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.
Facility Managers: 5 Questions Before Buying Rack Seismic Bracing
Facility managers: decide and buy compliant rack seismic bracing. Start with an address SDC check, check slab capacity, and require PE drawings.
US Installers: 5 Steps to Size Access Control Wire Gauge
Five checks to size conductors for locks and readers. When to use 18 AWG or 22 AWG, the 5% voltage drop target, and AHJ tips for US installers.
NYC Structured Cabling: Compare Quotes by Testing and Documentation
Estimate NYC commercial structured cabling costs with real per drop ranges ($150–$250 Cat6, $200–$350 Cat6A), sample budgets by job size, and an itemized...
40+ Years of Field Proven OTDR Testing for Fiber Technicians
Practical OTDR testing for fiber technicians: field‑proven setup and bidirectional trace methods, launch/receive checklist, and stepwise troubleshooting...
Prevent Inspection Failures: IBC/NEC/UL Firestopping for Cables (U.S.)
U.S. code-first firestopping for cables. Practical IBC/NEC/UL steps for facilities and cabling teams to prevent inspection failures and document every...
Optical Loss Testing for NYC Installers: OLTS, OTDR, 3 dB Rule
Technician-first field guide to optical loss testing: use OLTS for Tier 1 certification, OTDR for diagnostics, apply one cord reference and keep a 3 dB...
AV Integrators: Acceptance Testing for USB-C Over Cat6 (100 meters)
Field-tested guidance for AV integrators on extending USB-C over Cat6: cabling, termination, acceptance tests, device limits (100 meters), and power...
Avoid Weeks of Delay: Demarc Extension Rules for Facility and IT Teams
Facility and IT teams: learn ownership rules, site prep steps, and labeling standards for a demarc extension to avoid delays and speed troubleshooting.
MTP vs MPO Cabling: What to Specify and Why It Matters
Discover the critical differences between MTP and MPO cabling. Learn how to choose the right connectors for optimal performance and reliability.
Cat6 Bend Radius: The Minimum Every Installer Should Know
Understand the critical minimum bend radius for Cat6 cables to prevent damage and ensure optimal performance—learn the rules every installer must know.