存档：News

Cables and systems specialist Draka, part of the Prysmian Group, has launched a small diameter Category 6a patch cable. The cable’s reduced diameter gives it flexibility and saves space in high density patching areas.

Called Slimflex, the 30AWG (American Wire Gauge) stranded copper cable occupies just 60% of the space required by standard 24AWG patch cords, which makes for easier system changes and additions. The cable’s smaller 4.5mm diameter saves space in racks and cabinets when compared to standard 6mm diameter patch cables.

Slimflex’s tighter bend radius also makes for easier cable routing and simplified cable management. It can also improve airflow to help maintain equipment performance and reliability.

The Slimflex patch cables have a white outer sheath and are available in lengths of 1m, 1.5m, 2m, 3m, 4m and 5m to suit the majority of patch applications. The low smoke zero halogen cables are flame retardant and comply with IEC 60332-1.

The cables are fitted with RJ45 connectors which feature Draka’s unique tangle-free boot design and 1.27micron gold plated phosphor bronze plug pins to ensure the best connection over multiple mating cycles.

Slimflex is suitable for a variety of applications including 10GBase-T Ethernet, data centre input/output consolidation and server virtualization, backbone aggregation, high density greenfield network racks and brownfield cable managers running out of space.

Lee Stokes, Product Manager for UC Connect, said: “Draka’s Slimflex, small diameter UC Connect patch cables deliver Category 6a performance, with a significantly tighter bend radius, for easier routing and enhanced cable management to facilitate moves, adds and changes in tight spaces”.

Source: Technical MMS UK

This June, we welcomed business partners from around the region as Prysmian Group participated in CommunicAsia 2016 held at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from 31May – 03 June.

Distributors and partners from our Multimedia Solutions business were taken on a “The Multimedia Experience” tour around the booth which showcased our new Cat 8.2 solutions, Multimedia Specials products and of course, our iconic DRAKA UC Structured Cabling Solutions which has seen remarkable growth in the region since its inaugural launch in 2013.

Year on year, our participation in the event enhances out foothold in the market and conglomerates our partners around ASIA to learn of our technology capabilities and updates; and at the same time, forge stronger bonds.

The booth had a constant flow of traffic and it was a huge success to us in terms of establishing ourselves as the World’s Largest Cable Brand. The event finishes off with a Customer Appreciation Dinner held at Carlton Hotel for up to 90 guests.

A big thank you to our regional partners, Fluke Networks and Psiber Data for their support, and the many business partners whom have visited our booth.

 

Source:Marketing MMS Asia/em>

One of the biggest challenges for businesses implementing a converged cabling infrastructure is the need to connect remote devices to the network. Zoran Borcic, Datacom product manager at cabling and systems specialist Draka, outlines the latest developments in long reach twisted pair copper cabling.

IP is being used for an increasing number of applications. Data, voice, security and building automation and management systems can now all run over a common twisted pair cabling infrastructure. More recently IP is being used for industrial applications, where the focus is on monitoring, control and data collection and visualisation – so called Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition or SCADA applications.

This shift to a converged cabling infrastructure is rapidly increasing as more and more business applications running on IP networks are introduced and increasing numbers of companies are recognising the potential value a converged cable network can bring. It is a shift that will place significant new demands on network infrastructure.

Multimedia networking is another growing trend, particularly in hotels, airports lounges and passenger ships, with applications ranging from distance learning to desktop video conferencing, instant messaging, workgroup collaboration, multimedia kiosks, entertainment and imaging.

In offices WLAN, and Wifi are gaining ground. In practice WLAN is integrated into cabling structures in line with EN50173. With the new generation WLAN 802.11ac we have the first volume application for 10GBase-T in offices, which requires dense 10Gb/s network of Class EA or better preferably with Power over Ethernet plus (PoE+) compatibility with Next Gen PoE.

The advantage of running all of these different applications over the same cabling infrastructure eliminates the need to design and install separate networks. It also simplifies network management including initial deployment and eventual reconfiguration; improves network scalability to accommodate growth; improves reliability, and offers considerable cost savings.

The disadvantage of converged cabling is that downtime no longer means employees just lose access to emails. Instead security, building management systems and video conferencing and power to remote devices will all be affected, which is why it is important to install only the best performing cables and connectivity components including jacks and patch panels.

These trends have all been taken into account by CENELEC in the new edition of EN 50173 Information Technology: Generic Cabling Systems. This is now divided into six categories:

EN 50173-1: General requirements

EN 50173-2: Office buildings

EN 50173-3: Industrial areas

EN 50173-4: Home environments

EN 50173-5: Data centres

EN 50173-6: Distributed building services

The way that the standard has been put together means that if a designer or specifier is looking to define the design for structured cabling in offices, then all they need to do is to simply refer to EN 50173-2: for industrial areas it is EN 50173-3. All of the application specific standards are underpinned by EN 50173-1: General requirements, which contains a lot of the detailed and technical information common to premises.

One of the challenges of a implementing a converged cabling infrastructure is the need to reach remote IP devices, such as remote security cameras, external temperature sensors or external door locks to the network. With conventional twisted pair cabling the horizontal distance is limited to 100m from the panel to the device so the designers and installers generally have three options:

1. Use fibre optic cabling and an Ethernet media converter at both ends of the cable. Depending on the type of fibre and application, data transmission can be supported for distances in excess of 100m. While this solution is standard compliant, it can be expensive and critically it is not possible to power a device remotely using fibre.

2. Use XR transceivers is another solution for fibre optic systems. However, for xBase-T they are not available or applicable. They are also expensive.

3. Long reach copper cabling systems would appear to be the optimal solution because copper cabling is a convenient and cost effective solution, which enables power to be cost-effectively provided to a device via PoE. And, by avoiding the need for sub-distributors and media converters, this solution also has the advantage of reducing the amount of technical space needed for converged cabling.

Long reach copper cables

Cable and systems specialist Draka has introduced UC LR22 10Gbit U/FTP, a new compact cable which will help designers and installers power remote devices with ease. The shielded twisted pair cable is constructed from American Wire Gauge 22 copper core. It has an outside diameter of 8.2mm and is fabricated from low smoke halogen free (LSHF) materials and it has been optimised for PoE+/next gen PoE.

It meets all the requirements of the Ethernet standard IEEE 802.3 and ISO/IEC 11801 standards for 10GBase-T, PoE, PoE+ and a Class EA channel up to a length of 120m providing it has been installed with UC-Connect components and patch cables.

This unique cable allows the installed cable length to be longer while using the same installation practices as standard cabling solutions for peace of mind for installers and specifiers.

Because many applications supported by this extended cable are located outdoors, such as IP cameras, access controls and alike, the cable is also available in an outdoor version too.

Standard compliant solution

In the first edition of ISO/IEC11801 a larger planning reach for services in Classes A, B or C has been part of the cabling scheme. Its logic was based on the fact a higher performing cabling can run longer distances with less demanding applications. This appeared to be forgotten in later editions of the cabling standard, although it still holds true. And, with applications located on the perimeter of LAN coverage, this fact regains importance.

Since length is only an informative measurement value and not a pass or fail criteria, testing an installed link is easy. Meters always show ‘Pass’ or ‘I’ (Only Informative Value) whatever the length. Within the ISO/IEC and CENLEC standards there is no length restriction for the transmission classes. What really matters is the end-to-end performance of the link and the LR-cable ensures increased compliance thanks to its better reach capabilities.

Since some BMS devices run at limited data rates of 100Mb/s or even less, the LR cable offers even larger link extensions. Autonegotiation of speed levels, in which two connected Ethernet devices choose the highest transmission mode they both support, makes administration easy and allows runs to remote devices at distances up to 180m.

The LR cabling approach is fully standard compliant. It enables the cost-efficient use of existing LAN infrastructure for increasingly important building management systems. It can easily be embedded in existing LAN cabling systems where it works as well as installing a new installation from scratch.

Range Overview

Source: Technical MMS UK

On 8 Mar 2016, Prysmian Group together with our newly appointed Distributor PT Piramida Data Teknologi, conducted a kick-off seminar in Jakarta to an overwhelming attendance consisting of participants from system installers and contractors background.

PT. Piramida Data Teknologi was appointed by Prysmian Group’s Multimedia Solutions Business in Jan 2016 as a new distributor for Draka UC structured cabling solutions in Indonesia.

The seminar focused to introduce our new generation of structured cabling solutions under the Draka Universal Cabling (UC) portfolio, and the accompanying products in the MMS portfolio.

We will like to extend our appreciation to PT. Piramida Data Teknologi, Psiber Data (who presented on cable test standards), and each participants in this successful seminar.

Source: Marketing MMS Asia

The Need for Speed

The launch of a Cat 8.2 copper cable system is set to transform data centre infrastructures by providing a cost effective alternative to fibre optic solutions for both 25GBase-T and 40GBase-T installations as Lee Stokes, UC Connect Product Manager at Draka.

 

The digital universe is growing fast. Experts predict it will grow by 40% a year for the next decade as the number of people, businesses, and devices that are connected to the internet continues to increase. The growth in social media, the use of smartphones, the evolution in industrial sensors, the proliferation of CCTV and the growth of video on demand and cloud computing are all contributing to this data explosion.

 

As a result of this rapid growth in data, data centres and their cable infrastructures are coming under increasing pressure to maintain sufficient capacity to cope with increasing volumes of data without a degradation of service.

 

In response, cables and systems specialist Draka has launched the world’s first third party approved Cat 8.2 copper cabling system as part of the company’s Universal Cabling (UC) Connect System. This latest product will allow Draka to offer customers the choice of both 40Gbps copper and 40Gbps fibre optic cabling solutions under the UC Connect brand.

 

The Cat 8.2 copper cable system is targeted primarily at data centre applications, where it will provide data centre developers and operators a cost-effective alternative to fibre optic systems by giving them the opportunity to take advantage of the reduced cost of copper compatible switches. The new system will also be particularly useful for applications where cable installers are more familiar working with copper cabling for both end-of-row and top of rack architecture.

 

In drawing up the cabling standards for both 25GBase-T and 40GBase-T, the standards bodies recognised that the majority of applications will be in data centres, where the preferred way of connecting servers to switches is over twisted pair cable. And, since 88% of all switch-to-server links are typically less than 30m, all three of the standards bodies (the TIA, ISO and IEEE) have deemed a maximum link-length of 30m allowable, a length far shorter than the link-lengths for other cable types.

 

The shorter link length is necessary for 25GBase-T and 40GBase-T copper cables because above 30m their performance drops to an unacceptable level as the result of attenuation. In fact, the standards define the 30m maximum length as comprising three sections of cable: a 26m length plus a 2m long patch cable at each end.

 

While the maximum cable reach is broadly similar in all the 25GBase-T and 40GBase-T standards there are, however, significant differences between standards regarding backwards compatibility of Cat 8 systems. North American standards body the TIA, for example, has broken with convention with a definition for Cat 8 that does not require the system to be backwards compatible with Cat7_A or Cat7 systems while ensuring that it is backwards compatible with Cat 6_A, Cat 6 systems and those with a lower specification.

 

The ISO standard for Cat 8.1 is similar to the TIA in that it too does not require installations to be compatible with Cat 7_A or Cat 7 installations, while requiring them to be compatible with Cat 6_A or less. By contrast, the ISO standard for Cat 8.2 cable installations does have a requirement that the installation is backwards compatible with Cat 7_A, Cat 7, Cat 6_A and all lesser products. Draka’s new system is ISO Cat 8.2 compliant, which means it is fully compatible with all system categories. It also has third party approval.

 

Draka’s Cat 8.2 cable is available in both installation and patch cable versions. The installation cable has an outside diameter of 8.5mm and an installed bending radius of 68mm, while the more flexible patch cable is thinner with an outside diameter of 6.0 and a shorter installed bending radius of 48mm.

 

Both cable options incorporate four twisted cable pairs, screened using aluminium-laminated plastic foil; the overall cable assembly is then encased in a copper-braided tinned screen surrounded by a low smoke halogen-free sheath. Their robust construction ensures the cables have a data transmission performance of up to 2GHz, which is four times the bandwidth of Cat 6_A cables and with significantly higher alien crosstalk requirements.

 

In addition to the launch of a Cat 8.2 cable, Draka has also launched a third party approved 40GBase-T connector. Most copper data cabling installations use RJ45 connectors. There are, however, currently no third party approved RJ45 connectors capable of handling 40GBase-T data volumes. So, to allow installers and developers to take advantage of its new Cat 8.2 system, Draka has developed a 4-chamber connector with a shielded quadrant design (similar to a Tera Connector).

 

Draka’s new 4-chamber connector has third party approval from testing laboratory GHMT. It has been tested up to 4GHz of bandwidth. The benefit of this is that when it is installed the 4-chamber connector will enable each twisted pair to comfortably deliver 2GHz of bandwidth. The connector also has better than 88dB of screening attenuation (the same class as coaxial connectors), which is significantly better than the 50dB maximum of most RJ45 connectors.

 

In theory, the Cat 8.2 system and connector should allow data centre’s to take advantage of 25GBase-T and 40GBase-T systems immediately. In practice, however, the launch is so far ahead of the field that there are currently no switches and servers available to run 40GBase-T. Nor are servers likely to be available to run 40GBase-T until suitable RJ45 connectors have been developed, which could take another two years.

 

To give data centre developers and installers the opportunity to futureproof their data centres with the installation of a Cat 8.2 system now, Draka has also launched a hybrid patch lead fitted with a 4-chamber connector at one end and an RJ45 connector at the other. The lead will enable a patch to be made between the 4-chamber patch panel and the existing RJ45 server connection.

 

This lead will allow data centre operators to run 10GBase-T over the Cat 8.2 system, from existing servers and switches until such times as the 40GBase-T servers and RJ45 connectors are available. Then, when the time comes, all an operator will have to do to upgrade a system from 10GBase-T to 40GBase-T is to swap the patch leads for a model fitted with new 40GBase-T compatible RJ45 connectors.

 

In addition to helping increase the data capacity of a data centre, Draka’s third party approved Cat 8.2 system is backed by 25-year performance warranty when installed as a complete UC Connect solution. And, because the system is fully backward compatible, its launch has also enabled Draka to offer a third party approved Cat 7_A and Cat 7 solution, which can deliver 10Gbps of data at 90m for both data centre and LAN applications.

Source: Technical MMS UK

Draka Innovation Delivers High-Performance Cat.6 Data Cable with Slim Profile

Prysmian Group –the world’s largest cable manufacturer – maintains its market leading position through a secure focus on research and innovation.  Investment in R&D has led to the situation where Prysmian holds a range of patents for data cable in both copper and fibre while the global reach of the company allows it to capitalise on the best technologies and skills from around the world.

An example of the benefits of this resource is the revolutionary Draka UC400 Cat.6 U/UTP HD cable which meets the performance specifications for Category 6 cable, but within a dimension of 5.25mm.

Tayfun Eren, Technical Sales / Product Manager for Draka Multimedia Solutions, describes a revolutionary new product

What’s unique about the Draka Cat6 HD cable?

Category 6 cables deliver a 1Gbit data rate, the same as Category 5e cables, but with an increase in bandwidth from 100 MHz to 250 MHz.   However, the installation of existing Category 6 cables increases costs by around 20% because of their larger diameter.  The cost increase is not due to the larger cable so much as the consequent increase in the size of conduits, cable trays etc.

Manufacturers have therefore been looking for ways to produce slimmer Cat.6 cables.   Initial products with a slimmer profile have been introduced, but they can only deliver the full Cat.6 performance over a limited length.  Third party tests for the performance of Cat.6 cable test 90m lengths.  Any cable that cannot produce optimum performance over 90m cannot be tested and therefore cannot be given the certified quality and performance warranties.

Prysmian Group, on the other hand, has developed the Cat.6 U/UTP HD cable. This product is just 5.25mm in diameter yet meets the full specification for Cat.6 over 90m.  It has therefore been approved by 3P – a recognised third party independent tester.  The Draka branded cable also delivers higher bandwidth (400 MHz) than any standard Cat.6 cable.

Because Draka Cat.6 U/UTP HD cable is comparable in size to Cat.5e cable there is no need to replace conduits, trays etc – hence there is very little price difference between the installation of Cat.5e and Cat.6 overall infrastructures.

 

What about POE?

Power-over-Ethernet (POE) technology is the capacity to transmit power and data through the same data cable.   Power transfer causes the cable to heat, due to the resistance effect.  Heat degrades cable performance and as a result the cable may not be able to transmit data over the important 90m length.

Other cables on the market have achieved a slim profile by reducing the copper content.  The reduced copper is the reason that they cannot typically meet the performance standard over 90m but it also causes problems for POE applications.   Reduced copper content increases the resistance and causes a greater heat build-up, increasing the degradation and performance of the cable.

In contrast, the development of the Draka Cat.6 HD cable does not rely on reduced copper content to achieve its performance or its reduced diameter. The result is a cable that not only meets Cat.6 performance specifications but also supports POE applications up to 60W.  It also meets POE, POE+, 4-Pair POE standards.

As a contributor to the committees working on POE technology, Prysmian Group has invested in both the technical skills to develop the solution and in the facilities to prove its performance.  In these rigorous testing facilities, Draka Cat.6 HD cable has been tested for worst-case scenarios such as when installed in a conduit and a tray. The company therefore has accurate performance data as outlined in Figure-1.

 

Source: Technical MMS UK

Prysmian Group was invited by DotCom Engineering Sdn. Bhd., the largest security solution distributor in Malaysia, as keynote speakers for their seminar in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The event was attended by a total of 40 well-established M&E consultants, developers and M&E contractors. The theme of this event, hosted in 5-star Renaissance Hotel, was “Building Johor Bahru towards Smart City Through Smart Partnership with World Class Companies”.

Presentation by Mr Tony Chong ( Sales Manager, Telecom Malaysia) and Mr Giam Tee Woon (Technical Sales Support Manager ASEAN) created huge interest in Draka’s structured cabling solutions, “UCConnect®” and Draka Multimedia Solutions series. The participants were very impressed by Draka’s comprehensive range of high quality communication cables solutions and is especially appreciative of Draka’s life-saving fire resistant cables.

The event was a success with the flow of feedback and enquiries received post event. We thank DotCom for being our trusted partner in this seminar and look forward to the many more in time to come!

Source: Marketing MMS Asia

Prysmian Group participated in this year 2015 DATA CENTRE WORLD as a Gold Sponsor, showcasing our dedicated Structured Cabling Solutions for the Datacentres.

On 28-29 Oct, our booth hosted regional visitors to promote our new generation of Draka UC solution which comprises high density copper category cables and solutions, as well as fiber optical solutions up to OM4 bend insensitive.

UCCONNECT® Product Manager, Lee Stokes from the UK shared during the keynotes session on our Group’s success in launching the Category 8.2 solution, complete with patch-cord and connectors, which is the first globally to attain a 3rd party certification.

Mr Giam Tee Woon, RCDD & Technical Sales Support Manager also delivered an informative talk on “The importance of Fire Performance Cables in Datacentres” during another Keynote Session.

It was a resounding success again to create awareness for DRAKA UC Solution, Prysmian Group’s structured cabling brand and we thank all visitors who have visited our booth to make this event really rewarding.

 

Source: Marketing MMS Asia

Prysmian Group was invited to share on the full Draka UCCONNECT® Structured Cabling end to end solutions at the Fluke Networks biannual technical updates session on 17 September 2015.

The intimate and focused event was well-attended by system integrators, cable installers and end users. We see great harmony in joint events as such to educate on latest technology and offerings; and at the same time, garner feedback from the customers.

Technical updates from Fluke Networks on 25/40GBASE-T in the recent session.

Cat8 Cabling Developments:

• The IEEE 802.3bq Draft 2.2 has specified 2,000MHz frequency range, based on a 2 connectors, 30m maximum link, consisting of a 24m horizontal cable plus 2 nos of 3m patch cords on either ends. It will be supported by ISO 11801 Class I or Class II cabling.

• The TIA-1152A field tester requirement has specified a Level 2G for Cat8 cable testing. It will likely be published in January 2016.

• IEC opened a project for 61935-1 Edition 5 for Cat8, in which Fluke Networks’ James Withey is appointed the Project Leader

• It is expected that two manufacturers will announce their Cat8 product by Feb 2016 and another three manufacturers to announce the Cat8 products in 2Q 2016

The Draka UCCONNECT® full cabinet was on exhibit featuring our wide array of patch panels, cable managers, patch cords and keystone jacks. Also, the new series of High Density panels and latest 30AWG patch cords were on display.

It was excellent brand exposure given it was full house; guests were established distributors, end users and installers from the Multimedia Solutions (MMS) industry.

It was a successful half-day session and we foresee more of such joint events in future. Fluke Networks is Prysmian Group’s endorsed partner for Draka UC copper and fibre testing.

 

Source: Marketing MMS Asia