sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information New to the Board and have a few questions

I found this board looking around and it is pretty interesting. I have worked in the telecom field for some time. Most of my experience is in Central Office installation and engineering. For a year or so I worked as a Project Manager for a company that does structured cabling. I was over projects of rewiring schools. Since then I have gone back to a central office position so that I could start try starting a business of my own doing structured cabling. I read over some topics on the board and have a few questions. I currently do some residential jobs, but plan on bidding on some smaller commercial projects first (50 or less drops). I might be wrong, but I gathered from many of the pictures and from what I read that you all stay away from patch panels for that few cables. The projects I worked on were anywhere from 500 to 3000 drops. We used cabinets or racks with patch panels always. Even for the telephone. The reason is, that is what the customer specified. I can see where customers with a smaller amount of cables do not need cabinets or racks and it would cut cost not to use them. My question is, do you all stick with punch down blocks for this few cables? If so, do you use 66 or 110 blocks? The reason I ask, is the customer we worked for would not let us put a Data cable near a 66 block. In some instances we could use a 110 block and only an ortronics block that was rated at Cat 5E. They said the 66 blocks were not quality enough to put Data cables on. Also, do most of the smaller customers require documentation of test results. I really want to keep away from having to buy a $10,000 test set in the beginning if I can. I have used the agilent framescome 350 and wirescope 250 a lot. I have been looking at the fluke model also. If most do make you show results, is there a tester that is not so expensive to start out with? Also, anyone in the Dallas area, what are some supply companies in the area? I have bought from CSC and Rexell in the past. I would just like some other options. Thanks for the help.

We never use 66 blocks for data. Leviton makes a patch block that does mount on a 66 bracket for small jobs (12 drops or less) just leave room to expand. As far as supply houses we use rexel, graybar,comatrix, gruber and the list goes on. 110 blocks are good for cross connect but I dont like them for data. We also use small wall mount racks if needed.

Our testers are all microtest even our fiber testers that is one place you dont want to skimp if you can help it.

Ya, I just did not know for sure if you all were using punch blocks for everything. I just read through a few threads and looked at pictures and that is all I saw. We were even running fiber to portable buildings and putting 4-6 drops in the portables. In there we even put a wall mount cabinet with 23", 24 port, patch panels. Thanks for the suppliers. I will check them out.

I use a FrameScope too. The Category 5e standard calls for testing and documentation. So I think technically the cable would not be 5e compliant without test docs. Yeah, it could still work, but it's not Category 5e.

No 66 blocks for data. Patch pannels only for me, I don't care if I have 1 drop or 10000 drops. Always 48 port patch pannels. As far as voice goes I always use 110 blocks (unless I am extening a Dmarc in that case I use 66), IMHO it looks alot cleaner that 66 blocks and takes up less space.

We like the 66M blocks (split) Thats all we use for phones. Just personal preference. It's easier for us because we're used to them. I like the Siemens. 5E Patch panels (12 port) for small data jobs--24, 48 for the bigger ones. We don't crimp any 8-pin mod plugs any more. Patch panel and pre-made patch cords. The only thing we put mod ends on are line cords and 4 pair required for some system installs.

Thats good news. I will just stick with Patch panels since that is what I have always used and it sounds like most others. We tested all our stuff with the Agilent testers because that is what the project required. I am Ortronics Certified and on the projects Ortronics gave a lifetime warranty with the job if we were Ortronics Certified and used certain testers. That is why we used the Agilent. I am just trying to get away with not spending 10 grand on a tester starting out. I have looked at a Test set made by Test-Um called the validator. Has anybody used it? I just want to use it getting started and then end up buying a Fluke or Agilent. It is only around $1000. By the way, how do you get in the installer section? Do you have to have a certain number of post or something?

You have e-mail

------------------
Voice and Data Cabling in DFW, [email protected]
DnR Communications

For me patch panels are the only way to go. Even small jobs I use 24 port patches, leaves room for growth. If you want to cert. the drops you need patch panels.

I didn't know that Siemens makes 66 blocks!

I thought it was Siemon, but maybe I am wrong. It could be Siemons, Siemen, Siemens, Seamons.......it goes on forever.

Siemon and Siemens have absolutely nothing in common with each other, nor do they manufacturer the same lines of products.

Just more of my typical sarcasm. I have already addressed this misspelling before in another post, but let's not go there.

------------------
Ed
---------
How come there's always enough time to go back and fix it a second time?