Fluke Corporation - Experts & Thought Leaders

Paige Datacom Solutions announced an upgraded GameChanger® Outside Plant (OSP) Shielded Cable, a superior direct burial solution that can streamline the installation of outdoor devices, including cameras and wireless access points. Paige’s GameChanger significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable and now the OSP shielded cable can extend through multiple environments. Authority comment “Our customers were asking for a single solution that would take them from inside the building, to the outdoors, underground and up light poles – so they can hang cameras or access points without adding complications and costs to their installation,” said David Coleman, VP of business development for Paige. “This is an all-in-one solution that will make their life easier.” Multiple enhancements Multiple enhancements of GameChanger includes CM listing and 600V AWM rating The upgraded GameChanger OSP Shielded Cable achieves these capabilities through multiple enhancements, including a CM listing, which removes the limitation of running beyond 50 feet indoors and with its 600V AWM rating, it can be used where power cables are present, such as light poles. The upgraded cable also includes a “non-sticky” gel-filled core, which blocks water and prevents degradation of performance in wet, outdoor environments. A real game changer "For those who need a low cost, simple solution to put outdoor cameras and Wi-Fi access points up, this really is a game changer," added David Coleman. “With one cable, you can install a point-to-point solution that does not require boosters, electronics, transitions or separations." Additionally, the cable’s designation as a low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) product, makes it possible to use in applications like a tunnel or a transit facility. Used in a wide range of applications GameChanger Cable is available globally and used by many of the world’s pioneer Launched in 2017, Paige’s GameChanger Cable is available globally and used by many of the world’s pioneer systems integrators in a wide range of applications, including airports, hospitals, parking structures and retail facilities. Eliminating intermediate IDF requirements Paige’s GameChanger Cable delivers 1Gb/s Ethernet and PoE+ up to 656 feet (200 meters) and 10Mb/s Ethernet and PoE+ up to 850 feet, eliminating intermediate IDF requirements and the need to install repeaters, power supplies and other equipment. It is also supported by the field performance testing solutions of foremost vendors, including AEM, Fluke, Ideal, Netscout, Softing and Viavi. The part number for the upgraded GameChanger OSP Shielded Cable is 258340804, the same as the previous version of OSP Shielded Cable. It is available through major security distributors, including ADI, Anixter/WESCO and ScanSource.

Fluke Networks has unveiled the MicroScanner PoE to speed the installation and troubleshooting of Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices including those supporting the new high power 802.3bt standard, which was ratified in September of 2018. The tester, which can verify and troubleshoot Ethernet cabling, displays a simple indication of the class of power available as reported by the switch in accordance with the Ethernet Alliance designations. This information indicates if sufficient power is available for the device in question. MicroScanner PoE capabilities Quickly determine if a problem is caused by a bad or unconnected cable, insufficient power, or a Powered Device (PD) Information for the Network Engineer to investigate potential switch configuration or malfunctions PoE Switch Verification - Determine if a switch port can provide enough power by reporting PoE class (0-8) Powered Pairs - Graphically identifies powered pairs. Including Dual Signature where the switch port delivers power on 2 or 4 pairs (802.3bt or PoE ++) PoE Injector verification - Display injector voltage level Active Switch Detection - Determine if a cable is connected to a switch port and port speed up to 10G Cable Testing - Identify any shorted, open or crossed wires at both ends, length of each pair, and send tones to find cables. Validate and troubleshoot the Industrial Ethernet copper cabling Standardised implementations PoE provides substantial cost, efficiency and flexibility benefits, sparking an explosion of powered devices such as cameras, access points, and displays, along with switches to support them. Unfortunately, the term “PoE” is not defined by any standard and a wide variety of standardised and somewhat-standardised implementations are available. Even more confusing, multiple standards, multiple power levels, a variety of non-standardised names such as “PoE+”, “PoE++”, and other designators are used. The result is that it’s difficult even for experts to know what devices will work together. The Ethernet Alliance launched a certification programme to end this confusion. Power levels and requirements are designated by a number from zero to eight indicating the amount (or “class”) of power sourced or required. Slow access points The MicroScanner PoE also provides a complete set of tools for the technician installing PoE and non-PoE devices Technicians need to simply ensure that the class number of the source is equal to or greater than the class of the powered device. When connected to a PoE switch, the MicroScanner PoE will display the maximum power class indicated by the switch, making it easy for the tech to know if the switch and device are compatible. The MicroScanner PoE also provides a complete set of tools for the technician installing PoE and non-PoE devices. Cable wiremapping, a built-in toner, and distance-to-fault indicators can track down cabling problems quickly. When connected to a live switch port, the unit displays the speed of the port up to 10 Gbps, especially useful for troubleshooting slow access points. Cable identifiers can be used to track which cable goes where. Category cabling requirements “Ensuring quality installations of a PoE network is a three-step process,” according to Harley Lang, RCDD, Director of Marketing for Fluke Networks. “First, designers should use EA PoE certification to ensure their selected equipment will work together. Second, the cabling installation should be certified to meet not only the category cabling requirements, but also the resistance measurements that are critical to PoE. Third, techs should be outfitted with tools such as the MicroScanner PoE so they can ensure they’re properly connected to devices which can supply the necessary power.”

Paige DataCom Solutions, the developer of the GameChanger Cable, a cable designed to significantly exceed the reach of traditional category cable, announced a new version of the cable to support the special requirements of hazardous locations. These locations are defined in Article 500 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), where explosive or ignitable gases or vapours are present under normal operating conditions. "This brings a new, important and much more affordable option to installations typically requiring very expensive solutions," said David Coleman, VP of Business Development for Paige. Explosion-proof cameras “For those applications classified as Hazardous, this really is a game changer. With the CI/D1 rating this armoured cable allows installers to skip the expensive and time consuming installation of rigid pipe, and with a reach that goes well over two times traditional cable, this can save a significant amount of time and money." This version of GameChanger is ordered cut by the foot and can even be factory terminated Additionally, this version of GameChanger is ordered cut by the foot and can even be factory terminated, eliminating the potential need to purchase a standard cable length that is far lengthier than the installation requires. Paige’s GameChanger cable delivers 1Gb/s Ethernet and PoE+ up to 656 feet (200 metres) and 10Mb/s Ethernet and PoE+ up to 850 feet making it an ideal pairing for explosion-proof cameras, WAPs and other edge devices. Performance testing solutions This cable eliminates intermediate IDF requirements and the need to install repeaters, power supplies and other equipment, which are costly and introduce additional points of failure. This new GameChanger cable for Hazardous locations can support a broad range of industrial applications, including petroleum refineries, aircraft hangers with fuel servicing, gasoline storage and dispensing areas, paint shops and facilities, utility gas plants, chemical plants, and alcohol/cannabis production facilities. An independent performance evaluation completed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) evaluated GameChanger cable technology and verified that it delivers 1 Gbps performance and PoE+ over 200 metres. GameChanger cable is also supported by the field performance testing solutions of renowned vendors, including AEM, Fluke, Ideal, Netscout, Softing and Viavi.