Cables & Chips
Industry Insights
Articles and insights about the low voltage, structured cabling, data network, fiber optic, WiFi, security, A/V, and commercial network infrastructure industry. This category covers practical guidance for NYC businesses, IT teams, facilities managers, property managers, contractors, and organizations planning office buildouts, network upgrades, cabling projects, server room improvements, CCTV systems, access control, and technology infrastructure.
Cat6A 22AWG PoE Lighting Cabling for Installers: Stop 100m Power Loss
Installer checklist for PoE lighting cabling: why Cat6A with 22AWG, 100m limits, power budgets, and +PoE certification prevent failures.
Avoid Rework on Carrier Handoffs: FCC/TIA Rules for IT & Facilities
Procurement checklist for IT & facilities: verify fiber, copper, coax handoffs, require tests, follow FCC/TIA rules, and avoid installation rework.
40 Years in NYC: NEC Abandoned Cable Removal for Facility Teams
This facilities first NEC playbook shows how to identify, trace, tag, and safely remove accessible abandoned cable, with NYC tested tips.
3 Low Voltage Bid Walk Outputs Estimators Must Capture
Capture three bid walk outputs that protect your estimate: site survey, attendee/addenda log, and RFIs. Use templates so estimates stay traceable.
40+ Years of Field Fixes: Raised Floor Cabling for Facilities and IT
Practical raised floor cabling for IT and facilities: NEC and ASHRAE aligned steps, firestop discipline, testing, plus 40+ years of field fixes.
3 Fiber Polarity Types Technicians Must Recognize On Sight
Technician field guide to the three fiber polarity types. Learn quick TIA checks for duplex and MPO links, verification steps, and fast fixes.
Avoid Callbacks: IEC/TIA Fiber Termination Methods for Technicians
Technician playbook for terminating fiber: step by step cleave, clean, inspect, test with IEC and TIA acceptance checks and when to call a pro.
PoE Power Budget for IT Teams: 24 Port Calculation + 20% Buffer
Step by step workflow for IT teams to calculate a PoE power budget. Includes a worked 24 port example, 20% safety buffer and test checklist.
Stop 2 AM Truck Rolls: Fiber Polarity, 4 MPO Methods and Field Checks
Technician's fiber polarity guide: Methods A, B, C and U1/U2, field verification steps, and a concise checklist to stop truck rolls.
100 Meters Is a Ceiling: Installer Rules from IEEE and TIA for Ethernet
Standards first, installer focused: why 100 m is a ceiling for Ethernet, how the 90 m permanent link affects PoE, and when to choose fiber or active...