West Penn Wire Blog

In low voltage cabling, we hear the terms solid and stranded on a regular basis. When these two terms are being discussed it generally goes back to the copper material within the cable and how it is arranged.  The main, distinct difference between these two is t he overall flexibility.  In the article below we will be looking at some distinct differences between the two. 

 

Stranded Cable:

Stranded cables are made from several thinner wires that are woven together into one cohesive bunch and are insulated. These cables are used in situations where the wire is installed in cramped space. This cable can also be used when the wire needs to be highly flexible and in areas with a great deal of vibration.  In a low voltage system, a stranded conductor may consist of 7, 19 or even more strands to make an AWG size.  For example, a 7-strand of 26awg will give a DCR of an 18AWG.  Other factors to consider for stranding is skin effect.  Skin effect is a phenomenon where the electrons in a conductor become stimulated and travel on the outside surfaces of the conductor. A stranded conductor compared to a solid conductor of the same AWG has more surface area hence a better, quicker signal.

 

Advantages:

• Highly Flexibility
• Easier to Route
• Can withstand large amounts of repetitive motion
• Replaced less often

Disadvantages:

• Expensive

Solid Cable:

Solid cables use one solid copper wire per conductor and they  should not be bent or twisted repeatedly. They are traditionally used as a backbone cable in walls, conduit, ceilings, where a great amount of flexibility is not needed. This cable is more rigid and transmits signals well over long distances. Also, solid cables are cheaper to manufacture so they are considered  to be more cost-effective. 

 

Advantages: 

• Cost-Effective

Disadvantages:

• Cant withstand large amounts of repetitive motion
• Not highly  flexible

Topics: Low Voltage Cables, bulk cable, Solid Cable, Stranded Cable

There are many options that offer a cost-effective solution to support the migration to AV-IP,  which creates the setting for greater innovation and collaborations. One area that is experiencing this change is conference rooms. When working through this migration it's important to make sure that you have the right equipment to maximize value to users and their audio and video assets.

In the article below we will be stating some tips to make sure that you are selecting the right conference room equipment.

Topics: Control Systems, AV, AV/IP Systems

When a new installation is taking place or an update is needed, some potential mistakes may be overlooked. Often, trying to get a project done as easy and cost-effective as you can, can sometimes a few areas may be overlooked. If a project is rushed and not properly planned from the beginning that could result in a company facing hidden costs and slower network performance.

Topics: Low Voltage Cables, networking, network

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

AV/IP stands for Audio-Visual over Internet Protocol. This translates to the communication of AV over an Internet, LAN or WAN network. It’s replacing traditional circuit-based AV infrastructures with packet-based Internet-Protocol or IP-based streaming infrastructures, while preserving the very best image and sound quality over greater distances. It differs from the existing AV systems because it streamlines the infrastructure.  In this article we will be going over the benefits of switching to an AV/IP system has they begin to merge into one. 

 

 

Topics: Category 6A Cable, IT Systems, ethernet, Category 5e, AV, AV/IP Systems, Category 6 Cable

When installing or looking to update any cable system it is important to understand what is being used to simplify the project. With the launch of a new line of branded West Penn Wire networking accessories, it's important to understand the basics of cabling within a networking system or infrastructure.

Topics: Category Cable, Connector, networking, network, accessories

There are many different types of cables, designs and purposes. In this article, we will be breaking down the comparison between twisted pairs and braided (coax) cables and how they provide connections and how they are different for a network. Data or information, is essentially carried through cables and connectors to provide the proper connection. Each cable has different features and reduce that possibly for interference. 

Topics: coax cable, networking, network

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

 LEDs have become increasingly popular and it's easy to see why since they offer many benefits over traditional lighting. They have greater lifespans, use less energy, safer alternatives and much more! The following are seven advantages to consider when switching to LED lighting:

Topics: Low Voltage Cables, LED Cables, Lighting, LED Lighting