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Tag: cabling

Low Voltage for High Security 

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Low Voltage for High Security 

You’ve seen it… On roofs, on fields, and now cameras. Solar power! Years ago the talks began about where this energy source can take us. Recently we had a client who wanted us to install a Solar Powered Camera System. Which got us thinking.. “Will we be seeing more of this?” Solar Powered Camera Systems are its own source of energy.  Making it seamlessly affordable on cutting down energy costs and being eco friendly at the same time. The issue arises with placement. While they work best when in direct sunlight the quality diminishes if the conditions do not permit such as a cloudy day. They can be perfect for construction sites and outdoor security but must be placed where they can get enough sunlight throughout the day. We suggest getting a solar camera with the option of also being battery powered. Therefore you won’t lose recorded footage in case the natural energy source runs out. Even so, why would we need low voltage installation? Low Voltage solar panel cameras allow you to have cameras set up even if they aren’t close to a power supply. Giving you more freedom and more areas for surveillance.

Good Habits: SAFETY First

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Being in business for 20 years, we know how important it is to ensure we practice safety measures and keep up to date. Insurance companies and prospective clients want to know that you aren’t a liability. Our President and founder is a Bicsi certified trainer and ensures all staff is OSHA compliant/ certified. As a small business we know our workers well and want to make sure they make it home to their families unscathed. You know that famous photo of the men on the Brooklyn bridge eating their lunch? Even though we may not be putting up bridges, accidents still happen and safety practices are still needed. A brief look at key points in time regarding employee safety in construction;  In 1910 workers compensation was first put in place, a few years later 1913 the Department of Labor was founded. Only in 1937 was the hard hat implemented and in 1971 OSHA was founded. 

According to OSHA’s website 1 in 5 worker deaths occurred in the year 2019. 

Slips, trips and falls are the most common citations. Can you guess what the next common citation is? Improperly grounded extension cords! This is a very common scene on work sites. These cords can become frayed, causing the piece of metal it may be tied to to become live which results in shocks if touched.

General safety Asks; 

Ask yourself did I  scan the area for any hazards? Doing this immediately can prevent a harmful situation. 

Ask Do I know where the first aid kit is if I were to need it? 

Ask did I clean and vacuum your work area? 

Ask are my tools and ladder clean? 

Ask Do I have my eye protection, hard hat and PPE? 

Ask Does my PPE fit properly?

Ask Have I reviewed the SDS (safety data sheets) that are on site? 

Ask Did I stretch and flex for at least 10 minutes? 

 

We make sure to hold a safety meeting at the beginning of each job and at least weekly thereafter.  Make a habit to practice safety skills and continue to be up to date with OSHA requirements. Injuries are preventable and we intend to keep it that way! 

Supply Chain and Cabling

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We are all feeling the effects regarding the supply chain issues.  With a business to run and our clients deadlines to complete, we have to work together. Making sure we have the supplies necessary to carry out projects is a priority. Labor shortages, equipment availability can affect cost and readiness.  Being in business for 20 years gives us the advantage of having a good standing relationship with our vendors. Speaking with them and getting feedback on what is happening now and getting a temperature of  what could possibly be changing is crucial. Let’s talk about materials. In low voltage we want to make sure we have our copper and coax cables ready which can take up to 4 – 6 months to obtain. Vertical and Wire managers, due to the metals, can have a lead time of 4-5 months. PDU’s and smart boards can take the longest with almost  6 – 8 months. Reasons such as the current war in Europe, getting raw materials, labor shortages and moving freight from one terminal to another has an effect on lead time. Prices aren’t being held longer than 30 days and are constantly changing. Communicating and being transparent with our customers and vendors gives us the best possible combat to the ongoing supply chain issues. Planning ahead has allowed us to stay on schedule for completing projects on time.

Our Role in the Metaverse

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It is very easy to become close minded to this new seemingly invasive technology. It seems to be a way of disconnecting from the real world. We think of it as an extension of Gaming or playing SIMS. To answer the question of what the Metaverse is, you are sure to find an array of answers. It is anything from VR gaming and activities to  quite literally a virtual world where you could buy virtual food and clothing. The metaverse is still developing. I particularly liked the article on wired.com referring to it as  a “hybrid-verse” when trying to define what exactly the metaverse is. They suggested,  “mentally replacing the word metaverse with cyberspace.” In some ways it’s disconnecting from physical reality but engaging in a new social way in virtual reality. 

 

So we have to ask, could we have some role in the metaverse? 

When it comes to the amount of high volume of data that is required by this new cyberspace, it will require a strong fiber connectivity. The installation of fiber will help deliver lower latency and of course ensure a high bandwidth. 

 

The metaverse could be something more useful though. It’s all about the virtual experience. Over the past few years we have been forced to adapt to a new way of doing things. Meetings and classes can be held online using video conferencing platforms. Imagine using the virtual reality platform to showcase and sell products or  provide real time demonstrations.  We do frequent walkthroughs for job sites, could it be possible to simulate a building and do a virtual walkthrough in conjunction with cad drawing with the buildings? 

 

EY highlights in one of their articles how there will be opportunities and urges people to become a “co creator” player in the metaverse  not just a “participant”. We always want to take a look ahead and how we can work with,  not against  future innovations.

Why Fiber Optics is How We Network

Written by wdiaz on . Posted in blog.

Energy, all businesses need it but how can we get it without the damaging effects it has on our earth.  Businesses need the wiring to build their network and survive. With many businesses making a comeback after 2020 we have more building plans that are being constructed.

We have an opportunity to take charge from the start and make some changes that can benefit our environment and decrease our carbon footprint. A lower energy consumption means positive elements for the environment. Using a fiber optic network will not only use less energy now but it allows networks to work over a longer period of time. How does Fiber Optics help the environment? Well, it reduces CO2 emissions and the use of  non sustainable materials. 

Shorter lengths of fiber optic cabling supports a high bandwidth over longer distances compared to copper cabling. Fiber is lighter in weight and requires fewer lines to use which helps reduce unnecessary waste. Using a closet to support fiber optic telecom networks helps reduce the need for a cooling system (HVAC) which in turn limits the amount of HFC’s that are known to harm our environment. Overall Fiber Optics is good for growing businesses and businesses who have the same environmental goals. A small change now for big changes tomorrow. Let’s Thrive!

 

 

Coax Cabling

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Knowing how to install and terminate coax cable properly is critical to achieving impedance matching. Knowledge and selection of the best available materials greatly increases efficiency.

Coaxial cables may be rigid or flexible. Rigid types have a solid sheath, while flexible types have a braided sheath, both usually of thin copper wire. The inner insulator, also called the dielectric, has a significant effect on the cable’s properties, such as its characteristic impedance and its attenuation. The dielectric may be solid or perforated with air spaces. Connections to the ends of coaxial cables are usually made with RF connectors.

The most common type of coax, called Flexible Coax, is a flexible cable, which uses a braided shield of extremely fine wires. This braid helps to make the coax flexible, but at a cost: energy or RF (radio frequency) signals leak through the small gaps in the braid. To combat this attenuation (energy loss), manufacturers have added several layers of braid and placed thin foil between the layers, this provides better coverage for greater shielding effectiveness.

Even though coax makes up a small percentage of our total installations, it is still a critical piece of the infrastructure puzzle for our customers. Coax has been the medium of choice for high fidelity audio, television, satellite and broadband communications.