| EC Mag

Systems

Integrated electrical and low-voltage systems of all types—inside and outside a building—encompass the range of work that electrical contractors do. The articles in this section highlight different types of work, from security, fire and life safety, to traditional electrical power and distribution, to lighting, cabling and more.

Comments

An Open-Source Test 

Jim Hayes

April 2013

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

Comments

Because I Said So 

Wayne D. Moore

April 2013

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

Comments

Upon Further Inspection … 

Richard P. Bingham

April 2013

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

Power Quality

Comments

Days Gone By

Wayne D. Moore

April 2013

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.

Fire Focus, Industry Trends

More on Systems

Defending Sensitive Data

Darlene Bremer

| April 2012

| under

Systems

Despite the recession, the global information security market grew 11 percent in 2010, representing more than $6 billion, according to New York-based ABI Research, a market intelligence company specializing in global connectivity and emerging technology.

Tag-teaming Bandwidth

Jim Hayes

| March 2012

| under

Systems

Around the world, billions of dollars are being spent trying to bring “broadband” to everyone. However, broadband is defined loosely. Some say anything over 1 megabit per second (Mbps) is broadband, while others are looking at much higher speeds.

Upsell Protection

Wayne D. Moore

| March 2012

| under

Systems

In May of last year, the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at the University of Maryland conducted a study to demonstrate the relative performance of smoke detectors and sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings and apartments, commercial residential (e.g., hotels), and institutional occup

Web Exclusive

Cabling Intelligent Buildings for Dummies

Frank Bisbee

| March 2012

| under

Systems

Today, few cable manufacturers have developed marketing strategies to sell cabling systems that are terminated in active components. This challenge to expand the value of their products is imperative. Cabling and connectors are now part of the "nervous system" of intelligent buildings.

Web Exclusive

March Quiz With Correct Answers and Explanations

Jim Hayes

| March 2012

| under

Systems

No, not the great outdoors but big buildings, convention centers, airports, hotels, casinos and other large public spaces. They require special cabling considerations because of the size of the space and the number of users.

Inevitability

Darlene Bremer

| March 2012

| under

Systems

The security industry has penetrated 20 percent of residences and has remained constant at that level for years, according to Mark Ingram, president, Visonic Inc., Bloomfield, Conn. However, that number is destined to increase as security, lighting and other home systems continue to converge.

Google Fiber Touches Down in Kansas City

Rick Laezman

| March 2012

| under