West Penn Wire Blog

In the ever-increasing reach of today’s video security and surveillance systems, many security professionals are finding that the quality, bandwidth, and distance needed to perform even the most basic surveillance is beyond the reach of coaxial and UTP cabling. Even though IP-based video security systems are gaining popularity, they face a serious distance limitation of 100 meters (328ft) or less over UTP cabling infrastructure. This poses an insurmountable hurdle when trying to monitor the many outreach locations of a typical surveillance installation. 

Topics: Fiber Optic Cable, Fiber Optic, Security Products

As fiber optic cable has become more affordable and data rates are growing, many project managers and IT professionals are starting to ask, "When should I use fiber optic cable?"

Below are some questions to ask to help understand when to potentially switch to/use fiber optic cable:

 

Topics: Low Voltage Cables, Fiber Optics Assemblies, Fiber Optic Cable, Fiber Optics, Fiber, Fiber Optic

This year's winter weather has been far from pleasant from coast-to-coast thus far. With the polar vortex that took place in January and high speed winds, there have been many power outages, cabling issues and more. With frigid temperatures and a record low of -50 degrees in certain parts of the country, how does this affect our cabling, especially fiber optic cable?

Topics: Fiber Optic Cable, Fiber Optics, Fiber, Fiber Optic

This year marks the first year that West Penn Wire published blog posts on a regular basis, a total of 20 blogs this year ranging from basic cable information to systems with greater detail.

Topics: Category Cable, Category 6A Cable, Fiber Optic Cable, Fiber Optics, Copper Cable, Armored Fiber Optics, Fiber Optic, fire alarm, fire alarm systems, fire detection systems

Although wire and cable are referred to as the same thing, they are different with separate characteristics. Both wire and cable are used in the communication and security world, and are designed to carry a message from one point to another. So what are the differences between the two?

Topics: Low Voltage Cables, Fiber Optic, cable construction, coaxial cables

Fiber optic cables have many advantages over traditional copper cables to help with ease of installation. When fiber optic cabling is discussed other terms such as attenuation rates and wavelengths are mentioned to understand how light effectively transmits through the cable. 

We examined discussed in length about fiber optics in previous blog posts, but in this particular article, we will dig deeper into wavelengths and how they affect the strength of the fibers.

Topics: Low Voltage Cables, Fiber Optic Cable, Fiber, Fiber Optic Connector, Fiber Optic

Fiber optic cable continue to integrate and revolutionize the spectrum of the cable capabilities in varying industries and will continue to trend forward. Although most understand standard copper cable more, fiber is the cleanest and faster for transmitting communication and data signals. It also can offer the highest capacity of connection for any network.

Topics: Low Voltage Cables, Fiber Optics Assemblies, Fiber Optic Cable, Fiber, Fiber Optic

Fiber Optic cables offer a business many benefits for safe, fast installations with higher bandwidth frequencies. Fiber optic cables provide extreme pull tensions up to 600 lbs and a bend radius equal to coax cables. 

If loss of fiber does occur it can result in disrupted communications and negative effects to local businesses. Review the steps below in order to repair any tainted connections quickly and effectively.

Topics: Low Voltage Cables, Fiber Optic Cable, Fiber Optic Connector, Fiber Optic

Fiber optic cable has the ability to provide any business with safe, fast installations with higher bandwidth frequencies. In order to understand what fiber optic cable can do for your business or home, it's important to understand the basic construction.

Topics: Fiber Optic Cable, Fiber, Fiber Optic, cable construction

With the recent surge of fiber optics within the market in the past few years, it is imperative that any upcoming projects have the right fiber optic cables, assemblies and the best termination method. While there are many options with which fiber optic cables and connectors to choose from, there are really only two major termination solutions: field terminated and pre-terminated. This post is going to break down what the difference between these terminations styles, the advantages and disadvantages, so you can have the best solution for your business and technicians.

Topics: Fiber Optics Assemblies, Fiber Optic Cable, Fiber Optic, Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Assemblies