CABLES & CONNECTORS FEATURE S
ince the launch of Power over Ethernet (PoE), transmittable electrical output
has multiplied, and it will soon reach 90 Watts. In structured LAN cabling, PoE is rapidly spreading: supplying power to end devices over data cables is paving the way to more intelligent buildings and to the Internet of Things. This enables sensors, WiFi antennas, lighting, video cameras, medical technology, emergency and access control systems, remote maintenance, checkouts, terminals, scoreboards, air-conditioning and heating technology, thin clients and other digital systems to be integrated. While the current rating of PoE is reaching one
The use of PoE (Power of Ethernet) is gaining in momentum in
line with the growth and development of the Internet of Things and smart buildings. This, however, means very high currents flowing through the data network as PoE applications that
require maximum electrical output will be running round the clock. R&M examines the problems faced for LAN cabling and introduces its insulation displacement contact (IDC)
POE: a hot topic
ampere per twisted pair, in the future current will flow over all four twisted pairs of the copper data cabling (4PPoE). The relevant standard IEEE 802.3bt is expected to be ratified this year. In addition to this, there will be PoE
applications that require maximum electrical output around the clock. Until now, peak loads have only lasted a few seconds or a minutes (during start-up or switching operations, for example), but in the future LED lighting of large buildings – ‘connected lighting’ or ‘smart lighting’ – or LED advertising spaces will be operating over data networks.
HIGH CURRENTS Matthias Gerber, market manager LAN Cabling at R&M, takes up the story: “In these applications, very high currents
will be flowing through the data network 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. That can have dramatic consequences for the cabling which, to date, was not designed for this purpose, but was simply there to transmit data signals.” The results of this could be cable
bundles heating up which will slow data transmission down. Furthermore, as the contact resistance increases with lower-quality contacts, this can lead to overheating, sparking and destruction. Here, the company draws attention to the risks of the piercing contact technology used in the RJ45 plugs of patch cords. With this technology, the
SUPPLYING ENERGY TO A SOLAR TELESCOPE
Located on a volcano on the island of Maui in Hawaii, at an altitude of 3000m, the DKIST solar telescope will be used by researchers from the US National Science Foundation (NSF) to examine the changes in the sun and its effects on Earth in the near future. When building the moving dome structure of the telescope, the Spanish company IDOM specified drag
chains from Kabelschlepp Metool. To ensure reliable energy supply to the numerous individual consuming units, two separate drag chain systems are used in the gigantic telescope. Two steel drag chains cover the vertical axis (azimuth) with a 420˚ angle of rotation. Another drag chain system with several individual carriers supplies the revolving sun-blocking panels in the roof area along the horizontal axis (altitude) with energy, data and coolants. The angle of rotation here is approximately 105˚. Steel drag chains with individual aluminium stays ensure optimum guiding of the very heavy and large hoses and power cables. Of benefit here, steel drag chains are not affected by the strongly fluctuating temperatures in this environment. Tsubaki Kabelschlepp installed the entire azimuth system in Germany
in advance and subjected it to comprehensive testing to ensure reliable functioning of the system on site. The experts used targeted pre-assembly of the components and perfectly coordinated transport planning to make shipping to Hawaii, and the subsequent installation process, as efficient as possible.
Tsubaki Kabelschlepp
http://kabelschlepp.co.uk
The insulation displacement contact (IDC) used by R&M offers long-term safety. With this, two sides of a spring contact clamp the wires permanently. The contact halves cut through the insulation and flexibly terminate the wire
connections between the copper wires and the conductors in the plug can slacken, the company explains. Gerber adds: “Experiences confirm
R&M’s opinion that the industry has created a sword of Damocles with the use of piercing connection technology. It can strike at any time when using PoE with continuous maximum power – in other words, it is unpredictable.”
THE INSULATION DISPLACEMENT CONTACT (IDC) The insulation displacement contact (IDC) used by R&M offers long-term safety. With this, two sides of a spring contact clamp the wires permanently. The contact halves cut through the insulation and flexibly terminate the wire. According to R&M, IDC
terminations are fatigue-proof, load- and vibration-resistant, temperature- and moisture- resistant, dust- and gas-tight, and thus corrosion-protected. Tests have proven the contact
resistance of an IDC connection remains continuously low and stable. Gerber adds: “IDC is the one and only basis for using Power over Ethernet with high currents in continuous operation. And we are accentuating that with the PowerSafe seal.” PowerSafe is a quality seal for PoE
products. Cabling products labelled PowerSafe can continuously transmit high currents in local data networks. The range includes patch cords, cable assemblies, connection modules, couplers and field-mountable connectors. R&M’s PowerSafe-products for PoE installations feature IDC terminations as well as wires with the appropriate conductor cross-sections for optimal resistance values. According to the company, it is the only supplier of RJ45 patch cords with IDC technology.
R&M
www.rdm.com
DESIGN SOLUTIONS | JUNE 2018 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57
