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FOR PROFESSIONALS MANAGING THE CABLE AND WIRELESS

SEPTEMBER 2018 SYSTEMS THAT ENABLE CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS

HIGH-PERFORMANCE

PRETERM
OPTIONS PAGE 5

R&D PAGE 26

Multimode fiber fact


and fiction
DESIGN PAGE 32

System designs for


PoE lighting
PRODUCT PREVIEW PAGE 36

What you’ll find at


the BICSI show
w w w.c a b li n g i n s t a ll .c o m

1809CIM_C1 1 8/22/18 8:36 AM


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1809CIM_C2 2 8/22/18 8:36 AM


CONTENTS S E P T E M B E R 2 018
vol. 26, no. 9

ABOUT THE COVER


Several flavors of preterminated
solutions exist, including the
fiber pigtails shown here.
HellermannTyton's David
Rifkin provides details.
SEE ARTICLE ON PAGE 5.

FOR SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES:


Tel: (800) 869-6882; Fax: (866) 658-6156
International Callers: +1 512-982-4277
www.cim-subscribe.com; e-mail: CIM@kmpsgroup.com

Group Publisher Alan Bergstein


(603)-891-9447; alanb@pennwell.com
Chief Editor Patrick McLaughlin
(603) 891-9222; patrick@pennwell.com
Senior Editor Matt Vincent
(603) 891-9262; mattv@pennwell.com
Art Director Kelli Mylchreest

FEATURES Production Director Mari Rodriguez


Senior Illustrator Christopher Hipp
Marketing Manager Joni Montemagno

5 TECHNOLOGY 21 DATA CENTER Audience Development Manager Debbie Bouley


Ad Services Manager Alison Boyer Murray
Preterminated cabling: Higher- Cooling approaches run the gamut
www.pennwell.com
performance solutions PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN
EDITORIAL OFFICES
DAVID RIFKIN Cabling Installation & Maintenance
26 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 61 Spit Brook Road, Suite 401, Nashua, NH 03060

11 INSTALLATION
Tel: (603) 891-0123, www.cablinginstall.com
Differences between multimode
CORPORATE OFFICERS
Testing for today's applications fiber types: Fact versus fiction Chairman Robert F. Biolchini, 1939-2017
Vice Chairman Frank T. Lauinger
PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN DR. RICK PIMPINELLA President and Chief Executive Officer
Mark C. Wilmoth
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development
15 FIBER OPTICS 32 DESIGN and Strategy Jayne A. Gilsinger
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
Fast MPO connector inspection PoE-powered lighting approaches Officer Brian Conway

means opex reduction and considerations TECHNOLOGY GROUP


Senior Vice President, Publishing Director & CMO
MAURY WOOD PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN June Griffin

DEPARTMENTS Cabling Installation & Maintenance ® (ISSN 1073-3108), Volume 26, No. 9.
Cabling Installation & Maintenance is published 12 times a year, monthly by

3 36
PennWell® Corporation, 1421 S. Sheridan, Tulsa, OK 74112. Periodicals postage
paid at Tulsa, OK 74112 and at additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTION
EDITORIAL BICSI PREVIEW PRICES: USA $84 1yr., $140 2 yr.; Canada/Mexico $96 1 yr., $160 2 yr.;
International $108 1 yr., $180 2 yr.; Digital $60. POSTMASTER: Send
Hope to see you soon address corrections to Cabling Installation & Maintenance, P.O. Box 47570,

48
Plymouth, MN 55447. Cabling Installation & Maintenance is a registered
trademark. © PennWell Corporation 2018. All rights reserved. Reproduction
INFRASTRUCTURE INSIGHTS in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. We make portions of our

35
subscriber list available to carefully screened companies that offer products and
PRODUCT FOCUS Tracking passive optical LANs services that may be important for your work. If you do not want to receive those
offers and/or information via direct mail, please let us know by contacting us at
List Services Cabling Installation & Maintenance, 61 Spit Brook Rd, Suite 401,
Fire-resistive cables Nashua, NH 03060. Printed in the USA. GST No. 126813153. Publications Mail
Agreement no. 1421727.

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EDITORIAL

W H AT 'S N E W AT
www.cablinginstall.com
Hope to see
you soon
STANDARDS
LiFi standards effort begins Where can you find dozens of cabling products
and systems available for your perusal, with the
opportunity to get more-detailed information
if you'd like? A few places, actually. One place is
the lengthy set of pages toward the back of this
month's issue. Another place will be at the BICSI
Fall Exhibition in San Antonio, Texas taking place
NETWORK CABLE September 10 through 12.
High-density ribbon-fiber PATRICK McLAUGHLIN It's not a coincidence that you'll find this infor-
platform patrick@pennwell.com mation in both places. We reached out to the com-
panies and organizations that will exhibit at the
BICSI show and asked them to share with us, so we could share with you, what
they'll have on display in their booths. We were pleased with the response, so
keep flipping for the opportunity to see 12 pages filled with what's on deck at
BICSI. For those of you who will attend the show, we hope you'll find the section
to be a worthwhile preview, and we hope it prompts some meaningful discus-
WIRELESS sions with product and system providers. Each organization's booth number is
China outspending U.S. listed so you'll know where to find them.
in 5G race Also if you'll attend (or if you're at the conference and expo right now as you
read this), please stop by and see us. We'll be at Booth 403 throughout the exhi-
bition times on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Of course we realize not everyone can attend such a gathering. So we made
the "BICSI preview" section interactive to an extent. For those of you who re-
ceive and read this magazine in digital format, each description contains a live
TESTING link to a web page where you can find more information on the specific product
Pocket-sized coaxial line, or on the company or organization. For the stalwarts who like the feel of
continuity tester glossy paper in their hands and don't mind ink smudges here and there, so pre-
fer to receive the magazine printed and snail-mailed, we've included the web ad-
PROJECT MANAGEMENT dress for each organization. Not exactly "interactive," but I believe the collection
Concert hits milestone of products and systems described on those 12 pages can open the door to use-
400,000th rollout project ful and productive interactions between you the reader, and some of the solu-
tions providers serving our industry today.
If I don't see you at the BICSI show, I hope you'll consider letting me, and your
peers, see some of the work you have accomplished. Our online "must-see pho-
tos" section has no shortage of train-wreck cabling messes. But it also includes
makeover images, displaying before-and-after photos of cabling nightmares met
and conquered. If you deserve some bragging rights for your work, email them
to me. I, and others, are eager to see what you've accomplished.

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 3

1809CIM_3 3 8/22/18 8:34 AM


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1809CIM_4 4 8/22/18 8:34 AM


technology

Preterminated connectivity:
Higher-performance solutions
Several preterminated solution types are available, period. Standards were used more for
each with its own benefits for data connectivity. reference than certification.
Now, consider the current state of
BY DAVID RIFKIN, HellermannTyton North America the art. Today’s networks achieve up to
400-Gbit/sec links instead of 500 MHz,
running kilometers instead of meters to
connect equipment. Along with the ad-
Think back to the dawn of network con- The process was labor-intensive and vent of Power over Ethernet and short-
nectivity. Installers set up and deployed inconsistent, relying on each installer wave division multiplexing (SWDM),
networks using cable assemblies fully understanding their part. They had to quality, reliability and consistency be-
manufactured onsite. This involved follow the proper processes for each step come paramount to not only func-
mixing and matching the available com- and use appropriate tooling or fixtures tioning, but also to avoid costly up-
ponents and relying on their wits to se- to complete and verify the installation. grades every time a new technology
lect, purchase, receive, measure, cut, In those days, performance wasn’t is implemented.
terminate, inspect and test (or at least the driving force behind a network in-
most of those steps) to piece together a stallation. Low bandwidth and short What does preterminated
one-of-a-kind network link or full con- distances were commonplace, and really mean?
nectivity solution. good enough to work was good enough, Put simply, preterminated refers to com-
mercially available, factory-assembled
cabling solutions with the connectors
already attached.
However, preterminated solutions
come in several flavors. It’s important to
know just how much of the solution is
truly “open and install.”
Factory-manufactured cable as-
semblies such as copper pigtails,
whips, trunks, permanent links, mod-
ular cassettes and fiber patch cords
are the ultimate in preterminated op-
tions. Reputable cable assembly houses
or factories typically employ a wide va-
riety of fixtures, termination and pol-
ishing tools, automated machine and
Direct-connect solutions like HellermannTyton’s RapidNet, shown here, reduce state-of-the-art inspection and measur-
complexity and cost for structured cabling deployments. This article looks at the ing tools, all of which lead to the ability
considerations to make when choosing a preterminated system. to manufacture assemblies consistently,

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 5

1809CIM_5 5 8/22/18 8:34 AM


Factory-terminated cable assemblies typically include inspection and test results, which provide the network installer and
owner peace of mind that the assemblies will work the first time.

reliably, with high efficiency and lower Planning, however, needs to be taken have a spool of cable and a stock of fac-
overall costs. seriously when using factory-manufac- tory-terminated pigtails; can run the
These assemblies usually include in- tured solutions to ensure the right as- cable as needed through conduit, trays
spection and test results, giving the net- semblies are selected with the proper or walls; cut cable to the exact length
work installer and owner peace of mind. polarity and in the needed lengths— and still have the benefit of near-factory
Besides the assumed high quality of plan twice, order once. A “figure-it-out- manufactured reliability and perfor-
workmanship, testing means the assem- as-you-go” approach ultimately will lead mance. The downside to this method is
blies will work the first time. to extra costs and delayed installations that the installer must own or rent a fu-
Eliminating onsite assembly ter- to order or reorder the more appropri- sion splicer, precision fiber cleaver and
minations can be a significant bene- ate materials or figure out a way to deal the skill set needed to perform, identify
fit. Reduced installation times, trouble- with excessive slack. and protect a good splice.
shooting and rework mean substantial Splice-on preterminated fiber Some fusion splicers are extremely
cost savings over do-it-yourself projects. pigtails are the next best thing to facto- basic (even manual), while others fea-
Many factory-made solutions will ry-manufactured solutions. This model ture automation as well as greater
further reduce onsite labor, including uses factory-assembled cable ends made speed, costing a couple thousand dol-
patch and trunk, preinstalled enclo- using the same precision fixtures, termi- lars to more than $50,000. Fusion
sures, direct connect trunking and mod- nation and polishing tools, automated splices must be protected—within a
ular-style cassette solutions that provide machines and state-of-the-art inspec- splice tray or other purpose-designed
different levels of both preterminated tion and measuring tools, but with just a enclosure—to prevent bending and
and preconfigured networking. short length of cable. other stresses from adversely affect-
Preconfigured direct connect solu- Pigtails allow bulk or unterminated ing long-term performance. This op-
tions are further able to reduce con- optical cable to be installed from point tion may not be practical for the occa-
nection losses by minimizing the num- to point and can be cut to the exact sional installer but could be beneficial
ber of connection points. Preterminated length needed. An optical fusion splicer for more active installation compa-
and fixed cabled cassettes simplify the permanently connects the bulk fiber ca- nies. This method can cost somewhat
installation while still providing the ble to the factory-terminated and pol- more than using fully factory-termi-
granularity needed to be flexible in ished pigtail ends. The greatest benefit nated solutions, but it provides the
the deployment. to using this method is the installer can flexibility to measure or re-measure

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Preterminated connectivity: Higher-performance solutions continued

lengths at the time of cabling to ensure a pre-cleaved and factory-polished fi- these mechanical solutions tend to have
minimal slack and maximum installa- ber stub, allowing the bulk cable fiber a much wider loss range and are more
tion flexibility. to be precision cleaved and inserted. susceptible to mechanical stresses such
Splice-on connectors are a hybrid be- The fiber is accepted through the con- as cable pulling, side loading or extreme
tween pigtails and factory-terminated nector body into an alignment tube or temperature variation.
connectors, providing the flexibility and V-groove that aligns the cleaved fiber This solution is significantly more ex-
pensive than the standard field-termi-
Preterminated solution feature Benefit nation connectors or factory-manufac-
Speed of deployment Unpack, route, plug-in tured assemblies but requires minimal
Significantly less onsite labor Faster site installation
tooling and no polishing, making it fast
Consistently high quality First-pass certification is typical
to install. Care must be taken to select
Lower insertion losses Guaranteed to meet industry performance standards
Fewer onsite consumables and tools Lower deployment costs and less cleanup
and use the proper fiber type as each
Preconfigured options Reduces troubleshooting due to polarity issues connector is assembled with a specific
Factory-grade termination and testing Long-term reliability fiber, i.e., multimode needs to be speci-
Economies of scale Lower overall installed costs using factory terminations fied as OM1, OM2, or OM3/OM4.
Preconfigured solutions are de-
performance of a splice-on pigtail solu- with the preterminated fiber stub, most signed specifically for data networking
tion but the convenience of not needing using some form of index matching gel applications. They are provided with as-
a place to store and protect the splice to improve the optical light transfer semblies terminated and, in some cases,
long-term. The connectors are slightly and performance. Removing or activat- factory loaded into enclosures, housings
longer and factory polished like the pig- ing a mechanical clip or wedge, the fi- or modular cassettes. Benefits include
tailed solution, but instead of having ber is mechanically held into alignment advanced polarity management (mak-
the fiber cable exit the connector, the with the internal fiber stub. ing sure the light travels to the right po-
bare fiber is cleaved within the connec- This method benefits from the per- sition within a connector and to the
tor body during the factory-termination, formance of a factory termination and port it is defined for), modular break-
creating a fiber stub. polish, but does have a wider variation outs, fiber aggregation trunking, fiber
Splice-on connectors do require spe- in performance due to the varying qual- demarcation and ability to support fu-
cialized fusion splicers that stage the ity of the cleave and the process of in- ture upgrades.
connector on one side and provide align- serting the fiber into the connector. Depending on the needs of the de-
ment for the bulk cable on the other. The Because the fiber is not epoxied in place, ployment, preconfigured solutions can
fusion splice is completed within the
connector, typically through specialized
ports on the side, creating a reliable fi-
ber connection. As with the pigtail solu-
tion, performance can vary based on the
quality of the bulk cable cleave and the
installation process, but once installed,
these assemblies are used the same as a
factory-terminated assembly.
Preterminated connectors, also
known as prepolished or mechani-
cal splice-type connectors, also per-
mit the use of bulk cables and provide
factory-polished endfaces but elimi-
nate the need for the expensive fusion Preterminated fiber pigtails use factory-assembled cable ends that are made
splicers and local electricity. They have using the same precision fixtures, termination and polishing tools, automated
a mechanical splice integrated into machines and state-of-the-art inspection and measuring tools, with a shorter
the back of the connector body with length of cable.

8 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_8 8 8/22/18 8:34 AM


Preterminated connectivity: Higher-performance solutions continued

be focused toward lower cost, lower


losses, better fiber utilization, chang-
ing media, as well as future upgrades
and expansion. Modular cassettes can
eliminate installation labor and trouble-
shooting. Direct-connect solutions re-
duce complexity and loss. Trunk cables
reduce congestion. And breakout mod-
ules or assemblies allow easy conversion
to the equipment interface.

Things to consider when


choosing your cabling Preterminated connectors, also known as prepolished or mechanical splice-style
Up-front cable run planning is a must connectors, benefit from the performance of a factory termination and polish,
when using a preterminated or pre- but have a wider variation in performance because of varying cleave quality, and
configured solution. If the wrong fiber, the process of inserting the fiber into the connector.
length, connector, performance or fiber
count are selected, count on significant technician carrying a tool kit, polishing of the system, but also allow future up-
additional costs and installation time. tool and fault locator to the jobsite. grades while staying within budget. u
The saying, “Measure twice and cut Selecting the proper preterminated
once,” (or in this case, order once) ap- and/or preconfigured solution will not David Rifkin is product category manager for
datacom at HellermannTyton North America.
plies to infrastructure cabling. Too only improve the overall performance
short, and the cable can’t be connected;
too long, and slack cable storage be-
comes a concern.
Also consider material cost versus in-
stalled cost. How much labor would be
needed along with rework, consumables
and troubleshooting compared against
a factory-terminated solution? Hidden
costs can accumulate over the duration
of an installation, reducing profits and
extending on-site deployment and certi-
fication time.
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installation

For today’s applications, testing


is not the same-old same-old
Performance parameters like crosstalk and delay minimum delay-skew requirements.
skew still matter. And now, so does much more. “While equipment can typically resolve
the time differentials between pairs, when
BY PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN the delay skew is too high, it can result
in increased bit error rates and jitter. For
high-resolution RGB video signals where
each color is sent down a separate pair,
When structured cabling systems were (which is really data now anyway) or data too much delay skew can cause a jittery
installed in commercial office spaces to applications like email and file sharing. A picture on a video display. While indus-
support voice lines and data transmis- newly installed link very well may carry try standards require less than 50 nano-
sion such as email, testing those sys- direct-current power as well as data. And seconds (ns) for delay skew, cables that ex-
tems for compliance with specific stan- the data packets it does carry may be far hibit less than 25ns are better for video
dards provided the network owner less tolerant of latency or retransmission applications. And given the ever-increas-
with assurance that the infrastructure than Ethernet is. This is today’s reality for ing use of AV systems in commercial en-
would capably handle the job. The suite cabling systems, and it affects both the terprise environments, many cabling ven-
of tests administered to ensure compli- techniques and the tools used for testing. dors are now offering ‘low-skew’ cables
ance with a standard, like Category 5e with delay skew values closer to 2 or 3 ns.”
for example, examined specific electri- AV, MPTL, PoE With regard to conducting tests of
cal-performance characteristics. If the In a recently published technical paper these systems, Fluke Networks says,
cabling system met or exceeded all the titled “AV Cabling Consideration,” Fluke “While there are specific AV tools for
requirements in the Category 5e test Networks says, “To support everything testing resolution, frame rate and other
suite, the user could confidently de- from high-definition video streaming video specifications once systems are
ploy certain applications—most notably and video conferencing, to digital sig- up and running, the cabling infrastruc-
1000Base-T—knowing that the installed nage and content sharing, many of these ture for both HDBase-T and IP-based
cabling system had, via testing, proven applications use the HDBase-T standard, AV systems need to be tested just as they
its ability to withstand the stresses that while others may use Internet Protocol would when deploying an IP-based LAN
1000Base-T would place on it. (IP)-based video. When it comes to de- for voice and data transmission. In fact,
In one sense, not much has changed ploying and testing structured cabling the HDBase-T Alliance specifically states
with twisted-pair copper cabling, test- to support these AV systems, there’s that whichever cable type is deployed, it
ing, and the support of Ethernet applica- more than meets the eye.” must be tested for compliance with the
tions. A system that passes the full suite The paper describes some old-school appropriate TIA standard.”
of Category 6A tests provides assurance electrical characteristics—propagation While the applications running over
of 10GBase-T support. delay and delay skew—that have some twisted-pair cabling have grown and
But in another sense, much has new implications when AV is the appli- changed, so too have the methods by
changed. Chances are, twisted-pair ca- cation of choice. It explains there are which cabling circuits are installed and
bling installed in buildings today will advantages to deploying a cabling sys- used. The modular plug terminated link
have to support more than just voice tem with margin beyond the standard’s (MPTL) is a relevant current example.

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 11

1809CIM_11 11 8/22/18 8:34 AM


For today’s applications, testing is not the same-old same-old continued

Formally recognized in the TIA’s 568.2-D doesn’t necessarily mean the MPTL can Ethernet. In cases like this, as well as in
standard, the MPTL “is nothing more be tested. Depending on the manufac- applications deploying the technology
than an Ethernet cable that is terminated turer of the certifier, the standard chan- Power over HDBase-T, Fluke Networks
with a female socket (jack) on one side nel adapter may not test the plug, result- emphasizes the importance of the elec-
and a male plug on the other,” explains ing in a bad plug or termination that does trical-performance parameter DC resis-
Ideal Networks’ Dan Payerle Barrera in not meet required performance going un- tance unbalance. In its AV-focused pa-
the document “The Rise of Modular Plug noticed. The only way an MPTL can be per, the company states that because
Terminated Links.” But, Barrera warns, properly and accurately tested is with a both HDBase-T and IP-based systems
“Installing is one thing, testing is another. channel adapter that uses the specific deliver DC power via POH and PoE, “DC
“When certifying an MPTL, one centered socket required for certification resistance unbalance is a key parame-
would expect all they need to do is of plugs.” In some cases, he notes, that ter to test for, as too much DC resistance
change the adapters on the certifier so means using a patch-cord test adapter or unbalance can distort a picture.
one end has the test cord with a plug and a test cord with a centered socket. “While too much DC resistance un-
the other end has the adapter with the balance can be avoided by choosing
socket. Unfortunately,” he points out, “it’s Parameters that matter quality cable from reputable manufac-
not quite that simple. Measuring the per- IEEE 802.11-based wireless communi- turers and by ensuring quality work-
formance of the plug at the end of the cation technologies, and IP video cam- manship with consistent terminations,
MPTL takes special care. A non-cen- eras, are the two most commonly refer- it’s a good idea to test for it as it could
tered socket cannot be used to mea- enced end devices that take advantage have a significant impact on the perfor-
sure the performance of a plug. So sim- of MPTLs. In many cases, these de- mance of AV systems. If the difference in
ply changing the adapter on the certifier vices also receive power via Power over DC resistance between two conductors

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1809CIM_12 12 8/22/18 8:34 AM


For today’s applications, testing is not the same-old same-old continued

or between any two pairs is greater than In fall 2017, Netscout Systems Inc. in- “With LinkRunner G2 technicians
the maximum allowed, there’s a pretty troduced LinkRunner G2, an Android- can review installation documentation,
good chance that your HDBase-T and based network tester. The company test loaded PoE and network services,
IP-based video application won’t be pic- explains the tester “accelerates deploy- document the results, and use other
ture perfect.” ments and eliminates finger-pointing by vendor-specific apps to configure and
The coexistence of data and power combining high-wattage PoE and cop- triage connected devices,” according
on twisted pairs has prompted not only per and fiber network connectivity test- to Netscout. u
new emphasis on long-known electrical ing with vendor apps on the Android OS.
characteristics, and new considerations This creates a more-effective workflow. Patrick McLaughlin is our chief editor.

about test equipment’s componentry


and its fitness for the tasks. Data/power
coexistence also has prompted the de-
velopment of new test devices, one of
which is AEM’s TestPro. The company
recently announced that TestPro “re-
ceived Level 2G accuracy certifica-
tion, the highest level specified in TIA-
1152-A and ISO 61935-1 standards for
cable certification testers, from the
ETL/Intertek agency.” AEM boasts of
TestPro’s “six-second Category 6A cer-
tification,” but also emphasizes the tes-
ter’s versatility.
“TestPro can qualify multi-gig link
speeds up to 10GigE and verify loaded
Power over Ethernet up to 90 watts,”
the company said. “With testing for all
three of these essential core functions
[cabling performance, speed capability,
Power over Ethernet] in one platform,
cable contractors and those respon-
sible for deploying IoT-connected de-
vices can quickly understand the prob-
lem’s source.”
Harshang Pandya, general man-
ager of test and measurement at AEM Industry-Leading
International, commented, “Digital
transformation is having a huge impact
Features.
on today’s networks, and the demand Most of which aren’t even in the machine.
for more bandwidth is driving increased
When purchasing a fusion splicer from Sumitomo
use of multi-gig Ethernet over copper ca- Electric Lightwave, not only are you getting access
bling. In addition, sophisticated PoE de- to our industry-leading features inside of the
vices are turning the network switch machine, you’re also receiving top of the line service.
into a power distribution center. With
the TestPro, contractors and network • 24/7/365 Technical Support, Repair and Training
owners can quickly and accurately cer- • Technicians with combined 50+ Years Experience
• 1-2 Day Repair Turnaround Time
tify the cable, qualify link speed, and
• Manufacturer-Direct Services and Rental Programs
validate PoE++.” • Personable & Easy-To-Reach Local Technicians
1-888-SP
www.cablinginstall.com fusionsupport@sumit
201 S. Rogers Lane, Suit

1809CIM_13 13 8/22/18 8:34 AM


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Polarity & Gender change


made easy without opening
the housing

FEATURES Size comparison


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MPO Plus

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1809CIM_Rev_14 14 8/28/18 9:54 AM


fiber optics

Fast MPO connector inspection


means dramatic opex
reduction in the data center
Advancements in technology have made the routers. The high-speed serial
optics found more commonly
inspection process more efficient and user-friendly. in telco networks have evolved
into higher-speed short-reach
BY MAURY WOOD, AFL parallel optics in data cen-
ters. Grouping these parallel
transmit and receive optics
in multifiber cables and con-
The apparently insatiable public de- to overcome the previ- nectors has become best
mand for broadband internet access, ously held concern in practice. The MPO con-
driven largely by widespread on-de- the datacom industry nector (IEC-61754-87; TIA-
mand video streaming, VR augmented that 100 percent connec- 604-5 FOCIS 5) and the
learning proliferation, and high-resolu- tor inspection, even in compatible MTP® connec-
tion image social media sharing (among hyperscale/hyperdense tor from US Conec, have
other rich data-type use cases) is driving network infrastructure emerged as the most popu-
data centers to adopt both denser fiber facilities, is impractical lar multifiber datacom-ori-
cabling architectures and transmission from an operational ex- ented connector types.
equipment offering higher speed optical pense (opex) perspective. One of the practical con-
Ethernet standards. With 12-fiber MPO This notion is now ob- siderations that has enabled
cables (with each fiber carrying 100- solete, as substantiated data center MPO trunk ca-
Gbit/sec data traffic by 2020), the enter- by the industrial, eco- bles to proliferate is the re-
prise value of even a single MPO link is nomic, and technologi- cent availability of ribbon
so high that data center operators are cal dynamics outlined in (or mass) fusion splic-
now realizing that maintaining abso- this article. The FOCIS Lightning ing machines.
lutely pristine connectors is an opera- MPO fiber inspection Bluetooth-connected
tional imperative. Lots of fiber, and system from AFL offers ribbon fusion splicers such
Serendipitously, fast wide field-of- MPO’s emergence an instantaneous as this can splice up to 12
view (i.e. non-mechanical scanning) Modern hyperscale data composite view of the fibers simultaneously in
MPO inspection systems, with IEC centers use hundreds entire endface, up to two about a minute. This level
61300-3-35 standard-compliant au- of thousands of individ- rows of 16 fibers. of operating throughput
to-analysis performance of about one ual optical fibers, typ- makes the installation and
second per fiber, are just now com- ically spanning tens of thousands of maintenance of highly parallel multifi-
ing onto the market in the second half miles in accumulated length, linking ber cabling practical and cost effective,
of 2018. These new rapid multifiber in- compute servers, storage servers and even in the cost-sensitive data center in-
spection systems hold the potential different layers of switches and core dustry segment.

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 15

1809CIM_15 15 8/22/18 11:08 AM


Fast MPO connector inspection means dramatic opex reduction in the data center continued

MPO connector characteristics connector shell, to physically pre- • While some pluggable optical trans-
and complexities vent cabling errors. A fast MPO in- ceiver modules use MPO con-
MPO connectors, unsurprisingly, are spection tool that can handle both nectors (such as popular QSFP28
available with both multimode fibers types (either with different-posi- 100GBase-SR4 type), many others use
(typically with flat ferrules) and single- tion keyed adapter tips or “keyless” duplex LC connectors, so MPO-to-
mode fibers (typically with angled fer- adapter tips) is helpful. duplex LC breakout cables are com-
rules). While this article is not intended • Worldwide technical standards com- mon in the industry. As such, a fast
to be a tutorial on MPO connectivity, mittees (specifically the IEC, the IPC, MPO inspection tool that also offers
there are elements of MPO cabling that and the TIA connector subcommit- a single fiber inspection coupler or
adapter option for LC and duplex LC
connectors can be valuable.
• MPO is a keyed connector, which es-
tablishes an unambiguous fiber num-
bering convention. The MPO con-
nector is said to be “key up” or “key
down” in any particular application.
MPO adapter sleeves, which enable
MPO connectors to be mated, are ei-
ther “key up, key up” (referred to as
“aligned”) or “key up, key down” (re-
ferred to as “opposed”). A fast MPO
inspection tool that has an easy
AFL’s FUSEConnect®, shown here, is an example of a 12-fiber connector. Many method for the user to record key ori-
fiber-networking configurations use only a subset of the fibers available in an entation is helpful to avoid network
MPO connector. polarity problems.
• MPO connectors are typically full du-
should be carefully noted, as they bear tees) have defined MPO connectors plex in application, meaning that half
directly on the feature sets found in with up to 6 rows (72 fibers for MPO- of the fibers are used for transmit
emerging fast MPO inspection tools. 12 and 96 fibers for MPO-16), so fast (TX) and the other half of the fibers
• MPO connectors mate with pins MPO inspection tools should be able are used for receive (RX). Obviously,
(male or jack configuration) and to scale to 6 rows with 16 fibers per it is critically important that, for ex-
holes (female or plug configuration). row with firmware upgrades. Note ample, the TX fibers on a compute
It can be helpful to view at least some that neither MPO-16 nor arrays larger server are connected with the RX fi-
portion of the pins and holes with a than 2 rows have proliferated ex- bers on a top-of-rack or end-of-row
fast MPO inspection tool, as some in- tensively in commercial data cen- Ethernet switch. Typically, data cen-
dustry experts believe that contam- ters as yet. The impetus for MPO-16 ter operators manage this critical po-
ination (such as dust) can migrate came from the early days of the IEEE larity challenge by adhering to one
from the benign pins and holes to the 802.3bs 400G project, which defined consistent cabling scheme across
all-important individual fiber ends 400GBase-SR16 for 100-meter-reach their data center network equip-
over time, in a mechanism thought multimode applications using 25- ment infrastructure. According to
to be caused by fans and other local Gbit/sec NRZ signaling per fiber (25 the TIA-568 specification for MPO
sources of vibration. Gbits/sec x 16 fibers x 2 for TX/RX cabling, there are three methods of
• There are now both MPO-12 (12-fi- duplex = 32 parallel fibers). More re- polarity management—Method A
ber) and MPO-16 (16-fiber) connec- cent 400G physical layer specifica- (straight through), Method B (mir-
tor standards. The MPO-12 key is tions focus on “100G single lambda” ror reverse), and Method C (pair re-
symmetrically aligned to the con- methods using PAM-4 modulation, verse). Multifiber cable polarity is a
nector shell, while the MPO-16 key reducing the parallel fiber count to a complex subject beyond the scope of
is asymmetrically aligned to the more manageable count of 8. this article, but suffice it to say that a

16 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_16 16 8/22/18 11:08 AM


fast MPO inspection tool that assists Base-8 and Base-10 applications
users with polarity management (at
40GBASE-SR4
the facility level) is beneficial. Cloud-
based platforms, which have per-
sistent and nominally incorruptible TX TX TX TX RX RX RX RX
0 1 2 3 3 2 1 0
data storage attributes, can be ideal
in this regard. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
• There are numerous MPO active fi-
ber configurations for which only a
100GBASE-SR10
subset of the fibers available in an (2×12 strand MP0/MTP)
MPO connector are used. One famil-
iar example is referred to as “Base
8” or “Radix 8,” in which the center TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4 fibers (which may or may not be
populated) of an MPO-12 connec- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

tor are unused. An example applica-


tion of Base 8 is 40GBase-SR4, illus-
trated in this article. 100GBase-SR RX RX RX RX RX RX RX RX RX RX
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
also typically uses Base 8 cabling.
Another example MPO active fiber 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

configuration is “Base 10,” in which


the 2 fiber positions on the end of In Base-8 and Base-10 configurations,
an MPO-12 connector are unused. some fibers within the 12-fiber MPO
Fast MPO inspection tools that in- connector are left unusued. If these
clude support for all commonly oc- unused fibers are dirty, they may
curring MPO active fiber configura- cause a “false-negative” problem, in
tion is advantageous, so that “dirty” which the connector fails inspection
fiber ends associated with unused even though the contaminated fibers
fibers do not cause the MPO con- will not affect signal transmission.
nector to fail auto-analysis inspec- Some users prefer to assess all
tion assessments (the dreaded “false fibers, based on the belief that over
negative” problem). Note that some time contamination can migrate to
expert users prefer to assess all fi- adjacent fibers.
bers, in the belief that adjacent con-
tamination can migrate over time Lightning take about one second per fi-
to active fibers. ber end or about 12 seconds for a typical
MPO connector—one full order of mag-
Hyperscales’ overwhelming nitude faster. It is rare to see such a dra-
need for speed matic productivity enhancement from
Previous generations of MPO inspec- one generation of a tool to the next.
tion systems used manual mechanical With a typical hyperscale data center
stages to pan (x axis) and scan (y axis) comprising tens of thousands of con-
these relatively large-area ferrule end- nectors, this dramatic order of mag-
faces. Systems such as the AFL FOCIS nitude acceleration in inspection pro-
Flex take about 10 seconds per fiber end, ductivity moves 100 percent connector
or about 120 seconds for a typical 12-fi- inspection from “too slow and too ex-
ber MPO connector. New fast MPO in- pensive” to “must have,” particularly
spection systems such as the AFL FOCIS when combined with the higher-speed,

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 17

1809CIM_17 17 8/22/18 11:08 AM


Fast MPO connector inspection means dramatic opex reduction in the data center continued

lower-noise-immunity characteristics of Polarity Method


Polarity configurations
PAM-4-based 100G single-lambda trans- B, one of three
port technologies, expected to support Type-B cables standardized polarity
200G, 400G and eventually 800G per methods, employs
MPO-terminated trunk cable by 2020. 1 1 the mirror-reverse
It is productive to roughly estimate configuration shown
the asset value of a single MPO link in here. An MPO
order to gain some insight into the eco- 12 12 inspection tool that
nomic imperative for pristine (100 per- can assist users with
cent cleaned and inspected) hyperscale polarity management
data center connectivity in the 2020 era. is beneficial.
Assuming 100 Gbits/sec per fiber
strand (either 2-wavelength 50G WDM carrying the capacity for 400 subscrib- Capex versus opex in the data center
or 100G single-lambda by 2020), there ers with no statistical undersubscrip- The financial model of a hyperscale
are a couple of short-reach datacom op- tion (a highly conservative model that data center is obviously heavily capi-
tions for duplex 400G on a single Base 8 reduces the estimated 400G link as- tal-intensive. However, once the equip-
MPO terminated cable: IEEE P802.3cm set value). In the United States, it is not ment is capitalized and depreciated, the
400GBase-SR4.2 is a recently proposed uncommon to pay $100 per month for model shifts to operational intensity. For
multimode fiber example; IEEE 802.3bs gigabit fiber-to-the-home broadband turn-up and maintenance operations, a
400GBase-DR4 is an older singlemode service, or $1200 per year. Using these tool that protects and preserves highly
fiber example. These are both PAM-4 estimates, simple math puts the rough valuable assets (e.g., an inspection tool
based port types. At equivalent bit rates, asset value of an MPO-terminated 400G that assures contaminated multifiber
PAM-4 modulation requires 9.6 dB ad- link at US$480,000 per year. A highly connectors will not degrade network
ditional optical signal-to-noise ratio to conservative undersubscription ratio of physical layer performance) and is pro-
achieve the same symbol error probabil- 1:2 puts the rough asset value per 400G ductive enough to avoid high opex costs
ity as the older NRZ modulation method link closer to $1 million revenue per is compelling. Here are two important
used in 8-fiber 100G links. Amidst this year. The value proposition for an in- facts in this regard: 1) A 2002 NTT-AT
shrinking link budget technology trend, expensive fast MPO inspection is very study found that up to 85 percent of fail-
data center managers should carefully compelling based on this sort of rough ures in optical networks are caused by
note that a single 1-micron-diameter cost/benefit analysis. contaminated connector endfaces; and
particle of dust results 2) In 2016, the Ponemon Institute and
in about 0.1 dB of ad- Single- and multiple-row MPO formats Emerson Network Power reported that
ditional connector in- the average cost of a data center outage
Single row plug
sertion loss. With in- Option m = 1
is about $740,000.
sertion loss budgets 0.125 To summarize the desirable aspects
tightening with ev- 0.125 of a fast MPO inspection system be-
er-higher line rates f e d c b a a b c d e f yond baseline specifications, the ideal
there simply is no per- should exhibit the following features
formance margin for Six row plug and characteristics.
Option m = 6
dirty connectors in
0.125
the 2020 hyperscale 0.125 Standards bodies have specified MPO
data center. l k j i h g g h i j k l connectors with up to 16 fibers per
If we assume that l k j i h g g h i j k l row and up to 6 rows per connector.
broadband subscrib- l k j i h g g h i j k l Though neither MPO-16 nor arrays
ers in 2020 will de- l k j i h g g h i j k l larger than 2 rows have proliferated,
mand 1-Gbit/sec l k j i h g g h i j k l nonetheless a fast MPO inspection tool
l k j i h g g h i j k l
home or business ser- should be able to scale at least 6 rows
vice, a 400G link is with 16 fibers per row.

18 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_18 18 8/22/18 8:34 AM


Fast MPO connector inspection means dramatic opex reduction in the data center continued

• Be small, light and ergonomically de- and Base 10, to avoid false-negative operators, with compelling operating ex-
signed for ease-of-use with support pass/fail results pense reduction. Fast MPO inspection
for both exposed ferrule (i.e. patch • Support the reporting of MPO con- should be used by data center techni-
cord) and bulkhead (or socket or nector inspection ideally with PDF cal personnel, not only for maintenance
patch panel or receptacle) inspection. file generation for multi-platform file operations, but also for turn-up opera-
(Either MPO alignment sleeves or fe- compatibility for documentation and tion, to ensure that infrastructure equip-
male-type “plug-in” adapters are ade- invoicing purposes—cloud-based ment and structured cabling is perfectly
quate for patch cord inspection, with platforms are superior in terms of ro- clean and will not degrade the optical sig-
the mechanical precision [no stacked bustness and reliability nal to noise ratio across even short links.
tolerances] of female-type adapter • Support the transfer of images and Fast MPO inspection systems meeting
tips preferred) data to other fiber-optic test instru- all end customer requirements are now
• Offer a composite view of the en- ments, such as OTDRs and loss test available. The dramatic order of magni-
tire MPO connector endface, high- sets, so that inspection results can be tude time savings associated with these
lighting passing and failing fiber merged with test results for compre- systems suggests that previous notions
ends, while providing an optional hensive reports around the economic (opex-oriented) fea-
zoomed-in detailed view of the indi- Multifiber inspection solutions with sibility of 100 percent data center connec-
vidual fiber ends these characteristics will provide many tor objective auto-analysis-based inspec-
• Affordable, ideally less than $5000 years of service for enterprise and hyper- tion must be seriously reconsidered. u
single-unit list price for a full-fea- scale network operators.
tured kit with adapter tips In conclusion, fast multifiber connec- Maury Wood is senior product line manager
for inspection products with AFL’s Test and
and accessories tor inspection using new tools is now
Inspection Division.
• Provide easy connectivity to feasible even for hyperscale data center
Windows-based reporting software
over USB, to mobile apps (both iOS
and Android) over both Bluetooth When it comes to Data Center Cable,
and WiFi, and to a cloud-based work-
flow management platform for data The Light Connection
robustness and ultrahigh availability
• Support UPC and APC ferrule inspec-
is here to help.
tion with appropriate adapter tips TLC is excited to announce the addition
• Provide at least partial visibility of of 96 fiber and 144 fiber armored
MPO pins and holes with a wide field micro-distribution (indoor loose tube)
of view (FoV) to our offerings!
• Support inspection of both MPO-12
and MPO-16 connectors with up to 6 • TLC is currently stocking 144 fiber in
rows of fibers Singlemode, OM3 and OM4

• Support objective (auto-analy- • Eliminates the need for inner duct or conduit
thus saving installation time
sis-based) single-fiber inspection of • Offered in plenum only
LC and duplex LC connectors • Offered in 2mm subunits only
• Support easy recording of MPO con- • Provides added protection in applications that
require it
nector-key orientation to enable easy
• No minimum order quantities for Singlemode,
management of facility-wide cabling OM3 or OM4
polarity, ideally using a cloud-based
workflow management platform for 1–888–571–7111 | (315) 736–7384
high availability and remote manage- sales@thelightconnection.com

ment capability www.thelightconnection.com STRAR OF


GI

• Support all common MPO active fi-


E

SY
UNITED R

STEMS

IS

O 9001

URS is a member of Registrar of Standards (Holdings) Ltd.

ber configurations, including Base 8

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 19

1809CIM_19 19 8/22/18 8:34 AM


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1809CIM_20 20 8/22/18 8:34 AM


data center

Like data center environments,


cooling approaches run the gamut
From Google’s high-profile liquid cooling approach “Liquid cooling is now being deployed in
to techniques employed at the edge, the options many Google data center locations.”
As is the case with data centers, there
for keeping facilities climate-controlled vary.
are the hyperscale- or cloud-level fa-
cilities operated by the likes of Google,
BY PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN Amazon, Alibaba, Microsoft, Apple and
others … and then there’s everyone else,
whose computing, powering, and cool-
ing needs can be dwarfed by the giants.
Recently several data-center-specific circuits, Tensor Processing Units, forced Nonetheless, each data center facility is
media outlets reported that Google de- the change from air cooling to liquid mission-critical to its owner, and cool-
ployed liquid cooling technologies in its cooling. “Ever since TPU 3.0 was intro- ing is a primary consideration for all of
facilities. Among those reporting were duced internally, Google data center them. Plus, “everybody else” isn’t a sin-
datacenterknowledge.com’s Yevgeniy engineers have been busy retrofitting gle demographic. Colocation, enterprise,
Sverdlik, who explained that the power infrastructure to accommodate direct- and edge facilities each present separate
consumption of the company’s third to-chip liquid cooling—and they’ve had opportunities and challenges.
generation of artificial intelligence to move fast,” Sverdlik says, adding,
Colo and whitespace
One colocation facility that counts en-
ergy-efficient cooling among its sell-
ing points is the Lefdal Mine Datacenter
(LMD), located in Norway. It opened in
May 2017 with a 45-megawatt (MW)
cooling capacity available to its custom-
ers. When announcing its opening and
first customers, LMD said its “flexibility
is unique in terms of available space as
well as different technical solutions. The
large space and capacity—16-meter roof
height in the mountain halls—and the
related logistics allow different cost-ef-
fective product solutions. LMD has a po-
tential of 120,000 square meters of white
space and 200-plus MW IT capacity, de-
This photo was taken at the opening of Lefdal Mine Datacenter, May 10, 2017. livered in container solutions or tradi-
The overall modular concept eventually will accommodate up to 1,500 containers tional white space. This enables a pay-
with a cooling output of about 200 megawatts. as-you-grow model.”

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 21

1809CIM_21 21 8/22/18 8:34 AM


Like data center environments, cooling approaches run the gamut continued

Jorne Skaane, LMD’s chief execu- and cost and scalability are in the top • Achieve and maintain annual reduc-
tive officer, commented, “We can facili- four attributes customers use to se- tions in building energy use and im-
tate all known concepts for white space lect a colocation provider.” The company plement energy efficiency measures
solutions, and the facility structure en- cited its own Colocation Data Center that reduce costs
ables a streamlined solution for contain- Usage Report as the source of this infor- • Ensure that new construction and
ers in different shapes and sizes. We can mation. Vertiv introduced the Liebert major renovations conform to ap-
also customize power density, tempera- EFC Indirect Evaporative Freecooling plicable building energy efficiency
ture, humidity, operation equipment, Tier Solution (400 kW capacity), the Liebert requirements and sustainable de-
level, and all related services, ensuring DSE Packaged Freecooling System sign principles
the right solution for all our customers.” (400 kW capacity), and the Liebert DSE • Consider building efficiency when re-
The facility is located “next to a deep, Freecooling System (250 kW capacity) newing or entering into leases; imple-
cold fjord with a stable and ample supply at that time. ment space utilization and optimi-
of price-leading, CO2-neutral hydroelec- Digital Realty’s vice president of global zation practices; and annually assess
tric energy,” LMD added. “It has excellent design, Kevin Dalton, said, “Digital Realty and report on building conformance
links to the local road network, shipping and Vertiv co-developed the new Liebert to sustainability metrics
port, communication and fiber networks, DSE 250-kW solution as an extension of CPI then noted, “Considering data cen-
two local airports and a helipad on site.” the Liebert DSE pumped refrigerant tech- ters are among the most energy-hun-
LMD collaborated with IBM and nology that we used in our data centers gry facilities, both federal and private
Rittal to develop both container and for more than four years. Our solution data centers can benefit from current en-
whitespace facility offerings to custom- helps us achieve our sustainability objec- ergy efficiency strategies.” The company
ers. At the time of the facility’s open- tives and better serve our customers with pointed specifically to its passive cooling
ing, Rittal explained that water from the a cooling technology that reduces energy solutions, and power distribution units
fjord close to the facility is the source consumption, eliminates water usage (PDUs) that can be monitored and man-
of its cooling. “The energy costs are low, for cooling and stabilizes the data center aged, as technologies that can help facili-
and the system achieves a Power Usage thermal environment.” ties achieve these objectives.
Effectiveness of 1.15,” Rittal said. As always, a common thread among The company’s passive cooling solu-
Rittal’s chief executive officer Karl- cooling solutions is efficient energy con- tions “offer innovative airflow manage-
Ulrich Kohler, added, “The Lefdal Mine sumption—whether the facility is a hy- ment techniques, helping data centers
Datacenter project is impressively perscale, colocation, enterprise or edge maximize their cooling efficiencies with-
demonstrating how convenient it can be data center. On May 17, U.S. President out the need for additional CRAC [com-
to establish a secure, efficient and cost-ef- Trump signed Executive Order 13834 puter room air conditioning] units, in-
fective data center in a very short time. Regarding Efficient Federal Operations. row air conditioners or liquid cooling
This solution’s high degree of standard- On its CrossConnect Blog, Chatsworth solutions,” according to CPI.
ization combined with the location ad- Products Inc. (CPI) summarizes some of Additionally, CPI’s eConnect brand
vantages of the western coast of Norway this order’s implications. The order, CPI, PDUs enable data center managers to
result in an excellent total-cost-of-own- says, “establishes streamlined goals for “boost operational efficiency by manag-
ership analysis. Significant cost savings federal energy efficiency, renewable en- ing and monitoring power at the rack and
of up to 40 percent can be achieved com- ergy efficiency, and other aspects of man- device level,” the company says. “Power
pared to a cloud data center, for example, aging operations of federal buildings. management within the data center—
in Germany.” “Through the executive order, the ad- and particularly inside a cabinet—is criti-
ministration will drive continued action cal to ensuring availability of all IT appli-
Collaborative development and focus on increasing efficiency of facil- cations, as well as to minimize the overall
When announcing new cooling systems ities and accomplishing goals in a man- energy footprint of the data center.”
for colocation facilities in late 2017, Vertiv ner that increases efficiency, eliminates
stated, “Nearly 60 percent of enterprise unnecessary use of resources, and pro- At the edge
data center managers report that they tects the environment.” As part of IHS Markit’s ongoing data
will increase their use of colocation and The order specifically lists the follow- center market analysis, analyst Maggie
cloud hosting over the next 12 months, ing goals, among others. Shillington recently issued a brief titled

22 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_22 22 8/22/18 8:34 AM


1809CIM_23 23 8/22/18 8:34 AM
Like data center environments, cooling approaches run the gamut continued

“Designing for the Edge.” In it, she accommodate 36 rack units Chatsworth Products
writes, “Edge has become an exciting of equipment and as much Inc.’s eConnect power
buzzword for data center infrastructure as 25 kW of IT load. distribution units can be
manufacturers. However, for suppliers In May, Vapor IO and monitored and managed as
of edge deployments, the power required BasX Solutions announced a part of a facility’s energy-
and the location of deployment are the cooling system they say was efficiency efforts.
most important considerations for prod- custom-developed for edge
uct design—not solely whether or not it environments. “By integrat- system is advantageous. 3)
is an edge deployment.” ing BasX’s patent-pend- Component-level redundancy
Her analysis further explains that A) ing hyperscale-grade cool- is important because of many
how harsh the environment is, and B) ing system with Vapor IO’s edge facilities’ hard-to-reach
how remote it is, dictate much about the Vapor Edge Module, the locations and lights-out sta-
product characteristics that will deter- companies are able to de- tus. 4) Despite all the above,
mine the selection of a specific product liver the smallest-footprint edge facilities still must be ca-
type or brand. And cooling comes into multi-tenant micro data pable of powering and cool-
play as well. “Active cooling can be placed center with more than 150 ing substantial amounts of
in an enclosure for high-density appli- kW of critical IT load in IT equipment.
cations, like high-performance comput- edge environments,” they “We had to uniquely con-
ing or in environments where the tem- said. “The solution provides figure our cooling system
perature is uncontrollable,” Shillington all the benefits of free and to perform in that compact
explains. “In addition to active cooling economized cooling, which space and create safe and ex-
within the enclosures, the rPDU [rack is today’s gold standard, act air-handling conditions in
power distribution unit] can be leveraged with none of the drawbacks frequently rugged conditions,”
to provide environmental monitoring. associated with outside air said Matt Tobolski, BasX presi-
These environmental monitors can mea- economization or evapora- dent and co-founder.
sure the temperature and humidity out- tive water consumption.” Cooling systems and ap-
side the cabinet, which can be extremely They said the first of proaches, like data center fa-
important for dense power applications, these modules would be de- cilities, are varied and often
which often push the limits of both.” ployed in the third quarter of this cal- customized. Nonetheless, Bill Kleyman,
In her reporting on edge computing, endar year, and they expected to be director of technology solutions for EPAM
IHS Markit’s Shillington also discusses able to deploy them at scale by the Systems and a regular blogger for Upsite
newly introduced products, technolo- fourth quarter. Technologies, recently wrote in an Upsite
gies, and systems that are noteworthy. “BasX has specially adapted their hy- blog post, “Whether you’re working with
In her most recent reporting, Shillington perscale cooling technology to the Vapor a primary data center or an edge location,
referenced Vapor IO, which she explains Edge Module, reconfiguring it for a you need to take into consideration the
“believes that while software is vital for small footprint and remote operation in way you’re delivering power and cooling
edge applications, the related hardware rugged edge locations,” commented Cole to your critical systems. The good news
is equally important.” The company’s Crawford, Vapor IO’s founder and chief is that vendors and partners see the in-
Vapor chamber “encapsulates this dual executive officer. crease concerning rack density and have
focus by creating an edge infrastruc- The companies said that when develop- capable systems which can meet the de-
ture solution that is empowered by the ing this system for edge facilities, they de- mands of the modern data center.
software,” Shillington says. “The Vapor signed according to the following realities “This means working with better rack-
Chamber can contain up to six individ- about edge computing. 1) Edge locations ready cooling solutions, improving air-
ually accessible wedges to keep users’ lack access to on-site water supply, mak- flow within the data center, and even
IT equipment secure from others being ing some water-consuming cooling op- applying modular cooling solutions,”
able to access it.” tions untenable. 2) Because edge data cen- Kleyman advised. u
Each wedge in the cylindrical, ters must exist in a small footprint, a fully
7-feet-high, 9-feet-wide chamber can integrated rather than bolted-on cooling Patrick McLaughlin is our chief editor.

24 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_24 24 8/22/18 8:34 AM


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1809CIM_25 25 8/22/18 8:34 AM


research and development

Differences between
multimode fiber types:
Fact versus fiction
Detailing the actual differences among laser- Due to process variations in the fiber
manufacturing process, there is a rela-
optimized multimode fiber types tively large distribution of MMF band-
widths. Following the fabrication pro-
BY DR. RICK PIMPINELLA, Panduit cess, based on the fiber’s measured
EMB, the fibers are sorted as OM3 and
OM4, where OM3 has an EMB of at least
2000 MHz·km and OM4 has an EMB of
Since the standardization of 10-Gbit/sec but at this time it suffices to say EMB is at least 4700 MHz·km at the measure-
Ethernet (10GBase-SR) and laser-opti- a measure of the MMF’s ability to min- ment wavelength of 850 nm. Therefore,
mized OM3 multimode fiber (MMF) in imize the distortion of the transmitted the only difference between OM3 and
2002, the deployment of MMF has been optical signal as it propagates through OM4 is the minimum guaranteed EMB.
rapidly growing and is now common- the fiber. The higher the EMB, the lower However, EMB alone is not sufficient to
place in most data communication net- the optical signal distortion. predict the performance of an optical
works. However, with the relentless de-
mand for increases in Ethernet data Fig. 1 Optical paths for three possible modes
rates and the need for longer reaches, Fiber core
new MMF types including OM4, OM4+, a)
and OM5 have appeared on the scene, Light path

all touting higher performance. The Optic


axis
questions we address in this article are,
Fiber core
“What are the real differences between b)
these fiber types?” and, “What is fact
Meridian plane Light path
versus fiction?” Here we will discuss the through optic axis
fundamental properties of multimode fi-
ber and explain the actual differences Fiber core
c)
between today’s laser-optimized OM3, Light path
Caustic
OM4, OM4+, and OM5 multimode fiber surfaces
Caustic
types to answer these questions. surfaces
In general, the difference between
MMF types is the minimum bandwidth, Three representative optical modes: (a) a low-order mode where light travels in
or more precisely, their minimum effec- a direct path close to the optic axis of the fiber core; (b) a meridian mode where
tive modal bandwidth (EMB), and their the light travels along a sinusoidal path through the optic axis; and (c) a skew
EMB wavelength dependence. The EMB mode where the light travels in a corkscrew path in a region defined by two
metric will be explained in more detail, caustic surfaces.

26 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_26 26 8/22/18 8:34 AM


average, which reduces the speed of the
Fig. 3 Refractive index profiles mode, and light traversing in a “high-or-
n r α 1/2

n1 R Δ
n(r) = n1 1 – 2 —
[ ( ) ] der” mode (such as the skew mode
shown in the figure) encounters a lower
where, refractive index on average, thereby in-
2 α ~ 2 for 850 nm creasing the speed of the mode. In this
1 n2 way, no matter which path the light trav-
n2–n 2
r Δ=—
1 2
els, the average velocities are equalized so
0 R = 25 µm
2
2n1
that all optical modes—each carrying a
Δ = 1.02% portion of the signal power—arrive at the
output end of the fiber at the same time.
c
ν=—
n
Any relative delay in the modes has the
effect of increasing the width of the op-
tical signal. This is called modal disper-
sion, and graded-index multimode fiber is
designed to minimize modal dispersion,
Core
thereby increasing the bandwidth.
Cladding The EMB value is determined by first
measuring the relative delays of the fiber
mode groups, called differential mode
A multimode fiber with a refractive index profile that resembles profile 1 in this delay (DMD). Next, weighting factors
illustration will exhibit modal-chromatic dispersion compensation. In such a fiber, that represent laser emission patterns
higher order modes will travel faster, because the refractive index is lower. Lower- are applied to the DMD data, and finally
order modes will travel slower. Fibers with these characteristics have a peak EMB mathematical computations are per-
at a wavelength longer than 850 nm. formed to calculate the minimum EMB.
Hence, EMB is a calculated metric.
channel. As we will discuss, the spectral paths are mathematically described by
pattern of the light emitted by an optical the so-called wave equation, where the Laser modes
transmitter also plays a critical role in solutions to the wave equation are de- Multimode optical transceivers utilize
the total bandwidth of the MMF chan- fined as modes. lasers fabricated on wafer substrates
nel, which can be enhanced by OM4+ Figure 1 illustrates the optical paths called vertical cavity surface emitting la-
type fiber. To understand the overall for three possible modes. For standard sers (VCSEL). During the development
bandwidth of an optical channel, we 50-micron core MMF, the fiber can sup- of 10-Gbit/sec Ethernet and OM3 fiber,
must first consider how light propagates port as many as 380 discrete modes for it was assumed that VCSELs launch the
through an optical multimode fiber. light having wavelengths in the 850-nm same optical spectrum into all the differ-
spectral region. Although the modes ent modes uniformly. However, in 2008
Fiber modes represent different optical pathways, Panduit fiber researchers discovered that
Light is a self-sustaining propagating many of them are indistinguishable in is not the case. Shorter wavelengths are
electromagnetic field exhibiting wave- terms of their propagation properties emitted at large angles normal to the sur-
like properties. Due to its wave nature, and therefore can be grouped into 19 so- face of the VCSEL and consequently, cou-
when an optical signal enters the core called mode-groups, where their rela- ple into higher-order fiber modes near the
of the fiber, the light splits and travels tive propagation delays are used to cal- outer region of the fiber core. Conversely,
through the fiber core along discrete op- culate the fiber’s EMB. The objective in longer VCSEL wavelengths are emit-
tical paths called “modes,” where each of fabricating MMF is to vary, i.e. “grade,” ted at smaller angles and tend to cou-
the traveling waves carry portions of the the refractive index of the glass compris- ple into low-order modes close to the fi-
optical power and do not destructively ing the fiber core so that light travers- ber-optic axis. Because different fiber
interfere among themselves. The opti- ing a direct path close to the optic axis modes contain different wavelengths,
cal paths are called modes because the experiences a high refractive index on in addition to modal dispersion due to

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 27

1809CIM_27 27 8/22/18 8:34 AM


Differences between multimode fiber types: Fact versus fiction continued

Fig. 2 Propagation of different VCSEL wavelengths


850.452 nm 850.028 nm 849.584 nm 849.108 nm Optical
y (µm) Optical y (µm) Optical y (µm) Optical y (µm) power
power power power (mW)
20 (mW) 20 (mW) 20 (mW) 20
×10-3
0.040 4.0
10 0.035 10 0.10 10 10
0.08 3.5
0.030 0.08 3.0
0 0.025 0 0 0.06 0
0.06 2.5
0.020 2.0
-10 0.015 -10 -10 0.04 -10
0.04 1.5
0.010 0.02 1.0
-20 0.005 -20 0.02 -20 -20 0.5
-20 -10 0 10 20 -20 -10 0 10 20 -20 -10 0 10 20 -20 -10 0 10 20
x (µm) x (µm) x (µm) x (µm)

These images show the location of spectral wavelengths from an 850-nm VCSEL measured at the output of an OM4 fiber.

variations in refractive index, the modes EMB when operating as an optical com- example 849.108 nm, propagates far-
undergo a chromatic dispersion due to munication system. ther away from the core center. Due to
their differences in wavelength relative In Figure 2 we show measurement the chromatic dispersion effect in glass,
to each other. data illustrating how the different different wavelengths propagate at dif-
Depending on process variation in VCSEL wavelengths tend to propagate ferent speeds in the fiber, thereby alter-
the manufacturing of the OM3 and OM4 in the different fiber modes. We observe ing the mode group delays, and conse-
fiber, when coupled to a VCSEL, the that the longest wavelength (850.452 quently, the total combined fiber-VCSEL
combination of modal and chromatic nm) is confined to propagate in the in- channel bandwidth. In other words,
dispersions will either improve or de- ner modes, indicated by the yellow color, as a result of this spectral-spatial cou-
grade the fiber’s DMD and therefore, the whereas the shorter wavelengths, for pling of VCSEL modes into fiber modes,

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1809CIM_28 28 8/22/18 8:34 AM


Differences between multimode fiber types: Fact versus fiction continued

the performance of a multimode opti- to chromatic dis-


Fig. 5 Measured power margin
cal channel depends on both the fiber’s persion, thereby for 100-Gbit/sec SWDM-4 transceivers
DMD and the VCSEL’s spectral output compensating for 10
OM4 OM5 SigCore
characteristics, which results in a modal the lower refrac-
8
and chromatic dispersion interaction. tive index. The re-
It is possible to select OM3 and OM4 sult is an equaliza- Relative 6
margin
fibers with a specific DMD characteristic tion of higher-order (dB) 4
so that when used with a VCSEL, the re- and lower-order
2
sulting channel bandwidth is improved. mode group de-
This is accomplished by selecting fibers, lays at the output 0
TX1 TX2 TX3 TX4
where the refractive index profile, as a re- of the fiber, yield- Transceiver ID
sult of manufacturing process variation, ing an increase in
is biased toward having a peak EMB at a data communica- This graph shows the relative margin of multimode fiber types
longer wavelength than 850 nm. This sub- tion channel perfor- OM4 (blue), OM5 (green) and OM4+ (red, labeled SigCore),
set of fibers is represented by a refractive mance. We call this based on bit-error-rate test results for 100-Gbit/sec SWDM-4
index profile that resemble the profile la- effect modal-chro- transmission over 100 meters of fiber. Margin refers to the
beled “1” in Figure 3. For a refractive index matic dispersion optical attenuation that was added to the channel before the
profile resembling “1,” higher order modes compensation. bit error rate exceeded industry standard limits.
will travel faster (because the refractive Panduit’s Signature
index is lower), and conversely, lower-or- Core OM4+ is the first fiber type that systems. Moreover, the fiber’s refractive
der modes will travel slower. When cou- provides this enhancement. It is spec- index design also produces improved
pled to a VCSEL, due to the spectral bias ified with a unique DMD requirement mode group delay equalization at longer
of the output signal, the shorter wave- that will guarantee dispersion compen- wavelengths, making it a wideband MMF
lengths are launched into the higher-or- sation providing the highest channel per- for short wavelength division multiplex-
der fiber modes and will travel slower due formance possible in multimode-VCSEL ing (SWDM) applications. Fibers that re-
semble the alpha profiles labeled “2” ex-
Fig. 4 EMB wavelength dependence plot acerbate the modal-chromatic dispersion
EMB (MHz-km) interaction and therefore degrade chan-
OM4 L/R vs. OM5 spec
15000 nel performance at longer wavelengths.
14000
13000 OM4-L OM5 wideband multimode fiber
12000
OM4-R The development and success of our
11000
OM5 spec limits Signature Core fiber led to a growing in-
10000
9000 OM4 spec limit
terest to define a new fiber type with
8000 improved performance at longer wave-
7000 lengths. A TIA-42.12 subcommittee was
6000
formed to specify a new fiber type that
5000
4000
has a higher EMB at longer wavelengths.
3000 The maximum wavelength at 953nm
2000 was chosen to accommodate future
λ1 λ2 λ3 λ4
1000 SWDM applications.
810 830 850 870 890 910 930 950 970
Wavelength (nm) The new fiber type was initially
called wideband MMF, and the TIA
The black dashed line indicates the specification for OM5 EMB wavelength standards committee was chaired
dependence. The blue and brown lines are the measured EMB wavelength by a Panduit fiber research engineer.
dependence for two minimally compliant OM4 fibers. These two fibers The International Electrotechnical
represent the extreme variations in peak EMB wavelength for OM4, which is Commission (IEC) adopted the TIA
specified only at 850 nm. WBMMF specifications and named the

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 29

1809CIM_29 29 8/22/18 8:34 AM


Differences between multimode fiber types: Fact versus fiction continued

new fiber OM5. Table 1 lists the types of whereas the EMB of OM4 can vary from relative to parallel optics is only realized
laser-optimized MMF available today. 1450 MHz·km to 2700 MHz·km. when channel reaches exceed 100 me-
To understand the difference between Note that for transceivers operat- ters, the maximum specified distance,
OM4 and OM5, we refer to Figure 4. In ing at 850 nm as specified in IEEE 802.3 at which point the lower structured ca-
Figure 4, we plot the EMB wavelength (Ethernet) and T11 Fibre Channel stan- bling cost offsets the higher cost of the
dependence for two minimally com- SWDM transceiver. It is also import-
pliant OM4 fibers. Due to manufactur- Fiber type EMB at 850 nm EMB at 953 nm ant to note that OM5 comes at a pre-
ing process variation, all OM4 fibers will (MHz·km) (MHz·km) mium, and Ethernet and Fibre Channel
have peak EMBs at wavelengths below or OM3 2000 NA transceivers using parallel optics en-
above the nominal wavelength of 850 nm. OM4 4700 NA able switch-port breakout. SWDM
These two fibers represent the extreme OM5 4700 2470 does not support breakout, nor are
Signature Core 5500 2000
variations in peak EMB wavelength de- they compatible with Ethernet or Fibre
pendence. OM4 is only specified for 850 Channel transceivers.
nm and therefore, the bandwidth at lon- dards, OM5 is equivalent to OM4 (EMB One final point regarding OM5 is its
ger wavelengths, e.g. 953 nm is unknown. of 4700 MHz·km) and provides no bene- chromatic dispersion. During the devel-
The specification for OM5 EMB fit. There is, however, one 400-Gbit/sec opment of the TIA 42.12 OM5 specifica-
wavelength dependence is shown by the Ethernet (400GBase-SR4.2) and several tion, it was brought to the attention of the
dashed line in Figure 4. For typical 850- non-standard SWDM transceivers that subcommittee that the chromatic disper-
nm transmission, OM4 and OM5 have specify OM5 to a guaranteed advertised sion of OM3 and OM4 fibers is less than
identical EMB specifications of 4700 channel reach. that specified in industry standards. A
MHz·km. At 953 nm, OM5 has a spec- Although SWDM applications use round-robin among six companies (in-
ified minimum EMB of 2470 MHz·km, duplex fiber cabling, the cost benefit cluding Panduit) was conducted to ver-
ify a lower chromatic dispersion for MMF
can be specified. As a result, it was de-

Wi-Tile™ cided the chromatic dispersion spec for


OM5 can be reduced. This, however, does
not mean OM5 has lower chromatic dis-
Suspended and Hard Ceiling persion than OM3 or OM4; only the speci-
Locking Enclosures for fied value has been lowered.
Wi-Fi and Small Cell APs
Measured performance comparison
Channel performance is measured in
Simplify Compliance terms of bit error rate (BER), where long
strings of random data bits are launched
Oberon's Wi-Tile enclosures are lockable into a channel under test, and then de-
and attach to the building infrastructure tected at the output of the channel by
in retail, government, healthcare, and a test receiver. A comparator compares
other facilities where network protection sequences of billions of random bits
is paramount. and counts those bits detected in error.
Industry standards require no more than
Moves, adds, and changes can be made
1 error bit out of every trillion bits trans-
without lifting ceiling tiles - perfect for
simplifying infection control procedures mitted. In Figure 5, we show the BER test
in healthcare facilities. results for 100-Gbit/sec SWDM-4 trans-
mission over 100 meters of the three
high-bandwidth fiber types, OM4, OM4+
Secure
Convenient oberoninc.com (labeled SigCore), and OM5. The results
877.867.2312 are plotted in terms of relative power
Aesthetic
margin, where higher margin equates to

30 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_30 30 8/22/18 8:34 AM


Differences between multimode fiber types: Fact versus fiction continued

higher performance. The power margin about 25 percent. Channel performance projected high-speed data rates, max-
is the optical attenuation that was added testing at a U.S. Air Force base using 100- imum required channel reach, and
to the channel before the BER exceeds Gbit/sec SWDM-4 transceivers showed needless to say, cost. u
the industry standards limit. These high- that OM4+ outperformed OM5, achiev-
speed channels are bandwidth-limited, ing a 100-Gbit/sec channel reach of 505 Dr. Rick Pimpinella is a Panduit Fellow, Optical
Fiber Research. He received B.S., M.S., and Ph.D.
and not attenuation-limited. Data was meters versus 467 meters for OM5 using
degrees in Physics from New York University
obtained for four 100G SWDM-4 trans- beta transceivers. Tandon School of Engineering. He joined Panduit
ceivers, labeled TX1-TX4. The data shows In conclusion, the selection of a in 2002, where he has managed the fiber busi-
OM5 and OM4+ (SigCore) have equivalent MMF type should be based on future ness unit and fiber research department.
performance for SWDM-4 transmission,
and they both provide the same reach
and power margins ranging from 3 to 7
FAT.ACCURAT.RLIABL.™
dB over standard OM4 fiber.
It has been advertised that OM5 has
four times the bandwidth of OM4; this is a
play with words. All laser-optimized MMF
types can carry four-wavelength transmis-
sion and therefore, can be characterized as
having four times the bandwidth of only
one wavelength. The only difference be-
tween these fibers is the maximum chan-
nel reach over which the four wavelengths
can be transmitted. OM5 provides greater
reach than OM3 and OM4, and equivalent
to SigCore OM4+.
So, what is fact and what is fiction? TEST WITH CONFIDENCE
The longer reaches specified for SWDM-4
transceivers are not due to a lower chro-
Th--W-®d,
matic dispersion or higher bandwidth for vddubh
OM5, but instead due to the fact that the yuccu.
transceivers are optimized to meet these
extended reaches. It is, however, fair to
say OM5 is better than OM4 for SWDM-4
applications because the EMB at 953 
nm is specified for OM5. For all but the
one SWDM Ethernet transceiver (IEEE 
802.3cm 400GBase-SR4.2), OM4 and OM5

are equivalent.
Our Signature Core brand OM4+ is se- 
lected from the OM4 production popula-
tion based on a uniquely specified DMD
requirement that enables the compen-
sation of chromatic and modal disper-
sions, thereby reducing the total disper-
sion and significantly increasing the EMB
of the channel. Dispersion-compensating
OM4+ improves overall channel perfor-
mance and extends channel reach by
DFR getairscout.com
www.cablinginstall.com WF®AzA 800-642-2155

1809CIM_31 31 8/22/18 8:34 AM


design

PoE-powered lighting
approaches and considerations
The technology holds promise for cabling-system are reasons PoE lighting adoption has
installers and managers. Like other emerging been slow—by some reports only about
2 percent in the United States,” ex-
technologies, it requires planning and consideration.
plained Transition Networks product
manager GlenNiece Kutsch. “Control
BY PATRICK MCLAUGHLIN systems have been proprietary, not in-
teroperable, costly, and complex to in-
stall and reconfigure.” Despite that, she
emphasized, there are reasons to be-
Power over Ethernet (PoE) or re- “LED lighting solutions have been lieve that technological improvements
mote-powered lighting is a technol- used within the enterprise space for will lead to wider adoption. “The cost
ogy that, by many accounts, holds sig- quite some time,” Berk-Tek continues. and performance of LED lighting itself
nificant promise for professionals who “There are numerous advantages to in- has been gradually improving, so that’s
specify, design, install, or manage com- corporating your lighting system into one thing that will allow us to see im-
munications cabling systems. It is a your IP networks [including that do- proved adoption in the future,” she said.
current example of a building sys- ing so] can provide you with action- Furthermore, she added, “improvements
tem that can operate over the type of
wiring typically used to support data
transmission. Additionally, in
many cases an intelligent lighting
system can operate on less energy
than a traditional lighting system
in the same building space.
On Berk-Tek’s website, the company able data to
explains, “More and more organizations improve the efficiency of your busi- Transition Networks’ 24-port
are seeing the cost savings and efficiency ness. For example, based on analytics managed PoE++ switch line supplies up to
benefits of converging their building au- gleaned from your smart lighting sys- 90 watts of power per port for applications
tomation systems onto their IP [Internet tem, you could reconfigure your floor like PoE lighting. Features like device-
Protocol] networks. Smart lighting is space to improve your space utilization management software and autodiscovery
one area of building automation that from 80 percent to 90 percent.” can be beneficial to installers and users of
is growing rapidly and will quickly be- PoE lighting systems.
come the preferred technology for light- Bright horizon
ing in schools, hospitals and other enter- A cynic’s definition of a “promising in PoE as well as PoE++ will open the
prise facilities. It offers greater control technology” may be one that hasn’t yet door to cover more of the LED lighting
over building automation applications, is amounted to very much. As of mid- that exists.”
cost/energy efficient, and provides an im- 2018, that definition could apply to in- As of the time of this writing,
proved user experience. telligent PoE-powered lighting. “There the completion of the IEEE’s 802.3bt

32 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_32 32 8/22/18 8:34 AM


specification was imminent—on track a radius no greater than 13 meters (43 throughout a building space (e.g. hexa-
for September 2018. That specifica- feet) to optimize the number of cables gon-shaped, grid-shaped or leg-shaped),
tion will introduce higher standardized (i.e. more than 96 cables becomes dif- a grid-based pattern most easily sup-
levels of power distribution via twist- ficult to manage) needed to support ports a PoE lighting system deploy-
ed-pair cabling. Kutsch noted that the the typical density of PoE lighting de- ment because luminaires are typically
power levels specified in the 802.3at vices in this space and to align with arranged in a grid-based fashion. In
standard covered approximately 20 to
25 percent of LED luminaires available “The cost and performance of LED lighting itself has been gradually
in the market. “The 802.3bt specifica- improving, so that’s one thing that will allow us to see improved
tions should cover about 70 percent or so
of luminaires.”
adoption in the future.”
If a cabling contractor is propos- other zone cabling systems supporting this case, a coverage area with a 13-me-
ing a PoE-based lighting system to an fifth-generation (IEEE 802.11ac) and ter radius translates to an 18-meter-
end-user customer or is preparing to future WiFi applications. This prac- by-18-meter [60-foot-by-60-foot] grid.
carry out such an install, the system’s tical guidance also simplifies the de- Multiple coverage areas may be ar-
design and layout are essential to the sign task of overlaying the zone cabling ranged throughout the building space
project’s success. In the technical docu- system supporting building automa- to support PoE lighting connections and
ment “Zone Cabling and Coverage Area tion and other IP devices with the devices as needed. Unless the telecom-
Planning Guide: 60W PoE Lighting zone cabling system supporting PoE munications room (TR) has limited ac-
Applications,” Siemon points out that lighting devices. cessibility, coverage areas that are in
it “recommends that PoE lighting de- “Although multiple coverage areas close proximity to the TR can be con-
vice coverage areas be planned to have may be arranged in a variety of patterns nected directly to the floor distributor

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1809CIM_33 33 8/22/18 8:34 AM


PoE-powered lighting approaches and considerations continued

without passing through a service con- “embedded device-management soft- arrangements must transform to bet-
centration point. For optimized design ware. The switches have features in- ter accommodate the requirements that
efficiency, Siemon recommends that cluding PoE scheduling,” she explained, PoE lighting can apply to a network.
zone enclosures be positioned at least 30 “which allows users to set up timeframes “Building automation networks pro-
meters from the TR.” for devices that only need power during vide services such as access control, se-
certain hours. The switches also report curity cameras, and environmental sen-
More design considerations the power being used by the attached de- sors. Whether to converge these services
Panduit’s manager of network archi- vices, which makes energy-consumption with the lighting network is a choice
tecture, Brian Kelly, authored the pa- reporting easier.” that must occur prior to installing the
per “PoE Lighting Benefits and Design Another of the switches’ features is the PoE lighting network.
Considerations,” in which he also ad- ability to autodiscover and remotely con- “Several requirements must be met
dresses a zone-cabling architecture’s figure powered devices. They offer topol- to successfully converge a building auto-
ability to support this application. “Zone
cabling is a standards-based structured “Traditionally building automation networks have been operated by
cabling strategy where all system net- a separate, dedicated network.”
works are converged within common
pathways from the TR to consolidation ogy, floorplan, and Google Maps views. mation and PoE lighting network. First,
points,” Kelly explains. “This strategy These capabilities are useful for cabling all building automation components
is well-positioned to enable PoE light- installers as well as cabling-system end must be IP-based or can be connected
ing deployments.” users, Transition Networks points out, to an IP network through an adapter or
Within that paper, Kelly also ad- because they essentially provide as-built converter. Second, the installed network
dresses other cabling-architectural drawings. “You can input a floorplan and cabling must be capable of handling PoE
considerations, including whether PoE drag-and-drop powered devices onto that (generally 28 AWG to 22 AWG twisted
switches should be centralized or dis- floorplan,” Kutsch pointed out.” pair copper cabling). Finally, to gain the
tributed. He says, “The most common Like other switches from Transition full value of a converged building auto-
strategy is a centralized deployment, Networks, the Smart Managed PoE se- mation and PoE lighting network, a sin-
where the PoE switches are centrally ries devices offer Auto Power Reset, gle pane of glass management software
located in the TR. From the TR, cop- which monitors and when necessary, au- package would be required.”
per cable runs to a patch panel within tomatically restarts edge devices. This Siemon concludes its planning guide
the zone enclosure, then from the patch saves network administrators from hav- by advising, “There are a number of
panel to the lighting troffers. ing to manually restart such devices. large variables that must be considered
“The distributed strategy results prior to identifying the PoE lighting sys-
from newer, smaller PoE switches de- Another type of convergence tem that is best suited for a particular
signed for a distributed architecture. Additionally, Kelly considers converged building environment, and the process
The PoE switch is in a zone enclosure, versus separate building automation to design and deploy lighting devices
usually in the ceiling, closer to the light- and lighting networks, noting that con- and balanced twisted-pair cabling in
ing troffers. This allows for lighting trof- verging the enterprise local area net- coverage areas can be complex and con-
fers to be at a greater distance from the work into the building automation fusing. As a result, Siemon recommends
TR and uses less cable. The uplink from and lighting network is not suggested. the use of a digital lighting partner to
the TR to zone enclosure box can be fi- “Traditionally building automation net- provide assistance in designing and in-
ber or copper. Fiber connections allow works have been operated by a sepa- stalling the low-voltage cabling systems
for greater distance.” rate, dedicated network,” he explains. for PoE lighting deployments.”
Transition Networks offers a portfo- “Building automation networks have As PoE lighting’s promise begins
lio of PoE switches for applications like also tended to be controlled by facilities/ to be fulfilled, planning and technical
lighting. Kutsch pointed to the company’s operations teams with little to no IT in- considerations will increase the likeli-
Smart Managed PoE+ and the more-re- volvement in the day-to-day operations hood of success. u
cently introduced Smart Managed PoE++ of the network. With the introduction of
switches, emphasizing the switches’ PoE lighting, some of these traditional Patrick McLaughlin is our chief editor.

34 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_34 34 8/22/18 8:34 AM


PR

S
Multi Media
CU
OD

FO
UC
Enclosure
T
FIRE-RESISTIVE CABLES

Comtran’s VITALink 2-hour


fire resistive cable
Comtran’s VITALink 2-hour fire-resistive cables are billed
as a versatile circuit integrity solution. Available in 18-12
AWG solid and 16-12 AWG stranded constructions, in both
shielded and unshielded designs, and certified to UL 2196
and ULC-S139, all cables are also LSZH, 105-degree C
rated, wet rated, and sunlight resistant. The VITALink cable’s
versatile dual listing as Circuit Integrity (CI) and Circuit
Integrity in Conduit (CIC) supports installation in either free
air or in conduit, notes the company. Per the company, “For
conduit installations, VITALink is the only circuit integrity system to be
approved with both EMT and IMC. The cables are designed to operate for
at least 2 hours in a fire, ideal for critical life safety applications.”
Comtran Cable, www.comtrancorp.com

Prysmian Lifeline for industrial,


commercial uses
Prysmian Group North America recently announced the launch of its
Lifeline MC and Lifeline MC LSZH cable systems, making it “the first
manufacturer in the world with UL 2196 FHIT Certifications for a cable-
and in-conduit solution that is also an armored MC solution,” according
to the company. Engineered to
withstand up to 1850 degrees F,
Prysmian’s UL 2196-certified Lifeline
products allow emergency circuits
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at least two hours in extreme fire
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systems will utilize self-contained raceways, in addition to cable-in-
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www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 35

1809CIM_Rev_35 35 9/14/18 10:42 AM


PRODUCT PREVIEW
Look for these products and systems on display at the BICSI
Fall Exhibition, September 10-12.

BICSI FALL 2018 EXHIBITION PREVIEW

EZ Patch Flat Pack


The EZ Patch Flat Pack by Legrand is billed as an innovative addition
to the company’s EZ Patch series, allowing 12 or 24 patch cords to
be distributed from a single flat, plastic package, ideal for use in
patch panel applications or installations on the go. Per
the company, “The EZ Patch Flat Packs are bagged
with patch cords straight and flat, offering a quick and
convenient way to introduce new cabling to a data center
Drybit Cat 6 cables
or building network. This bagged option allows for a Hitachi Cable America Inc. (HCA)

cleaner, dust-free application when cardboard is not will be on hand to recount the

permitted in the data center. Cord memory is no longer development and release of its Drybit

an issue, with the packs laid out flat in a bundle. Having Category 6 indoor/outdoor plenum-

the bag tear from both ends provides quick connectivity rated cables. Per the company, “The

options and improves cable management during Drybit cables offer a design that

installation. The EZ Patch Flat Pack by Legrand means a is appropriate for both wet places

simplified installation – faster installation, less packaging and plenum spaces. The unique dry

waste and no more twist ties to deal with.” core cable design allows the owner
to safely bridge two distinct cable
Legrand North America, www.legrand.us Booth 427
environments using one single cable.
Since the Drybit cables eliminate
the need to physically transition
3-cell Vis Divide from one cable type to another, they

Milliken’s Cable Management business will showcase its newest product for also eliminate the space, materials

the telecommunications industry, the 3-cell Vis Divide. Per the company, “Vis and costs associated with doing

Divide with three cells is an expansion of Vis Divide, a segmented high-density so.” The Drybit cable is UL listed

polyethylene (HDPE) rigid conduit that provides dedicated CMP (plenum) and UL verified for

pathways for the placement of more than one cable in a electrical performance to ANSI/

single conduit. Where previous versions of Vis Divide have TIA-568-C.2 Category 6. The Drybit

two available pathways, this new product offers three. The design is also tested and verified for

fabric divider molded directly into the Vis Divide conduit long term water exposure per UL

helps improve efficiency by utilizing all the available space test A826376. The Drybit cabling is

within the conduit, while avoiding the risk of cable-over- intended for PoE applications and will

cable damage. The extra pathways in the 3-cell Vis Divide support devices per IEEE 802.3 af,

allow for ease of futurization by eliminating the need to at and bt up to 100 watts. Available

install new conduits.” Installation of the Vis Divide is similar in both unshielded and shielded

in procedure to a traditional HDPE conduit, requiring no special equipment or designs, the cable is made in the US

training. For installation ease, each pathway in Vis Divide comes with color- at HCA’s Manchester, NH facility.

coded Vis pulling tape already installed. The new 3-cell Vis Divide is available Hitachi Cable America,
for purchase immediately. www.hca.hitachi-cable.com
Milliken Cable Management, infrastructure.milliken.com Booth 601 Booth 827

36 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_36 36 8/22/18 8:34 AM


Preterminated system
As noted by Leviton, "The market has made a very fast shift
PoE++ switch with device from talking about 100-Gbit/sec networks to 200 and 400
management software Gbits/sec in just one year." Those seeking to update their

Transition Networks will display its new 24-Port Managed data centers to meet these emerging high-speed applications

Gigabit Ethernet PoE++ Switch line at the BICSI show, and should consider the Leviton Opt-X Unity Fiber Migration

the product will be featured in the exhibition’s “What’s New, System. Billed as a "single, simple connectivity solution that

What’s It Do?” theater. The next-generation SM24TBT2DPA reduces costs and saves time by reusing the fiber backbone,"

switch can supply up to 90 watts of power per port (1560 the Opt-X Unity platform makes it easy to migrate from 10 to

watts total) for high-powered devices. The switch provides (24) 40-, 100-, 200- and 400-Gbit/sec networks. Via its system of

10/100/1000Base-T ports with IEEE 802.3bt PoE++ capability trunks, harnesses and

and (2) additional 100/1000 dual speed SFP slots. Transition modules using best-
in-class MTP multi-
fiber connectors,
and available in both
singlemode and
multimode fiber,
the Opt-X Unity 24-F

Networks has added new Device Management System cabling system offers

(DMS) software that provides a unique set of value-added among the strongest returns on infrastructure investment

features and capabilities for the switch, enabling security among multifiber connector cabling options, says Leviton. As

integrators to lower overall cost, reduce downtime, and part of the company's HDX patching platform, the Opt-X Unity

simplify management and maintenance of the entire network. 24-F cabling system is designed to improve patching density,

The embedded DMS software allows users to establish and speed tech refreshes, and reduce network downtime.

document a baseline deployment and automatically discover Supporting multimode (OM4+, OM4, OM3) and singlemode

and remotely configure attached IP-powered devices including (OS2) fiber types, the system relies on the company's 8-

surveillance cameras and wireless APs. and 12-fiber ULL and 24-F MTP cabling and cassettes with
premium LC patch cords, and e2XHD and HDX enclosures
Transition Networks, www.transition.com Booth 728
and panels for 96- or 144-fiber-port deployments.
Leviton Network Solutions, www.leviton.com Booth 518

Design Estimating Pro takeoff tool


Per the company, “If you’re receiving your drawings in any of the following formats: .pdf, .png, .gif, .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, or .tif you
need McCormick’s Design Estimating Pro takeoff tool.” The new tool is part of the McCormick Estimating System. According
to the company, with Design Estimating Pro, all takeoff goes directly into the system automatically. Multiple drawings may
be brought into and used in a job. Users can select all the drawings within a PDF, or pick only the drawings being used for
takeoff. Every item and assembly in the database has its own symbol characteristics. The takeoff may be marked using fully
customizable shapes and colors. Line width and opacity may
be varied between different items and assemblies. A text
overlay may be added to the count or length takeoff. Just pick
an item or assembly in either the permanent or jobs database
and click the drawings to take it off. As stated by the company,
“Users can estimate jobs in a fraction of the time it took before,
all on screen and without touching a paper plan. Take PDF
drawings to a proposal all in one program in record time.”
McCormick, www.mccormicksys.com Booth 326

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 37

1809CIM_37 37 8/22/18 8:34 AM


EXHIBITION PREVIEW

Zone cabling enclosures


Optimized for distribution and high-density consolidation and fully
made in the USA, the new zone cabling enclosures from Snake Tray
bring modular flexibility to point-of-
use components. The enclosures
are specifically designed for space-
constrained installations, including
PON systems. Snake Tray says the
new enclosures “provide easy and
OSP cable
cost-effective reconfiguration, so that Designed for use in standard HDPE
a property keeps pace with changing ducts, aerial messenger systems
electrical and data demands, now and and bundled micro-duct pathways,
down the road.” the LMHD-series MicroCare fiber-
optic cable is a loose tube cable
Snake Tray, www.snaketray.com
product line with cable diameters up
Booth 823
to 50 percent smaller than traditional
loose tube cables and a 600 pound
load-rating, making it highly versatile
Cable-MGR CM20 cable tray system for use in most outside plant cable

improves “waterfall” design installations. The LMHD-series


OSP MicroCore cable, with its 600
Wiremaid Products Corp. has updated its Cable-MGR CM20 cable tray
pound load-rating, can be pulled into
system with an improved “waterfall” design to introduce at BICSI Fall
standard HDPE ducts and, because
2018. The updated one-tool cable tray system, which requires no bending
of its small diameter, can be jetted
or cutting, adds further value by now including extended sides to further
into bundled micro-duct pathways.
protect cables for the lifetime of an installation. Per the company, “There are
Minimum pathway inside diameters
now two versions of the waterfall, one for the side or end of the tray, and
range from 13 mm to 20 mm. When
one for the middle of
applications require a transition
the tray, in several
from underground to aerial, the
different sizes.” The
LMHD-series cables can be lashed
waterfall design’s
to aerial messenger wires using
added sides contain
standard outside plant cable lashing
cables to prevent
equipment and techniques. The
them from falling over
LMHD-Series OSP MicroCore fiber
the side of the tray.
optic cables consist of kink-resistant
“We were speaking
buffer tubes which reduce time and
to one of our customer’s installers and discussing how they use the CM20.
handling issues. Applications include
They told us that they’ve experienced cable not exactly flowing down the
long haul, local loop FTTx, campus
waterfall, and it would be great to design one with a side. We came up with
backbone connections for 10G, 40G
a few prototypes and created a better waterfall to be used inside the length
and 100G network transmission
of the tray, and another for the side or end of the tray,” explains Wiremaid
speeds. Available in 12 to 432
president and CEO Daniel Sinkoff. Made in the USA, the Cable-MGR CM20
fibers, they are Telcordia GR-20 and
Waterfall comes in a range of sizes and powder-coated colors and in widths
IEC 60794-5-10 compliant.
from 4 up to 36 inches.
AFL, www.aflglobal.com
Wiremaid Products Corp., www.wiremaidusa.com Booth 536
Booth 527

38 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_38 38 8/22/18 8:34 AM


EXHIBITION PREVIEW

End-to-end structured cabling solution


Exhibiting with its strategic partner, General Cable, Panduit will showcase all
the elements of its award-winning structured cabling solution. The companies
recently affirmed their long-standing partnership after Prysmian finalized its
acquisition of General Cable. About the products on display at the upcoming
BICSI exhibition, Panduit said, “From the world’s smallest Category 6A
copper cable to new PoE extenders, the Panduit structured cabling solution
is engineered to help contractors install projects quickly and easily, while
delivering the performance that today’s networks demand.” As stated by the
company, the Panduit end-to-end structured cabling solution on display includes:
“the Vari-MaTriX Category 6A copper cable, featuring the industry’s leading
thermal properties for PoE, plus EMI mitigation, all in a 0.25-inch-diameter
cable; the Field Term Plug, for fast, simple connection of digital building solutions such as cameras, access points and intelligent
lighting; 28 AWG patch cords to make the best use of limited telco room real estate with no loss of performance; industry-leading
connectivity products, including patch panels, patch cords, and jacks; and a new line of PoE Extenders, stretching PoE reach to
remote devices like parking lot security cameras.”
Panduit, www.panduit.com Booth 731

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www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 39

1809CIM_39 39 8/22/18 8:34 AM


EXHIBITION PREVIEW

Counterfeit cabling intelligence


Learn about the latest tactics cabling counterfeiters are using by
perusing the “Good Cable/Bad Cable” display and “Cable Burn Test”
video from the Communications
Cable & Connectivity Association
(CCCA) at BICSI Fall 2018. Play the
CCCA’s CableCheck Game and be NetXpert XG
entered in the association’s Amazon network qualifier
Echo raffle. As a “source for science- Optimized for testing older
based information [ranging from] the dangers of non-compliant and/ networks to determine if speed
or counterfeit products, to the most effective use of structured limits are possible beyond stated
cabling in the data center, to collaborations on best practices for cable specs, Softing’s NetXpert
the design of sustainable cabling infrastructure projects,” CCCA XG 10G network qualifying tool will
bills itself as a primary resource to help BICSI installers ensure be introduced and available for
the safety, quality, and performance of communications cable and hands-on demonstrations at the
connectivity products. BICSI Fall exhibition. As noted by
CCCA, http://cccassoc.org/ Booth 712 the company, “With faster network
hardware coming online, Cisco,
Dell and others are promoting
2.5G/5GBase-T Ethernet that
FuturePath Figure-8 Self-Support Aerial runs on existing Category 5e and

Dura-Line will showcase its FuturePath Figure-8 Self-Support Aerial. Per the Category 6 twisted pair cabling

company, “There’s not actually room on a power pole for seven attachments and supports high-speed wireless

for seven different fiber networks, but with FuturePath Figure-8 Self-Support access points. In a perfect

Aerial, seven MicroDucts are bundled into one conduit. Not only is it a safer world, this would mean doubling

option for linemen because it cleans up the pole, it keeps fiber networks transmission speed without the

secure and easy to access.” The expense of pulling new cable.

company says its FuturePath However, how can you be sure the

Figure-8 Self-Support Aerial option existing cabling will support speeds

allows for a flexible, expandable higher than 1 Gbit/sec? 10G

network with dedicated, easily network qualifying will let facilities

identifiable pathways for system managers and contractors easily

upgrades, redundancy, and future verify transmission rates up to 10

capacity. Further, “as an ongoing Gbits/sec (bit error rate testing)

revenue source, some customers over the entire channel. It also

have chosen to lease out the extra will pinpoint faults and distance to

pathways,” asserts the company. Noting that “the strand does all the work,” faults along the way. You’ll know if

Dura-Line states that with the FuturePath Figure-8 Self-Support Aerial your network can deliver 2.5G/5G;

“generally, poles are placed 150 to 200 feet apart and the tension on the and if not, you’ll know exactly what

line is between 1,500 and 2,500 lbs. The FuturePath Figure-8 Self-Support to fix in order to optimize your

Aerial has been product tested to support up to 6,500 lbs. of linear tension. wireless upgrade.”

Dura-Line has accounted for rain, wind, and ice loading as well as a certain Softing, itnetworks.softing.com
amount of sag between poles. Booth 611
Dura-Line, www.duraline.com Booth 715

40 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_40 40 8/22/18 8:34 AM


Composite cable and remote
powering for PoE
With the growth of the Internet of Things and smart buildings driving an Let
There
increase in bandwidth and power demand, in some cases exceeding 10
Gbps and 100 watts of power, it is
becoming increasingly important to
consider new ideas when designing
the base building. On display at BICSI,
Be
Light
Corning’s remote powering solution,
which includes composite cable with
active powering components, simplifies
the network infrastructure while also
saving labor costs. Per Corning,
“The solution frees up closet space,
centralizes backed-up power and
environmental conditioning, and lightens
the horizontal cabling and support burden by safely taking fiber and power
deep into the building. In some cases, high and low voltage is delivered
directly to end devices such as an interactive AV display, and in other cases
to smaller PoE switches to connect and power nearby access points, smart
lighting, and IoT devices via short category jumpers. The result is a future
flexible infrastructure ready to deliver connectivity, virtually unlimited
bandwidth, and thousands of watts of safe power throughout your building.”
Corning Optical Communications, www.corning.com Booth 619

Sticklersª Fiber Optic


LaserWave WideBand OM5 fiber spools Cleaning Kits
OFS will feature its award-winning LaserWave WideBand (OM5) Multimode
Optical Fiber. Now available on spools, this fiber is designed to meet the Engineered for
demanding requirements of today’s OM4
field techs.
networks, along with next-generation OM5
short wavelength division multiplexing
Includes everything
(SWDM) applications. The LaserWave
WideBand fiber extends the ability of you need to effectively
conventional OM4 multimode fiber to clean fibers and
support multiple wavelengths using SWDM.
connectors on-site.
OFS states, “Unlike traditional multimode
fiber, LaserWave WideBand fiber is designed Learn More: BICSI Fall
to support traffic over wavelengths from Visit Booth #304
850 nm to 950 nm, allowing multiple
SticklersCleaners.com/CIM
lanes of traffic over the same strand of fiber. This capability improves
the bandwidth capacity of multimode fiber, while maintaining its cost
advantages for short-distance applications, up to 300 meters or more.”
OFS, www.ofsoptics.com Booth 511

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 41

1809CIM_41 41 8/22/18 8:34 AM


EXHIBITION PREVIEW

J-Hook Cable Support Extender


MonoSystems’ J-Hook Cable Support Extender system “bridges the
gap between a J-hook and a cable tray,” the company says. It provides
a 12-inch-long by 2.75-inch-wide support platform. MonoSystems says
the system reduces cable
stress points, strain,
sag, and heat buildup. It
is designed to be used
with the manufacturer’s
system The Hook, which SmartClass Fiber
allows J-hooks to link
MPOLx test set
together without the need
Viavi Solutions will showcase its
for additional hardware
SmartClass Fiber MPOLx, billed
or labor. The combination of The Hook and the J-Hook Cable Extender
as “the industry’s first dedicated
provides a platform that offers greater support while avoiding heat
optical loss test set that can perform
buildup, MonoSystems explains. The extender is made of UL94 plenum-
all the test requirements for Tier
rated material that is gray in color—closely matching steel J-hooks so as
1 (Basic) certification using MPO
not to create confusion or draw attention to any colors potentially used to
fiber connectivity.” The MPOLx
identify a specific cable run.
provides a source and power meter
MonoSystems, www.monosystems.com Booth 445
that integrate essential MPO test
capabilities together to ensure a fast
and reliable workflow when testing
Fiber-optic cable assemblies and certifying network links with

America Ilsintech will introduce its new line of Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies. native MPO connectivity, adds Viavi.

Using advanced manufacturing processes, the fiber-optic cables are With the MPOLx, field technicians

produced and quality tested in Ilsintech’s Indonesia and South Korea can perform all the necessary test

facilities. Per the company, “The new product family includes Simplex requirements for Tier 1 (Basic)

and Duplex, Multimode and Singlemode, UPC and APC patch cords in certification in a single solution,

LC, SC and ST configurations, as well as multi-fiber pigtails in SC, LC and including measuring MPO length

MTP. Additionally, custom cable and optical loss, checking polarity,

assemblies may be ordered in inspecting fiber end faces, and

any configuration to meet specific generating certification reports. The

application requirements. All fiber MPOLx enables significantly faster

optic cables are manufactured with MPO testing, asserts Viavi. With

high-quality components including the test set, a single technician

Corning Glass and Ilsintech’s Swift line can inspect MPO end faces and

of ferrules and connectors. All cables perform tests from either end of the

are produced in compliance with the connection without the need for fan-

Telcordia GR-326 standards, 100% out cables or extensive time walking

tested and serialized. Additionally, Ilsintech assemblies are shipped with back and forth between the two units,

no added tariffs.” The company says its Dallas, TX warehouse offers ready notes the company.

stock for standard lengths and configurations that in most cases can be Viavi Solutions,
ordered and shipped on the same day. www.viavisolutions.com
America Ilsintech, https://americailsintech.com Booth 406 Booth 302

42 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_42 42 8/22/18 8:34 AM


AROONA-STAR 10-Gbit/
sec multimode fiber links
AROONA-STAR by CAILabs offers a solution to transmit throughputs
of 10 Gbits/sec or more over multimode fiber links, without changing
existing fibers. Per the company, “The majority of fibers deployed in local
networks are standard multimode optical fibers (OMx, 62.5/125 μm or
50/125 μm) that are limited
in bandwidth. Depending on
the topology and lengths
of the cables deployed in
the network architectures,
the transmitted bit rates
are limited to 1 Gbit/sec
or even 100 Mbits/sec. By
eliminating modal dispersion,
AROONA-STAR circumvents
this limitation without replacing the existing fibers. This innovation provides
a flexible and affordable solution that reduces the investment in upgrading
the cabling infrastructure.” The company adds that, regardless of the 4-pack vertical cable
network topology, the AROONA-STAR box can transport 10 Gbits/sec or
management channel
more over 6 multimode fiber pairs and thereby “supports evolutions in
ICC announced that its new 40-inch
network traffic, without long, complex and expensive new deployments.”
Vertical Cable Management Channel
CAILabs, www.cailabs.com Booth 423
product is now available in a 4-pack.
(Part No. ICCMSC40BK). ICC says its
40’’ vertical cable management channel
costs 40 percent less than a traditional
P-touch EDGE labelers
7 ft. metal channel and is designed to be
Brother P-touch EDGE labelers are renowned for powerful features
stacked and mounted on the left or right
and professional function keys designed to make jobsite labeling
sides of 2-post and 4-post distribution
easier, faster, and more efficient. Products on display at BICSI Fall
racks. It can also be installed in between
2018 will include the PT-E550W labeling tool and the complete family
racks to join them together. Latches
of P-touch EDGE industrial labelers.
on the channel’s front can swivel open
Featured at BICSI will be the PT-E800
allowing large amounts of cable to be fed
“transportable go-anywhere” labeling
through and preventing it from falling out.
system. Per the company, with the
Covers snap onto the channel to conceal
P-touch EDGE labelers, “smart keys
cables and provide a neat and clean
for common applications, intuitive
appearance. Compared to tall and single-
menus, and on-screen prompts on
piece channels, the company says the
handheld models [mean] practically
unit’s 40-inch height helps prevent damage
anyone can make professional
during shipping, lowers shipping cost, and
labels without reading a manual.” Further, Brother’s P-touch labeler
makes it easier to handle. Four channels
tapes come in tough, durable drop-in cassettes with colors, sizes and
with covers are packaged together in
adhesive strengths to meet a wide range of industry needs.
a single box.
Brother Mobile Solutions, www.brothermobilesolutions.com Booth 645
ICC, www.icc.com Booth 610

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 43

1809CIM_43 43 8/22/18 8:34 AM


EXHIBITION PREVIEW
HPoE industrial
fiber switches
Cable bundling tool Omnitron Systems will feature
Cable bundling can be time consuming and painful; however, cable density is some of its newest products at Fall
only increasing. Tantus Enterprises says its Bundlizer solves these two problems BICSI, including high-power Power
“and allows the technician to create perfect cable bundles with no sweat.” over Ethernet (HPoE) fiber switches
Available in Cat 6 and Cat 6A configurations, that are part of the company’s
the Bundlizer “will pay for itself in two days’ industrial RuggedNet and enterprise
use,” contends Tantus. Per the company, OmniConverter
“The Bundlizer bundles the cable while it product lines.
is pulled off the reels or out of the boxes These switches
and eliminates the separate bundling enable fiber-
process. Whether in high density data center optic distance
applications or in premises locations, the extension to
Bundlizer will facilitate the best use of the HPoE powered
cable pathway and rack space, while saving devices. Available
time and money.” in managed and
Tantus Enterprises, tantusenterprises.com unmanaged
Booth 641 models, the
company says the
high-power PoE
RuggedNet and OmniConverter fiber
Versiv cabling certification system switches enable the ability to deploy
The modular Versiv family of cabling testers from Fluke Networks reduces power-hungry pan-tilt-zoom cameras
the cost of copper and fiber certification by two-thirds, claims the company. with heaters and blowers, and multi-
The tool’s future-ready design supports copper media up to Cat 8, while stream wireless access point, at
measuring singlemode and multimode fiber loss and OTDR testing, plus any distance from the network
inspection. The Versiv tester’s advanced touchscreen interface “ensures equipment. Both the RuggedNet and
jobs are done right the first time,” asserts the company. Technicians

OmniConverter PoE fiber switches


feature one or two fiber Gigabit
ports, and four 10/100/1000 RJ-45
ports capable of delivering 15.4W
PoE, 30W PoE+, and 60W or 100W
HPoE to all ports. They are classified
can manage jobs and testers from any smart device over Wi-Fi with the as power sourcing equipment (PSE)
company’s LinkWare Live utility. While providing “unmatched certification and provide full 100W HPoE power on
times for copper (Cat 6A in eight seconds) and fiber (three seconds for two all four RJ-45 ports.
fibers/wavelengths),” Fluke notes that the Versiv platform will also “analyze
Omnitron Systems,
test results and create professional test reports for copper and fiber (Tier 1
www.omnitron-systems.com
(Basic) / Tier 2 (Extended)) using the LinkWare reporting software.”
Booth 726
Fluke Networks, www.flukenetworks.com Booth 321

44 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_44 44 8/22/18 8:34 AM


UL-certified cables
Trans Cable has announced that its Category-5E and Category-6 plenum
cables are now certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Trans Cable’s
Category 5E CMP UTP UL listed cables
feature 350 MHz, 24 AWG/4 pair solid
bare copper conductors, unshielded
with an overall plenum jacket, and are
available in 10 colors. The company’s
Category 6 CMP UTP UL listed cables
feature 550 MHz, 23 AWG/4 PAIR solid
bare copper conductors, unshielded with
an overall plenum jacket, and are also
LinkRunner G2
available in 10 colors. Made in the USA,
all cables RoHS compliant as well as ETL
handheld copper/fiber
and UL approved. Attendees to the BICSI Ethernet tester
Fall 2018 exhibition can find out more The LinkRunner G2 is billed as a smart
about the company’s new service, Trans copper and fiber Ethernet handheld
Cable aXess, and receive samples of its CAT5E, CAT6, Audio Cable and network tester that simplifies network
Fire Alarm Cable products. validation and configuration. Among

Trans Cable, www.verticalcable.com Booth 713 the industry’s first Android-based smart
network testers, the LinkRunner G2
features a built-in camera, speaker and
microphone and a large color display.
In-wall device charger and The tester runs Android apps to configure
Ethernet data port and triage connected devices and
According to maker PoE Texas, “the GAF-USB2 in-wall device charger test the network. Test results can be
and Ethernet data port belongs anywhere people use mobile devices automatically uploaded to Netscout’s
and laptops (which encrypted and highly secure Link-Live
means everywhere). results management database at the
Unlike other in-wall completion of each test. Per Netscout,
charging stations, the the LinkRunner G2 “empowers network
WT-GAF-USB2 can be professionals responsible for device
installed without costly deployment and troubleshooting, while
electrical upgrades. It facilitating collaboration between teams.
connects to the existing For organizations challenged by the rapid
data network cables growth of network-connected devices, this
and uses Power over next-generation test tool enables network
Ethernet for charging professionals to accelerate deployments,
phones, tablets, and other USB devices. The built-in RJ45 data port speed problem identification and
provides a Gigabit data connection for laptops, WiFi, smart TVs, deliver installation validation in a single,
or any other networked device.” The company adds that the unit’s ruggedized unit.” The tool enables
two USB ports are optimized for fast charging of Apple and Android and more-effective installation and
devices, “and they don’t connect to to the data network, so they’re troubleshooting workflow, Netscout adds.
guaranteed secure.” Netscout, www.netscout.com
PoE Texas, www.poetexas.com Booth 810 Booth 628

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 45

1809CIM_45 45 8/22/18 8:34 AM


EXHIBITION PREVIEW

Fiber-optic cleaning kits


Sticklers fiber-optic cleaning products by MicroCare Corp. will present its
new Fiber-To-The Antenna (FTTA) and Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) cleaning kits
for the first time during BICSI Fall
2018. Per Sticklers, “The FTTA kit
contains enough materials to clean
more than 1,500 1.25mm ODC and
LC connectors, while the FTTH kit
able to clean over 1,800 SC, FC, ST
and E2000 connectors. Each kit gives
installers one-stop access to a full- Fiber blowing
line of affordable, high-quality fiber machines
cleaning products engineered to clean
Jameson has partnered with Fremco
multiple connector types and sizes,
to bring high-performance fiber
as well as bare fiber. The unique kits contain all the necessary equipment
blowing machines for FTTx, access
to ensure fiber-optic connectors and splices are kept spotlessly clean.
network and backbone installation
Importantly. they include non-flammable, non-toxic and globally GHS compliant
to the U.S. market. Jameson’s
cleaning fluid packaged in a hermetically sealed container. This allows them to
extensive product lineup hinges on
be easily shipped anywhere in the world.”
the Multiflow fiber blowing machine
Sticklers, www.sticklerscleaners.com Booth 304 for backbone and access networks.
Per the company, "Designed
for maximum performance and
functionality, the MultiFlow easily
Cloud-based takeoff/estimating/bid solution converts from single cable installs
Esticom is a cloud-based, on-screen takeoff, estimating, and bid- to microduct relining applications.
management solution built by cabling contractors for cabling contractors, It easily adapts to various cable and
its developer says. “Esticom enables you to quickly bid and win projects duct sizes common to backbone
without printing paper plans, installation." Other machines now
fumbling around with Excel available also include the air-powered
or using other cumbersome Miniflow blowing machine for
and outdated processes,” backbone and network installations,
the company adds. “Cabling featuring a compact design and
contractors report on average install speeds up to 100 meters per
a 3x increase in the number minute. For its part, the Nanoflow
of projects bid and awarded fiber blowing machine offers extreme
without increasing office portability and cable protection,
staff, while simultaneously plus battery-powered convenience
decreasing their overhead for automatic FTTH installations.
expenses, making them Finally, offering air or water install
more competitive.” Esticom options, the Microflow machine for
says users can be up and running in minutes using their out-of-the-box FTTH installation is AC-powered
material database. Its cloud-based structure requires no heavy upfront and features a touchscreen display
investment in hardware or software, and Esticom offers a free 14-day fully for easy setup.
functional evaluation. Jameson, www.spartacogroup.com
Esticom, www.esticom.com Booth 629 Booth 700

46 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_46 46 8/22/18 8:34 AM


R&M Mercury high-density
fiber connectivity platform
From R&M, Mercury is a high-density fiber connectivity platform
designed to splice today’s high-count ribbon cables, meeting
the growing needs of networking infrastructure for increased
bandwidth, space optimization, efficiency and flexibility. The
Mercury is a stackable fiber platform designed to terminate high
fiber count cables in a Networked sound masking system
data center environment, Cambridge Sound Management will be featuring its
providing up to 6,912 DynasoundPro Networked Sound Masking system. Billed
LC fiber terminations in as “the industry’s first PoE sound masking system [which]
a rack. R&M notes the sets the standard for control,” the company explains that,
Mercury platform was with DynasoundPro, “every loudspeaker can be individually
especially designed to configured to receive one or more of eight network audio
optimize ribbon fiber. The channels and the output of one or more of four sound
platform is stackable in masking generators.” The included Privacy Manager software
steps of 2, 4 or 6 rack enables adjustments on a system-wide, per zone, or per
units, making it highly scalable for future expansion. Further, users loudspeaker basis.
can save 30 percent duct space with the system's 200-micron Cambridge Sound Management,
option, asserts the company. www.cambridgesound.com Booth 501
R&M USA Inc ., www.rdm.com Booth 533

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
AEM International, LLC ............................... 33
AFL.................................................................2
Brother Mobile Solutions Inc. .................. CV4 ADVERTISING SALES OFFICES
Corning Optical Communications LLC..... CV2
MAIN OFFICE INTERNATIONAL
Greenlee Communications..........................31 61 Spit Brook Road AUSTRIA, EUROPE, GERMANY,
Hiachi Cable Manchester Inc......................17 Suite 401, Nashua, NH 03060 NORTHERN SWITZERLAND
(603) 891-0123 Holger Gerisch
ICC Premise Wiring ......................................7 +49-(0)8847-6986656
Ilsintech Co. Ltd. ........................................ 39 GROUP PUBLISHER Fax: +49-(0)8801-9153792
Alan Bergstein holgerg@pennwell.com
Jameson Corporation..................................12 (603)-891-9447
ISRAEL
Light Brigade, The ................................... CV3 alanb@pennwell.com
Dan Aronovic
Micro Care Corp .........................................41 NATIONAL SALES MANAGER +972 9 899 5813
Multilink Inc................................................ 35 Susan Smith aronovic@actcom.co.il
(603) 891-9260
Oberon Inc.................................................. 30 ASIA
susans@pennwell.com
Adonis Mak
Ortronics Inc. ................................................9 REPRINTS +852 2 838 6298; Fax: +852 2 838 2766
Platinum Tools ............................................10 Susan Smith adonism@actintl.com.hk
R&M USA Inc. ..............................................25 (603) 891-9260 JAPAN
susans@pennwell.com Masaki Mori
SENKO Advanced Components Inc. .............14
DIRECTOR, LIST RENTAL +81 3 3219 3561
Siemon Company........................................ 28 Kelli Berry mori-masaki@ics-inc.co.jp
Specified Technologies Inc. ...................... 20 (918) 831-9782 TAIWAN
Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corp.............13 kellib@pennwell.com Ms. Rebecca Tsao
+886 2 23965128 ext.203
The Light Connection ..................................19 Fax: 886 2 23967816
Universal Electric Corp.................................4 rebecca@arco.com.tw
Wirewerks .................................................. 23
SHOULD YOU NEED ASSISTANCE CREATING YOUR AD, PLEASE CONTACT MARKETING SOLUTIONS
Kaci Wheeler
The index of advertisers is published as a service, and the (918) 832-9377; kaciw@pennwell.com
publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions.

www.cablinginstall.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance SEPTEMBER 2018 47

1809CIM_47 47 8/22/18 8:34 AM


INFRASTRUCTURE
INSIGHTS
“BSRIA’s 2015 network cabling market brief cited that POL will experience
significant growth, gaining market share and awareness in the LAN mar-
ket, solidifying its position as a disruptive technology,” says Martin Chiesa,
BSRIA senior researcher. “Two years later, we have released the third edi-
tion of our POL report and found that POL has evolved faster than our most
optimistic expectations.”
In a recent passive optical LAN survey, Hanover Research also found
APOLAN industry perceptions supported this technology shift. In a report commis-

and partners sioned by Tellabs, Hanover’s researchers presented results in the firm’s
October 2017 “Passive Optical LAN Survey Analysis.” To better understand
survey market the adoption and perception of passive optical LAN technology, the study
targeted the following objectives: “to determine the level of awareness
traction, growth among IT professionals with decision influence on equipment, including per-
ceptions and manufacturer awareness; to understand positions of industry
opportunities for awareness and perceptions of POL equipment and services; and to delin-

passive optical eate characteristics that shape the market and the rate of adoption of POL.”
According to the Hanover Research report, 88 percent of industry pro-
LAN technology fessionals considered POL more appealing than copper-based LANs. Aware-
ness of the technology also appeared to be on the upswing, with 83 percent
The Association for Passive Optical LAN of respondents saying they have heard of POL technology, and with 44 per-
(APOLAN), an organization driving both cent being familiar with details surrounding the technology.
education and adoption initiatives for passive “The findings from the Hanover Research Passive Optical LAN Survey
optical local area networks (POL) technology, Analysis showcase how the industry perception of POL has evolved very
recently announced its work with quickly over the last few years,”
market research and analysis states John Hoover, Tellabs’ senior
firms Gartner, Hanover Research product manager and APOLAN
and The Building Services board member. “The most appeal-
Research and Information ing benefits driving this growth,
Association (BSRIA), with the goal according to survey participants,
of showcasing “the unprecedented are product quality, reliability, lon-
increase in demand and growth gevity and POL’s centralized man-
opportunities for POL in various agement capabilities.”
market segments.” For its part, Gartner provides
The latest BSRIA POL report Photo: Hanover Research additional insight into the challenges
brings an external and indepen- and opportunities POL technology
dent view of the global POL market. The has to offer in its recent report, “Does Passive Optical LAN Have a Future in
research sheds light on the market evolution, Your Access Network?” According to this report’s synopsis, passive optical
the global value of passive and active com- LAN technology can be an alternative to the traditional structured cabling and
ponents, as well as insight into several other Ethernet network when new LAN cabling infrastructure is needed. Gartner
market segmentations. This includes nam- recommends potential deployers consider POL to help reduce building con-
ing the most significant advantages of POL, struction costs in situations where there is a need to simplify network opera-
which are cited as: capex/opex savings; the tions for greenfield deployments, where there is a lack of local IT staff, where
ability to easily scale and be futureproof; the there is a need for long cable runs, and when security is the highest priority.
highest level of security; and up to 90 per- Alan Bertsch, Qypsys president and APOLAN chairman, concludes, “The
cent space savings capabilities. findings from these industry experts are a true testament to the techni-
cal superiority of POL and the industry’s need to digitally transform now to
Matt Vincent, Senior Editor
m at t v @ pe n n w el l . co m keep pace with network demands of the future.”

48 SEPTEMBER 2018 Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cablinginstall.com

1809CIM_48 48 8/22/18 8:36 AM


Need a
BICSI
CEC?

Want to earn it in fiber?


FOR FREE?
Go to learn.lightbrigade.com and select the Fiber Foundations
online course. The first 250 registrants attend for free with code
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www.lightbrigade.com • (206) 575-0404 • (800) 451-7128

1809CIM_C3 3 8/22/18 8:36 AM


LOOKS LIKE A BEAUTY
PRINTS LIKE A BEAST
Meet the PT-E800W Portable Label Printer
A surprisingly sleek and sophisticated wireless labeling system, the PT-E800W prints
ridiculously durable laminated labels that last – even in the harshest environments.
Unique to its class, this model boasts a detachable full-size keyboard, a rechargeable
battery, and extra storage for additional label cartridges. And with free label design and
mobile printing apps, you get on-the-go ease and power for any labeling job.
To learn more, visit
BrotherMobileSolutions.com/right-tool

Laminated labels in variety of colors Full-size detachable keyboard Convenient storage compartment

See this award winner at BICSI booth #645

1809CIM_C4 4 8/22/18 8:36 AM

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