Tie Wraps vs. Velcro

My guess is that most of you haven’t heard about the ongoing battle of the tie wrap versus velcro, right?

OK, it’s not making news headlines and most people have better things to think about than tie wraps and velcro.  However, it is something that can effect the performance of your cable infrastructure.

Look at the cable bundles to the right.  If you look close you can see the tie wraps on the right bundle are actually crushing the cable.  The left bundle is using velcro, the cables are still secure, but the cables are safe and undamaged.

Another advantage of velcro, besides a better appearance, is the velcro is reusable.  If I want to add one more cable to the left bundle…no problem.  Take off the velcro, add the cable, reinstall the velcro.  In order to add a cable to the right bundle, I would have two options: 1) add the cable outside the existing tie wraps with new tie wraps, or 2) cut the existing tie wraps, add the cable and install all new tie wraps.  Option 1 will look terrible, especially if it happens more than once; option 2 is fine, but requires you to have extra tie wraps and clean up your mess of “cut” tie wraps that you removed.

I’m not saying tie wraps aren’t useful, just not for “dressing” cables.  They can be beneficial in securing cables in the ceiling space, just don’t crush the cables, and make sure you use plenum tie wraps if it’s a plenum ceiling. 

Hint…last time I checked, plenum velcro was cheaper than plenum tie wraps.

Have a good weekend!

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HDMI & DVI Plenum Cable Debut

My next blog was almost complete, but since Michael from Atlona Technologies was kind enough to stop by and leave a comment on a prior blog, I thought I would respond to his comment and give his company a little plug.

Michael’s comment was in response to a prior blog discussing the need for “plenum” rated cables, specifically HDMI cables.  At the time I wrote that blog I was looking for a plenum rated HDMI cable for a job I was working on, and had no luck finding one.  As a matter of fact (Michael), I did come across the Atlona Technologies website at that time and saw the plenum rated HDMI cables listed, but they were not available at that time.

I must admit, I am very surprised that plenum rated HDMI and DVI cables are not readily available, but I am very pleased that someone is addressing this issue.  You may be the first to offer these cables, but I am sure you won’t be the only one for very long.

“Thank you” for stopping by and leaving a comment Michael, and GOOD LUCK with your new cables (available Feb. 19th).

For those interested, check out Atlona Technologies at www.atlona.com.

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Cable Guy vs. Network Guy

Is that chair comfortable?

I admit, I get a little jealous of the “network guys” when I see them sitting in a chair doing their work.  Especially when the day before I spent 12 hours on my feet installing the cables, jacks, racks, etc. so they can do their work.

However, when I wake up in the morning and see 20-30 emails sent, or service tickets that were worked on between midnight and 3 am, I’m happy to be “The Cable Guy.”

The good “Network Guys” realize that a lot of their work is best performed after hours, when the customer’s network that they are working on is not being used, when there aren’t people calling, or people in the office distracting them with other things.  It’s also called dedication, and we have one of the very best “Network Guys” out there.

Remember, the network doesn’t work without the appropriate infrastructure in place…but even the best cable infrastructure is useless if the network isn’t setup and working properly.

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Plywood Backboards

Small Office Install on Plywood Backboard

I’ve had customers ask if we can paint the plywood backboard we install to match the paint in the room? 

The short answer is ”NO!”

We are required to install “fire-rated or fire-treated” plywood.  It’s more expensive because it is treated with a special chemical that keeps it from burning as quickly. 

How can you tell if the plywood is fire-rated?

Fire-rated plywood has a stamp on it showing that is has been treated with the fire retardant chemical.  This stamp is what the inspector looks for when he sees plywood hanging on the wall, and if you paint the wood, he can’t see the stamp.  If the inspector can’t see the stamp, even if it is fire-rated, you may have to remove the plywood.

I went to purchase fire-rated plywood today at the lumber company across the street for an install we are working on; unfortunately, all the plywood had been stamped on the back instead of the front.  For those of you that don’t know, the sides of plywood are given a grade like “A”, “B”, or “C”.  It is common for one side (front) to be “A” and for the other side (back) to be “C”.  The “C” side would go against the wall where no one can see it, and the good “A” side would face out.  The lumber store had stamped the “C” side which is usually ugly and un-sanded.  I know, plywood is not installed as a fashion statement, but we do take pride in our work and want things to look nice and professional.  So we didn’t buy the plywood and had to find it somewhere else.

Painted Plywood Backboard

Take a close look at the picture to the left.  Can you see the plywood?

I’ll give you a hint, the gray DSL splitter is in the top left corner of the plywood.  It’s apparent that the plywood is painted, and even got a fresh coat just before the new tenant moved in; obviously we didn’t install it.

Is it “fire-rated?”

I don’t know.  There is no way to tell now that it’s painted, but it does look nice.  Actually, the whole install looks nice, don’t you think?  We didn’t install the plywood, but we did install everything else.

My guess is that the plywood was installed by the prior tenant’s cable vendor, then painted by either the tenant or the property management in an effort to make things look nicer to get the space leased.

Either way, it was done after the inspection.

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Happy New Year, History Lesson & Twitter

  Let me start by saying, Happy New Year! 

It’s that time of year again…time for new year’s resolutions, reminiscing about the past year and planning for the year ahead.  For me, it’s also time to start counting down the days to baseball’s spring training and the start of a new season.  During my six year’s of playing minor league baseball for the Houston Astros, it was a countdown to my annual drive across the country to our spring training home in Kissimmee (Orlando), Florida.  Nowadays, it’s just a “countdown” to when I can actually see games on TV again, and of course checking on old friends and teammates to see where they’ll be playing this year.  It also means it’s time to go pick up my San Jose State Baseball season passes, where I played in 2000 and 2001.

For those that don’t know, I graduated from SJSU with a degree in Psychology and spent a few off-seasons as a substitute teacher and then as a real estate agent.  Before I got into the telecommunications business, like most people, I had never heard of BICSI or the TPMA.  I suppose it’s like that in many industries, until I joined them, I didn’t know there was a National Association of Realtors, a California Association of Realtors, and hundreds of local associations like the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors.

I was introduced to BICSI as soon as I got into the telecommunications business, and fortunately for me, my company saw the value in being a member and obtaining their certifications. 

It makes sense, don’t you think?

If you’re sick, you go see a doctor.  If you need legal advice, you go see an attorney.

In the cabling business, your company needs to have a license, and that’s it.  Doesn’t matter if you have 1 technician or 100.  So if you’re the 100th technician to be hired, you may not even know who past the test to get the license for your company, let alone know what’s on the test.  So how does someone learn the codes, the standards and “best practices” in this industry?

You guessed it…BICSI (Building Industry Consulting Service International)!

That’s what they are there for.  In this business, and especially in this economy, its hard to take time away from customers and installations, that’s how you make money and stay in business.  But if you are performing “low quality” installations, you won’t be in business long.  Therefore, it’s worth taking some time to be properly trained and informed; that brings value to your company, and your customers.  BICSI offers a large number of classes and certifications depending on an individual’s or company’s needs.  As you can see on the “My Story” page, I have the RCDD certification, which means I have been “tested to the highest degree of telecommunications design knowledge known in the industry.”  In other words, an RCDD routinely works with customers and architects to design the ITS infrastructure.  I also have the Installer 2 designation which focuses on the physical installation, it doesn’t do you any good to have a great design if you can’t install it properly.  And since I am the Project Manager at Dicar Networks, I am also certified as a Telecommunications Project Manager with the TPMA.  BICSI has plenty of other courses and certifications, these are the ones that are important in my current position and company.

So…why BICSI?

BICSI is the professional organization supporting the information transport systems (ITS) industry with information, education and knowledge assessment for individuals and companies.  BICSI serves more than 23,000 ITS professionals, including designers, installers and technicians that provide the fundamental infrastructure for telecommunications, audio/video, life safety and automation systems.

So how did BICSI get started?

Though not formally incorporated until 1977, “BICSI found its roots in the BICS (Building Industry Consulting Service) program that originated in the regulated telephone companies.”  BICS was created when AT&T determined a better way was needed to determine the “specifications for installing telephone service inside commercial and residential buildings.”  “Proper implementation of the BICS program allowed the telephone companies to ensure a timely and cost-effective installation; and minimized the need to install additional wires, cables, and termination hardware after the building was occupied.” 

Though BICSI doesn’t write them, the standards which govern the telecommunications cabling infrastructure are the “cornerstone of the design and installation communities along with the BICSI manuals, training, and registration programs.”

BICSI is constantly updating their manuals and trainings to account for technology advances and changes in this constantly evolving industry. 

Well if you’ve read all this, I applaud you.  I was hoping to have frequent short blogs, and I’ve ended up with long and infrequent blogs.  Maybe that will be my New Year’s Resolution, we’ll see.

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“Why Do You Need Plenum Cable?”

As is obvious by the last minute Christmas shopping, and my wife baking cookies for a holiday party, the holidays are upon us.  A job forced me to do a little shopping today, though not for your typical Christmas gift.

Today I was tasked with locating a plenum rated HDMI cable, and so far have come up empty handed.  One manufacturer I called claimed that no one was making this item yet, and the representative had the nerve to ask, “Why do you need it to be plenum?”  I bit my tongue and avoided a sarcastic remark and simply said, “Because I am running the cable in a plenum space.”

I will discuss more about the difference between plenum and non-plenum in future blogs, including definitions and explanations.  But for now let’s keep it very simple; if it’s a “plenum space”, you have to use plenum cable…it’s a code and therefore the law.

In case I don’t have a chance to post another blog beforehand, “Merry Christmas.”

Here we go…

OK, here we go…

If you are reading this blog then you probably already know me, or at least know of me.  If not, the information to the right, and on the “my story…” page can fill you in.  The goal of this blog is to share information, knowledge and experiences of the ITS (information transport systems) industry…often times referred to as low voltage cabling, or simply cabling. 

I don’t like to simply use “cabling” because there is so much more to it than that, even in a simple voice and data cable installation…but especially when you’re talking about telephone systems, network design and implementation, surveillance systems and audio/video.  But who am I kidding, in our fast-paced society we like things that are easy to remember…so “cabling” it is, and probably always will be.  Even in the office, these services fall under one common theme…”the cabling department.”

So let’s get going.  My goal is to post 2-3 blogs per week, so check back often for updates.  As for the information within the blogs, I hope it is entertaining enough to keep you coming back for more, and filled with useful information and experiences.  With that said, please comment on the blogs you read and send questions that can be addressed in future blogs. 

To my family, friends, and colleagues who have helped me along the way, “thank you!”