Cabling Chronicles
What Is Return Loss?
Return loss is the ratio of signal power injected from a source compared to the amount that is returned or reflected back toward the source. It is a critical performance parameter in both copper twisted pair and fiber optic cabling systems, because it can interfere with the transmitted signal and can contribute to an increase in the measured insertion loss (the amount of power that a that a signal loses as it travels along a cable link).
February 14, 2023
Three Reasons Cabling Certification Is More Important Than Ever
Every time you complete the installation of a structured cabling system, you can choose whether to certify it. All links in the system should be tested in some way to make sure that they’re connected properly, but is it necessary to measure and document the performance of every link?
January 5, 2023
Is cabling technician training (CCTT) certification worth it?
Staying on top of the critical technological developments in network cabling infrastructure helps you — and your company — stay current and competitive. One way to do that is to participate in an accredited training and certification program, like Fluke Networks Certified Cabling Test Technician™ Training (and new for 2022, Recertification Training).
November 25, 2022
Why FiberLert Is a Game Changer in Fiber Optics
As the leading provider of instructor-led training for fiber optic technicians, Light Brigade was an obvious choice to give us feedback during the development of the FiberLert™ Live Fiber Detector. Recently, Sean Kelly, RCDD, CFHP, and Technical Director at Light Brigade, wrote down his thoughts about the tool now that it’s on the market.
November 17, 2022
Best cable tracing and tracking methods
Although contractors spend a great deal of time and care designing and labeling cable installations, everyone who works on cabling runs into instances where they’re not sure where a cable goes. Perhaps the cable wasn’t labeled correctly when it was installed. Or maybe it was a technician’s "temporary" addition that has lasted for years. Learn which cable toners, identifiers, network cable testers and probes can help you cut the time you spend figuring out where that cable actually goes.
August 16, 2022
Beat the Heat with Versiv™ Cool Features
It seems no matter where you live – the plains, the east coast, the UK or even our typically-cool Pacific northwest – the news is all about record-setting heat. Worse, a lot of our favorite coping methods are unavailable – gas makes it too costly to go to the beach or mountains, pools are closed due to lifeguard shortages, and now you can´t even help yourself to an ice-cold Choco Taco.
August 8, 2022
Faster Networks Demand More Accurate Measurements
Today’s high-tech data centers form the digital heart of communication and commerce in our world. But every industry has its “remember when” stories, and there's no better time than now to tell them.
June 21, 2022
What’s Happening with Single-Pair Ethernet?
It’s been a few years since the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) introduced the IEEE 802.3cg-2019 single-pair Ethernet (SPE) 10 Mb/s standards. There’s been a lot of industry activity and collaboration surrounding the technology since then — so we thought it would be a good time for an update on the status of Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE).
June 16, 2022
Choosing Stranded vs. Solid Wire Cable
You’re probably aware that both shielded and unshielded twisted-pair copper cable comes in either stranded or solid wire versions. There are plenty of considerations when it comes to choosing one or the other, including standards, environment, application, and cost. Let’s take a look at the differences and considerations, so you can decide which cable type is right for your specific installation.
June 13, 2022
LinkIQ: Your Essential Network+Cable Tester
In a 2021 Network Field Report that surveyed more than 350 IT professionals, more than 70% said that network configurations happen daily, several times a week, or weekly. Nearly 50% of respondents also said they spend at least half of their time on reactive network tasks like troubleshooting, mapping, and configuration—leaving little time for strategic technology planning and digital transformation.
June 9, 2022
