Upgrade Device: Cat6

Showing posts with label Cat6. Show all posts

Friday, December 4, 2015

UL Requires New Holographic Labels for Communications Cable

To further enhance the integrity of the UL Mark, UL is introducing a holographic label requirement for a wide variety of cable categories. The new UL Marks include the use of secure golden holographic label material and color shifting inks to prevent unauthorized label reproduction.

This type of label has been proven an effective tool in deterring counterfeit products from entering the marketplace. Effective October 1, 2010 manufacturers will be required to apply holographic UL Marks for the products noted below. Although the holographic label is new, the remaining engineering marking information provided on the cable tags or reels and the methods for applying these markings remain unchanged.

• Communications Cable (DUZX/DUZX7)

• Communications Cable Veriﬁed to UL Performance Category Program (DUZX)

• Data Transmission Cable Veriﬁed in Accordance With National or International Speciﬁcations (DVBI)

• Community Antenna Television Cable (DVCS)

• Data Processing Cable (EMRB)

• Non-Power-Limited Fire-Alarm Cable (HNHT)

• Power-Limited Fire-Alarm Cable (HNIR / HNIR7)

• Instrumentation Tray Cable (NYTT)

• Network Powered Broadband Communications Cable (PWIP)

• Optical Fiber Cable (QAYK/QAYK7)

• Power Limited Circuit Cable (QPTZ)

Code authorities have already begun to see cables with the new holographic labels during their inspections, and will see an increasing number of cables with these markings in the future. You can expect to see the UL symbol on the product and the new holographic UL Listing Mark on the attached tag, the reel, or the smallest unit container in which the cable is packaged. The UL symbol will still appear on the surface print of the cable, and can be either the complete UL in a circle, or the letters “UL” in parenthesis “(UL)”. Surface printing of the UL Certiﬁcation Mark on the wire insulation or jacketed material is only permissible when the accompanying reel or smallest unit container is also provided with the UL holographic Listing Mark. Although manufacturers cannot add non-holographic labels to cable after October 1, 2010, it may take a while for cable with the non-holographic Listing Marks to be cleared from the supply chain.

An example of the UL holographic label on Cat5e Bulk Communications Cable offered at Discount-Low-Voltage.com

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

Cable management ties for Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A and Fiber Cable

Tightening cable ties on data cables too much will hurt the physical properties and performance.

You should be using the Caddy Mille-Tie.

This tie is most commonly used for bundling high-performance copper and fiber cables but is also used for innerduct in cable trays, surface raceways, service poles and in wall cabling. Don't squeeze your data pipe and do it right!

"By Mercy Salinas"

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

Dressing your Cat5e, Cat6 data cabling so it looks sexy!

When you start your data cabling do it right from the beginning before it gets out of hand. Here's a couple of examples to avoid before you start pulling your hair out!

If your cabling gets this bad you better hope there's a building remodel before a network remodel. The cost of having network cabling reorganized when it gets this bad is so expensive you might as well upgrade your existing network.

There's a simple, easy and inexpensive tool to help you avoid the point of no return. A Cable Comb.

It's so easy to use, so save yourself the headache in the long run and keep this cool tool on hand in the telecom closet. Maybe lock it up, tools never end up where you left them.

"By Mercy Salinas"

Network cable qualification tester vs. certification tester

I get sucked into this discussion constantly and it always ends up being a long conversation that goes round and round and ends up going nowhere.

Our good buddy Ron with Ideal Industries discusses the differences of a qualifier vs certifier when the quality of your network cabling is in question.

Did you notice the standards chart did not include "Cat5 Big E" or "Cat5e 350mhz"? Did you find a standard for "Cat6E"? Those are probably topics that you'll have to educate your customer on.

Questions, comments? Leave them below.

"By Mercy Salinas"