Electical Contractor

Last month, I discussed one of the most important tools in the fiber tech’s toolbox: the fiber optic power meter. This month, let’s examine the other tool that is equally important: the test source used with the power meter to measure the loss of the cable plant.

Fiber Optics

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Because I Said So 

Wayne D. Moore

I recently realized that our failure to properly train fire alarm system technicians has created a group of workers who simply do not understand the reasons they do what they do. When a technician asks for the rationale behind a procedure, we often respond, “Because the code requires it.” 

Fire/Life Safety, Codes, NFPA 70E, NFPA 72, NFPA 101, IBC

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Upon Further Inspection … 

Richard P. Bingham

Simple power quality problems often evolve into tangled webs that take a long time to unravel.

Power Quality

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Days Gone By

Wayne D. Moore

Fire Focus, Industry Trends

The fire alarm systems industry has changed considerably over the years. Many old-timers can remember a fire alarm system that only detected a fire and sounded an alarm. Nonfire alarm systems did not interface with these fire alarm systems.

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Providers Jockey for Unused Spectrum as Wireless Traffic Increases

Rick Laezman

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Can’t Cut the Cord

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Last month, I discussed the current status of broadband networks and the emergence of wireless as the preferred connection, since most users want mobility for their broadband-connected devices.

Relatively Speaking

Richard P. Bingham

April Quiz With Correct Answers and Explanations

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Systems

Albert Einstein—who said, “Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler”—spent years in pursuit of the Unified Field Theory to combine gravitational and electromagnetic forces into a single relationship.

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Installing Technology Today

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Systems

Communications cabling installations follow rules—some mandatory, some advisory—covered by what we call standards and codes. In my experience, these two sets of rules are often confused, so let’s see how well you understand them. Correct answers and explanations are in red.

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Frank Bisbee

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Systems

The integrated systems (low-voltage) electrical contractor provides installation and maintenance of optimized and integrated low-voltage building control systems and has now expandedservices to encompass a broader range, including commissioning and service of electronic security, fire-life safety, c

City on Fiber

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Systems

While most of the talk about expanding broadband access for the American public has focused on rural customers, much of the activity is in metropolitan areas. Metro networks are expanding rapidly because they encompass many types of networks, not just broadband Internet.

Editors' Pick

Stepping into IT

Claire Swedberg