Scientists at Prysmian Cables and Systems in Italy have made a significant breakthrough in optical fibre design with the production of a reduced size, 200um-diameter single-mode fibre.
Scientists at Prysmian Cables and Systems in Italy have made a significant breakthrough in optical fibre design with the production of a reduced size, 200um-diameter single-mode fibre - PrimaLight. The conventional diameter of optical fibres for telecomms use has, for many years been 250um and almost all optical cables use this size of fibre in their construction. However, as telecomms networks continue to develop and the extent of fibre in these networks goes deeper towards the end user, the level of congestion in underground cable ducts, particularly in highly populated urban environments, is becoming a critical issue.

Manufacturers have made great efforts to reduce cable diameters through the use of improved manufacturing techniques and enhanced performance materials within the cable construction.

This has helped the congestion problem considerably although the lower limits of cable diameter have now realistically been reached.

Now, by reducing to 200um the diameter of the fibre itself - the basic building block of any cable - an additional step-change in cable diameter is possible.

Agusti Valls, Senior VP of Product Development and Quality for the Prysmian cable business stated: ‘This opens up tremendous possibilities on the cable design front’.

‘For example, with the PrimaLight fibre we can now include 16 fibres into a tube element that previously had a limit of 12′.

‘Alternatively, smaller tubes can be employed to hold similar fibre counts to those used previously’.

‘The effect on overall cable diameter is significant and for very high fibre count designs - commonly deployed in the access networks - overall diameter reductions exceeding 10% are possible’.

Dr Giacomo Roba, who leads the Fibre R and D activity, added: ‘The 250um diameter has, for many years, been the de facto standard’.

‘However, with every other aspect of cable and fibre design under review we felt that this particular fibre parameter should be no exception’.

‘We are very pleased with the results of the work we have undertaken and we believe that with PrimaLight we have made a significant breakthrough which will have far-reaching effects’.

The 200um fibre, which has been made possible by use of innovative technology, features an identical glass core (125um) to the traditional 250um product, is in full compliance with ITU-T Recommendation G 652 and has satisfied all IEC testing requirements for transmission, mechanical and environmental performance.

The relevant technology is covered by patents and patent applications.

Comms Room Services has completed a network and communications refurbishment for Aspect Capital, one of Europe’s largest hedge fund management businesses (in terms of assets under management).
Comms Room Services, a specialist in the design and re-engineering of IT network communications centres, has completed a network and communications refurbishment for Aspect Capital, one of Europe’s largest hedge fund management businesses (in terms of assets under management). Completed on time - without any unscheduled outages - the project incorporated, among others, electrical power design, fire suppression, air conditioning, server racking, raised flooring solutions, intelligent data cabling infrastructure (utilising over 300 miles of cable), a 275kvA generator with a Comms Room Services Saturn E33 uninterruptible power supply, and a Comms Room Services shut-down system. After a full evaluation of the alternatives, Aspect Capital selected Comms Room Services to design, manage and implement the entire solution and, alongside workplace design specialists Morgan Lovell, were contracted to complete the refurbishment of the company’s London offices in Wigmore Street.

The project presented a number of specific challenges, in particular the server room expansion, which took twelve months from design to implementation.

As Aspect Capital trades on a 24-hour basis - from Sunday evening through to Friday evening - the existing server room environment had to remain live while the expansion project was in progress.

This necessitated the utilisation of some of the most sophisticated technology and techniques available.

The scope of the project covered multiple areas including server room and dealing room design as well as the installation of a generator and the construction of a new off-site disaster recovery data centre.

To ensure optimum operational efficiency, the project also utilised a range of advanced solutions including a Saturn E33 UPS, Medusa II patching cabinets and Smartpatch intelligent infrastructure management system.

Now completed, the solution has proved a resounding success.

Indeed, according to Mike Robinson, Aspect Capital’s IT infrastructure manager: ‘Comms Room Services has delivered exactly what it promised, a highly efficient solution, performing to our precise specifications’.

Comms Room Services is a UK-based consultancy specialising in design and build, installation, refurbishment, systemic re-patching of network mess, relocation, maintenance and support of associated infrastructure in computer and communications rooms, as well as flood and fire disaster recovery and implementations plans.

Belden CDT Electronics Division has expanded its line of New Generation Safe-T-Line cables, which now includes circuit integrity (CI), CI-PLTC and circuit integrity in conduit (CIC) cables.
Belden CDT Electronics Division has expanded its line of New Generation Safe-T-Line cables, which now includes circuit integrity (CI), CI-PLTC and circuit integrity in conduit (CIC) cables. In the event of fire or emergency in high-rise buildings, Safe-T-Line CI and CIC cables are used to connect the fire command centre to various zones throughout the building. The cables are designed to help ensure continued operation of a building’s emergency warning systems for sufficient time to allow occupants to evacuate in a timely, safe and orderly fashion.

The NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, and many local building codes, mandate ongoing operation of emergency voice/alarm communications (EVAC) systems for two hours in structures where immediate evacuation is difficult or impossible, such as high-rise office buildings.

Cables designated by the NEC as Circuit Integrity are riser-rated, which means they can be installed vertically and still withstand direct contact with flame.

Cables designated as CIC may be installed in the area above a ceiling, but they must be contained within conduit.

All of Belden’s New Generation Safe-T-Line cables are designed, engineered and constructed to meet applicable electrical requirements for CI, CIC and CI-PLTC as established by NEC, NFPA and UL standards and codes.

Safe-T-Line CI cables have been tested to and passed the 2-hour UL 2196 flame test without the use of conduit.

They cannot, however, be deployed in conduit and still maintain their 2-hour rating and thus are riser-rated only.

Safe-T-Line CIC cables have been tested to and passed the UL 2196 flame test while installed in EMT conduit according to the electrical circuit protective system (FHIT) 30 of the UL Fire Resistance Directory.

Therefore, CIC cables are designated for use in plenum installations, but cannot be deployed outside of conduit.

Belden also offers Safe-T-Line Circuit Integrity Power Limited Tray Cables (CI-PLTC) and higher pair/triad counts on a special order basis.

To ensure their respective 2-hour flame test compliance ratings, Belden Safe-T-Line cables feature thermoset elastomer insulation and flame-retardant, low smoke, zero halogen (LSZH) polyolefin jackets.

The cables are available in solid, stranded shielded or unshielded construction in various AWG sizes to meet a wide range of application requirements.

Syscom Technology has successfully completed demonstration runs and independent analysis and is now ready to commercially produce its AmberStrand metallised polymer fibre.
Syscom Technology has successfully completed demonstration runs and independent analysis and is now ready to commercially produce its AmberStrand metallised polymer fibre. Although polymer fibres have been around for a while, Syscom’s patented process for metal coating Toyobo’s Zylon Poly PBO fibre makes an extremely strong and lightweight fibre with conductive properties. AmberStrand metal-clad polymer fibres have advantages over conventional conductive metal wires in flexibility, weight savings, mechanical strength, durability and tailored electrical conductivity.

Therefore, the combined engineering properties of AmberStrand fibre afford soft textile-like wiring applications and shielding at a reduced weight.

Further, AmberStrand fibre can be terminated just like a regular metal wire with the choice of soldering or band connector.

The stringent weight and space requirements of advanced space and aerospace systems have lead to a need for stronger, lighter, smaller, and more flexible cable and wiring components.

The increasingly compact design of electrical packaging imposes significant stress levels on copper conductors.

The aerospace industry has been compelled to replace the 26 gauge copper wire currently used in aerospace vehicles with a smaller 28 gauge or 30 gauge beryllium alloy wire.

This has not been entirely successful because the thinner wires do not have the necessary mechanical strength and durability.

Manufacturers of electronic equipment and wiring will find AmberStrand to fit their needs when low weight and durability are critical.

Applications will include aircraft rewiring/retrofitting applications, new aerospace and space vehicles, military, miniature electronic applications, sports, healthcare instrumentation, plus the newly emerging field of electronic textiles.

The availability of this product will make possible new products and uses which are not currently possible.

Specifically, a sample of three twisted 12in strands of AmberStrand was tested to be 26.6% lighter than beryllium copper wire.

Breaking strength was double of beryllium copper wire.

AmberStrand requires 4-10x dynamic cut-through force.

Shielding effectiveness is comparable to beryllium copper wire at all tested frequencies.

With its superior performance characteristics, AmberStrand has the market to itself in these applications.

The other metalised polymer, namely, Dont’s Aracon, has different characteristics.

In fact AmberStrand is stronger than Aracon and sells for less.

AmberStrand is also finding its way into the e-textile market, and the product passed the preliminary US Army wash test.

The fibre was sewn onto a piece of cloth (bobbin side) and washed 20 times.

The sample material which was uninsulated showed barely no change in resistance throughout the test (3mohm).

This test demonstrated the durability of the AmberStrand metal clad polymer fibre.

Jar-Wha Lee, PhD, founded Syscom Technology in 1993.

Dr Lee, a chemist is a graduate of Fu-Jen University (Taiwan) and Rutgers University.

His developmental efforts were funded by investors and by Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Office of Naval Research (ONR), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), among others.

Syscom is able to manufacture AmberStrand to client specifications to include type and thickness of coatings, number of strands woven into one fibre, and custom lengths.

AmberStrand can be used as a shielding braid, as a bare wire, or can be coated with an insulation material.

Dr Lee says: ‘Initial customer receptivity is unusually strong and the product will enable novel and surprising applications to occur’.

Syscom is currently building its second-generation large-volume manufacturing system.

Syscom’s website offers more information, reference citations, ordering worksheets, and an ability to order engineering evaluation samples and shorter ‘touch me’ samples.

Belden Brilliance Low Cap Speaker cables are designed and engineered to meet the requirements of pro audio for high-end sound quality in indoor, outdoor and buried applications.
Belden CDT Electronics Division has released a new addition to its Brilliance line of professional quality audio cables. Belden Brilliance Low Cap Speaker cables are designed and engineered to meet the requirements of pro audio for high-end sound quality in indoor, outdoor and buried applications. Brilliance Low Cap OFHC Speaker cables deliver enhanced sound performance with exceptional clarity.

The cable’s performance gains are achieved through the use of high-conductivity, oxygen-free, copper conductors that are inherently free of impurities.

In addition, the use of a low-capacitance polyolefin dielectric rather than traditional PVC ensures a superior high frequency response, even over extended distance cable runs.

The new speakers are available with 10, 12, 14 or 16 AWG bare copper conductors and feature round, brightly colored and satin-finished PVC jackets to make the cables aesthetically pleasing to end users.

For installers, Belden Brilliance Low Cap OFHC Speaker cables offer significant benefits, as well.

Their highly stranded conductors and PVC jackets provide optimal flexibility for faster, easier installation.

Distinctively coloured jackets, with ascending/descending sequential markings at two-foot intervals and print legends that incorporate location information (such as Room 1234, Zone ABCD), also facilitate accurate, streamlined installation.

A new range of shielded overmoulded cordsets is designed for interfacing M12 system components within industrial Ethernet systems.
Harting has introduced a range of shielded overmoulded cordsets for interfacing m12 system components within Industrial Ethernet systems. The new cordsets feature a d-coded mating face according to IEC61076-2-101, which was developed for Ethernet applications to avoid mismating with other M12-based connectors. They are available for use with AWG 22 and AWG 26 cables, and meet all the relevant international standards on flame retardance and oil resistance.

A wide variety of single and double-ended configurations are available for any length of cable to provide maximum flexibility in industrial and transport applications, where the use of Ethernet system components in conjunction with M12 interfaces represents a rapidly growing market sector.

The single ended versions include an M12 field-attachable connector using Harting’s Harax rapid termination method, which allows the cordset to be cut and terminated to the exact length required.

Component On Flexible Cable offers simplified mounting of LEDs and other electronic components directly onto a flat flexible cable.
Hitaltech UK has expanded its flat flexible cable range by introducing the innovative Component On Flexible Cable for simplified mounting of LEDs and other electronic components directly onto a flat flexible cable. There are several benefits of this new advance, the first being space saving. The flat cable offers flexibility compared with a thick and rigid PCB.

But as well as saving space, these cables eliminate the need for hard wiring between rigid PCBs, thus reducing cost, and also offer high flexibility allowing the cable to be formed into various shapes.

The cables can be customised to meet a customer’s Individual needs without the need for expensive tooling.

An electronic circuit design option is also available on request.

The components are mounted and soldered automatically and the cable can be supplied on a reel up to 80 metres long, or to customised precut lengths.

Termination can be by soldering onto solder pads or by IDC connector.

Using round flat round technology, the cable can be terminated directly onto a rigid PCB.

There are also a number of extra options available.

The cable can be overmoulded to increase protection making it suitable for outdoor environments.

To accommodate a multitude of applications the cable can have up to 32 parallel conductors at various pitches.

Two different types of insulation technologies can be used: EFC (extruded flat cable) for simple high volume circuits, or laminated insulation foil for more complex circuits.

Network cabling manufacturer Brand-Rex has become one of the first companies of its kind to achieve full compliance with the European Commission’s RoHS Directive.
Leading network cabling manufacturer Brand-Rex has become one of the first companies of its kind to achieve full compliance with the European Commission’s RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC - six months ahead of the enforced compliance deadline. The company’s entire communication cabling range manufactured in Glenrothes, including all copper and fibre-optic products, is now fully compliant. The RoHS Directive, which is effective from 1st July 2006, bans the inclusion above permitted levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated biphenyl ether (PBDE) in electrical and electronic equipment sold into the EU marketplace.

Directives 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment and 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment are designed to tackle the fast increasing waste stream of electrical and electronic equipment and complements European Union measures on landfill and incineration of waste.

‘The fact that Brand-Rex has achieved full EC RoHS compliance over six months ahead of schedule is a testament to our engineering and quality control teams, the commitment of our suppliers and further evidence of the inherent quality of Brand-Rex product’, commented Brand-Rex Business and Marketing Director, Ian Wilkie.

‘As UK market leader, we fully support measures to reduce levels of hazardous substances within network cabling products and we believe that our customers value the environmentally responsible approach we take to our products during manufacture and at end of life’, he added.

Carr Manufacturing Company has confirmed its commitment to local manufacturing by doubling its Lake Forest, California production facility.
Carr Manufacturing Company (CMC) a manufacturer and provider of custom wire harness and cable assemblies, has confirmed its commitment to local manufacturing by doubling its Lake Forest, California production facility, allowing companies to more easily control their subcontracted products while maintaining quality, delivery and costs. ‘We are increasingly being approached by our customers to provide them a domestic solution to their subcontracting needs’, said Greg Carraway, Sales Manager of CMC. ‘Our focus is on service’.

‘More suppliers have abandoned domestic manufacturing for Asia supplied sources’.

‘This leaves a large segment of the market with either a logistics challenge, or lack of support in their critical early design phase’.

CMC is committed to servicing the Tier 2 and Tier 3 OEM with quality electromechanical assemblies.

By focusing on domestic support, CMC is able to service its clients more efficiently, which results in a lower product acquisition cost to CMC’s customers.

‘The challenge for many OEMs has always been price over service’, adds Carraway.

‘CMC manages our customers’ projects from conception to completion’.

‘At the time the volume increases to warrant offshore production, CMC’s staff handles the transition seamlessly to our manufacturing partners’.

CMC manages two production facilities in Mexico and has contracts with several Asian suppliers, thereby offering a total manufacturing solution to its customers.

Belden CDT Electronics Division has unveiled its full line of Brilliance Shipboard cables for audio, video, security, networking and control applications.
Belden CDT Electronics Division has unveiled its full line of Brilliance Shipboard cables for audio, video, security, networking and control applications. The new Shipboard cables provide easy installation using standard connectors and established installation techniques, and carry Belden’s exclusive 10-year warranty. The new line is composed of top-performing Belden Brilliance DataTwist and Classic Design cables that have low smoke, zero halogen jackets.

The series also includes a selection of all-dielectric fibre-optic cables.

Using these components, commercial and private owners can configure a fully certified cabling system that provides top quality performance in a variety of shipboard applications.

The cables fully comply with all applicable industry standards (IEEE45 and applicable sections of IEC60092-376 for low smoke and zero halogen), and are designed and manufactured in compliance with the European Union RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC) to meet global environmental standards.

Even more important, Belden is currently the only cable manufacturer to offer a complete line of cables approved by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for use in demanding marine applications.

The ABS is the leading international classification society devoted to promoting the security of life, property and the marine environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities.

With ABS approval, no additional special approvals or insurance company exceptions are required for Belden Shipboard cable system installations.