TECHNOLOGY: SHOWCASE Cabling and connectors
Cabling is the lifeblood of any installation, but it can sometimes be overlooked as a minor consideration. But without the proper cabling system in place, including the necessary connectors, there could be a dramatic reduction in the quality of the delivered signal. James McGrath reports
{} Sommer saves cables from a watery grave
The Aqua Marinex Watertight cable series from Sommer Cable was designed in response to increasing requests from the installation and professional PA sector for a cable for use in and around water. A polyurethane jacket, which
is resistant to both salt water and microbes, enables the cable to be installed at depths between 50m and 100m. Deployments at such depths are made possible by a
protection sleeve, which prevents moisture getting in the cable and also is sufficiently strong to compensate for the pressure at low depths. The cable also features a UV-
resistant and sand-repellent jacket surface that makes the cable suitable for use outdoors – for instance on boats or offshore sites.
In addition, the jacket is halogen-free and flame-
retardant and is certified to protection class IEC 332-1. There are currently several audio, video and network cables available within the series. These include: AES/EBU microphone cable; 2.5sqmm and 4sqmm speaker cables; RG59 video (75 ohms) and phono cable; HD-SDI video (75 ohms) and phono cable; 3 x 2.5sqmm electrical cable; and Cat6 network cable. Sommer Cable also makes custom derivatives
at certain minimum order quantities.
Applications for this high- quality cable series include water oases, fountains and sediment technology, as well as ship and boat building, and adventure and amusement parks. The range is also suitable for winter and outdoor sports grounds, sea events, and underwater film and video technology installations.
www.sommercable.com
{} Neutrik toughens up RJ45 connections
The growing use of Ethernet in harsh, demanding environments led Neutrik to develop its etherCON series of rugged RJ45 connectors. Such application areas are possible thanks to a chassis that features a universally accepted size D rugged metal housing, which protects the connector against mechanical loads. Also made
of metal is the cable connector carrier, whose chuck type strain relief mechanism holds the cable securely, while its locking mechanism prevents accidental unplugging. Both the strain relief mechanism and a separate approved latch lock system are patented Neutrik technologies that aren’t found on any other
RJ45 connector.
The cable connector carrier accepts the most common RJ45 plugs. It is designed to protect Ethernet connections in a variety of commercial- type applications and to prevent breakage of the fragile components of standard RJ45 connectors. The RJ45 cable connector carrier can be mounted on
preassembled RJ45 plugs. It can also be used to upgrade a conventional RJ45 connector to an extremely robust lockable solution. Furthermore, coloured ‘boots’ are available as an accessory – these make it possible to colourcode the Ethernet connections in a professional manner.
www.neutrik.com
{} VDC e-lab-orates on fibre termination
VDC’s offering for this feature isn’t a single cable or connector product, but an easy way for installations to benefit from a fibre cable termination service. The company highlights the
ever-advancing convergence of networked audio, video and broadcast as a key factor in the need for installation with higher bandwidth – something that copper-based solutions can provide (in 10G networks) but only up to certain lengths. Fibre optic cabling can deliver the necessary data speeds over longer distances. Fibre is also immune to radio frequency and electromagnetic interference, so proximity to electrical cables is not an issue.
50 April 2014
Cable routing can be simplified and chasing/plastering/ redecorating kept to an absolute minimum. It was previously more common for installers to pull a fibre cable during a project and then leave it unterminated for future use. But now the trend is moving more towards installations specified with fully terminated fibre cables. Enter VDC’s fibre lab. The fibre lab is the only
facility of its type to be located in central London, and the company says its 26 years of experience in copper-based solutions gives it a special insight into the needs of the AV installation market.
There are several factors that make pre-terminated cable assemblies more attractive to installers. One is the common issues that are encountered when terminating onsite, such as the requirement for an onsite contractor with specialist skills and equipment. With offsite terminating these are removed, meaning a reduction in costs. Another factor is that working conditions on site are usually dirtier and dustier than those found off site; using an offsite pre-terminated cable ensures that system attenuation caused by contaminated connectivity is not an issue.
www.vdctrading.com
www.installation-international.com
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