How to Recognize a Quality Patch Cord

• Each Component is 100% made to the Standard
• All Modular Plug Standards are not only met, but exceeded:

           - Contacts phosphor bronze, 100 in (50 in standard) of Nickel, 50 in 24K Gold

           - Plastic housing is made using 94V.O material

• High-performance Bulk Patch Cable

          - Bulk Patch Cord built in compliance to the ANSI/TIA 568 C.2

          – UL File number

         - ETL performance verified

•  Look for:

         - Strong Latch on the Plug

         – Strain Relief

        - How it is Packaged

•  Know who you are Buying from

         - Brand Awareness

• Notice how the cable “Feels”
• Testing:

           - Calibrated Fluke DTX 1800 and correct patch cord test adaptors

           - Every cable is 100% performance tested and must pass before shipping

          - Test results available upon request

What to Avoid

- Too Tight of a coil

- Messy Conductors in the Plug

- “Cheap Patch Cords” – No Strain Relief

- Cracked Plugs – Messy Conductors in the Plug

- Does the Clip on the Connector BURN? – Bad Pin Depth

- “Channel Tested” – Un-Tested Products

- Molded Plugs

 comCables introduces its new Unloaded Mini Patch Panels, Finger Duct 1U & 2U Single Sided Wire Managers, Purple Jacks, and 90 degree Rapid Punch

Denver, CO– comCables, a Denver-based manufacturer of structured cabling solutions, is releasing 4 new major products in April: Unloaded Mini Patch Panels, Finger Duct 1U & 2U Single Sided Wire Managers, 90 degree Rapid Punch Tool, and a new line of Purple Ultimate Cat 5E and Cat 6 Jacks. These products offer top-quality features to provide an added value and depth to the comCables product line.

The new Unloaded Mini Patch Panel is composed of a flexible solution which is ideal for use at a consolidation point. It features folded edges which are designed for added cable clearance. It includes a flush mount design for a neat finished appearance. “We are excited about the added features of the new unloaded mini patch panel. This will definitely help during installation with its folded edges insuring the added cable clearance” said Andy Work, Director of Product Management at comCables. “These patch panels are going to make our contractors’ jobs easier, which is what we strive to do.” Check out the Mini.

comCables also introduced its new 1U and 2U single Sided Wire Manager. Both wire managers are side mountable onto a standard19/23” relay rack. They are composed of a high-impact flame retardant thermoplastic, ABS material and are UL- rated at 94V-0.Check out the 1U. The major advantages of the remodeled wire managers are the reliability and durability of the product. Check out the 2U.

The new 90 degree Rapid Punch Tool is a great time saving product. With a steel frame and easy to grip PVC handle and quick termination features, this “One Punch & Done” fits the comCables 90 degree Cat5e and Cat6 jacks and has a nylon+ fiber/steel/sk5 blade set. Check out the 90 RPT.

The final and most colorful new product is comCables new line of 5E and Cat 6 Purple Jacks. The standard comCables Ultimate Jacks that many installers use and trust, now come in a deep purple hue. This Ultimate purple jack is available in CAT 5E RJ45, CAT 5E RJ45 HD, CAT 6 RJ45, CAT 6 RJ45 HD.

For this issue, I have decided to write about the foreseeable future of the structured cabling industry.  Where we now and what are the projections for the next 5-10 years?  Entering 2012, the Structured Cabling Industry in the US is approximately $5 Billion. Let’s take a quick look back at some projections that have been forecasted for our industry.

World Market for Structured Cabling Reaches $7 Billion

May 1, 2000 12:00 PM, By EC&M Staff

A report published in 2008 had this prediction

Worldwide Structured Cabling Systems Market Will Hit $29.1 billion by 2013, says New Report.  

This report published in 2008 shows the Global Structured Cabling market at $15.3 Billion dollars with a prediction that it would double by 2013.  This is an annual growth rate of 20%. There are now current predictions that state that the Structured Cabling industry will continue to grow at a rate of 15-20% per year for the foreseeable future.  If that holds true then by 2020 the Global market for SCS solutions should be around $60 Billion and the US market about $28 Billion.

Traditionally, the US has been the dominant player in the use of Structured Cabling. Here is a chart from 2000 when the Global market for SCS solutions was a mere $7 billion.

At that time, nearly half of all structured cabling was done in the US.  Today, the trend is the ROW (rest of the world) share is growing. Here is a chart from 2008. What it represents is that the total market share for the US shrank to 33% of the world market.

The trend is that there is growing demand in the rest of the world for SCS solutions. What that means is that more than ever, the US market is competing with the Global market for the materials that go into these products.  We will continue to see higher and higher copper prices as well as cost increases in PVC, PE, FEP and other ingredients that go into manufacturing these cables.  In all likelihood, 2009 was the bottom for cable prices so anticipate these products will continue to increase in cost.  On a positive note, this growth represents major opportunities for those who will think beyond the borders of the US. There is tremendous worldwide demand for knowledgeable SCS professionals.

What we are experiencing in our industry is staggering historic growth.  While there may be a few blips along the way, the next decade will continue to be one of phenomenal growth and opportunity.  What is causing all this growth? The simple answer is IP Convergence.  We have been talking about converged networks since the late 80’s but it really is only now gaining traction. SCS solution have become the cabling that handles all voice, data, DAS for Wireless, Building automation, CCTV, Security, Access Control and any other special systems in a building via a IP base protocol. We will see rapid adoption of this technology and the cabling types need to support these networks. Let’s save that discussion for next time

- posted by, Tom McAllister, RITP- National Sales Manager,

Feb. 27- Mar. 2 is comCables’s week of recognition as one of the 50 Colorado Companies to Watch, and we are celebrating! There will be cake, appetizers, and lots of beer! Join us on Thursday, March 1, from 3-6p.m. to celebrate comCables’s success throughout the years.

to R.S.V.P. call 303-952-1728 or email marketing@comcables.com

comCables supplies a full line of cables, connectors and tools to network professionals, including cat6 solutions and surveillance systems. comCables manufactures a complete solution of structured cabling products and distributes a full complement of low voltage products throughout the United States. Our Cat5E, Cat6 & Fiber solutions are rigorously tested for performance and reliability, and meet all ETL and UL Certification requirements.  Our knowledgeable sales team can help you find the structured cabling solution you need for any size project.  At comCables, We’re with you.