Hots : Text 04/2007

The process of establishing a valuable communications cabling infrastructure is as arcane as black magic.

The number of organizations that miss many of these steps is shocking. For some buyers the rule seems to be BUY AND FORGET IT… then do it all over again, and again, and again, and again. The communications infrastructure is a major working asset. Buyers need to recognize this point in order to maximize their investment.

Frank Bisbee
"Heard On The Street" Monthly Column
www.wireville.com
4949 Sunbeam Rd, Suite 16
Jacksonville, FL 32257
(904) 645-9077 office
(904) 645-9058 fax
frank@wireville.com

Education, Networking And Motivation Will bound At 2007 BICSI Spring Conference

The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas, Texas will be the setting for the 2007 BICSI Spring Conference, April 15-18. This unique conference will help BICSI members, and nonmembers alike, gain invaluable ITS knowledge to make better decisions, earn greater margin on projects and win more business.

“The Spring Conference promises to provide you with education and motivation to lead your organization to a new level of success,” said BICSI President John Bakowski, RCDD®/NTS/OSP/WD Specialist. “Whether your career is in data centers, security or design, you will be able to choose from different concurrent sessions based on your ITS interest.”

Dr. Asmus speaks, writes and consults on policy, business and economic issues facing America. He has testified before the House Ways and Means Committee. He was a featured speaker at the Social Security Conference for Western European leaders and has traveled frequently to Romania to discuss privatization and market based solutions on behalf of NCPA. Dr. Asmus is a passionate advocate of free market systems and limited government solutions. He has addressed Fortune 500 companies all across America and is the author of nine books, his most current being “Bulls Don’t Blush, Bears Don’t Die.”

Attendees will choose from four education tracks and 23 sessions to customize their learning. Tuesday features presentations on designing and reducing energy costs in a data center, low voltage applications, cabling in clinical and laboratory environments, telecommunications cabinets, changeable connections, video signal transmissions, CAT 6 cabling, video security and surveillance, power strips technology, passive optical networks (PON), screened and shielded cabling systems, and increasing marketplace demands on installation contractors.

Originally drafted in the 1st round in 1984, Jim's childhood dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player was derailed by serious arm injuries. At the age of 35 and some 11 years after retiring from minor league baseball, Jim went to an open tryout where he threw 12 consecutive pitches at 98 mph—almost 10 mph harder than he had some 15 years earlier—to the amazement of scouts in attendance. After just three months in the minor leagues, Jim signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and returned to Texas as a major league player and struck out Texas Rangers all-star Royce Clayton with a 98 mile per hour fastball in his first big league game. Jim retired again from baseball in the winter of 2001 and co-authored his autobiography, The Oldest Rookie, published that same year. As a speaker, Jim inspires and motivates audiences to never give up on their dreams.

BICSI is a professional association supporting the information transport systems (ITS) industry with information, education and knowledge assessment for individuals and companies. BICSI serves more than 24,000 ITS professionals, including designers, installers and technicians. These individuals provide the fundamental infrastructure for telecommunications, audio/video, life-safety and automation systems. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, BICSI membership spans nearly 100 countries. www.bicsi.org

Carlini’s Comments, MidwestBusiness.com’s oldest column, runs every Wednesday. Its mission is to offer the common man’s view on business and technology issues while questioning the leadership and visions of “pseudo” experts.

Many real estate developments are technologically obsolete and diminished in value. Do their appraisals even reflect this?

When it comes to real estate acquisitions, many smart investors have turned to taking their money from the stock market and have invested it into real estate investment trusts (REITs). Returns from some of these groups have provided 20 percent to 50 percent returns to their investors.

While these are great returns, are there any hidden time bombs lurking behind the marble facades and talking elevators? What many of these acquisition groups fail to look at are the technology issues associated with the buildings within their acquisitions.

The due diligence and appraisal process are on the traditional side of real estate:

Attending last week’s building automation conference in Baltimore was not as much of an eye-opener as it was a reaffirmation of technology infrastructure concepts learned throughout the last 20 years while working on the basic concepts of intelligent buildings and mission-critical projects.

With real estate being touted to investors as the fourth asset class after equities, bonds and cash, there needs to be some real due diligence performed on the power and connectivity issues when it comes to evaluating real estate properties. If we put up a different yardstick that measures the capabilities of power and connectivity, would we still have the same results for building appraisals?

There were some interesting points about power that should be mentioned. Almost all buildings are fed from a single power grid that in turn creates a single point-of-failure issue. In terms of business continuity issues, the power grid is more of an issue than terrorism as being a real cause of business disruption.

Presenter Shalom Frank of Pareto Energy said the power grid in the U.S. is antiquated and 94 percent of the power failures can be attributed to the distribution. In one case in California, he said that a raccoon and a possum were the cause of power being cut to oil refineries that in turn disrupted refinery production. Because of that, gasoline prices jumped 7 cents a gallon.

The new approach for buildings and business campuses should incorporate a design that uses two or three power sources instead of one grid. While this might be more money in the beginning, it would create a much more valuable property. It would also differentiate it compared to the properties that have used the traditional approach.

Pareto cited several issues that necessitate the need to innovate the power grid:

5. American high-tech companies have lost faith in grid power for digital-age commerce

He went on to cite a 2006 study by the SteelEye Technology Business Continuity Index that said almost half of the American IT companies identify power outages as likely to have a maximum impact on their businesses. By comparison, only 1 percent cited terrorism as a concern for IT downtime.

A common local outage or power disruption is 50 times more critical to plan for than that lone EMP bomb some are trying to avoid.

Power and connectivity have become more of an upfront issue for master planning instead of an afterthought once the tenant has moved in. Any new construction should have serious upfront consideration and implementation for power requirements and connectivity. These attributes should be addressed as part of the pre-built infrastructure.

As for commercial and industrial real estate that is already built, the need to review and assess these attributes is essential especially in the appraisal processes. If they are overlooked, they can become huge detriments for the property owner and manager. New rules of thumb have to be created and adopted by all real estate professionals including property managers, leasing agents and site selection teams.

What is the value of having feeds from two different power grids as a building amenity versus the liability of having a single power grid creating a single point of failure within a property? How do you adjust the leasing when amenities like this are lacking? How do you adjust the total value of the property?

Just like an iceberg, building cabling problems are 95 percent underneath the surface.

Though you may see something wrong, “it’s only the tip of the iceberg.” Just like with the power utility, the horse-and-buggy approach to network connectivity was one connection to the phone company’s central office. Most developments still use this out-of-date rule of thumb that should be discarded.

In mission-critical applications like the Chicago 911 center or the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, connectivity to more than one central office is a given. With all organizations so dependent on connectivity today, the new rule of thumb should be connectivity to at least two central offices as well as multiple long-distance carriers.

It’s not overkill today as much as it is being compliant with mission-critical objectives and business continuity for compliance. Again, have appraisals for buildings and campuses even reviewed this as a value attribute that determines the worth of the property?

My presentation’s focus at the conference was that economic development equals broadband connectivity and broadband connectivity equals jobs. With that being said, the design requirements of connectivity and power must be pushed into the upfront planning process instead of being reviewed later when tenants are moving in.

Connectivity for standalone buildings, intelligent industrial parks and business campuses is skyrocketing to gigabit speeds. Organizations are looking for more and more speed as their business must compete globally and 10 Gbps speeds are now starting to be upgraded to 40 Gbps as a connectivity standard.

If your property has DSL or T-1 as the basic speed for connectivity, you probably are still driving a stagecoach. If you aren’t now, that’s about all you’ll be able to afford to drive as tenants move to buildings offering higher speeds. Maybe you will decide to change out the building to a public storage facility, as the market will pass you by.

There were studies made 20 years ago that buildings that didn’t keep up would become technologically obsolete. Some real estate people have not heeded that warning and are now scrambling for intelligent amenities they do not have.

Carlinism: “Location, location, location” has given way to “location, location, and connectivity.”

When two worlds collide, great things happen. RHINO, a brand of Sanford, L.P., a Newell Rubbermaid Company (NYSE: NWL) and a world leader in industrial identification, is proud to bring together tough and durable RHINO labels and the ever-popular Sharpie® permanent marker to create the new RHINO 101 reusable label dispenser.

Since the introduction of the award winning RHINO 5000 label printer in 2004, the RHINO brand has been building superior electronic label printers for datacomm installers, electrical contractors, facility managers and other professionals all over the world. While electronic label printing is a fast-growing segment of the market, traditional “pen and tape” labeling remains the method of choice for some, as well as a viable means of temporary labeling in the “rough-in” phase of installations. For this reason, RHINO developed the RHINO 101 reusable label dispenser – a product that combines the durability of RHINO industrial labels with the proven power of the Sharpie Retractable® permanent marker into one convenient tool.

Doug Waldal, Global Business Director for RHINO explains, “Pen and tape labeling has been around for decades and still, for many, is the most cost-effective and efficient means for labeling their projects. We recognize this and for this reason decided to develop an innovative product that we feel represents the best “pen-and-tape” labeling solution on the market today. The Sharpie brand is very well known and for many is the identification tool of choice. Now, with the RHINO 101, installers and contractors can use what we believe is the best of both worlds: the best labeling materials – RHINO labels – and the best marker – Sharpie.”

The RHINO 101 is a reusable and refillable hand-held labeling tool that provides tape, pen, writing surface and cutter into one. But it’s no ordinary pen and tape. The tape is an easy to load drop-in cartridge that consists of easy-to-peel split-back RHINO labels with industrial-strength adhesives that stick. The pen included with the tool is a black Sharpie Retractable® permanent marker – a world-renowned brand in the market. Together, they provide a truly powerful and dependable solution for fast, easy labels. The writing surface integrated into the RHINO 101 makes it easy to write labels anywhere and the built-in cutter, belt clip and lanyard hook provide further on-the-go convenience. Additionally, the RHINO 101 includes a thumb advance for easy tape dispensing (without smearing) and a viewing window to align the label prior to cutting (for self-laminating labels).

“Prior to designing the RHINO 101 and even during the design and testing phases, we interviewed many installers to learn what features were most important to them,” said Rafael Martinez, Product Manager for RHINO. “They were very specific about the labeling functionality they wanted, what was currently missing in the marketplace, and what their “ideal” pen-and-tape labeler would include. We are proud to say that the RHINO 101 was truly user-inspired.”

The RHINO 101 is available in two packages: one for wire and cable marking (contains self-laminating die cut vinyl labels) and one for general purpose marking (contains continuous flexible nylon labels). Each lists for $19.99. Label cartridge refills are available in both self-laminating and nylon styles and retail for $9.99. All are available at major distributors in the security, datacomm, professional audio/video, electrical, MRO and construction markets in May.

About RHINO
RHINO is a brand within DYMO, a business unit within Sanford L.P., a Newell Rubbermaid company. DYMO designs and manufactures RHINO professional label printers and tools for commercial, residential and industrial use. RHINO labeling tools are designed with easy-to-use features that greatly reduce labeling time. Learn more at www.rhinolabeling.com http://www.rhinolabeling.com

NAED 2007 Annual Meeting to Feature Strategic Insights on Economy, Politics, and Future of Construction Market

The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) invites the leadership of all electrical distributors, manufacturers and manufacturer representatives to attend the 99th NAED Annual Meeting, May 5 – 9 in Washington, D.C. The conference will offer a program focused on top-level strategy, networking and leadership training.

“Focus on the Future” is the theme of this year’s meeting. Sessions will include: economic forecasts for 2007-08, future predictions for the construction market, political analysis, a contractor panel and an “Ask the Experts” panel of distributors and manufactuers with tips on how to beat the margin squeeze.

P.J. O’Rourke will be the keynote speaker for the Opening General Session on May 7. Called “the funniest writer in America” by both Time magazine and the Wall Street Journal, O’Rourke has been cited in The Penguin Dictionary of Humorous Quotations more than any living writer. He is the best-selling author of 11 books, including Holidays in Hell, Give War a Chance, Eat the Rich, and The CEO of the Sofa. O'Rourke also served as managing editor for National Lampoon magazine.

Since 1982, he has traveled as a foreign correspondent to more than 50 countries, and was the foreign editor for Rolling Stone for 15 years. In 1996, he served as the conservative commentator in the point-counterpoint segment of 60 Minutes. Currently, O’Rourke is a regular correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly, The American Spectator, and The Weekly Standard, and he is a frequent panelist on National Public Radio’s radio game show, “Wait, Wait...Don’t Tell Me!”

In his keynote presentation, “Pirates & Neckties: Government vs. Free Market, Which is Worse?” O’Rourke will lampoon our current political environment and share his observations. But despite his reputation as a conservative, O’Rourke bashes all political persuasions. O’Rourke’s performance is sponsored by Legrand.

The Opening General Session at NAED’s Annual Meeting will also include:

Industry Thought Leader Panel: Adapting Strategies to Meet Future Challenges
Chairman John Duda will lead a forward-looking discussion with top industry experts on developing new markets, re-thinking their business models and changing habits to succeed in the future.

Lincoln Live!, Gene Griessman, Author, Leadership Expert, Actor
Learn leadership principles from Griessman’s extensive research on one of America’s favorite presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Griessman, appearing as Lincoln, will share some of the president’s lessons in leadership. After the session, attendees will have the opportunity to have their photo taken with Lincoln and printed on a personalized TED Magazine cover that they can take home.: http://www.naed.org

Harger Lightning & Grounding proudly introduces a new feature for their line of ground bars, which are now available with tamper resistant hardware. The ground bars are manufactured from electrolytic tough pitch 110 alloy copper and include low profile tamper resistant stainless steel hardware to reduce incidents of theft. Harger’s ground bars are UL Listed.

Harger Lightning & Grounding is a leading manufacturer of lightning protection and grounding equipment, as well as exothermic welding materials for the communications and electrical industries. Harger also provides design and engineering services and specializes in offering total systems solutions for their customers. Let Harger apply its systemic approach to total system protection to provide you the most cost effective solution to protect your personnel and equipment against the effects of electrical transients. www.harger.com

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named BOMA International as an ENERGY STAR 2007 Partner of the Year for its outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy management in commercial buildings through the BOMA Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP). BOMA International, the first real estate association to receive a Partner of the Year award, will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2007.

BOMA International, an ENERGY STAR Partner since 2005, is being honored in the Energy Efficiency Program Delivery category for helping building owners and managers reduce energy use by promoting energy management practices through BEEP, an innovative operational excellence program that teaches commercial real estate professionals how to reduce energy consumption and costs with proven no-and low-cost strategies for optimizing equipment, people and practices. To date, more than 5,000 commercial real estate professionals have participated in the BEEP seminars.

“As an ENERGY STAR partner we want to spread the word about making buildings more energy efficient,” remarked BOMA International Chairman and Chief Elected Officer Kurt R. Padavano, RPA, CPM, FMA, SMA, and Chief Operating Officer of Advance Realty Group of Bedminster, N.J. “The BEEP seminars are transforming the industry as building owners and managers now have the tools and techniques to put quantifiable reductions in energy consumption. Tracking and benchmarking a building’s energy use and improving energy efficiency have tremendous benefits for building owners, tenants and the environment.”

The ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year - Energy Efficiency Program Delivery Award is given to a variety of organizations to recognize their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. Award winners are selected from thousands of organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR saved $14 billion on their energy bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 25 million vehicles.

“We applaud BOMA for their leadership in promoting energy management to its members,” said Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. “Because buildings contribute about 20 percent of our national greenhouse gas emissions, effective energy management helps the bottom line and protects our environment.”

USAA Real Estate Company - 2007 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award. This is the fifth year that USAA Real Estate Company has been honored.

Transwestern - 2007 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award. This is the fourth year that Transwestern has been honored.

Jones Lang LaSalle – 2007 Energy Star Partner of the Year for Energy Management.

CommScope, Inc. (NYSE: CTV - News), a world leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Signal Vision, Inc., a leading supplier of broadband radio frequency subscriber products. Signal Vision's product lines include digital passives, indoor amplifiers and addressable taps. Signal Vision had revenues of less than $30 million in 2006.

"The addition of the Signal Vision line provides CommScope with a more integrated suite of products for the last mile in broadband networks," said Jim Hughes, Executive Vice President, Broadband Sales & Marketing. "We believe there is significant potential to expand the reach of Signal Vision's products through CommScope's worldwide channels."

The transaction, which is subject to due diligence and customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the second quarter.

About CommScope
CommScope is a world leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks. Through its SYSTIMAX® Solutions(TM) and Uniprise® Solutions brands, CommScope is the global leader in structured cabling systems for business enterprise applications. It is also the world's largest manufacturer of coaxial cable for Hybrid Fiber Coaxial applications. Backed by strong research and development, CommScope combines technical expertise and proprietary technology with global manufacturing capability to provide customers with high-performance wired or wireless cabling solutions. www.commscope.com

The Light Brigade announces its newest menu-based DVD, entitled Fiber Optic Connectors. This new DVD is the eighth release in the company’s popular Staff Development series of instructional DVDs.

Anyone who works with fiber optics needs to be aware of the many types of connectors that are available, their history, and their evolution. The Fiber Optic Connectors DVD focuses on the many disciplines that are associated with their termination, testing, inspection, and cleaning. Also covered are:

The material is divided into menu-selectable chapters for easy access. Quizzes are included for content review and/or testing.

Company Information
Over 30,000 attendees have participated in The Light Brigade’s instructor-led fiber optic training courses worldwide. In addition, The Light Brigade has a wide variety of fiber optic training DVDs, videotapes, CD-ROMs, and computer-based training available. For more information or to order, call (800) 451-7128, email sales@lightbrigade.com, or visit www.lightbrigade.com.

As members of the House of Representatives today discussed efforts to improve public safety communication interoperability, Telecommunications Industry Association President Grant Seiffert said TIA member companies have already made significant breakthroughs that will help public safety officers communicate with each other and with other departments.

The research is based on Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) technology. The successful test stands to strengthen TIA's Project 25 public safety standards and can offer first responders of different departments and jurisdictions unprecedented interoperability.

"Standards act as the glue that holds different technologies together. And nobody needs compatible technology more than first responders, who rely on their communications equipment to protect property and save lives," said Grant Seiffert, TIA president. "The public safety community is demanding interoperability, and this breakthrough in ISSI standard development begins to provide a real, cost-effective solution to the problems caused by incompatibility."

Public safety interoperability was a prominent topic during today's House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee hearing on oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which distributes grants to help promote public safety interoperability.

Several months of planning led a group of TIA member companies to announce in January that they had successfully connected two radio systems made by different manufacturers, operating on different networks. Using General Dynamics test facilities, EADS Secure Networks was able to interconnect its Project 25 radio system network with a Project 25 radio system developed by M/A-COM, which paves the way for true interoperability among public safety providers.

The successful interoperability test was based on a TIA-standardized technology called Inter-RF Subsystem Interface, or ISSI, which creates a software-based solution to interoperability that avoids expensive or proprietary gateways. ISSI is part of TIA's Project 25 suite of standards for public safety communications, which create uniformity in public safety communications equipment.

About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association is the leading trade association in Washington, D.C., for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. TIA serves ICT suppliers to global markets through its leadership in standards development, domestic and international policy advocacy, and facilitating member business opportunities such as the co-owned NXTcomm. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). www.tiaonline.org.

KITCO Fiber Optics has named Ann Moriarty to the position of Inside Sales Professional. Ms. Moriarty has extensive technical sales experience, previously serving as Global Services Manager with MCI Telecommunications Business Services Division; as Regional Sales Director with Newbridge Networks Corp.; as an Account Manager with Videotele.com and as Sales Support for Mobile Networks with Draka NK Cables. She is a graduate of St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN and will receive her MBA from Old Dominion University in May.

KITCO Fiber Optics is a leading provider of fiber optic connectorization products, training and consulting services to the military and commercial communications industry. It specializes in the design and fabrication of fiber optic tools, tool kits and custom cable assemblies. KITCO is also recognized for the development of customized fiber optic curriculum and training and provides commercial and military training worldwide, serving as the U.S. Navy’s sole shipboard fiber optic trainer. Its highly skilled field services team can respond to your fiber optic requirements anytime, anywhere - rapidly providing the best solutions for overcoming system problems or delays. www.kitcofo.com

ADC Announces Strategic Partnership with E-Band Communications to Develop New Millimeter Wave Transmission Solution

ADC (NASDAQ: ADCT; www.adc.com), and E-Band Communications Corp., developer of multi-gigabit capacity wireless communication systems based on 71-86GHz millimeter wave radio technology, announced that they have entered into a multi-year, global wireless technology agreement. Under terms of the agreement, ADC will market E-Band’s next generation Millimeter Wave (MMW) Transmission product as the FlexWave™ MMW, a member of ADC’s new FlexWave family of All-IP Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions. ADC also will develop additional wireless solutions based on E-Band’s core technology.

Founded in 2003, E-Band Communications is a privately held corporation that develops ultra-high capacity wireless communications systems for the 70/80 GHz e-band spectrum utilizing leading-edge RF Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) technology and providing best-in-class link performance. ADC holds a minority interest in the company.

The FlexWave MMW, which will be featured at CTIA Wireless 2007 (Booth #4079) in Orlando, Fla., March 27-29, is a point-to-point millimeter wave transmission system that operates in licensed 71GHz to 86GHz spectrum and provides fiber-speed, wireless Line of Sight (LOS) communications links within a 1–6 km range. With this system, wireless service providers can solve last-mile, access bottleneck problems by connecting enterprises to fiber networks, and enabling the backhaul of mobile (3G/4G) and fixed wireless (WiFi, WiMax) networks.

ADC’s All-IP RAN solution, announced earlier this week, offers a flexible, scalable platform that delivers coverage and capacity where needed over a single transport network to customers anytime, anywhere to deliver the feature-rich wireless applications they demand. The FlexWave All-IP RAN provides an integrated solution for converged indoor and outdoor coverage, ensuring wireless operators that their customers are always connected. FlexWave MMW is a natural and integral part of the FlexWave platform providing a cost-effective backhaul alternative that enables quick time-to-market coverage and capacity solutions where most needed.

“Millimeter wavelength technologies offer an exciting opportunity for low-cost, high-speed licensed wireless links and we’re pleased to partner with E-Band Communications to provide this solution as part of our new FlexWave product portfolio,” said Hilton Nicholson, president of the Active Infrastructure Business Unit for ADC. “Wireless operators are under great pressure to reduce their operating expenses. The increase in wireless data applications creates the need for economical, high-speed backhaul solutions. FlexWave MMW provides a reliable, cost-effective alternative to wired backhaul solutions.”

According to Infonetics Research, Inc., an international market research group, the worldwide mobile IP backhaul equipment market is expected to grow 37 percent annually to $1.1 billion in 2009.

“This agreement further strengthens our relationship with ADC and expands its wireless portfolio with leading-edge products like FlexWave MMW,” said Sam Smookler, CEO and

co-founder of E-Band Communications. “This new technology enables ADC’s customers and other wireless operators to address the increasing shortage of metro access capacity by taking advantage of the recently available licensed 71-86 GHz spectrum.”

FlexWave MMW provides fiber-equivalent performance, 99.999 reliability and security, without the high installation costs and delays associated with inter-building fiber installations. This product can be engineered to operate in close proximity to other systems so that many operations can co-exist in the same vicinity without causing interference to one another.

About E-Band
E-Band Communications Corporation, a privately held company, was founded in late 2003 to develop ultra-high capacity wireless communications systems for the 70/80 GHz e-band spectrum utilizing leading-edge RF MMIC technology and providing best-in-class link performance. Its products address the requirements of carriers, enterprises, cable, government, and Internet service providers building cost-efficient, wireless multi-gigabit IP networks. E-Band technology provides solutions for interconnection and backhaul of 4G, WiMAX, mobile networks, distributed antennas systems (DAS) and remote radio heads (RRH), Gigabit Ethernet access network connections, last mile access, fiber backup, and network extension applications. Learn more about E-Band at www.ebandcom.com

About ADC
ADC provides the connections for wireline, wireless, cable, broadcast, and enterprise networks around the world. ADC's innovative network infrastructure equipment and professional services enable high-speed Internet, data, video, and voice services to residential, business and mobile subscribers. ADC (NASDAQ: ADCT) has sales into more than 130 countries. Learn more about ADC at www.adc.com.

NEMA, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, will soon release a new energy-efficiency standard for the 50Hz motor. The 50Hz standard thus joins the 60Hz motor as part of the NEMA Premium® motor program. The NEMA Premium® Motors 50Hz Standard will allow the manufacturers that participate in the NEMA Premium® Motors Program to manufacture and market NEMA Premium® motors in both 60Hz and 50Hz configurations worldwide. It will also allow manufacturers of 50Hz integral motors to license the NEMA Premium® brand, which will solidify the standing of NEMA Premium® as an important energy-efficiency brand.

NEMA Premium® Motors are recognized as the leading energy-efficient integral motors in North America. Other standards organizations have widely adopted or mirrored the NEMA MG 1 standard that incorporates 60Hz motors. The 50Hz tables added to MG 1 are also expected to be widely accepted.

The NEMA Premium® Efficient Electric Motor program was launched in 2001. At the outset of the program, it was estimated that in its first 10 years, the program would save enough electricity to serve as the functional equivalent to equal keeping 16 million cars off the road. The program has exceeded expectations through marketing efforts by the NEMA Motor and Generator Section, and cooperative efforts with Motor Decisions Matter (MDM), a program run by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and others.

Many electric utilities recognize NEMA Premium® and offer rebates for specifying and installing NEMA Premium® motors. The members of the Motor and Generator Section represent more than 80 percent of U.S. production and sales of electric motors.

NEMA Premium® efficient motors exceed the minimum energy-efficiency standards required by the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The minimum standards imposed on certain 1-200 horsepower general-purpose integral motors are based on NEMA standards.

When the program was announced in 2001, Dale Basso, the MG 1 Section chairman said, “NEMA motor members have the energy-technology solutions to address utility and industrial user needs. We have elected to broaden the NEMA Premium® program to include motors outside the range now regulated by the federal government in order to better serve the customer in a comprehensive manner.” Rob Boteler, chairman of the MG 1 industry promotion committee, also noted, “It is in the best interests of motor users to specify NEMA Premium®, thus maximizing efficiency, reducing electrical consumption costs, and improving motor system reliability and performance.”

When asked for comment on the introduction of the 50Hz standard, Boteler said, “NEMA Premium® 50Hz was developed to provide motor users on 50Hz grids with the same opportunity to reduce energy consumption and subsequent production costs as motor users in 60Hz areas of the world. We are optimistic that overall greenhouse gases will be further reduced by the use of 50Hz NEMA Premium® motors shipped as stand-alone units or as a component of a motor-driven system for use on a 50Hz power supply.”

Boteler will present a paper highlighting the NEMA Premium program at the Energy Efficiency in Motor Driven Systems (EEMODS) ’07 conference in Beijing, China, June 10-13. The EEMODS conference comes at a time when the world in general—and the Chinese in particular—continues to search for energy-efficient products. The NEMA office in Beijing will extend invitations to attend the conference to Chinese officials who show vital interest in energy-efficient motor design and systems. NEMA members are also encouraged to attend. Register for the conference at www.eemods.org.

For additional information, contact William Hoyt at 703.841.3211 or wil_hoyt@nema.org.

NEMA is the trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity. These products are used in utility, medical imaging, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. Domestic production of electrical products sold worldwide exceeds $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing, São Paulo, and Mexico City. www.nema.org

Coleman Cable, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCIX) ("Coleman Cable") and Copperfield, LLC ("Copperfield") announced that Coleman Cable has agreed to acquire all of the equity interests in Copperfield for $213 million in cash. Management believes that the Coleman Cable-Copperfield combination will result in one of the premier U.S. based manufacturers of electrical and electronic wire and cable products.

Copperfield, currently majority owned by Spell Capital Partners, is one of the largest private fabricators and insulators of copper electrical wire and cable in the United States. Copperfield sells its wire and cable products to industrial distributors and OEMs which operate in a diversified set of end markets including electrical, recreational vehicle, transportation, appliance and welding cable sectors. Copperfield estimates that its revenues and EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006 will be approximately $520 million and $35.3 million, respectively. The strategic acquisition of Copperfield broadens the scope of Coleman Cable's product offering, further strengthens its strategic relationships with industrial distributors and increases Coleman's end-market diversity.

Coleman Cable anticipates meaningful expense synergies from the realignment of the combined company's manufacturing footprint and the expected purchasing opportunities resulting from the combination. Excluding expense synergies, Coleman Cable expects the acquisition of Copperfield to be accretive to earnings per share for 2007. Coleman Cable intends to use debt financing to consummate the acquisition. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and approval by necessary regulatory authorities, is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2007.

"Copperfield is an excellent strategic fit and a logical step in the continued growth and development of our business," said Gary Yetman, CEO of Coleman Cable. "This transaction represents a unique opportunity to acquire a preeminent industry player and seasoned management team that will significantly enhance Coleman Cable's position as a leading provider of wire and cable products in numerous niche industrial end markets."

Richard Carr, Copperfield's CEO, stated: "The entire Copperfield family welcomes the opportunity to join forces with Coleman Cable. Our new platform will enhance the value proposition of both organizations and provide our diverse customer base with an even greater variety of products and services. Mike Frigo, Copperfield's COO, and I look forward to continuing our roles with the new company and being part of this exciting transaction."

Coleman Cable plans to have a conference call with its investors to discuss the Copperfield acquisition in early April, shortly after the closing.

About Coleman
Coleman Cable, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and innovator of electrical and electronic wire and cable products for the security, sound, telecommunications, and electrical, commercial, industrial, and automotive industries. With extensive design and production capabilities and a long- standing dedication to customer service, Coleman is the preferred choice of cable and wire users throughout the world.

For more information, visit: www.colemancable.com

“So what impressions have you gleaned from the show so far?” It’s a somewhat innocuous opening line from a vendor, at whose exhibit you have just arrived, after racing over from another vendor’s booth. Which was preceded by 20 minutes of product discussion, which was preceded by dashing over from another booth, which was preceded by 20 minutes of product discussion, which was–well, you get the point.

When you can’t catch your breath, much less your thoughts, because of a hectic schedule of one meeting after another, often about different technologies, trying to paint a big picture of the show is sometimes difficult.

That was certainly the case at VoiceCon Spring, held last month in Orlando. The show was buzzing and the meetings were back to back. At the end of two days, I had several impressions of what was “hot”–convergence, unified communications, managed services, mobility and telecom expense management.

VoiceCon Spring is a growing event, with the number of exhibitors up this year by 18 percent over 2006, and attendance reportedly 29 percent higher than last year. Sandwiched between two other voice shows that cater more to the carrier crowd (Internet Telephony and VON), this event has become a must-attend for many companies in the enterprise voice communication space.

One of my first impressions of the event was that talking about voice over IP is old news. Also evident was how many traditional product vendors are branching out into managed services, or those who may have offered such services in the past but are now putting them out front and center.

Avaya, Ericsson and Inter-Tel all were touting managed voice services as an option to buying and managing their gear. Former bandwidth wholesaler Global Crossing resurfaced at VoiceCon as a managed services provider, and has teamed with Avaya to provide hardware.

Several companies, including Ericsson, NEC and Nokia, emphasized the convergence of wireless products into the IP PBX environment. And the number of telecom expense-management companies seems to be proliferating, at least in the enterprise space, with firms such as Avotus, RSI and AnchorPoint present. Avotus offers an interesting twist, with customers able to “auction” off their WAN services requirements online.

So, if you happen to bump into me at a future trade show, and my eyes are glazed over, hair ruffled and shoulders drooping from an ever-bulging briefcase, understand that I might not be able to provide a cognitive impression of the event right then and there. Eventually, however, once the buzzing in my head subsides and I’ve been able to relive the back-to-back-to-back meetings and demonstrations, some recognition of what actually took place will seep into my brain. Then I can answer your questions.

The home is a serious contender for electrical and automated functions, and there are many different services the customer can use. It’s up to you, the electrical contractor, to find your residential niche.

Electricity is everywhere. It’s automating the home in ways never before possible. It controls just about every technology, and more new technologies are on the way. Gaming and entertainment audio is a perfect example. Did you know that the popular Nintendo Wii gaming system can display weather and check e-mail? How about being able to plug in Apple’s iPod to the home stereo to make it a streaming audio device?

Keeping all these developments in mind, electrical contractors must maintain an open mind to plug into new markets. What about taking your services to another part of the electrical spectrum with something like electric radiant heating? It’s a great way to add another service and may be a cost-effective and easy-to-learn adjunct to the business. In fact, electric radiant heating has now entered mainstream popularity and is experiencing a significant boom in North America, according to Lyle Moroz, P. Eng., M.B.A., vice president of the Electric Heating Division at Danfoss Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

“North Americans are traveling more frequently to Europe where floor heating is very common, and many are recognizing the value of radiant heating,” Moroz said. “With more and more people investing and benefiting from electric radiant heating in their homes and businesses, a word-of-mouth momentum has helped fuel the boom. Remember when automatic garage-door openers were considered optional?”

For the customer, operating costs are lower than they think and this type of heating actually consumes no more electricity than several light bulbs. There also are advantages for the installer. Prices have come down, and low-profile heating cables make it cost effective to add radiant heating to even small renovations, such as bathrooms.

“Smart builders and electrical contractors are recommending these products more often. They understand the clear opportunity to ‘up sell’ their clients with something that will provide them a high return on investment,” Moroz said.

Video in the home has also become increasingly sought after, as customers look for ways to increase their security and communicate within the home. A number of manufacturers have introduced video entry products in the last year, and it definitely is a product category that is catching on, according to Lynn Morrison, marketing manager, BTicino USA, Santa Clara, Calif.

Video door entry systems consist of three main components: exterior stations, interior stations and the system backbone. Visitors use the exterior station to call the insider. The interior station shows who is at the door and allows the inhabitant to determine whether or not to respond. The system backbone connects the exterior and interior components and powers the system.

“For the single-family home, the installation is very straightforward and easy to accomplish over Category 5 or other structured cabling or twisted pair. Rather than run the audio over the telephone communications and the video over the free television channel, which was popular in the condominium and duplex markets, these units have become stand-alone dedicated viewing stations that are smaller, smarter and more aesthetic.

“They can be used for room-to-room communications, and some units have answering and recording capabilities. For example, a messenger, visitor or delivery person can leave a video message for the occupant for later retrieval if they are away,” Morrison said.

Another niche market installers and integrators may consider expanding into is new construction. It may not be the boom time of the past for the market, but it can still offer a good stream of revenue, help the contractor market his business and even fuel referrals.

“It’s a market unto itself,” said David Sharp, Southwest regional sales manager for Digital Monitoring Products (DMP), headquartered in Springfield, Mo. “Installers would do well to do business with development companies and realtors. They can help support the marketing side of the installer’s business, promoting their services through sales offices, which may even have equipment and systems displays. In essence, those sales reps become a sales rep for your company.”

According to Sharp, residential customers are looking for the latest technologies, such as access to systems through the telephone; Web-based virtual viewing (video); integrated solutions, such as an alarm triggering a camera and monitor; portable panic buttons and medical alerts; and wireless for remote control capabilities.

There is also the new residential “after market” where the contractor goes to the neighborhood and meets the new homeowners. It’s an opportunity to tell them about installing systems in the development.

“This gives them instant credibility with the new homeowner who may not have yet made the decision about what systems they want in their home. It’s all about credentialing,” Sharp said.

Another residential niche, Sharp said, is the custom home. Custom and luxury home builders nearly always have a plan room where clients review other previously built residences, and these records may include a listing of the participating contractors, services and equipment.

Robert Piccirilli taught himself about automation—by setting up a dollhouse and automating myriad functions—and now runs a successful automation business. His marketing focus is safety and time savings. He stays small, studies hard to stay ahead of the learning curve and focuses on a tightly wound spool of automated specialties.

Piccirilli said he tests and programs his customer’s systems from his home, acting as a beta site of sorts before he deploys equipment in the field. That approach has served him well. While he handles only one or two homes per year, he said he can and does make a good living off of these projects, which can span months and even longer.

“When you choose a niche such as this, you have to know how to market it,” Piccirilli said. “I try to focus on things that save people time, and they love it. For example, every time they open a door, you can make something happen, like the lights turning on or the shades rolling up. There’s so much you can do in the home; it’s all about electricity and controlling it.”

Lighting is another lucrative area a contractor can add to its scorecard. Again, convenience sells—there’s nothing worse than trying to figure out which lights to turn on when there are banks and banks of switches.

Customers want lighting systems that are simple to understand and easy to operate. While there is a large market for sophisticated lighting control systems, the majority of people want their systems to be as affordable and simple as possible, according to Phil Scheetz, residential marketing manager, Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., Coopersburg, Pa. Lutron, he said, introduced the AuroRa system as a solution for that middle market.

“An easy way for installers to expand their business is to increase their lighting control offerings,” Scheetz said. “Installers should familiarize themselves with the wide variety of dimmers and lighting control systems available today. Dozens of new products are introduced each year from single-light dimmers to radio-frequency-based lighting control systems, to automated shades and draperies. Wireless technology is king in the home automation market right now, and the lighting control category is no exception. Installers need to keep on top of the latest offerings, not only to satisfy homeowner requests, but to help grow their business by presenting these new products to their clients.”

All signs point to continued growth for systems and services in the residential home. It’s up to you to find the right niche. EC

Reprinted with full Permission of Electrical Contractor Magazine March 2007 Issue www.ecmag.com

D-Tools System Integrator Training Will Be Available To Over 350 C-Tech Network Certified Training Facilities

D-Tools, Inc., the worldwide leader in system integration software, today announced the signing of a Program Recognizer agreement with C-Tech Associates, Inc. C-Tech is a New Jersey-based developer and manufacturer of training aids and curriculum for communications networking. The agreement will provide D-Tools, Inc. dealers/distributors/designers nationwide access to local labor pools.

D-Tools, Inc. has reviewed C-Tech’s Communications Networking Programs for content, and applicability to the marketplace and recognizes C-Tech’s certifications known as Network Cabling Specialist, Voice Communications Professional and Smart Home Professional; and will be promoting C-Tech training through it’s network of national and global installers and designers.

“Our goal as a company is to help system integrators and installers become more productive and efficient, and training and certifications are key elements for a successful business,” said Adam Stone, president of D-Tools, Inc. “C-Tech has an established and well respected program that has created a large network of trained professionals. Making our software a part of their curriculum is a natural fit which will further our goals to be the platform of choice for streamlining the system integration process.”

C-Tech took an innovative approach in the development of its training programs. “Early on we recognized a need for trained technicians and installers at an entry-level wage,” stated David Brady, Director of Marketing. “It is very important to deliver the technology at a level that addresses the majority of the population and still provides the much-needed skills.” Companies have been able to cut as much as 3 months off a new employee’s preparation cycle by hiring C-Tech certified technicians.

Since entering the educational/training market in 1995, C-Tech has established a network of over 350 Certified Training Facilities throughout the country, including Vocational and Comprehensive High Schools, Community Colleges, Labor Unions, community and faith-based organizations, Job Corps Centers and correctional institutions.

These training sites are equipped with the resources, knowledge and skills to provide entry-level job training to any individual regardless of age or background. More than 40,000 individuals possess the Telecommunications skills and knowledge-base to work as technicians, sales associates, customer service representatives or a number of other positions.

About C-Tech Associates, Inc.
C-Tech is the premier developer and manufacturer of proven educational programs and training aids. Our primary goal is to prepare students for jobs or additional education by employing a unique entry-level, hands-on, gender-neutral approach to training. Our graduates are certified as Network Cabling Specialists or Voice Communication Professionals. We have established a network of independent Certified Training Facilities (CTFs) as well as standards for the certification of instructors and students. With a 98% completion rate and a 90% certification rate, C-Tech has trained and certified over 40,000 individuals throughout the country and overseas. Employers recognize our training programs as up-to-date, educationally sound, and practically grounded. These programs are aligned to National and state educational standards.
Website: http://www.c-techtraining.com

About D-Tools
D-Tools is a worldwide leader in accessible, highly accurate system design software. The company, founded in 1998 and based in Concord, California, offers a wide range of products and services created to simplify the complicated design, engineering, documentation and estimating processes that accompany residential and commercial installation projects of any size. Over 2,000 leading companies use D-Tools software to reduce time and costs and streamline the system integration process.

D-Tools is the recipient of the Consumer Electronics Association’s Mark of Excellence Award (2004, 2005, 2006), National Systems Contractors Association and Sound and Video Contractor’s Innovations in Technology for Business Productivity Award (2004, 2005) and CE Pro’s High Impact Award for Design Software. http://www.d-tools.com

Carlini’s Comments, MidwestBusiness.com’s oldest column, runs every Wednesday. Its mission is to offer the common man’s view on business and technology issues while questioning the leadership and visions of “pseudo” experts.

While there are a lot of pros and cons on statewide franchise agreements for AT&T’s Project Lightspeed, what about universal service?

Sometimes, though, people don’t grasp the total picture. As the famous line in the film “Cool Hand Luke” states: “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” There are many people who are becoming overnight pseudo experts on this issue.

It really needs to be viewed in a less emotional light and more from a pragmatic, long-term economic development perspective. While there are definitely pros and cons for moving to a statewide agreement, that agreement must be well laid out if the state wants buy-in from the municipalities.

What also should be put into the equation but isn’t is the state’s own lack of a broadband initiative. This is crippling the future of the state’s viability. Though there are some well-intentioned attempts to assemble a statewide broadband initiative in HB 1258, this bill’s approach is not amenable to local municipalities.

The major flaw with this bill is that it can grab up any asset the state has partially funded. For example, say a municipality initiates a light-pole replacement program and gets 5 percent of it funded from the state. The state can then acquire the use of those poles for antenna mounts for a broadband network because those poles were partially funded by the state.

If the state is making money on that network, is the municipality going to share in that revenue? How is it going to be divided? Has any of this been thought out? The short answer is no. That approach is flawed and is not going to fly with the local municipalities.

The non-acceptance by municipalities on the HB 1500 video franchise bill will be repeated on HB 1258 for some of the same reasoning. You have to have participation on the decisions and directions set for use of infrastructure and rights of way. If revenues are involved, who gets what?

One faction is stating that the statewide franchise agreement would pull the rug out from local municipalities. There have been articles written about some of the issues that make this agreement controversial. Here is one that focuses on Mayor Daley’s opposition:

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, which is an Illinois coalition of local leaders that includes [Mayor] Daley, has come out in opposition to a new bill introduced to the Illinois General Assembly that would allow cable and telecommunications companies to bypass the local video franchising process.

Fortunately for consumers, the bill does have some teeth; unfortunately, those teeth have been filed down to dull nubs.

Take the contentious issue of build-out requirements as an example. The proposed law does in fact require certain build-out provisions. Any company with more than 1 million lines that takes out a state franchise must offer service to 40 percent of people in its service area within six years.

While this is better than nothing, it pales in comparison to most municipal requirements, which generally require an even higher level of service to ensure that all residents of the town get some value out of the commonly owned rights of way.

If the mayors are worried about HB 1500, they should also be worried about HB 1258. If AT&T’s offering is not cable, then is it not subject to the Cable Franchise Act. I have always said that its service was never legally defined as cable.

Even so, let’s stop using that as an argument. AT&T’s own attorney at an Illinois hearing on March 8, 2007 said the following:

Because we are operating our telecommunications network and the service we are providing is a two-way interactive protocol, it is not a cable service.

The technology in our industry is moving so fast that when I was here two years ago testifying before you on different topics – less exciting topics – IP TV didn’t even exist.

This is next-generation, cutting-edge technology to upgrade [our] telecommunications infrastructure. Because it is ahead of regulation, there is a technical argument as to whether or not this particular service is a cable service.

We are not providing cable service. We are upgrading our telecommunications network.

According to AT&T’s attorney, the company is just upgrading its telecom infrastructure. If it is part of the telecom infrastructure as he states, aren’t they subject to the requirements of the Universal Service Fund and required to build out 100 percent especially if they are accepting funds out of the Universal Service Fund?

Are they differentiating the use of funds for “regular phone service” and Project Lightspeed? Is there even a difference any more? AT&T says they are just upgrading what is already there. Isn’t what’s already there carrying universal service? Is anyone really checking the books?

James Carlini will present how he pioneered measuring building intelligence
at the second-annual Building Automation Conference in Baltimore on March 21.
Also, check out his blog at CarlinisComments.com.

The Newest Edition (22nd) Of Newton's Telecom Dictionary By Harry Newton Is A Must Have Resource

We recently reviewed the newest updated and expanded edition of Newton's Telecom Dictionary by Harry Newton. This 22nd edition is offered by Flatiron Books. With more than 745,000 copies sold, we rate this essential resource publication with five stars (which is also the rating it has on Amazon.) If you are involved in IT, communications, cabling, or facilities management, you don't want to leave home without it. www.flatironbooks.com

It has long been suspected that common installation practices are a contributing factor to network cabling performance. Now a collaborative effort among cable manufacturers, testing equipment manufacturers, installation process engineers, and industry consultants has initiated a study to determine just what the contributing installation factors may be.

The structured cabling industry is experiencing several new technologies, including the highly publicized introduction of proposed augmented category 6 (category 6A) UTP cables, operating at frequencies up to 500 MHz to support 10 gigabit Ethernet over a 100 m channel. At these higher frequencies, category 6A cables require improvements in several performance parameters to meet specifications for 10 gigabit Ethernet applications. This stretches the limits of cable design, which may make them more sensitive to the affects of mishandling during installation.

This study was conducted to examine how bend radius under load impacts the performance of category 6A cables and to establish a practical minimum bend radius under load that accommodates the full range of today’s communication cables.

Minimum bend radius for four-pair unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) communications cables is the minimum radius around which the cable can bend without altering the geometry of the cable to the extent that its electrical performance is adversely affected. At the higher operating frequencies of category 6A cables, variations in the geometry of the cable can have an even greater effect. While bend radius is a concern for cables at rest, it is even more of a concern for cables during installation because tensile force places more stress on the cable.

In this study, five different manufacturer’s category 6A cables were subjected to various bend radii during installation using current and accepted methods. While cabling standards for category 6A cable are not yet finalized, this cable type was chosen because it represents the latest technology from cable manufacturers, and it currently has the largest diameter among four-pair UTP cables (up to 0.354 inches).

It was essential that this study establish a minimum bend radius under load that accommodates all categories of four-pair UTP cable. Minimum bend radius has a direct correlation to the diameter of a cable – the larger the cable, the larger the minimum bend radius. In other words, if a minimum bend radius under load does not impact the performance of the larger category 6A cable, it will not impact smaller diameter cables such as category 5e and category 6 UTP.

In this study, cable performance tests were performed on all four pairs of each manufacturer’s cable without the use of connectors or patch cords, which would introduce additional variables. Testing was conducted using leading test equipment with appropriate lab adapters and advanced software that enabled testing only the cable and isolating the impact of bend radius under load by eliminating any variability introduced by operator error or termination. To obtain accurate results, all performance testing was conducted by technicians with specific knowledge and expertise in the use of the test equipment.

The cables used for each variable in this study were 40 m (130 ft) in length, which represents an average horizontal cable run in premise installations. To provide a baseline for analyzing final results, a 40 m sample under no tensile load was tested from each reel prior to installation. To subject the cables to different bend radii using current and accepted installation methods, 40 m lengths of each manufacturer’s category 6A cable were pulled into the pathway over various sized rods and rollers. Following installation using each rod and roller size (see variables in Table 1), the four pairs were tested for insertion loss, crosstalk, return loss, propagation delay and delay skew parameters for frequencies up to 500 MHz as defined by the IEEE 802.3an 10-GBASE-T standard and proposed TIA draft addendum 10 of the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2 standard.

Steps	Variable (Diameter)	Description	Rationale
1	Baseline Test	40 m unrolled on the floor, loosely and as straight as possible with no applied tension.	Used with in-house testing specs as a baseline for analyzing final results
2	Cable Tray Edge	Cable tray edge is approximately the same diameter as the category 6A cable itself.	Technicians have been known to use cable tray edge as a guide for pulling the cable into the pathway.
3	1-Inch Rod	Provides a bend radius less than twice the diameter of category 6A cable.	Technicians have used whatever is the most convenient tool to guide cables, including a broomstick or one-inch rod.
4	2-Inch Rod	Provides a bend radius smaller than 4 times the diameter of category 6A cable.	A 2-inch rod is commonly used because its radius is four times the diameter of category 5e and category 6 cables (as specified in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568B.2).
5	3-Inch Rod	Provides a bend radius 4 times the diameter of category 6A cables.	If the “four times diameter” rule is truly sufficient, the 3-inch rod should show no degradation of failure of testing parameters.
6	4.25-Inch Rod	Provides a bend radius 6 times the diameter of category 6A cable.	The 568B-2.10 draft standard had a placeholder of 8X the cable diameter, and the test needed to cover all radii.
7	5.75-Inch Rod	Provides a bend radius 8 times the diameter of category 6A cable.	The 568B-2.10 draft standard had a placeholder of 8X the cable diameter, and the test needed to cover all radii.
8	2-Inch Roller	Provides a bend radius smaller than 4 times the diameter of category 6A cable.	Tests using rollers (dynamic) versus rods (static) were performed to determine if reduced friction plays a role in how the bend radius affects performance.
9	3-Inch Roller	Provides a bend radius 4 times the diameter of category 6A cable.	Tests using rollers (dynamic) versus rods (static) were performed to determine if reduced friction plays a role in how the bend radius affects performance.

Table 1: Test Variables Using 40 m Cable Lengths from Five Cabling Manufacturers

It was important to recreate a typical installation setup used by technicians in the field on a daily basis (see Figure 1). Conducted at a room temperature of 70° F (20° C), setup included a cable spool supported by a spool support rack with a tension-controlling device. To maintain constant control of tension on each cable, cables were pulled into the cable tray manually, one at a time, using a straight path with no obstacles. During installation, pulling was monitored with the tension meter to prevent exceeding a pulling tension of 25 lbf, which is the standard specified limit. While tensile pressure often exceeds the 25 lbf limit in the field, this study kept all factors within industry specifications. Throughout the installation, a series of digital cameras were utilized for visual validation and photographic verification.

While testing was performed for all critical performance parameters, the results showed that bend radius under tensile load only significantly affected the return loss parameter. While insertion loss, crosstalk, propagation delay, and delay skew performance parameters can be marginally influenced by bend radius, these parameters are primarily impacted by the construction of the cable and the effects of introducing connectors and patch cords, which were eliminated from this study. In fact, the test results showed that several of the category 6A cables exhibited very high performance for these parameters, which demonstrates that manufacturers have managed to design and develop high-quality category 6A cables.

On the other hand, return loss was significantly affected in this study. Calculated in decibels, return loss is the ratio of the power of the outgoing signal to the power of the signal reflected back. The larger the value when expressed in positive dB, the less the signal is reflected. In a full duplex system, any signal reflected back interferes with the signal moving in the opposite direction.

Figure 2 represents the maximum return loss parameters for category 6A cable operating up to 500 MHz as currently specified in the proposed TIA draft addendum 10 of the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2 standard. To meet the draft standard, a category 6A cable must not exceed the return loss specification over the entire frequency range.

Figures 3 and 4 show the return loss results for the worst-case scenario. The graphs show the limits per the draft standard and test results of pair 4-5 from a single manufacturer for each event. The polynomial lines are used to show the trend of the data line results. Starting at frequencies below 100 MHz, the 3-inch, 4-inch and 5-inch diameter rods demonstrated a significant increase in return loss perfor