipment areas

Telecommunications racks and cabinets

A cabling connector refers to the mechanical device used in connecting a cable to a device or from one cable to another. The connector provides the coupling device that can minimize losses. For fiber, it permits light signals to move from one connector to another. On the other hand, copper enables electrical impulses to be conveyed. It is important to properly align these connectors to prevent connectivity breaks. Likewise, it should insure the efficient transmission of data. Connectors are crucial to the reliability of the total telecommunications network.

There are six subsystems in the structured platform. These are entrance facilities, equipment rooms, backbone cabling, telecommunication rooms and enclosures, the cabling, and the work area. The first consists of cables, network boundary, hardware for connection, security devices, and equipment attached to the network cabling. Backbone cabling consists of subsystems that provide inter-connection between telecommunication, network equipment and access facilities. Quite often these are the higher speed cabling components such as Cat6 and fiber that connect among the switches of an office.

Horizontal cabling connects from the desktops and phones to the telecommunications rooms and enclosures. The maximum horizontal cable length should be at no more than 100 meters. These desktop components extend out from the wall plate connection end of the horizontal cabling system to the equipment in the wall closet.

Call us if you need troubleshooting or if you have a need for cabling at your office due to expansion or relocation of your firm. We do free on-site surveys and quotes.

Network Cabling, Data Cabling,basket type cable tray

Basket Trays

3 Jul 2014

Stu Kushner

Network Cabling, Data Cabling,basket type cable tray The basket type of cable tray is made from wire lattice. The tray provides a foundation for data cables and it facilitates cable management since wires are mounted along and inside the tray. Data cabling is generally smaller but heavier than electrical wires because they are bundled and carried by these trays. A solid steel tray is preferred if heavier cables will be installed but steel is more vulnerable to rusting and exposure to elements. On the other hand, basket trays are lighter than solid racks.

The basket makes cable management and distribution less complicated

Data Cabling,Structured Cabling,Washington DC

Advantages Of Hard-wired Cabling Over Wireless Networks For Database Applications

5 Jun 2014

Stu Kushner

Network Cabling Data Cabling Corporate organizations need to share information efficiently. There are two options for them when it comes to setting up database applications; it is a choice between hard-wired cabling and a wireless network. Wireless systems provide users with more mobility. However, the majority of enterprises prefer the wired model for more control, security, consistency and speed. These are the major upsides of going for physical connections. It is comparatively economical since the cost of cabling, even with the lengths needed to cover a standard office space, is generally cheap.