Why Not Consider Splice-On Connector for Field-Termination?

There is no question that the demand for network capacity is accelerating dramatically as data traffic has proliferated. Hence, a great amount of optical fibers are deployed in the field in order to cope up with the requirements. Which inevitably exerts more work stress when polishing and terminating these massive fibers. Field-installable splice-on connectors, which can be terminated at the end of the cable in field by fusion splicing, can resolve this issue. This article will shed light on the functions and benefits of splice-on connector, and explain why we should consider it seriously.

What Is Splice-On Connector?

A splice-on connector uses a fusion splicer to permanently join a fiber stub inside the connector with a fiber cable. The splice is protected within the boot of the connector. Splice-on connector features a factory pre-polished ferrule that eliminates the need for polishing and adhesives so they can be crimped in the field. Splice-on connectors significantly enhance the effectiveness of the termination and installation, which allow for unsurpassed performance and flexibility in the field. Moreover, splice-on connectors are easily assembled that requires minimal skill or training, and it presents the same high quality as the factory terminated one.

The diagram above typically illustrates the SC type of the field-installable splice-on connector. It generally consists of 8 parts. In addition to stub, which is a ferrule with a short fiber, and heat shrinkable sleeve, all housing parts are almost the same design as the standard connector.

How to Assemble Splice-On Connector?

The process for splice-on connector assembly is fairly easy, and SC or LC version simply has the same procedures. Here we take SC splice-on connector for example, just follow these steps:

Why to Consider Splice-On Connector?

Splice-on connectors generally expand our options for field-termination, technicians nowadays incline to embrace the splice-on connector for OSP environment, data center installation and multi-dwelling unit (MDU) networks. Here are six reasons why we should consider splice-on connector to network.

Fewer Components and Material Required

With a splice-on connector, the pigtail is eliminated since the fiber stub inside the connector is permanently joined with a fiber cable. The splice is protected within the connector boot. There is no need for splice tray, slack management of fiber strands, or other accessory.

Better Insertion Loss and Return Loss

Splice-on connector has better performance on insertion loss and return loss when compared with mechanical splice. By utilizing a fusion splicer, a splice-on connector creates a continuous connection in the glass by “welding” cores together. Which results in robust performance at the splice.

Installation Flexibility

Splice-on connector gives installer much more flexibility by combining fusion splicing with a field-installable connector. It allows you to run drop cables to an end-user, cut the length you need and then attach the splice-on connector and plug it in, with no shorts or excess slack. Splice-on connector makes it possible to achieve durable, high-performance connection with the same amount of time it takes to complete a mechanical splice.

Well-Suited for Outdoor Environments

Most splice-on connector can be used in outdoor environments, providing permanent, robust connections in outdoor enclosures. They can remain stable through a wide range of temperatures and other harsh conditions.

Notification for Successful Splice

When technician successfully completes the splicing task, most fusion splicer can notify them. This decrease the chance for installer skill that is required for mechanical splicing, making it easy to use splice-on connectors regardless of you are a beginner or expert.

Significantly Decreased Price

The cost of fusion splicing tools once has stood in the way for the spread of fusion splicing. However, the industry has experienced significant decreases in splice prices in recent years. One can even choose to rent those devices if needed. Fusion splicing gains in much popularity that enables more installers to benefit from splice-on connectors for deployments.

Conclusion

Splice-on connectors simply combine the quality of fusion splicing with the ease of a field-installable connector. It enables technicians to realize greater efficiency and improve fiber management especially in tight space and high density environments. They have been extensively used in FTTx networks, cable TV backbone networks, outside plant and MDU FTTP cabling, as well as data center installation and connector restoration in the field. So why not consider splice-on connectors for your project?

Source: http://www.china-cable-suppliers.com/consider-splice-on-connector-field.html

How to Install Splice Protection Sleeve in Splice Holder?

Fusion splicing offers a simplified and convenient way to achieve fiber optic connectivity. Providing a rather consistent and low loss mating of fiber optic stands, fusion splicing is preferred by many installers as an efficient method to connect fibers together. Fragile as the fiber joint is, it is easily impacted by stress and outside force. Hence, a splice protection sleeve should be necessarily used to safeguard the fiber splice in field and factory operations. We will present several common types of splice protection sleeve here, and try to explain how to install it in splice holder.

Splice Protection Sleeve Description

Generally speaking, splice protection sleeve is typically used to protect fiber joint in the fiber optic fusion splicing work. It basically consists of three parts: a hot melt type adhesive inner tube and a strength member, enclosed in a cross-linked, polyethylene heat shrinkable outer tube. The design ensures consistent and reliable protection of spliced fiber, and secures fiber alignment from damage during shipping, handing and installation. Here we introduce the commonly used splice protection sleeve for you.

Single Fiber Splice Protection Sleeve

Single fiber splice protection sleeve is often with 40mm or 60mm length, whereas 45mm sleeve is specifically provided by some vendors. It is designed to offer simple, convenient and highly reliable ways to protect and reinforce single fiber splice. The highly transparent tube of single fiber splice sleeve allows for direct view of the inside joint part, which facilitates regular inspection and maintenance.

Ribbon Fiber Splice Protection Sleeve

Ribbon fiber splice protection sleeve is used to protect mass fusion splices of ribbons. Different from single fiber splice protection sleeve, it is capable of accommodating multiple fiber splices, ranging from 2, 4, 8, and up to 12 spliced fibers. The tubes of ribbon fiber splice protection sleeve are clear to allow viewing of the fiber during and after splicing. The entire assembly is designed to ensure that all members maintain perfect alignment during handling and shrinking.

Considerations Before Installing Splice Protection Sleeve

Before installing the splice sleeve to the splice holder, do not forget to carefully inspect the finished sleeve. Basically there may exist the following common problems.

1. Debris inside the sleeve, which can cause an attenuation increase or fiber break. The solution is to thoroughly clean the fiber before sliding on the sleeve and to store the sleeves in a plastic bag to prevent debris from entering the splice protection sleeve during storage.

2. Improper tension on the fiber. Fail to maintain tension on the fiber during the heat shrink process my cause non-parallel fibers that result in an attenuation increase or broken fibers. So it is essential to maintain tension on the fibers when placing into the tube heater, and avoid twisting the fiber when placing or removing from the heater.

3. Cable gel or grease inside sleeve. This may have a similar effect on the fibers as solid debris and may cause bending of the fibers in a relatively short span. The solution is to thoroughly clean the fiber before sliding on the sleeve, and to not touch the fibers once they have been properly cleaned.

4. Sleeve splitting when heated. This happens due to improper tube heater settings or because the sleeve suffered a cut or puncture before being heated. This can be avoided by ensuring correct tube heater settings and by keeping the splice protection sleeve in the plastic bag until ready for use.

Method to Install Splice Protection Sleeve in Splice Holder

The spliced fibers are always stored in a splice sleeve holding apparatus of splice trays. The holders can be foam or plastic depending on the construction and dimensions of the splice tray. In this part, we offer you a proper way to achieve safe and successful installation.

Correct Installation Method

The strength member inside the splice protection sleeve is designed to provide protection during installation and removal from splice holders. To this end, one could insert the spliced fiber into a holder with the strength member in the down position. Which means it is the strength member, not the fiber, that should be installed firstly into the target holder position. This minimizes contact of the fiber and facilitates remove a splice sleeve whenever necessary.

Incorrect Installation Method

Never install the fiber prior to the strength member or put the fiber and strength member parallel to the base of the fiber holder. This would exert excess stress to the fiber, splice protection sleeve and the fiber holder as well. The consequence is increased insertion loss of the fiber.

Conclusion

Small as it might be, splice protection sleeve provides robust and reliable protection to fiber splice in fusion splicing work. Appropriate installation of splice protection sleeve ensures optimum performance and accessibility when placed in splice holders and trays. And do remember to visually inspect the splice protection sleeve before seating them in holders.

Source: http://www.fiber-optic-solutions.com/install-splice-protection-sleeve-holder.html

How to Choose the Proper Cabling Pathway?

Just as the old saying goes: it’s the little things that make the biggest impact. This is especially true when it comes to design a data center—there are so many factors to consider during the process, among which the proper cabling pathway construction only possesses a small part yet matters significantly. Data center designers are always aware of that multiple products must work together to ensure a successful pathway and cable management. This article will take a review of the commonly seen cabling pathway types.

What Is Cabling Pathway?

Cabling pathways allow the placement of data center trunk cables and cross-connect cables between racks and cabinets. Cabling pathway comes into two forms: overhead pathway and under floor pathway. Both of them are designed to accommodate all standards-compliant cabling and allow for necessary changes later. In other words, cabling pathway should support the weight of cables in the initial installation and also facilitate additional cables in the future. Which helps ensure robust pathways that respond well to cable work over the facility’s life cycle.

Cabling Pathway types Overview

Cabling pathway types come in a dazzle array of styles, in this section, we’ll illustrate some of them that widely used in work areas, wiring closets and for horizontal and backbone cable runs.

Conduit

Conduits are pipes that cable is placed in and pulled through, and it can be metallic or nonmetallic, rigid or flexible. They run from the telecommunications room to the work area outlets in the floor, walls, or columns of a building. To ensure that enough conduit be installed, it is recommended that the conduit would better be only 40 percent full by your current cable needs, or 60 percent full to the maximum. Which leaves you space for future growth.

Cable Trays

Cable tray serves as an alternative cabling pathway component to conduit, which can be installed as distribution system to route and support your cables. Typically, cable tray is open and equipped with sides that allow cable to be laid within the tray’s entire length. It is ideal to use cable tray to manage a large number of horizontal cable runs, due to their greater accessibility when it comes to maintenance and troubleshooting, as well as its ability to accommodate change.

Basket Tray

A basket tray serves as a cable tray that designed for light duty applications, which is lightweight and easy to install. Unlike ladder rack installation, to properly install a basket tray, certain level of experience is needed. Many of the accessories that accompany ladder racks also accompany basket trays, to ensure proper bend radius and a proper transition to the equipment rack.

Underfloor Cable Tray

An underfloor cable tray is used primarily in data centers. It resembles much as overhead support pathway types. However, when using under floor cable tray systems, the air space may be a plenum air space, so all cable and patch cables would need to be plenum to ensure proper air flow.

Ladder Racks

A ladder rack is made of tubular steel and comes in sizes from 6’’ to 36’’ wide. The installation of a ladder rack is simple and requires little trade experience. Ladder rack comes with many accessories such as 90-degree bends, waterfalls and cable retaining posts. These accessories allow the routing of cable without damage.

Raceways

Raceways are special types of conduits used for surface mounting horizontal cables. They are usually pieced together in a modular fashion with vendors providing connectors that do not exceed the minimum bend radius. Raceways are mounted on the outside of a wall in places where cable is not easily installed inside the wall. They are commonly used on walls made of brick or concrete where no telecommunications conduit has been installed.

Installation Considerations for Cabling Pathway

With the purpose of supporting the current needs as well as future growth, several essential factors should better be considered while designing and installing cable pathway.

• Overhead and underfloor cabling pathway should be installed in a matrix type method, allowing cables to be routed from point to point anywhere in the data center.
• When installing any types of cabling pathway, grounding and bonding are rather vital. Make sure that all racks, cabinets, and cabling support components are properly bonded and the system is grounded.
• Always leave room for future growth. All cable tray and ladder rack should allow room to accommodate at least 50% growth after the initial install.
• Be sure the heaviest cable in on the bottom of the tray or separated from the lighter cables, and separate the copper cables from the fiber cables if possible.

• Avoid mounting any types of cabling pathway in locations that block access to other equipment inside and outside the racks.
• Avoid routing pathways with copper cables near equipment, which may generate high levels of electrometric interference. Avoid areas around power cords, florescent lights, building electrical cables and fire prevention components.

Conclusion

The knowledge concerning different styles of cabling pathway lies the foundation of proper installation of data center pathway. Choosing proper cabling pathway type makes it easier to perform cable-related work and maintenance later. Make your decision on the basis of your unique working condition and environments, and do not forget to account for the factors mentioned below while perform cabling pathway installation.

Source: http://www.china-cable-suppliers.com/choose-cabling-pathway.html

Use Wireless Access Point to Extend Wi-Fi Network

It is widely accepted that one annoying fact about Wi-Fi networks is their signal reach. The range of a typical Wi-Fi sometimes cannot even cover a house properly. However, Wi-Fi networks can be boosted, which means that their corresponding coverage area and signal strength can be increased via various methods. Installing a wireless access point is such an ideal and efficient way to extend the network. This article offers rudimentary information about wireless access point, and explains several vital factors concerning its installation.

What Is Wireless Access Point?

Sometimes referred to as AP, wireless access point is a device that allows other wireless devices, such as laptops, cell phones and wireless printers—to connect to the wired network through Wi-Fi. In a wireless local area network (WLAN), an access point is a station that transmits and receives data. It also serves as the point of interconnection between the WLAN and a fixed wire network. A small WLAN may only require a single access point, and the number increases corresponding to the network users and size. In the vast majority of the time, the terms Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless access point are synonymous.

Functions of Wireless Access Point

Wireless access point ensures enterprise-level security and high performance for any LAN environment. Which facilitates connectivity between devices and the Internet or a network. An access point can be used in conjunction with a router to extend the wireless coverage around your home/business.

Businesses sometimes deploy dozens of wireless access points to cover larger office buildings. Each of them can serve multiple users within a defined network area, as people move beyond the range of one access point, they are automatically handed over to the next one. Besides, wireless access point may be used to provide network connectivity in office environments, public places (coffee shops, airports and train stations) and larger residence. It especially helps cover those hard-to-reach corner rooms or outdoor patios.

Considerations for Installing Wireless Access Point

The wireless access point must be strategically installed to ensure seamless coverage

Building Floor and Coverage Area

Floor plan of the building is the first element when designing the placement of your wireless access point. Multiple access points may be required to ensure each can provide a strong and steady signal. Therefore a survey of your building before the installation of the access point can ensure seamless coverage and connectivity of the entire space.

Number of Employees and Devices

As for companies and enterprises, even if your company is located in one central location within the reach of one wireless access point, the device may not be able to support numerous people’s work volume. High traffic use of the Internet can slow down the speed and efficiency for everyone. Under this circumstance, you’d better install multiple access points, often limiting each to 15-20 users, for optimal signal strength in heavily occupied office spaces.

Obstacles

Here the obstacles refer to walls, doors, windows, and furniture that may impede the wireless signal from reaching your work-zone. Remember to keep your wireless access point away from these stuffs. Your building layout makes sense during the placement and installation process.

Interference

Electronic equipment inside a building may interfere with the wireless signal. For example, health care facilities accommodate some medical electrical equipment that can decrease the signal. So it is crucial to understand the possible interference and place the wireless access point away from these factors.

Mounting

After deciding on the optimal placement of your wireless access point, you have to account for other factors concerning mounting. Never place the wireless access point to extreme temperatures or moisture environments. And try to make it aesthetic within your office. Mounting wireless access to ensure it is functional and integrated into your property.

Conclusion

By extending signal reach and network coverage, wireless access point exerts great value on optimizing network performance and capacity. It serves as an optimal solution that delivers superior performance, business-grade security, reliability and flexibility. Investing in wireless access points is the best decision you can make when it comes to getting more from your IT infrastructure and boosting productivity.

Source: http://www.fiber-optic-solutions.com/wireless-access-point-extend-wi-fi-network.html

Cable Jacket: Should I Choose LSZH or PVC?

When talking about communication cables, we commonly use terms like LSZH and PVC to describe them. These two terms describe the chemical compounds used in production of the cables. As we might be rather familiar with these widely used terms, do you exactly know what they really mean? Or more importantly, which one is better for your project? In this article, we are going to explain these frequently asked questions, by analyzing and comparing LSZH and PVC cables.

What LSZH and PVC Stand for?

LSZH—Short for low smoke zero halogen, LSZH is a kind of cable built with a jacket material free from halogenic materials (such as chlorine and fluorine), since the toxic nature of these chemicals when burned. The term “low-smoke, zero-halogen” describes two distinct properties of a cable compound. The term “low- smoke” describes the amount of smoke which a compound emits when burned, while “zero-halogen” describes the amount of halogens used to make the compound. Terms like LSOH, LSHF and LSNH are all proper references for cables possessing low-smoke and zero-halogen properties.

PVC—Polyvinyl chloride (vinyl), a general-purpose plastic jacket material used for cables. Features low in cost and flexible, PVC cable is widely used in applications such as computers, communications and low voltage wiring. In the world of cabling, “PVC” is often used to denote a cable that is not suitable for use in a plenum airspace. PVC can potentially be dangerous in a fire situation, releasing heavy smoke and hydrogen chloride gas, which poses a great threat to human health electronic devices. PVC cables often have a CM, CMG, or CMR rating as defined by the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Differences Between LSZH and PVC Cable

Judging from the physical appearance, the difference between LSZH and PVC cable is very distinct. A PVC cable feels soft and it is smooth, whereas an LSZH cable feels rough since they contain the flame retardant compound and it is stiffer. LSZH cables are more aesthetically appealing than PVC cables. In addition to this, LSZH cable differs from PVC one in at least three aspects:

Cost: LSZH cables are slightly higher in cost than some PVC cables, but they are much safer when it comes to human health and sensitive and expensive electronic equipment. And this should be considered when comparing the cost.

Flexibility: Comparing with PVC compounds, there is a limited range of compound flexibility available for LSZH compounds, so LSZH cable is not recommended for robotic or continuous flex applications.

Heat: When a PVC cable is set on fire, it emits chemical fumes, acids and other toxic gases, which are both corrosive and harmful to human beings and environments. As for LSZH cable that has a flame-resistant jacket, it doesn't emit these chemical substances even if it burns or exposed to high sources of heat. And it can reduce the amount and density of the smoke.

When Do I Use LSZH or PVC?

It is feasible that LSZH and PVC have equally effective performance in modern buildings. So the decision on which one to choose actually depends on the situation, that is to say, where you are going to run the cable.

PVC cable has been used in built environment for power and control applications for decades. It is commonly used for horizontal runs from the wiring center, or for vertical runs between the floors—but only if the building features a contained ventilation system running through the duct work.

LSZH cable would be more appropriate for places where fire presents a hazard to occupants. We known that the primary danger in the event of a fire is not the fire itself but the smoke and gas produced. Therefore, it is vital that the materials and products that are installed contribute as little smoke and gas as possible when burnt. LSZH cable can be employed in the following situations:

• Confined spaces with large amounts of cables in close proximity to humans or sensitive electronic equipment, such as submarines and ships.
• Mass transit, central office facilities and telecommunication applications.

Conclusion

Even though PVC cable still reigns supreme in wire and cable industry, the use of which has decreased over the past years. On the other hand, LSZH cable technology has advanced significantly, it is well suited to some applications mentioned in this article. Your cabling choice always relays on your specific condition, while to consult with wire and cable experts can also be beneficial.

Source: http://www.china-cable-suppliers.com/cable-jacket-choose-lszh-pvc.html

Feed-Through Patch Panels Installation Guide

Network Patch Panels are intensively used in the Ethernet cabling installation, and they are generally regarded as a critical component in the entire cabling systems. Serving as the nerve center of the cabling network, the importance of patch panels cannot be neglected. Among the different forms of patch panels, feed-through patch panels are less messy than traditional punch down patch panels, offering an ideal alternative to existing data centers that require additional patching.

Feed-Through Patch Panels Description

Feed-Through patch panel is an in-line series of connections mounted onto a frame, which enables network cables to be terminated in an orderly manner. The numbering of the panel ports allows for the network installer to label the wall plates to match the corresponding connection at the patch panel. Feed-through patch panels are the ideal way to create a standards-based, flexible, and reliable copper platform in your data center. Available with 1U (24 ports) and 2U (48 ports) configuration, feed-through patch panels are the perfect complement to further facilitate your ease of installation and maintenance, as well as optimal flow of information. Cat5e and Cat6 feed-through patch panels are commonly used in data centers nowadays.

Highlights of Feed-Through Patch Panels

The feed-through patch panels have RJ45 ports on both sides for easy installation, and each panel accommodates 24 ports in 1 rack unit. The panels are available in Category 5e, Category 6 and Category 6A configurations. General features of feed-through patch panels are listed as following.

• Simple solution for managing cables patching in high-density IT environments
• Loaded with feed-through adapters, providing quick and easy connectivity
• Numbered and labeled ports for easy identification and reference
• With universal 19-inch rail spacing, sturdy metal construction
• Without punching down the wires to the ports, it saves time and energy while maximize productivity
• Perfect for voice and data transmission up to 10 Gbps.

General Procedures of Feed-Through Patch Panels Installation

Use the feed-through patch panel in relay racks or communication cabinets. They neatly organize and support the data cables you’ve installed in the rear of the patch panel. Follow these steps to install the feed-through patch panels.

Step One: Find an empty rack space.

Step Two: Install the panel with the supplied 10-32 or 12-24 cup head screws.

Step Three: Install the RJ-45 patch cables on the front and rear connectors. Make sure the rear patch cables are resting on the cable management bar.

Step Four: When using the shielded feed-through patch panels, make sure to attach the necessary drain wires. Use one drain wire for each shielded module on the patch panel. Attach the drain wire in either of the two places as shown in the following picture. Connect the other end of the drain wire to proper ground. The following picture shows drain wire installation options for shielded models.

Step Five: Use cable ties to secure the cables to the cable management bar. The figure of a completed installation is shown below.

Conclusion

Feed-through patch panels enabling patching without punching down bulk wire to the back of the panel, and keeping patch cables neat and tidy on the rear of the panel. Moreover, feed-through patch panels also deliver excellent performance and facilitate quick and easy installations. Which makes them optimum especially for high-density data center environment, as well as for Gigabit Ethernet applications.

Source: http://www.fiber-optic-solutions.com/feed-through-patch-panels-installation-guide.html

Horizontal Cabling: Choose the Right Copper Cable

Copper-based cabling has held the dominate position as the most prevalent horizontal cable medium for years. The reason of this can be partly explained by the fact that copper cable is inexpensive and easy to install. Additionally, the networking devices associated with copper cabling are less costly compared with their fiber optic counterparts. Copper cable comes in a dazzling array of types, and since cable type determines the network’s topology, protocol, and size, understanding the features of each copper cable is necessary for the installation of a successful and robust network.

Copper Cable Types at First Glance

By far the widely installed and most economical copper cable today is twisted-pair wiring. In this form of wiring, two conductors are wound together (“twisted”) for the purposes of canceling out electromagnetic interference (EMI) from external sources, and crosstalk from neighboring conductors. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded or screened twisted pair (STP or ScTP) are the two primary varieties of twisted pair on the market today. Screened twisted pair (ScTP) is a variant of STP. Next, we will focus on the characteristics and possible applications of them.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) copper cable has been used in telephone systems for many years. And it was also intensively applied in local area networks (LANs) since late 1980s. UTP cabling typically has only an outer covering (jacket), which covers one or more pairs of wire that are twisted together. The lack of shielding enables a high degree of flexibility and durability, lower cost and simpler installation of UTP. During the past years, the bandwidth capabilities of UTP are consistently being improved, making it popular especially in computer networking. Four-pair UTP cables are often used for horizontal cabling, while multi-pair (25-,50-, or 100-pair) UTP cable is more commonly seen in backbone cabling.

Features of UTP are listed below:

• Four-pair cables are typically used for horizontal cabling. Higher pair counts are often used for backbone cabling.
• Its conductors are not surrounded by a metallic shield to prevent electrostatic or electromagnetic coupling.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

Shielded twisted-pair copper cable has a metallic shield which significantly reduces the instances of interference-related network problems. Though more expensive to purchase and install than UTP, STP offers some distinct advantages: it is less susceptible to outside electromagnetic interference (EMI) than UTP cabling since all cable pairs are well shielded. As with UTP, four-pair cables are typically used for horizontal cabling. When it comes to STP, four-pair cables are offered in two versions:

Four-Pair Screened Twisted-Pair (F/UTP)

F/UTP (also referred to as ScTP) copper cable has an outer metal shielding covering the entire group of copper pairs. This type of shielding protects the cable from external EMI; however, the shield and drain wire add cost as well as size. The shield and drain wire also require bonding and grounding. F/UTP is recommended for use in hospitals, airports, or government/military communications centers.

Four-Pair Shielded Twisted-Pair (U/FTP)

U/FTP (also referred to as STP) copper cable includes metal shielding over each individual pair of copper wires. Besides protecting the cable from external EMI, U/FTP provides better near end crosstalk performance than F/UTP. However, the multiple shields also add more cost and size. Like F/UTP, the shield and drain wire require bonding and grounding.

Should I Choose Unshielded, Shielded, or Screened Copper Cable for Horizontal Cabling?

Network managers and cabling infrastructure designers are constantly in the dilemma to choose between these copper cables. Here we offer a solution for your reference.

For typical office environments, UTP cable always serves as the best choice (until fiber network components drop in price). Most offices don’t experience anywhere near the amount of electromagnetic interference (EMI) necessary to justify the additional expense of installing shielded twisted-pair cabling.

As for environments like hospitals and airports, it would be more beneficial to apply a shielded or screened cabling system. The deciding factor seems to be the external field strength. If the external field strength does not exceed three volts per meter (V/m), good-quality UTP cabling should work fine. If the field strength exceeds three V/m, shielded cable will be a better choice.

Conclusion

We have illustrated the characteristics and possible uses of different types of copper cable in this article. When it comes to horizontal cabling, your choice should base on the specific cabling environment and condition. Hope what we discussed here could help you to make the right decision.

Source: http://www.china-cable-suppliers.com/horizontal-cabling-copper-cable.html