fibre optic & copper cabling
SPECIAL FEATURE
So all of our problems are solved ! Well , not quite . We still have the problems associated with using cardboard as the primary packaging material , a product that is fundamentally made of paper and has all of the properties of that material when it comes to strength and resistance to water .
So what should we be looking for when choosing a box of cable ?
Inevitably the often over-riding factor is price but this may well prove to be a false economy . Firstly we should be checking the performance of the cable in order to ensure that it is fit for purpose . Look for independent accreditation of performance from a recognised third party test laboratory . After all , it ’ s no good waiting until the cable has been installed and tested to find out that it fails to meet the standards or provide the necessary amount of headroom .
Secondly , look at how much copper there is in the cable . We are all aware of the dangers and pitfalls of copper coated aluminium and , thankfully , most of the cowboys selling this noncompliant product have now been run out of town . However , there are still other important factors to consider when looking at how much copper ( the AWG or conductor diameter ) there is in the cable . Not least of these is Power Over Ethernet ( PoE ) and the requirement for the cable to not just deliver data signals , but also power to the end point device . The more power that the end point device requires , the more current must flow through the cable and the smaller
the copper conductors then the greater the build-up of heat . This build-up of heat causes an increase in attenuation which acts as a restriction on the flow of the data signals down the cable and can even , in extreme cases , lead to the complete failure of the cable .
Thirdly , look at the packaging . After all , there ’ s no point in saving a few quid on each box of cable if , when you get to site , the packaging falls apart , the boxes tear when they are lifted and the cable
continually snags as it is pulled from the boxes . All of these things will end up taking time to resolve and will cost more in lost productivity than you will have saved by purchasing the lower cost cable . Look for cables that are coiled using the new Reelex II technique , look for boxes that have taped seams and joints to stop them from coming open . Look for boxes that have a minimum of three and , preferably more , layers of cardboard in the handle area and look for boxes that have a plasticised coating on the outside that will make them resistant to water should they be accidentally left out in a shower of rain .
By considering these three factors , as well as the price , it will be possible to source a product that installs and performs well and will , ultimately ensure that you spend less time on site , making your engineers more productive and your business more profitable .
21