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. 

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.

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.”


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

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.

More on Systems

 
The Web Can Help Us Do Important Things, Three Large Contractors Say
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From Louisville, St. Louis, and Leavenworth, Kan., the three contractors profiled—last month, this month, and the next—are working to become even more lean and efficient.

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Improving Fiber Optic Connection and Splicing Techniques
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There’s no doubt that termination of fiber optic cables is the most difficult part of the fiber optic installation process. Pulling cables is easy, as they are more rugged than Category 5 copper cables, and installing patch panels and other hardware is straightforward.

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Emerging Fiber Optics Applications Benefit Your Customers
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To most of us, when we think of fiber optics, we think first of the telephone companies who use fiber for their long-distance lines and connections between local offices.

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Ethernet’s Uses Continue to Diversify
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A recent survey of network executives published in Network World revealed the “typical” business network architecture today.

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EC Captures Structured Wiring Market
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Finally! Structured wiring has come home to America. Anticipating this increasingly attractive market, electrical contractor Tom Lowry made the move full swing into residential structured wiring systems.

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Allowing Modular Furniture to be Modular!
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With the growing adoption and use of modular furniture by the commercial building industry, any discussion concerning structured cabling without consideration of the TIA/EIA-568-B.1 recommendations concerning “Open Office Cabling” is insufficient.

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The Web Can Help Us Do Important Things, Three Large Contractors Say
| under

From Louisville, St. Louis, and Leavenworth, Kan., the three contractors profiled—last month, this month, and the next—are working to become even more lean and efficient.

READ MORE

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