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The Latin
month Ianuarius derives from ianua (“door”), since it was the opening of the
year. It was also associated with Janus, the two-faced Roman god of doors and
openings who guarded the gates of heaven. Janus could simultaneously face the
year just past and the year to come. What
a wonderful way to end the year and start another. http://www.counterfeitscankill.com/
Regarding Anti-Counterfeit Products Initiative Site WOW!! BULLS EYE. This
website has more potential value to the marketplace than anything we have seen
in years. The additional safety and security factor recognized here is
testimony to the diligent and focused work of Electrical Contactor Magazine (www.ecmag.com) and TED –The Electrical
Distributor Magazine (www.tedmag.com ).
Well Done. Keep bringing us the information that we can use to make better
buying and hiring decisions. The ugly
face of modern day piracy is “counterfeit products”. They look like the real
deal, but they aren’t. The savings, you thought you got, go down the drain in
legal fees and lost business. You better make sure that the products that you
are buying aren’t too good to be true. If
you are looking for the real deal on anti-counterfeiting efforts
read the December issue of either Electrical Contactor Magazine or TED –The
Electrical Distributor Magazine. We
will be attending the BICSI Conference in But
that’s just my opinion,
Frank Bisbee Counterfeiting Can Kill Special update Identify the Problem ;Modern-Day Piracy By clark silcox The view
that buying counterfeit products can be a victimless crime is a fantasy. There
are victims, and there is criminal profiteering, not unlike that of the of
17th-century buccaneers. In almost every significant CITY in the world,
some consumers will go out of their way for a deep-discount purchase of a
brand-name, luxury good, perhaps to a room on the upper floor of a nondescript
building where they may buy products that bear counterfeit trademarks of
well-known manufacturers. These consumers know they are buying fake goods and
that the quality is likely to be inferior to the genuine product. But still,
they feel satisfaction about their bargain purchases and justify their conduct
on the theory that no one is harmed. After all, they would never buy the
pricey, genuine goods, so sales are not lost, and no one’s health or safety is
impaired by their purchases of a fake handbag, shoes or bottle of perfume. A recent
documentary from National Geographic based on the book by Dr. Moises Naim,
“Illicit: The Dark Trade,” addresses global commerce in illegal trade of all
types and these justifications. The film captures the role of organized crime
in the global distribution of counterfeit goods and shows why consumers looking
for counterfeit handbags or athletic shoes should consider where the money goes
and how their behavior is financing criminal activity throughout the world. Damage done Seven-year-old
Connor O’Keeffe brought his Nintendo Gameboy on a family vacation to • Wires
within the charger were dangerously close together, which meant it could easily
become live and electrocute a user, said Landesgewerbeanstalt Bayern (LGA), the
German electrical laboratory that conducted the tests. • Noting
the charger was far below European safety standards, LGA discovered the gap
between the primary and secondary circuits was 1 millimeter wide, compared to
European standards, which require a 4.6-mm gap. Nintendo did not make this product.
It was counterfeit. There are
many other examples of injuries and damage caused by counterfeit electrical
products: House fires in Modern-day
pirates may still use ships to export their stolen booty, but the 21st century
weapons of choice are CAD machines, high-speed printers, digital cameras,
e-mail and the Internet. This equipment enables high-quality copying of the
exterior look of a product and the labels and packaging that accompany it.
Images of the copied product are posted on Chinese English--language Web sites,
and NEMA has found that some of these Chinese Web sites actually copy
word-for-word the text of the product’s description from the genuine
manufacturer’s Web site. The photo and the text are a fraud: they do not
describe how the internal properties of the copied product vary from the
product they purport to be. There are
counterfeit circuit breakers that have no internal parts that would terminate
the current to a wire in danger of overheating. There are counterfeit batteries
without the vents that enable built-up gases to escape and permit batteries to
fail safely. There are counterfeit grounding rods with only a small fraction of
the copper coating required to prevent corrosion by elements in the soil,
giving the ground rod a useful life of only a few years to protect property
from electrical surges instead of the 30 to 40 years one would expect from a
product built to safety standards. And then there are the counterfeit
electrical power cords—for which safety standards specify a 12-gauge AWG
wire-—that only have a 24-gauge wire typically found in speaker wire. The
cord’s jacket deceptively states it has a 12-gauge wire, but it will not safely
carry the electrical current for the purpose it falsely represents. These
hidden variations are not unintentional. These inferior products are intended
to be made and sold cheaply to appeal to those primarily interested in
purchasing an electrical product at a price that not even a wholesaler of
genuine electrical products can sell at for a profit. The purchaser is buying
these products either knowing that they are not the same quality as the genuine
electrical product—consciously avoiding the question whether they are as safe,
as durable or providing the same level of performance as the genuine product—
or buying them unwittingly, a victim of the desire to buy a product at an
unheard-of price. “Counterfeit
products pose serious health and safety hazards to consumers and put
unsuspecting distributors in the middle of a very dangerous situation,” said
Jim Pauley, vice president of industry and government relations for Schneider
Electric’s North American Operating Division, Palatine, Ill. “Anyone near one
of the counterfeit breakers when it explodes is going to be subjected to
extreme heat, sprays of molten metal and a powerful blast of energy. Further,
even if the breaker does not have a catastrophic failure, it may not properly
operate to protect the home or building’s electrical system from an electrical
fault, significantly increasing the likelihood of an electrical fire.” Most
counterfeit electrical products found in the The same is
true for many other electrical products. A recent visit to eBay uncovered
offers from While it is
difficult to quantify the amount of counterfeit electrical products that have
reached the Common counterfeits Counterfeit
products touch on a range of interests: injury or death of consumers from a
product defect or malfunction, deception of buyers of electrical products,
improper use of intellectual property rights, and the loss of tax revenue. In
addition, reputations are at stake:
Tying a fire or injury to a wrongly branded counterfeit product can give the
unsuspecting manufacturer an unwarranted black eye. NEMA is aware of at least
one member company that learned it had a counterfeiting problem because it was
named as a defendant in a product liability lawsuit for a product it did not
make or sell. In a recent
report covering product liability issues for its members, the National
Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) reported that documented cases of
counterfeit electrical products reaching the market include the following: • Conduit
fittings installed in a hazardous location, marked with a brand and certification
marks bearing the manufacturer’s part number of a product designed for use in
hazardous locations without actually meeting the design requirements suitable
for those locations • Circuit
breakers bearing a brand name not providing protection • Defective
control relays bearing a counterfeit certification mark, causing a machine to
malfunction • Extension
cords bearing a brand name and certification mark for a product designed for a
12-gauge wire but actually employing a smaller 24-gauge wire, which catch on
fire when the cords are used as the manufacturer intends • Imported
dry-cell batteries containing mercury, when •
Electrical products bearing the certification marks of third-party test labs
without authorization •
Counterfeit ground-fault circuit interrupters • Cell
phone batteries •Electrical
receptacles Risk of product liability claims Who in the
distribution chain of a product—manufacturers, distributors, retailers or
contractors—is open to product liability suits when a product malfunctions or
otherwise fails to perform as expected and causes injury? Most of the time,
according to NAED reports, the manufacturer is the first focus of a claim or
lawsuit based on the malfunctioning or defect of an electrical product and will
stand behind its products. Claims most often associated with product liability
include the following: •
Negligence • Strict
liability, where the injured party must show only that the product was
defective (unsafe if used as intended) or unreasonably dangerous (likely to
cause harm) • Breach of
warranty: a warranty is a statement by a manufacturer concerning the traits or
operation of a product. When the
product is determined to be counterfeit, however, the manufacturer will generally
avoid liability for a product that it did not make or sell. The focus then
shifts to the distributors, retailers, electrical contractors and installers.
The hunt is on for those who introduced the defective counterfeit product into
the supply channel in the first place. Finding that entity, particularly if it
is in A collaborative solution The
Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008
(HR 4279) passed the House of Representatives in May 2008, and legislation
pending in the U.S. Senate explicitly recognizes the importance of a
public-private partnership. NEMA and
several of its members impacted by counterfeiting are pursuing public-private
partnerships with the government on intellectual property enforcement. NEMA
also meets with customs officials, helping them understand from where the
dangerous fake electrical products are coming, and with criminal
law-enforcement officials, asking them to bring cases where it is believed
someone has knowingly trafficked in counterfeit electrical products. In
addition, NEMA talks with trade and safety agencies to make them aware of the
correlation between counterfeit products and substandard products. NEMA has
written to the U.S. Trade Representative to support its World Trade
Organization case against NAED and
the National Electrical Contractors Association support efforts to combat
counterfeit electrical products, and the efforts of Underwriters Laboratories
and Canadian Standards Association International (to combat counterfeit
electrical products) have not gone unnoticed. The product liability risks and
the risks to the public from the unsafe counterfeits drives a mutual
recognition among all groups in the electrical channel and the government that
collaboration in eliminating this insidious side of global commerce is the only
possible strategy. For more on the solution, see the “What’s Being Done”
section, starting on page 46i. Silcox is
general counsel for NEMA. He can be reached at Reprinted
with full permission of Electrical Contractor Magazine www.ecmag.com & Reprinted
with full permission of The Electrical Distributor Magazine www.tedmag.com ********************************* Counterfeiting and Piracy: How Pervasive Is It? By cheryl
d. smith Industry
experts and government officials estimate that counterfeiting and piracy is
growing worldwide, and the cost to the nation, companies and consumers is
alarming. From
counterfeit prescription drugs and automotive parts to computer software and
electrical extension cords, the market for bogus products is increasing and is
of particular concern to electrical manufacturers, distributors and contractors
that stand behind the products they make, sell and install. While one of the
biggest challenges facing the electrical industry is the physical danger
counterfeit products pose to consumers, there also is the economic impact to
consider. When intellectual property rights are infringed upon, it undermines
the ability to innovate and create breakthrough technological solutions that
bolster the global economy and create jobs for millions of Americans. Counterfeiting
and piracy cost the Small businesses
also suffer because many lack the resources to bring a claim against a
perpetrator, and a malicious attack to steal a trademark or copyright could
ultimately destroy the company. In 2005, the U.S. Patent and Trademark office
found that only 15 percent of small companies that conduct business abroad are
aware that a “There are
estimates that intellectual property in the Health and
safety risks also are mounting as counterfeit prescription drugs account for 10
percent of all pharmaceuticals, according to the World Health Organization. The
Center for Medicine in the Public Interest reports that imitation drug commerce
is expected to grow 13 percent annually through 2010. Data
compiled by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration
Customs Enforcement Unit (ICE) shows a dramatic increase in seizures of
counterfeit and pirated goods in recent years. In fiscal year 2007, CBP and ICE
conducted 1,295 seizures of counterfeit goods that posed potential safety and
security risks with a domestic value of $27.9 million. Seizures of hazardous
counterfeit goods more than doubled year-to-year in both value and number. The
types of products seized included electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals,
perfume, cigarettes, batteries, auto parts, food and sunglasses. By midfiscal
year 2008, CBP and ICE had confiscated 796 shipments of products with possible
safety risks with a domestic value of $24.8 million—a 28 percent rise in
seizures and 30 percent increase in domestic value compared to 2007. (These
numbers show the magnitude of counterfeiting as a whole and not just electrical
components.) “The size
of the counterfeit electrical market is difficult to determine because we don’t
know that a product is counterfeit unless it has been previously tested,
inspected or failed to perform its intended function,” said Bernd Heinze,
president and CEO of the Philadelphia-based Sequent Insurance Group. “Most
estimates, although conservative, project the amount of global counterfeiting
of electrical products between $11 billion and $20 billion annually and between
$300 million and $400 million in Heinze has
represented and defended electric utilities, distributors, suppliers,
installers and manufacturers in product liability and contract matters. He
recently produced a white paper on behalf of the National Association of
Electrical Distributors (NAED) to help distributors assess legal and risk
exposures of doing business overseas. Based on his study, “Product Liability
Exposure: How to Manage and Mitigate the Risks in Today’s Global Market,”
Heinze said the growth of products being contracted overseas and purchased from
unauthorized dealers has contributed to an increase of recalled electrical goods
and claims filed against electrical distributors and manufacturers. “With
global trafficking of counterfeit electrical products on the rise, distributors
and manufacturers can minimize the risk of being sued by exercising due
diligence to verify the legitimacy of the manufacturer,” Heinze said.
“Representatives in the electrical distribution channel must conduct business
with reputable sources in order to have confidence in the integrity of the
product.” Square D,
the flagship brand for Schneider Electric’s North American Operating Division, “Five years ago, we were unaware of any
counterfeit Square D products in the United States, but there has been an
influx in recent years of trafficking counterfeit goods,” said Tracy Garner,
anti-counterfeiting manager for Schneider Electric/Square D. “Based on our
lawsuits, hundreds of thousands of counterfeit Square D circuit breakers were
sold in the United States. Other manufacturers’ products are being negatively
affected as well. Counterfeiting is a huge issue for our industry.” Consider
that as many as 250,000 circuit breakers could fit into a 40-foot container
shipped into the According
to www.ul.com, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has experienced counterfeiting of
its UL mark, which certifies that products have been tested and considered safe
for use by consumers. Products that usually bear a counterfeit UL mark are
high-volume, low-cost items, such as extension cords and power strips. UL
estimates that a small percentage of its mark is being illegally affixed to
products, but UL has a zero-tolerance policy for any goods with counterfeit
marks. UL has worked with CBP on thousands of seizures valued at more than $150
million (for more on this, see page 52i). The upsurge
of counterfeiting and piracy also is having an overwhelming affect on
electrical contractors, according to Electrical Contractor magazine’s “2008
Profile of the Electrical Contractor.” The survey,
published by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), revealed
that 60 percent of contractors are extremely or very concerned about the
effectiveness of counterfeit products, while 43 percent were unsure if they
have encountered counterfeit electrical goods over the past year. To address
electrical contractors’ concerns, the magazine convened a one-hour session,
“Counterfeit Products: Are You Liable?” at NECA’s 2008 Convention and Trade
Show in How are counterfeit products getting
into the marketplace? Shoddy
products can enter the “The A more
contemporary vehicle used by counterfeiters to sell fake products is through
e-commerce, auction sites and e-mail solicitations on the Internet. According
to “The Economic Impact of Counterfeiting and Piracy,” a study by the
France-based Organisation for Economic Development and Co-operation, online
environments are appealing for a number of reasons, including anonymity,
flexibility, the size of market, market reach and deception. The
Internet has a wide-reaching global audience that creates substantial opportunities
for perpetrators to conduct illegal sales. Counterfeiters also can conceal
their identity and establish online merchant sites that can be quickly removed
and relocated. The overwhelming number of e-commerce sites makes it hard for
enforcement agencies to track and capture the culprits, and the high level of
software available to build sophisticated and professional Web sites allow
counterfeiters and pirates to deceive consumers and businesses. “The
Internet is a major issue with pharmaceutical companies because almost 50
percent of counterfeit medications are trafficked through illicit Web sites,” A major
concern for the international market is free trade zones. OECD reports that
traders can store, assemble and manufacture products that are moving across
borders with minimum regulation. Merchandise that passes through the zones
provides unlawful opportunities for shipping documents to be “sanitized” to
conceal their original point of manufacture. Goods also can be repackaged with
counterfeit trademarks prior to being exported to other countries. As the
enormity of the counterfeiting and piracy problem continues to increase, the
battle to save lives, safeguard intellectual property and advance global
economic growth requires collaboration across industries and partnership with
government and law enforcement agencies. Counterfeiting and piracy undercuts
the investment that electrical manufacturers make in their brands to meet and
exceed electrical safety standards. It also damages distributors in the
wholesale and retail market that legitimately promote quality brands and
shatters the confidence that contractors expect to have in the products they
install in homes and businesses. “Strong
business relationships are essential as the problem of counterfeiting and
piracy intensifies,” Heinze said. “Creating awareness and working together is
the greatest weapon to prevent injuries, damages and losses attributed to
counterfeit electrical products.” For more
information on counterfeiting and piracy, visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Global Intellectual Property Center on the Web at www.theglobalipcenter.com and
the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy at www.theglobalipcenter.com/gipc/cacp. Smith is a
freelance writer in Upper Marlboro, Reprinted
with full permission of Electrical Contractor Magazine www.ecmag.com & Reprinted
with full permission of The Electrical Distributor Magazine www.tedmag.com ********************************* By john
paul quinn The ChinaChallenge According
to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), CBP also
notes that overall, consumer electronics/electrical articles represent 9
percent of the total value, or $9.7 million. And 11 percent of the safety and
security hazard seizures were electrical/-electronic goods, valued at $2.8
million. The report further notes that almost 90 percent of seizures that pose
a safety and security risk to the “ “Last year,
the Many
believe the situation will only deteriorate because too many politicians around
the world have held back too long on taking aggressive actions to effectively
combat Chinese counterfeiting. Speaking
off the record at an intellectual property rights conference in “It would
be a bit naive to expect A worsening situation The
consensus in the European Union (EU) and the But some
observers are guardedly optimistic that things may begin to improve. “IP laws
are in place in The
argument for possible gradual improvement is based on the belief that the
global economy may, to some extent, curtail the proliferation of counterfeiting
in As the
country’s economy continues to expand, there is a likelihood of ongoing rising
inflation that will not be limited to legitimate trade. As
counterfeiters see their costs rising, they may weigh the risks involved in
pursuing their clandestine operations. Reportedly,
the Chinese government has already started to feel pressure from its own
manufacturers, who are also being victimized by fakes. Couple this
with the arguments by the WTO and other international bodies that protecting
IPR is a prerequisite for attracting foreign investment capital, and
enlightened commercial self-interest may gradually kick in. Political priorities Others are
less sanguine about any consistent improvement in “ “At this
time, the Chinese authorities are very good if we take them evidence that a
factory is making counterfeits. They’re efficient and helpful and raid the
location and seize the products. But they’re not allowed to be proactive and do
their own investigation and close an operation down of their own accord.” BEAMA has
been engaged in anti-counterfeiting activities in The Canton
Fair operators learned from experience and went undercover, so BEAMA shifted
its attention this year to another exhibition at Yiwu, a massive distribution
and consolidation center for both domestic and overseas markets, where export
shipments are containerized. The move
produced impressive results. In the six months from April to September of 2008,
BEAMA seizures doubled over those of 2007, with 850,000 products valued at 1
million euros confiscated. Counterfeit hub Individual
manufacturers tracking the “I don’t
see any improvement near-term in controlling the amount of Chinese counterfeit
products entering world markets,” said Kevin Harris, international policy
manager, Eaton Corp. “And I’m embarrassed because it seems that trade
associations are taking more action than national governments, or WTO or WCO. “Most
observers agree that “Many of
the sites raided in BEAMA’s operations in southeast In Eaton’s
experience, there has been little penetration of its “There may
be IP laws in place in Meeting the challenge Meanwhile,
in the Probably
the highest profile and most successful anti-counterfeit litigation in the
electrical equipment industry that has taken place in the United States has
been a series of lawsuits instituted by Schneider Electric/Square D, Palatine,
Ill., involving the company’s line of circuit breakers, and the back trail led
to China (for more on this, see sidebar on page 40i). According
to Brian Lewis, outside counsel for Square D at Wildman Harrold in Chicago, who
prosecuted these cases, in the course of the U.S. litigation and two raids
conducted in China, a network of 33 unauthorized manufacturers, importers, and
distributors was uncovered, more than 250,000 counterfeit products were seized
or quarantined, and approximately 300,000 products are under recall by order of
the Consumer Product Safety Commission. “In one
facility that was raided, with the assistance of the Chinese authorities, some
19,000 counterfeit breakers were seized, knockoffs of both Square D and other
U.S. brands,” said Stephen Litchfield, assistant general counsel, Schneider
Electric/Square D. “In the investigators’ opinion, this plant was geared up to
manufacture 3 million pieces a year and had been in operation since 2004,
meaning that before they were shut down they could have generated 9 million
pieces of counterfeit and highly dangerous product.” But the
evidence continues to point to unabated production of counterfeit electrical/electronic
products in “Last year,
we participated in a NEMA survey which covered many of the products we
manufacture and sell,” said Dave Griffith, electrical distribution channel
manager, GE Consumer and Industrial U. C. Division, In this
ongoing confrontation, the Chinese government apparently perceives that its
importance as a pre-eminent and sought-after emerging market will limit
international sanctions against it, and other governments will constantly be
reluctant to take a strong stance against them on an individual basis. “The bottom
line is that this is not a manufacturer problem, and it’s not an electrical
industry problem. It’s the “Until the Quinn
reports on a wide range of business topics for journals in the Reprinted
with full permission of Electrical Contractor Magazine www.ecmag.com & Reprinted
with full permission of The Electrical Distributor Magazine www.tedmag.com ********************************* BY darlene
bremer Shared Responsibility Everyone in the supply chain—from
manufacturers to distributors, electrical contractors and Although
total IPR seizures decreased by 1 percent between mid-FY2007 and mid-FY2008,
the number of seizures of consumer electronic and electrical products rose 3
percent—from IPR
violation is really a fancy term for counterfeit. After all, manufacturers
invest a lot of money in researching, developing and manufacturing their
trademarks and testing laboratory-certified products. A counterfeiter is
actually stealing that investment. To avoid abetting that theft, everyone in
the supply chain has a responsibility to try to identify, avoid and report
counterfeit products. Manufacturer musts According
to Brian Monks, vice president of anti-counterfeiting operations for
Underwriters Laboratories (UL), “Electrical
product manufacturers should ensure that they are dealing with reputable
vendors that they know,” he said. Knowing the
company or companies that the manufacturer is dealing with means performing due
diligence when beginning relationships with new suppliers, asking questions
about component sources and asking for certifications of authenticity. “Manufacturers
do have to guard against counterfeit components within their own supply chain
to avoid errors in manufacturing and to protect their reputations,” said Dave
Moeller, national market manager, construction, Graybar, “We know
our suppliers can stand behind their products,” Moeller said. “That’s one of
the reasons Graybar has taken a public stance against private labeling, and we
encourage the rest of the industry to do the same.” A major
responsibility held by the manufacturer concerning counterfeit products is
maintaining communication through their distributors, according to Bernie Bush,
purchasing manager for Valley Electrical Consolidated, “That’s the
best channel for manufacturers to let the entire chain know if one of their
products is being counterfeited,” Bush said. For
example, Valley Electrical learned about Square D’s problem with counterfeit
circuit breakers through information that its distributor relayed to the
company. Ken Narod,
vice president, channel at Eaton Electrical Group, Cleveland, said
manufacturers’ responsibilities include having a formal anti-counterfeiting
program in place, including authentication processes for trademarks and labels,
as well as offering a training program to advance education throughout the
industry. “Manufacturers
should also have the ability and staff to work with federal authorities to help
identify and prosecute violators and to educate law enforcement on how various
electrical products are being counterfeited and how they are potentially
entering the country,” he said. Manufacturers
also can advance education by working and communicating with trade
associations, organizations and other manufacturers to curtail counterfeiting. Distributor to-dos “Distributors
need to perform due diligence, as well, by asking questions about sourcing,
requiring certifications of authenticity for the products they purchase for
distribution, and making sure they know
who is responsible for problems that occur with products,” Monks said. Distributors
also have a responsibility to understand the supply chain and to only deal with
reputable manufacturers. In addition, Monks advises distributors to perform
spot checks to ensure counterfeit products have not accidentally gotten into
the chain. “Counterfeiting
is a criminal activity, and counterfeiters are ingenious at getting around the system,”
Monks said. However, in
economic downturns, it is tempting to procure products the distributor knows
are too cheap, a key indicator that a product is counterfeit. This is a
temptation the entire supply chain needs to avoid. “It is the
distributor’s responsibility to not let competitive pressures lure them into
ignoring the warning signs of a counterfeit product, such as prices that are
too low, when choosing whether to carry a new manufacturer’s product,” Bush
said. Distributors
need to buy products directly from the manufacturer to avoid finding themselves
distributing counterfeit material. “Distributors
must make a commitment to training their personnel on the safety and liability
risks of distributing counterfeit products and to report any suspicious
products to the manufacturer,” Narod said. According
to Larry Wilson, senior communications manager for Fluke Corp., “Distributors
are responsible for understanding that Fluke owns the trade dress and that they
should not be purchasing or distributing meters that violate the visual
appearance of a Fluke product or its packaging,” he said. If a
distributor discovers counterfeit products being sold, then the distributor is
responsible for letting the manufacturer know. “It’s then
up to Fluke to pursue the matter by notifying the seller that they are
violating our trade dress,” Graybar’s
responsibilities for identifying and avoiding counterfeit products starts with
communicating awareness of the issue throughout the company, Moeller said. As a
distributor, Graybar also goes through great effort to represent known,
reliable manufacturers and to deal with suppliers that have good business
practices and that are financially sound. “Graybar
has a long history of actively seeking out the brands that customers are most
interested in purchasing and then becoming the preferred distributor of those
brands,” Moeller said. Distributors
can lessen the chance of counterfeit product lines getting into the supply
chain by recognizing those areas from where counterfeit products are likely to
appear and by only dealing with suppliers with a history of making the original
product. Unfortunately,
it has not historically been the norm for distributors or contractors to
investigate who is supplying the product, according to Warren Janes, vice
president of sales and marketing for Maurice Electrical Supply, “To ensure
that the door remains closed to counterfeiters, distributors should buy
products only from authorized sources,” Janes advised. Internet sourcing in
particular, he added, is so wide open that it is easy to unknowingly find and
source counterfeit products because the trail is too hard to follow. Contractor checklist Contractors,
according to Monks, are the last link in the supply chain and the least likely
to think they need to perform diligence and ask questions about product
sources. “The
reality is that contractors rely on their distributors for that,” Monks said. A
contractor’s problems could begin when it doesn’t buy from reputable
distributors and purchases products outside the normal chain from places such
as flea markets, overstocks, discount stores or through the Internet. “Contractors,
however, are responsible for being aware of the issue and for realizing that if
the price is too low, it really is too good to be true. And, if a counterfeit
product is discovered after installation, the end-user is probably going to go
after the contractor first,” Monks said. “Contractors
need to deal with reputable distributors. We rely on them to authenticate
products,” Bush said. In
addition, contractors must educate field electricians about key indicators of
counterfeit products and encouraging them to examine products closely before
installation and to become familiar with the look, feel, packaging and
trademarks of legitimate products. “Identifying
counterfeits can be difficult, however. Sometimes it only becomes apparent
after the installation,” Bush said. Electrical
contractors that are aware of what they are buying and from whom should be able
to avoid counterfeit products. “Contractors
working in commercial and industrial applications need to use high-quality
meters that are appropriately designed, manufactured, and tested to meet safety
guidelines for those environments,” Even though
safety standards are not law, contractors are responsible for providing a safe
workplace and should, therefore, report counterfeit safety products to the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. All together now Obviously,
if a manufacturer, distributor or contractor is selling or buying counterfeit
products and something goes wrong, it creates safety issues, liability risk,
brand delusion, customer complaints and can destroy the public’s faith in the
industry. “The public
is being defrauded when given counterfeit products, even when the contractor or
distributor does so unknowingly,” Monks said. Counterfeiters
have improved their goods so much that it is difficult to determine
authenticity when the product is not purchased from a known source. However, by
communicating up and down the chain, joining coalitions, talking to law enforcement,
and understanding the testing and certification, standard development, and
distribution processes, all members of the chain can work together to combat
the problem. “Communication
is the key,” Moeller said. “Everyone in the chain has to be clear about what
they want to purchase and only do so from reputable sources.” Channel
partners can get involved with the National Association of Electrical
Distributors, the National Electrical Contractors Association, the National
Electrical Manufacturers Association, the National Association of Wholesalers,
and other industry organizations and trade associations to stay informed. These
associations also have government affairs platforms and are in contact with
political leaders concerning these issues and filter the information to members
and other interested parties. “Get vocal
and talk about the issue accurately all along the chain,” Moeller said. “Be active
in industry groups to learn about the issues,” Moeller said. “Trade
associations support their members with education and with networking
opportunities that promote the exchange of information about issues, such as
counterfeiting, the danger of these products, and how to avoid them.” Bremer is a
freelance writer based in Solomons, Md., and a frequent contributor to
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR and TED magazines. She can be reached at darbremer@comcast.net. Reprinted
with full permission of Electrical Contractor Magazine www.ecmag.com & Reprinted
with full permission of The Electrical Distributor Magazine www.tedmag.com ********************************* With
counterfeit products, the burden may be the installer’s. By william
j. It is clear
that THOSE WHO SELL and/or install a counterfeit electrical product will be
exposed to potential legal liability. Counterfeit electrical products bring
unique safety risks associated with their components. The most common
counterfeit electrical products include circuit breakers, smoke alarms,
electrical cords, decorative light strands, lighting fixtures, power adapters
and surge protectors. Such counterfeit products are almost always of inferior
quality and not built to the rigid standards and codes legitimate manufacturers
adhere to. This
results in increased risks of fire, shock and other hazards that threaten life,
safety and the property of consumers. For those who sell or install a
counterfeit electrical product and damage results, at stake is nothing less
than their company’s goodwill and reputation in the industry, and possibly even
its existence. Moreover,
counterfeit products infringe upon intellectual property rights, such as
trademarks, patents and copyrights. The inevitable result of counterfeit
products is a loss of market share to the legitimate manufacturer, distributor
and supplier, as well as the corresponding risks associated with the failure of
such products. If an
electrical contractor is associated with a counterfeit electrical product, the
legal ramifications can be severe. The inadvertent installation of a
counterfeit product almost always will result in a breach of contract, since
the product will not meet plans and specifications, nor will it comply with
applicable codes and standards, including a valid Underwriters Laboratories
(UL) certification. This means that, in the first instance, the cost of
replacing the counterfeit product likely will be borne by the electrical
contractor who installed it. Even if the product works properly throughout the
warranty period, there is the potential for a claim to be brought later if the
product fails under theories of latent defect or, worse, fraud. In many states,
the applicable statutes of limitation are tolled with respect to defects not
apparent on visual inspection by owners and inspecting authorities. Of course,
counterfeit products are intended to create the appearance of legitimacy.
Manufacturers of counterfeit products, wholesale distributors, retail suppliers
and others who put a counterfeit product into the stream of commerce also will
share potential liability. It is common, however, that the manufacturer of the
counterfeit product cannot be reached or is located in a country not easily
subject to the jurisdiction of the Liability In addition
to potential contract liability, those involved in selling or installing
counterfeit electrical products face claims from third parties under a variety
of legal theories. Should personal injury or property damage result, one can
expect to be sued for negligence, gross negligence, intentional
misrepresentation, strict liability in tort, unfair and deceptive trade
practices, and fraud. Ignorance is no excuse with respect to breach of
contract, negligence and even strict liability in tort actions. Even worse,
if an installer or someone else in the organization had knowledge or reason to
know that the purchased and/or installed product was counterfeit, it is
possible—if not likely—that claims of fraud and unfair and deceptive trade
practices will be pursued. This will expose both the company and individuals
not only to a penalty of direct damages but, potentially, to punitive damages
and attorneys fees in favor of a claimant. Of course,
those who knowingly participate in the trade of counterfeit products also are
exposed to criminal liability. Accordingly, distributors, suppliers and
contractors must be vigilant. If an unknown counterfeit product fails, each
entity will be exposed to liability, and recourse back against the manufacturer
of the product may not be possible. In today’s
market, with many transactions occurring on the Internet, it is difficult, if
not impossible, to know exactly with whom one is dealing. Counterfeit products
almost always are represented as being genuine, but are offered at a much lower
price. The saying, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” certainly
applies in the case of counterfeit products. For those duped, it can be very
difficult to reach the online seller or original manufacturer. Supreme
Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. often is credited with the phrase, “the
law is a seamless web.” When it comes to counterfeit products, international
markets and imperfect foreign legal systems tear a hole in the web. When
counterfeit electrical products are introduced into the North American
marketplace, an innocent distributor, supplier or contractor may be held solely
responsible for any defects and problems if recourse to the fraudulent
manufacturer cannot be established. Moreover, the genuine manufacturer of the
product bears no responsibility and is, in fact, a victim of the counterfeit
crime. Unfortunately,
in many states, the concept of joint and several liability can result in one
party bearing a disproportionate share of legal responsibility for the damages
caused by a counterfeit product. For example, if an electrical contractor is
found 1 percent negligent for not identifying a particular product that it
installed as being counterfeit and 99 percent of responsibility is placed on
other parties who are not subject to the jurisdiction of the court (e.g., an
Internet-based seller), the electrical contractor could be required to pay 100
percent of the damages suffered as a result of the failure of the counterfeit
product. If there were loss of life or substantial property damage, the
liability likely would be in the millions of dollars. Combat the risks There are
ways to combat the risks associated with counterfeit electrical products.
First, make sure you are purchasing from an authorized distributor or supplier.
UL has built its reputation on the integrity of the UL mark. However, recently,
manufacturers of counterfeit products are attaching counterfeit UL labels to
their products (for more on counterfeit UL and CSA labels, see page 52i). The good
news is UL is fighting back. It recently developed a new labeling system that
uses holographic technology, making it difficult for counterfeiters to
duplicate its mark. In addition, UL is working closely with the Department of
Justice, United States Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, and local law enforcement to combat the importing and trafficking
of counterfeit products. Seizures of products bearing counterfeit UL
certification marks now number in the thousands. In
addition, penalties for trafficking in counterfeit products are becoming
increasingly severe. An individual who intentionally traffics or attempts to
traffic in goods or services and knowingly uses a counterfeit mark could be
fined up to $2 million, face up to 10 years in prison or both. In March
2006, President Bush signed the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act
into law, strengthening laws against trading counterfeit labels and packaging
as well as penalties for counterfeiters. It also gave prosecutors new tools,
including requiring courts to order the destruction of all counterfeit products
seized and ordering convicted counterfeiters to turn over their profits and pay
reparations to their victims. There also
are organizations such as the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition
(IACC), whose mission is “to combat counterfeiting and piracy by promoting
laws, regulations and directives designed to render the theft of intellectual
property undesirable and unprofitable.” The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit is
composed of business and industry members. The IACC notes that counterfeiting
costs International cooperation There is
increasing cooperation in the international community to stop the trade in
counterfeit products. The France-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development recently completed a 30-nation study to determine what
countries are doing a good job in combating intellectual property theft. The
top performing countries were the The
insurance industry also is hurt by counterfeit electrical products. General
liability and completed operations policies inevitability will evolve to
address the increased risks associated with counterfeit products. Insurance
carriers face huge exposures to claims involving personal injury or property
damage associated with a failed counterfeit product. The obvious solution for
insurance carriers is to add exclusions to the policies to eliminate coverage
for counterfeit products used by their insureds, or if coverage is to be
provided, there will be large premium increases associated with purchasing such
coverage. The
electrical industry must band together to stop the flow of counterfeit products
into the marketplace. Those in the electrical industry should actively support
government agencies and local law enforcement in the prevention of trafficking
in counterfeit products. Aggressive pursuit of the offshore manufacturers of
counterfeit products also is needed. The World
Trade Organization is actively combating the illicit trade in counterfeit
goods. With international cooperation and expanding free trade agreements, the
ability to prevent the marketing of counterfeit products across international
borders is improving with time. In addition, extradition treaties are making it
possible to reach criminal counterfeiters in foreign countries and bring them to
justice. Counterfeiting hurts workers, undercuts honest competition and rewards
illegal competitors while exposing the public to serious health and safety
risks, including property damage. The electrical industry needs to use its
resources in concert to combat this threat. Reprinted
with full permission of Electrical Contractor Magazine www.ecmag.com & Reprinted
with full permission of The Electrical Distributor Magazine www.tedmag.com ********************************* Update: The Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods
Act
The
electrical supply channel can better protect itself from counterfeit products
by sharing information and encouraging active prosecution of counterfeiters around
the globe. ‘‘Counterfeiting is the new drugs,” said
Barbara Kolsun, former chair of the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition.
Kolsun may be on to something: Some estimate that counterfeiting represents
more than 5 percent of all world trade and costs the federal government $200
billion per year. Global counterfeit products total $500 billion per year,
while the FBI believes pirating and counterfeiting cause The Stop
Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act became law on March 16, 2006. Among
other things, it aimed to strengthen the nation’s counterfeiting laws by
eliminating loopholes exploited by criminals. While there are only a few
significant court cases interpreting the act, the cases can help one determine
whether more legislation is needed. In the case
of Wajdi
Abdulaziz Beydoun and his associates imported cigarette rolling papers falsely
labeled as “Zig-Zags,” a registered U.S. Trademark. Beydoun was apprehended by The lower
court agreed with the government’s estimate and sentenced Beydoun to 46 months
of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. However, the court set
restitution at $566,267, multiplying the 1 million counterfeit booklets by the
trademark owner’s gross profit per booklet. Beydoun
appealed his sentence and the restitution order. Beydoun’s argument was that
his sentence was too high because it was based on the lower court’s use of the
number of counterfeit booklets produced. Beydoun felt that since 32,640
booklets were shipped for distribution, only that amount should be considered.
The appeals court rejected Beydoun’s argument, reasoning that the issue was not
how many counterfeited items Beydoun sold, but how many he produced with the
intent to sell. The court
went on to state that since the crime of “trafficking in counterfeit goods” is
complete when counterfeited items are produced with the intent to sell, it was
proper to consider the 1 million counterfeit booklets made, not the 32,640
sold. Beydoun
also asked the court to set aside the lower court’s $566,267 restitution order.
The court sided with Beydoun and held that the victim’s loss should be
determined by multiplying the number of items actually put into the market by
the victim’s lost net profit. Accordingly, the Fifth Circuit decided that the
lower court was wrong to determine the restitution amount by multiplying 1
million booklets by the trademark owner’s gross profit per booklet. The Beydoun
holding reveals that courts will do their part to make sure counterfeiters
serve sentences equal to their crimes. Even though we have made strides in the
fight against counterfeiting, it is clear that those within the electrical
supply industry have to work together. “Collaboration
of all parties in the electrical supply channel is critical to keeping the
supply channel clean,” said Clark Silcox, general counsel for the National
Electrical Manufacturers Association and an architect of the Stop
Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act. “By keeping the supply channel clean,
we can protect the public from dangerous, inferior products while avoiding
liability for items we didn’t manufacture.” Rucker is a
managing shareholder in the law firm of Carmody MacDonald P.C., Reprinted
with full permission of Electrical Contractor Magazine www.ecmag.com & Reprinted
with full permission of The Electrical Distributor Magazine www.tedmag.com ********************************* By jeff
gavin United We Stand—Divided We Fall; An industry
comes together to combat counterfeiting. The alarm
is sounding. Counterfeit electrical products threaten everybody. With the
safety and integrity of the electrical manufacturing and supply industry at
risk, chief associations, manufacturers, and testing and standards-making
bodies have formed the Anti-Counterfeit Products Initiative. Sponsored
by major manufacturers who aggressively fight counterfeit goods, including
Schneider Electric/Square D and Siemens, initiative endorsers to date include
the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED), the National
Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the National Electrical
Contractors Association (NECA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Several of
the associations had been campaigning against counterfeit electrical products
before the initiative. The AntiCounterfeit Products Initiative will pool these
existing efforts, share them throughout the supply chain and create new efforts
(e.g., this special supplement), all under the initiative banner. “We’re
really at the beginning stages of our information campaign,” said Edward M.
Orlet, director of development for NAED, What’s at stake The
initiative’s first industry event, “Counterfeit Products: Are You Liable?”, was
a roundtable discussion presented at the 2008 NECA Convention and Trade Show in
“This is a
multimillion-dollar problem. Not only is there a loss of dollars for
manufacturers, electrical contractors and distributors, but there is a loss of
image, as well. More important than either of those is the loss of life when a
knockoff product causes a fire or electrocutes a homeowner,” he said. The panel
spoke directly to electrical contractors, distributors and others who can
protect themselves from unknowingly acquiring these goods. Panel
speakers included Kevin Yates, vice president, Residential Products Division,
Siemens Energy & Automation; Stephen Litchfield, assistant general counsel,
Schneider Electric/Square D; Bob Crane, lead enforcement specialist,
Underwriters Laboratories; and William Ferguson, vice president of administration
and general counsel for Babcock Power Inc. For panelists, the first tool in the
anti-counterfeiting effort is education. Yates said
an estimated $250 billion in revenue is lost in this country due to counterfeit
products. What share of that represents electrical products is hard to gauge,
but other than pharmaceuticals, they remain the riskiest of pirated products. “If you
choose to install a product that is not genuine but counterfeit and causes
harm, you can be held liable for personal damages and possibly face
imprisonment,” Yates said. “Distributors face liability as well, especially if
they purchase known counterfeit products.” “You will
be sued for breach of contract, negligence, gross negligence, perhaps internal
misrepresentation, strict liability or fraud,” he said. “Criminal liability
would be leveled if you intentionally or someone in your organization conspired
to bring counterfeit product into your company. In the All panel
participants emphasized that the “I didn’t know” defense offers little
protection in court. “The
manufacturer is in the business of protecting their good name and reputation,” “The closer
you are to the end of the supply chain, the more liability you have,” Yates
said. “The electrical contractor actually has the highest liability in the
supply chain.” The
potential of physical harm or property damage due to counterfeit electrical
products should scare anyone in the channel. “We did
some tests on counterfeit circuit breakers,” Litchfield said. “We discovered the
counterfeits had a 3,200-amp short circuit rating instead of the expected
10,000-amp. They also exhibited erratic tripping and had no calibrations. The
flexible connection inside the breaker was frayed and failed. The magnetic
strip was inoperable. The breakers did not meet UL or any other standards.
During a UL test, a short sent through a counterfeit circuit breaker caused a
tremendous explosion with molten metal spraying across the room. And what if
you had a dangerous electrical problem in your home that wasn’t caught because
the counterfeit circuit breaker doesn’t trip?” A brewing crisis “The scale
of the problem is so large that it is hard to measure success,” Orlet said.
“When one law enforcement seizure closes a counterfeit manufacturing plant, another
invariably opens. We need collective action to strike a stronger blow against
the counterfeiting industry.” Bernd
Heinze, president and CEO of Philadelphia-based Sequent Insurance Group, a
claim, litigation management and auditing company, said it is hard to measure
how many counterfeiters there are, but seizure statistics from the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security shed some light. “The
agency, in a 2006 report, shared there were 14,000 seizures of counterfeit
products, a 67 percent increase over the year previous. It is an $11 billion to
$20 billion business globally, and a $300-$400 million business in the Sequent
conducted a research study for NAED titled, “Product Liability Exposure: How to
Manage and Mitigate the Risks in Today’s Global Market.” It lays out the
problem posed by electrical counterfeit goods, including the prevalence of
low-cost producers, offshore product, the volume of product coming into the “Many more
companies can find sources for low-cost products than in the past,” Orlet
added. “It’s hard to pass up a bargain, but you have to think through the
possible consequences. The study details the potential danger to buyers and
users of counterfeit product. Some distributors operate under a misperception
that counterfeit products are the manufacturer’s problem. They need to
understand that liability extends to the whole supply chain.” Heinze has
presented highlights of the paper at NAED events and through webinars. The
research also was the focus of a three-part article in the June, July and
August 2008 issues of TED magazine. “Now that
I’m aware of the size and damage caused by overseas counterfeit electrical
products, I’ve become very passionate in the efforts to combat them,” Heinze
said. “We need to raise awareness and confront head-on this war against people
who surreptitiously destroy the legitimacy of the supply channel.” Heinze said
there are risks in doing business overseas, even in South America or “The
mountain is steep and extremely difficult,” Heinze said. “These are criminals
traced from U.S. Homeland Security. The pipeline that pays them involves money
laundering by al-Qaeda, organized crime and others who finance these
operations. It’s difficult going after them, but know you are not going it
alone with groups like UL, manufacturers like Square D and Siemens, and the
collective organizations that make up this new initiative.” Associations take action NEMA and
the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) have been addressing
electrical counterfeiting over the past few years. The new initiative’s
collective umbrella is an approach all members welcome to build awareness and
add urgency. “This issue
really came to the fore when some for our members told us of dangerous
ground-fault interrupters discovered in the The NEMA
Web site devotes an entire area to the counterfeiting issue. Educational
brochures and videos, webinars and news on anti-counterfeiting progress are
just a few of the features. ESFI has a similar wealth of information on its Web
site. One tool of note is a joint NEMA/ESFI DVD entitled “Counterfeits Can
Kill,” which addresses the problem as it affects several players in the supply
chain. “On the DVD
is a counterfeit extension cord connected to a simple hair dryer,” Silcox said.
“Within minutes, the cord is smoking. In a short time, it goes up in flames.
Substandard performance in many other consumer goods from knockoff batteries
for flash lights to no-name phone chargers is a danger we need to communicate
to the consumer.” ESFI is heading a consumer awareness
effort. “Awareness
of counterfeit electrical products by consumers is almost nonexistent,” said
Christopher Lindsay, director of programs for ESFI in “Our
supporters who make up ESFI helped identify this counterfeiting issue as
something that had to be front and center,” Lindsay said. “We all need to be
working with legitimate supply channels, and we need to be aggressive in our
vigilance against counterfeit products. This is a long-term effort as we look
to change behavior on the supply chain. Right now, we need to let people know
there is a problem. Awareness is everything.” Silcox said
to be diligent buying electrical products. “One of the
tricks counterfeiters use is announcing surplus products with a low purchase
cost to move them. They play on a marketplace looking for a price point that
can increase profit margins. Beware of such tactics,” he said. What it will take At the NECA
panel discussion, participants shared what actions they have taken to combat
the growing counterfeiting issue. A combination of surveillance, raids, tips
and aggressive prosecutions have yielded results while exposing a problem that
is bigger than anyone anticipated. “United we
stand. Divided we fall against the counterfeiters,” Crane said. “They don’t
play by any rules, any boundaries, laws or regulations. Counterfeiting is high
profit, low prosecution. The Internet allows for products to be shipped and
sold anywhere in the world from undisclosed locations.” The UL testing
and certification mark is applied to an estimated 21 billion products every
year. Though UL has seen its labels counterfeited for years, the numbers have
escalated steadily with more products produced overseas. “By the
time counterfeit circuit breakers, toasters or extension cords find their way
into your house, it’s too late,” Crane said. “Over the past 10 years, we’ve
developed a relationship with U.S Customs and Border Protection agents, arming
them with forensic tools and education to detect counterfeits entering the
country. We have also helped train the U.S Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office, and the Department of Commerce to spot counterfeits. In
cooperation with law enforcement agencies, we make undercover buys from known
counterfeiters in this country and put these people behind bars. They are doing
five to seven years and seeing penalties of $1 million or more.” On the
international front, UL works with international agencies such as Interpol, the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police and agencies from “Global
cooperation will be increasingly important to applying real pressure on
counterfeiters,” Silcox added. Litchfield
noted the importance of aggressive prosecution in their successes to date. “In 2004,
we undertook a clandestine buy from an unauthorized wholesaler,” he said. “Half
of those products we bought were counterfeit. We filed suit against the
wholesaler. We used that lawsuit and discovery process to find out whom they
bought products from and whom they sold them to, then sued both those parties.
We then used the discovery process in that suit to find out who those parties
bought from and sued them as well.” Square D
has settled a number its counterfeit lawsuits, adding some very tough measures
for the “losing” unauthorized wholesalers. “The
defendant must notify the Consumer Product Safety Commission that they were
selling the counterfeit product,” Litchfield said. “They then have to do a
recall and let their customers know they were sold counterfeit circuit
breakers, then go out and retrieve them, even if they’ve been installed.” Siemens
Energy & Automation, “We
aggressively register our patents, making it much more difficult for someone to
counterfeit our product,” Yates said. “We have ‘secret shoppers’ within our
distribution channel to investigate those that might be involved in this
illicit behavior, and we bring them to justice. We are getting reports from the
British Engineering Manufacturers Association, other groups within Siemens and
anti-counterfeiting initiatives across the globe to help monitor what might be
entering the Lobbying in
“We lobbied
for and provided input into the drafting and passage in 2006 of the Stop
Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act and the Prioritizing Resources and
Organization for Intellectual Property Act, which President Bush signed into
law [Oct. 14, 2008],” Silcox said. “IBEW [the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers] was also one of the proponents of the Pro-IP Act, a bill
that brought both business and labor together.” The Pro-IP
Act creates a new copyright enforcement division with the Department of
Justice. It also allows law enforcement agents to seize property from copyright
violators. “This is
one area where NECA and NAED’s local presence might prove important. NEMA has
been working with the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition and the
International Trademark Association to support model state legislation.” An observant eye The danger
with today’s counterfeits is that, to the untrained eye, they look like the
real thing. A joint
print advertisement by NAED and NEMA shows a genuine manufacturer’s circuit
breaker beside an offshore knockoff. They look alike. The problem is the
counterfeit is merely a toggle switch with no trip mechanism or subsequent
circuit protection. The ad implores the reader to “Get your electrical products
from an authorized dealer.” Orlet said,
although more counterfeiters are being prosecuted, there still is work to be
done. “It is
practically impossible to catch every counterfeiter. Therefore, everyone in the
supply chain should have a comprehensive risk management strategy, which starts
with ‘deal only with trusted suppliers’,” he said. In
response, the Anti-Counterfeit Product Initiative has launched its own Web site
(www.counterfeitscankill.com). This Web site features white papers, position
statements, webinars and panel discussions. Highlights include a video of the
panel discussion “Counterfeit Products: Are You Liable?” Slated for January
2009 is a follow-up anti-counterfeit webinar. The site also features direct
links to the initiative partners’ respective sites including participating
associations, sponsors, testing and certification, and government
organizations. GAVIN is
the owner of Gavo Communications, a marketing services firm serving the
construction, landscaping and related design industries. He can be reached at
gavo7@comcast.net. Reprinted
with full permission of Electrical Contractor Magazine www.ecmag.com & Reprinted
with full permission of The Electrical Distributor Magazine www.tedmag.com ********************************* 3M to Outline Actions to Address Uncertain Global
Economy Company Adjusts 2008 Guidance; Provides 2009
Outlook
At an
institutional investor and analyst meeting in New York later today, 3M
chairman, president and CEO George Buckley will reiterate the company’s
long-term commitment to investing in its core businesses and will outline
ongoing actions to address a turbulent global economy. Buckley will
reaffirm 3M’s commitment to its core businesses and to continued investments in
emerging markets, such as He will also
report on aggressive cost-reduction actions in developed economies. These actions
include additional restructuring in these markets, deferred merit increases,
aggressively reducing indirect costs and adjusting capital expenditures. “Clearly, the
current market challenges require intense focus on cash management and on
strengthening 3M’s operational execution,” said Buckley. “3M’s strong financial
position, our continued investment in R&D and our operational discipline
will allow us to take advantage of market opportunities in this environment.” In the fourth
quarter alone, 3M reduced nearly 1,800 positions across the company, mainly in
the developed economies of the “During these
difficult economic times, we will continue to aggressively manage our costs,”
added Buckley. “We are prepared to implement additional restructuring as
economic conditions dictate.” As a result of
economic realities such as the expected 10% decline in Q4 organic volume and
the negative effects of currency, the company adjusted its full-year 2008
guidance from an earlier estimate of $5.40 - $5.48 per share to a revised
estimate of $5.10 - $5.15 per share, excluding special items. Refer to 3M’s
October 21, 2008 press release for a complete list and explanation of special
items for the first nine months of 2008. Given the
uncertain duration and depth of the global slowdown, the company estimates
full-year 2009 organic volumes to decline in the range of -3% to -7%. In
addition, foreign exchange impacts are expected to reduce sales in the range of
-6% to -7%. 2009 earnings are estimated to be in the range of $4.50 to $4.95
per share and margins are expected to be consistent with 2008 levels, excluding
special items. About 3M A recognized
leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative
products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more
than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array
of customer needs. With $24 billion in sales, 3M employs 79,000 people
worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries. For more information,
visit www.3M.com. ********************************* 2009 International CES Launches Daily
Profiles to Feature First Time Exhibitors Bringing New Products and Ideas to
CES Show Floor
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® today launched "30
Days of Innovation: The Countdown to CES," a new program marking 30 days
until the start of the 2009 International CES by highlighting each day one of
the more than 300 innovative companies that are exhibiting for the first time
this year. Produced by CEA, the International CES is the world's largest
tradeshow for consumer technology and returns to "CES
is fueled by innovative companies with entrepreneurial drive, and CES helps
them to make a name for themselves," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO,
CEA. "In these economic times, technology companies understand that the
International CES is the most cost-effective way to meet customers, buyers,
media and investors in one place. The 2009 CES will feature more than 2,700
global exhibitors, exemplifying the spirit of entrepreneurship that enables our
industry to grow and thrive, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the 2009
International CES." The
"30 Days of Innovation" campaign profiles a new company each day from
among more than 300 companies that will display their innovations for the first
time at the 2009 CES. The daily profiles can be found at www.CESweb.org/30days . The
2009 International CES will feature the next generation of consumer technology
innovations across 1.7 million net square feet of space and 30 product
categories including digital entertainment, gaming, in-vehicle technologies,
digital imaging and more. For more information on the 2009 International CES,
including exhibitors and registration information, visit www.CESweb.org , the interactive site for
CES-related news and information. Note to Journalists: About CEA: ********************************* Using the Noyes M650 Mid-Size QUAD OTDR nd C880 QUAD
Certification Test Kit
AFL Telecommunications introduces the M650 mid-size QUAD OTDR and the C880 QUAD
Certification test kit − two new products with a host of capabilities! About AFL Telecommunications ********************************* Anritsu intros 40G/100G tester Anritsu
Company (search for Anritsu)
has introduced options for its MP1800 Series that further position its signal
quality analyzers as the most accurate, repeatable, and cost-efficient test
options for analyzing optical and digital devices operating up to 100G, say
company representatives. The
new plug-in cards--a 28-Gbps one-channel MUX/DEMUX, 28-Gbps two-channel
MUX/DEMUX, 14-Gbps PPG/ED, and 14-GHz Clock Distributor--are easily integrated
into the MP1800 and provide designers and manufacturers of optical modulation
devices/components and other digital devices with a single, easy-to-use
offering for testing their high-speed products, contends Anritsu. The
new cards take advantage of the MP1800's modular platform architecture and help
create a flexible test environment for ultra high-speed bit error rate (BER)
measurement. With the options, the MP1800 can evaluate next-generation IFs
supporting frequencies up to 28 Gbps; direct-drive EML using high-quality,
high-amplitude waveforms up to 3.5 Vp-p; and skew, emphasis, and crosstalk
effects up to 28 Gbps. Anritsu says it has developed the MUX/DEMUX modules with
all the key functions and performances required for accurate testing of optical
modulation formats, as well as 40G and 100G designs. Generating
what the company claims are the highest quality waveforms in its class, the
MP1800 Series ensures high measurement repeatability and an excellent margin
for error when analyzing devices under test. The best-in-class performance
makes the MP1800 Signal Quality Analyzers well suited for a variety of
high-speed design and manufacturing applications, claim company representatives
including: •
100-Gbps Ethernet -- The MP1800 supports four 25-Gbps outputs to drive four
channels of CWDM, as required in IEEE 802.3ba (draft), from a single chassis.
Previously, multiple instruments were necessary. Additionally, the signal
quality analyzers can drive four channels for DP-QPSK modulation as recommended
by the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), with high-precision skew control
for I and Q on both polarizations. •
Long-haul 40-Gbps transmission -- From a single MP1800 chassis, two independent
20-Gbps outputs with excellent skew control can be outputted for devices that
utilize DQPSK modulation. The MP1800 can also control the crosspoint of optical
modulators, making it well suited for directly driving optical modulators, says
Anritsu. •
Ultra-fast interconnects -- Tests critical to the accurate evaluation of
high-speed optical interconnects, such as skew toleration and the impact of
crosstalk, can be conducted with the MP1800. A built-in jitter modulation
function supports what Anritsu claims is the world's first jitter tolerance
testing up to 25 Gbps. The
MP1800 Series offers multiple configurations, starting from a price of $40,000,
and the new modules are available today. http://lw.pennnet.com/display_article/348205/13/ARTCL/Display/none/1/Anritsu-intros-40G/100G-tester/?dcmp=LWDENL
********************************* Belden to cut 1,800 jobs worldwide as demand softens
for its products Belden
Inc., a St. Louis-based electronics-components maker, said it plans to cut
1,800 jobs worldwide, or 20 percent of its workforce, and consolidate some
manufacturing operations, as demand for its products has continued to soften. Belden,
which makes cables, connectors and other products for signal transmission, said
the restructuring, announced Wednesday evening, is aimed at streamlining its
manufacturing, sales and administrative functions worldwide. It wasn't clear
where the manufacturing consolidations would occur, and a calls to the company
weren't immediately returned. The
restructuring is expected to save $30 million next year and $50 million
annually starting in 2011. The company
expects to post between $55 million and $65 million, or 85 cents to $1 per
share, in restructuring charges, some in the current quarter. The charges
include severance and other costs of $35 million to $40 million. Chief
Executive John Stroup blamed the company's woes on a continued softening in it
major markets globally, and said that made it "necessary for us to further
adjust our cost structure so that we can continue to be competitive under such
conditions." In October,
Belden said it expected economic conditions to remain challenging and cut its
2008 revenue outlook. Stroup,
however, said Wednesday in a statement that "with Belden's liquidity,
strong balance sheet and history of generating strong free cash flow, we are
well-positioned to capture market share and successfully execute other
strategic initiatives even in a challenging market." Belden's
shares gained 2 cents to $18.30 in Thursday morning trading. On the Net:
http://www.belden.com ********************************* After 14
years training fiber optic installers William Graham is retiring from the
training business. The old bones are starting to give out. It is a
great way to start doing business in
While we have kept this one-man business alive over the years we have never
really driven it. And there is a terrific potential for anyone who wishes to
put the effort into the business. Our customers are on our web site
at www.fiberoptictraining.com
and include the military, Telcos, cable TV companies, government departments
and dozens of others.
A search on Google for fiber optic training also produces great first page
web site results.
Any company or individual interested in purchasing this business is invited to
call William Graham at: 905-785-8012 or e-mail me at: mrfiber@canada.com. Mr. Graham added “I
will offer a new owner my full support for a few months to ensure a seamless
transition.” William
Graham, CFOS/T/C/S ********************************* Fiber Optic
Training And the Recession Mississauga Training Consultants has been in the Fiber
Optic Training business for more than 12 years. We are based in Are we going to suffer the same effects with the
existing recession? That is the question that everyone is asking, including
myself. My view is that we will not see
a drop in training but perhaps an increase.
Why? Well there are several reasons; 1.) Most copper installers realize that copper has reached
its limit although, amazingly enough I know some unhappy copper installers who
are burdened with “Category 7. 2.) Fiber to the home is taking off at an unstoppable
pace. People are getting triple play on fiber for fewer dollars and speeds
several hundred times faster. How can they not go fiber. 3.) Communications in 4.) Communications play a large role in all modern
societies - they are particularly important to Canadian geography, population distribution, and
political organization have always required effective communication
systems. Statistically in the 4th quarter of 2008 we
trained more Fiber Optic Installer than any quarter since 2001, The Local
October class was the largest since 2001, the December class exceeded the
October numbers with a full January class booked before Christmas, 2008 and
registrations for February, 2009. However, while this helps the bottom line and I can’t
refuse business, I do want to get out of this business. Why?, well two reasons; first of all I’m closer to seventy than 65
and secondly because the bones are giving out and the ailments that come with
this age are descending rapidly upon me.
I’m looking for a buyer for the business, web site, packaged courses,
customer lists and goodwill. I
do want the business to survive and with someone with more fire it will grew at
whatever rate they wish. I will help
them accomplish this to whatever extent necessary as long as I see the light at
the end of the tunnel. My definition of
the light at the end of the tunnel is salt water, sand and warm temperatures. William Graham, CFOS/ ********************************* Glass
and ceramics company Corning Inc. is expected to report Tuesday that it plans
to scale back operations in 2009 as most of its business segments struggle amid
the ongoing economic slump. In
addition to previously announced plans to reduce capacity in the LCD-TV
business and to reduce capital spending, Speaking
at a technology conference sponsored by Barclays, James B. Flaws, vice chairman
and chief financial officer, is also expected to report that retail sales of
LCD televisions in the Additionally,
some of the more recent monthly sales data from outside the "The
demand level is lower than we had forecast earlier this year, but if this level
continues, it should help correct the supply chain imbalance," Flaws said
in a statement provided by the company ahead of the presentation. "We
believe we could see increasing demand starting in the second quarter of
2009." However,
despite the recent strength of retail sales, the company is still correcting
for excess inventory, and expects to reduce glass prices at a higher rate than
in recent years during the first quarter. ********************************* Danaher issues 2009 guidance days after announcing cuts
and lowering 2008 outlook Danaher
Corp., which makes bar code readers, medical products and Sears' Craftsman
tools, issued its guidance for 2009 Thursday, saying it massive restructuring
has positioned the company well for the upcoming year. Danaher
expects to earn $3.70 to $4.10 for the 2009 fiscal year. Analysts polled by
Thomson Reuters had expected the company to earn $4.10 for the year. On
Monday, the company cut its fourth-quarter and 2008 guidance as well as
announcing plans to cut 1,700 jobs and close 13 facilities, citing weak global
economic conditions. Danaher
President and Chief Executive Officer H. Lawrence Culp Jr. said in a statement
that the company has taken "significant steps to prepare our businesses
for what we believe will be a difficult year ahead. However, despite the
current economic backdrop, we believe we are well positioned for 2009." Danaher CEO Comments on Outlook --
Danaher Corporation commented today on the performance outlook of the company
for 2009. President and Chief Executive Officer H. Lawrence Culp, Jr.
communicated the company expects 2009 earnings per share to be in the range of
$3.70 to $4.10. Danaher
Corporation is a leading manufacturer of Professional Instrumentation, Medical
Technologies, Industrial Technologies, and Tools and Components (http://www.danaher.com/). ********************************* Dow Chemical cuts 5000 jobs and will close 20 plants The good news is Dow
Chemical isn't cutting its dividend. The bad news is that the company is
slashing jobs and closing plants to compensate. On Monday, Dow Chemical
became the newest company to take the ax to its payroll, announcing it would
slash 5,000 full-time jobs, or about 11.0% of its workforce. It will also close
20 plants and sell several businesses in an effort to control costs during the
difficult business environment. (See "Congratulations,
It's A Recession.") In addition, Dow will
temporarily idle 180 plants and cut 6,000 contractors from its payroll. In all,
the chemical maker expects the cuts to save about $700.0 million by 2010. Dividends
are often an easy target for companies looking to cut costs. Not for Dow,
though. In October Geoffery Merszei, Dow's chief financial officer, insisted
the firm would further the company's 388 consecutive quarters of upholding or
raising its dividend. (See "Dow
Chemical Defends Its Dividend.") Its quarterly dividend has
held to 42 cents since June of 2007. Investors pushed up the
stock 4.5%, or 86 cents, to $19.86, shortly after the market opened Monday.
Over the past three months, the Midland, Mich.-based firm has lost 43.4% of its
market value, and 42.6% over the past year. Dow's announcement
furthers the massive payroll purge occurring throughout the Within the industry, Dow
rival DuPont said last week it would cut 2,500 jobs, and warned it wouldn't be
able to turn a profit. ********************************* DuPont to cut 2,500 jobs, trim 4,000 contractors +
AT&T Inc. plans to cut 12,000 jobs, about 4 percent of its work force AT&T Inc. joined the recession's
parade of layoffs Thursday by announcing plans to cut 12,000 jobs, about 4
percent of its work force. The Dallas-based telecommunications
company -- the nation's largest -- said the job cuts will take place in
December and throughout 2009. The company also plans to reduce capital spending
next year. Spokesman Walt Sharp said the
layoffs will be "across the company and across the country," but would
not specify what departments and cities would be most affected. These layoffs
come on top of 4,600 jobs the company said in April it would eliminate. The new cuts come as AT&T finds
itself pulled by two currents at once. Not only is the recession leading
businesses and consumers to curtail spending, but a long-term trend in the
telecom industry is also at play: AT&T, which provides local phone coverage
in In the last quarter, AT&T basic
voice lines in service dropped 11 percent. Reflecting that shift, the company
noted Thursday that even as it slashes some jobs, it would still be hiring in
2009 in parts of the business that offer cell phone service and broadband
Internet access. AT&T, whose shares are down about 30 percent this year --
while the Dow Jones industrial average is off 35 percent -- remains profitable,
and benefits from being the sole AT&T plans to take a charge of
about $600 million in the fourth quarter to pay for severance costs. The
company noted that many of its non-management employees have guaranteed jobs
because of union contracts. All affected workers will receive severance
"in accordance with management policies or union agreements," the
company said. Its shares were down 2.5 percent in
pre-market trading, at $28.35. DuPont warns of quarterly loss, to
cut 2,500 jobs Thursday December 4, 2008, 9:49 am EST NEW YORK (Reuters) -
Chemical maker DuPont (NYSE:DD - News) said on Thursday it expects to post a
fourth-quarter loss and will cut 2,500 jobs as a steep drop in construction,
car sales and consumer spending hurt its business. The slump in the housing market, as it supplies
chemicals like Corian and Tyvek used in home building. The freeze in the global credit
markets, a recession in many developed economies and a sharp slowdown in many
emerging regions have further crimped growth for DuPont and its peers, which
have relied heavily on emerging economies for growth in recent quarters. The company, whose shares fell 8.3
percent in premarket trade, said it was targeting cost cuts for 2009 of $600
million, up from its previous goal of $200 million. That improvement is on top of $130
million in cost reductions expected from its restructuring plan that will
result in a charge of $500 million in the fourth quarter. DuPont expects a fourth-quarter loss
of 20 to 30 cents per share excluding one-time items, a sharp turnabout from
the earnings of 20 to 25 cents it previously expected. Analysts has expected the company to
post earnings of 23 cents per share in the fourth quarter, according to Reuters
Estimates. JOB CUTS The chemical maker said the 2,500
job cuts, which represent about 4.2 percent of its workforce, will occur in
businesses that service the automobile and construction markets in Western
Europe and the DuPont is also cutting the jobs of
4,000 contractors by year-end 2008 with additional contractor reductions in
2009. In addition, the company is implementing
work schedule reductions at select locations, adjusting production to market
conditions and redeploying more than 400 employees to projects aimed at
lowering operating costs. For 2009, the company said its
earnings would be between $2.25 and $2.75 per share. The planned job cuts would come
mostly in businesses that support the motor vehicle and construction markets in
Western Europe and the (Reporting by Euan Rocha and Matt
Daily, editing by Dave Zimmerman and Derek Caney) ********************************* New Electronic Templates for RHINO 6000 and 6500 Label
Printers Speed Labeling of SMP Connectivity Products RHINO
Professional Labeling Tools, a brand of DYMO and part of Newell Rubbermaid’s
Technology business unit, announced today a product collaboration with SMP Data
Communications. This support includes the development and distribution of
pre-formatted electronic templates and was formed from a mutual goal of making
the labeling of structured cabling systems easier and more efficient for
installers. Specifically,
the collaboration between RHINO and SMP has resulted in electronic templates
that allow the RHINO 6000 and RHINO 6500 label printers to quickly format
labels for SMP connectivity products, including patch cords, faceplates, patch
panels, 110 blocks, and other structured cabling system components. The
electronic templates can be downloaded for free from RHINO’s website, www.rhinolabeling.com
and imported into RHINO CONNECT software. Label information can then be entered
into the template either manually or directly from a Windows-based PC
application, then printed out onto labels that specifically fit SMP components. “We are
pleased and excited to be working with SMP Data Communications,” stated Rob
Rosenquist, Director of Sales and Channel Marketing for RHINO. “SMP is a leader
in connectivity components and RHINO label printers are a leader in marking and
identifying these components. It was a natural fit that we work together to
help installers accomplish this task faster, easier, and more
cost-efficiently.” “With the
Rhino templates for SMP components, we are pleased to give installers a means
to have a complete standards compliant solution that includes meeting the TIA
606 labeling requirements,” stated Brad Everette, Vice President of Sales –
Western Region. SMP Data
Communications, formerly Superior Modular Products, is a part of the Optical
Cable Corporation family. SMP is an international leader in the designing and
manufacturing of quality innovative copper and fiber connectivity components.
It provides superior structured cabling solutions for the data communications
market. RHINO is
the industrial brand of DYMO and part of Newell Rubbermaid’s Technology
business unit. RHINO label printers are engineered with features that enable
installers to label datacom and other systems quickly and easily, such as
PC-connectivity, pre-programmed terms and symbols, built-in memory, instant
“Hot Key” label formatting, industrial-strength labels and more. About
RHINO RHINO is a
brand of DYMO, a Newell Rubbermaid technology company. Newell
Rubbermaid’s innovative global technology solutions enable businesses,
educational institutions, and consumers to more efficiently share, manage and
organize information. Our global technology brands are organized around
four platforms: The Specialty Printing and Labeling Platform includes
DYMO® label/CD/DVD printers and file scanning software (www.dymo.com)
and RHINO Industrial Labeling Systems (www.rhinolabeling.com). The
Analog to Digital Platform includes CardScan® business card scanners and
contact management software featuring AtYourService™ (www.cardscan.com),
and DYMO File™, software that transforms paper documents into organized
archives of electronic files (www.dymofile.com). The Internet
Postage Platform includes endicia™ online shipping, mailing and customized
postage solutions (www.endicia.com)
and (www.pictureitpostage.com). The
Classroom Technology Platform includes mimio™ interactive whiteboards and
digital ink recorders (www.mimio.com). These
technology brands join a rich heritage of brands at Newell Rubbermaid including
Calphalon®, EXPO®, Goody®, Graco®, Irwin®, Lenox®, Paper Mate®, Parker®, Rolodex®,
Rubbermaid®, Sharpie® and Waterman®. If you
would rather not receive future email messages from Optical Cable Corporation,
let us know by clicking here. ********************************* Electrical
Contractor magazine Initiative Finds Decorations among Counterfeit Electrical
Products
Counterfeit Christmas lights -- including those with fake Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc. (UL) labels -- pose a threat to consumers for their
potential inability to meet electrical safety and fire codes. The traditional
holiday decorations are part of the rapidly growing crime of counterfeit
electrical products in the "Underwriters
Laboratories Inc., like many other Intellectual Property Rights and Trademark
owners, has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of counterfeited products
and trademark labels on those products in the past, several years," said
Robert Crane, lead enforcement manager, Anti-Counterfeiting Operations, UL, Crane
participated in a panel discussion as part of the new Anti-Counterfeit Products
Initiative hosted by Electrical Contractor magazine, published by the National
Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), A few
warning signals for counterfeit lighting include surprisingly low prices,
unusual labeling or certification marks and a lack of sales tax on a receipt
since counterfeiters generally don't report their sales. Consumers should also
be aware of street vendors and unauthorized dealers. Crane said
that holographic labels were developed to further thwart the piracy of UL
labels, with the first holograms introduced in 1993 for decorative lighting
strings and outfits. Since the holograms were so successful, he said that
additional categories for products manufactured in Published
by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), SOURCE
Electrical Contractor magazine ********************************* New SimpliFiber® Pro Optical Power Meter and Fiber
Test Kits Cut Manpower Requirements, Testing Time in Half Fluke Networks’ new fiber test methods are optimized for
front-line installers and technicians, increasing productivity while lowering
equipment costs Fluke Networks, provider of innovative Network SuperVision
Solutions™ for the testing, monitoring and analysis of enterprise and
telecommunications networks, announced today the new SimpliFiber® Pro Optical
Power Meter and Fiber Test Kits. These new fiber test products allow a
single technician to quickly perform tasks that previously required a
two-person team. Furthermore, the SimpliFiber Pro’s ability to perform
loss testing simultaneously at dual wavelengths – and save both measurements
into one record – increases efficiency by cutting test times in half. The
new SimpliFiber Pro Test Kits effectively double the productivity of network
technicians testing fiber links; equipment costs are minimized by including
value-added capabilities needed by front-line installers and technicians. Users of the new SimpliFiber Pro Test Kits will benefit from the
first-of-its-kind FindFiber™ capability. By plugging the FindFiber
Remote ID sources into ports of a remote patch panel, an individual technician
can identify the physical location of cabling runs to ensure polarity and the
correct location on each fiber drop at a central panel. This time-saving
feature enables a single technician to quickly perform double-ended testing – a
job that formerly required multiple technicians and a talk set, one at each end
of the link. Also new are the SimpliFiber Pro optical power meter and
sources. In addition to time-saving dual-wavelength testing, SimpliFiber
Pro offers users a new CheckActive™ capability to quickly test whether a fiber
is live. The SimpliFiber Pro power meter emits an audible tone and
displays and icon whenever a live fiber is detected. This is faster than
plugging into a port and setting up a complete power measurement. The SimpliFiber Pro optical power meter also offers a new Min/Max
capability that automates the precise tracking of intermittent power
fluctuations. The new Min/Max function is considerably faster than legacy
trial and error methods, saving time and user frustration. Product availability About Fluke Networks ********************************* GENERAL CABLE TO UNVEIL GenSPEED® 10 MTP™ General
Cable (NYSE: BGC) will unveil its new GenSPEED®
10 MTP™ Category 6A 10 Gig cable, featuring the new
Mosaic Crossblock™ technology, at the 2009 Winter BICSI in Orlando,
Florida, January 18th through the 21st. Mosaic Twisted Pair (MTP) technology provides
an Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable that performs like a Shielded or Foiled
Twisted Pair (STP/FTP) cable. If you are interested in
eliminating Alien Crosstalk in your 10 Gigabit application, stop
by General Cable's BICSI Booth
#712 and ask for more details. General Cable
also manufactures a wide range of high performance GenSPEED®
copper data communications cables and NextGen® Brand fiber optic
cables. When visiting General Cable’s booth, also ask about our PanGen™
Structured Cabling Solutions which, in partnership with Panduit, provide
market-focused open-architecture network infrastructure solutions, as well as
our in-house armoring capabilities for datacom, fiber optic and electronic
cables. Visit us on the Web at www.generalcable.com.
General Cable … Delivering solutions that keep you connected. General Cable (NYSE:BGC), headquartered in Highland Heights, Kentucky, is a
leader in the development, design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of
copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products for the energy,
industrial, specialty and communications markets. The Company offers
competitive strengths in such areas as breadth of product line, brand
recognition, distribution and logistics, sales and service and operating
efficiency. Energy cables include low-,
medium- and high-voltage power distribution and power transmission products.
The Industrial and Specialty segment is comprised of application-specific cables
for uses such as electrical power generation (traditional fuels, alternative
and renewable sources, and distributed generation), the oil, gas and
petrochemical industries, mining, industrial automation, marine, military and
aerospace applications, power applications in the telecommunications industry,
and other key industrial segments. Communications wire and cable products
transmit low-voltage signals for voice, data, video and control applications.
Visit our Web site at www.GeneralCable.com. ********************************* Graybar, Milwaukee Electric Tool and Westex Sign Multi-Year Sponsorship Marketing Agreement with
NECA The
National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) announced today that Graybar,
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation and Westex, Inc. made multi-year
commitments to NECA’s new elite-level Premier Partner sponsorship
category. ********************************* Harger
Lightning & Grounding proudly introduces their Ultraweld®
SureShot which is re-defining the exothermic process. SureShot utilizes a
copper container which is consumed along with the weld metal making for a
superior exothermic connection. SureShot utilizes an electronic ignition system
fired by a long lasting rechargeable battery controller. The unique ignition
system also allows the user to maintain a safe distance from the reaction.
Contact our Sales Department at 800-842-7437, email us at hargersales@harger.com or visit our
website at www.harger.com. Harger
Lightning & Grounding is a leading manufacturer of lightning protection and
grounding equipment, as well as exothermic welding materials for the
communications and electrical industries.
Harger also provides design and engineering services and specializes in
offering total systems solutions for their customers. ********************************* HCM Introduces Category 7 (Class F) Cable HCM is
pleased to announce the launch of its new Category 7 (Class F) CMP cable. Tested to
600 MHz, the Category 7 cable has a construction that consists of 4
individually shielded twisted pairs surrounded by an overall braid shield. This design permits the safe use of multiple
applications, such as VOIP, Ethernet and video over one cable. Currently available in a CMP construction, the
cable is UL safety listed for use in plenum environments. About HCM HCM,
located in To learn
more about HCM products and where you can purchase them, please contact HCM
toll free at 800-772-0116 or visit the HCM website at www.hcm.hitachi.com. ********************************* IDEAL Introduces Telco Version of
Popular BigFoot™ Ratcheting Cable Cutter Building on
the success of its original BigFoot™ ratcheting cable cutter introduced last
year, IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. today introduced the new Telco BigFoot™ designed
to let data communications installers easily cut up to 2,700 pair telephone
cable and thick Stalpath® type communications cable with significantly less
stress on their hands and forearms.
The IDEAL Telco BigFoot offers an unmatched combination of: Hardened
steel blades to achieve precision cuts and long-term durability Rounded
blade with five-tooth ratchet action to hold cable tight for minimal distortion Compact
dimensions for access into confined spaces Quick
release action to ease blade back-out Locking
mechanism to keep handles closed for safer storage SmartGrip®
ergonomic, slip resistant handles for sure grip, even when wet.
For more information, contact Ideal Industries, Inc., ********************************* IDEAL Expands
PowerPlug™ Luminaire Disconnect Line Code Complaint 3-Wire
Disconnect Designed for Dimming & Switching sycamore,
il, October 28, 2008 – According to the National Electrical
Code, non-residential fluorescent lighting fixtures must now have power disconnects
to safeguard electricians from contact with live voltage while replacing
ballasts. In response to this code change (2008 National
Electrical Code 410.130 G), IDEAL last year developed the code compliant
PowerPlug™ disconnect. Once installed, this simple push in device allows
electricians to cut off hot and neutral ballast wiring prior to fixture
servicing, with the sought after benefit of preventing shock or electrocution.
To re-power the fixture, the technician simply snaps the disconnect back together. NEW 3-WIRE
DISCONNECT To better serve the varied needs of electricians,
IDEAL today launched an expanded, improved line of PowerPlugs. The latest
addition is a 3-wire model (3 Amp/120V) for switching and dimming, two popular
features in commercial lighting. Fitting easily through a 1/2 inch knockout,
the 3-wire disconnect is perfect for the required retrofitting of installed
fixtures, as well as for lighting OEMs seeking to design code compliance into
their fixtures. Like all PowerPlug disconnects, the new 3-wire model
has IDEAL’s patented “push-in” locking technology, a benefit that directly
reduces manufacturing time, labor costs, and repetitive motion fatigue. It minimizes insertion force for faster,
easier terminations without twisting or the use of tools. What’s more, the simple male-female
construction passes UL1977 finger probe requirements, preventing the installer
from touching hot contacts. Immediately available, the 3-wire PowerPlug comes in
contractor packages of 20, 50, 100 and 1,000. For more information, contact Ideal Industries, Inc.,
ABOUT IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. Ideal has
been serving the electrical industry since 1916. IDEAL is one of the world’s
leading manufacturers of professional quality tools and supplies serving
installation professionals in the construction, maintenance, data
communications and original equipment manufacturing industries. ********************************* IDEAL Announces Major Upgrade for
SecuriTEST™ CCTV/Security Tester -- New SecuriTEST PRO adds Video,
Audio and Sync Testing, Additional PTZ Protocols, and New Lighter,
Easier-to-Carry Housing Powered By The IDEAL
SecuriTEST™, the security industry’s most popular multi-functional CCTV tester,
has undergone a major upgrade, and now delivers to technicians an enhanced
feature set to satisfy their requirements whenever they are installing, testing
and maintaining analog camera systems. Available
immediately with an MSRP of $849.00 (U.S.), the IDEAL SecuriTEST™ PRO offers
the multi-function testing platform of the original SecuriTEST introduced last
year, along with new IRE video level and sync testing, new sound level
assessment through an integrated speaker and on-screen display, and new
additional support for more PTZ camera protocols — all packaged in a lighter,
more portable design featuring a high-capacity lithium ion battery. “We know
from talking to our customers that saving time and money is their number one
concern,” explained Dan Payerle, Product Manager, IDEAL. “For that reason, in
upgrading our SecuriTEST, we were focused on providing more productivity from a
single device. The new SecuriTEST PRO allows a technician to verify and
troubleshoot a complete CCTV system by himself or herself, significantly
reducing labor and overhead costs.” CCTV
installers often need to carry a variety of testing tools to complete their
work. SecuriTEST PRO combines the most-needed tools in one easy-to-carry
package, eliminating the need to juggle several devices while on a ladder or
lift, making working conditions safer and increasing productivity. SecuriTEST
PRO empowers CCTV technicians to easily test video and sound, control PTZ
cameras, analyze over a dozen PTZ protocols, program PTZ and static cameras,
wire map UTP cables, generate video test patterns, and test electrical signals
with its built-in digital multimeter. One of the
most anticipated new features of the SecuriTEST is its video and sync testing
which assures each camera is set to its correct video output level. Testing
determines the overall level of an NTSC video signal (30-150 IRE) and its
sync-to-white ratio (30-50 IRE). PAL video can also be measured from 200-1200mV
and sync ratio from 200-320mV. In addition, an audio input on the tester allows
it to be directly connected to a camera to sample audio though the tester’s
built-in speaker or on its 2.5-inch color LCD screen as a visible level scale. The
SecuriTEST PRO kit comes with the tester, one lithium battery pack with 5.5
hours of operating time, an AC adapter/charger, 12V auto charger, 4-foot BNC
video cable, test leads for
the digital multimeter, UTP cable terminator, a neck strap and a rugged carrying
pouch. For more
information, contact IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC., ABOUT IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. IDEAL
INDUSTRIES, INC. has been serving the electrical industry since 1916. IDEAL is
one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional quality tools and
supplies serving installation professionals in the construction, maintenance,
data communications and original equipment manufacturing industries. ### ©2008 IDEAL
INDUSTRIES, INC. All rights
reserved. All products and names
mentioned are the property of their respective owners. While IDEAL has made every effort at the time
of publication to ensure the accuracy of the information provided herein,
product specifications, configurations, prices, system/component/options
availability are all subject to change without notice. PHOTO CAPTION: CCTV installers often need to carry
a variety of testing tools to complete their work. The IDEAL SecuriTEST Pro
combines the most-needed tools in one easy-to-carry package — a CCTV video
tester, PTZ camera controller, IRE video level and sync test, sound level
testing, Digital Multi-Meter, UTP cable tester, video test pattern generator,
PTZ protocol analyzer and camera programmer. Since all connections attach to a
single unit, it eliminates the need to juggle several devices while on a ladder
or lift, making working conditions safer and increasing productivity ********************************* IDEAL Unveils Versatile Hand-Held Fiber
Optical Power Meter and Light Source Kit -- New IDEAL FiberMASTER™ Lets
Technicians Make Simple, Accurate Measurements of Power Level and Fiber Signal
Loss Under Field Conditions on Multimode and Singlemode Fiber Optic Cabling -- SYCAMORE,
IL, June 10, 2008 – Designed to accommodate the expanding needs of datacom
technicians, the new IDEAL FiberMASTER™ five-wavelength fiber testing kit
offers a portable, all-in-one solution to measuring critical power and optical
signal loss on standard wavelength windows, as well as on FTTx applications. At the
heart of the FiberMASTER is a five-wavelength power meter with calibration
function that stores reference power levels for quick dB loss measurements,
therefore eliminating the requirement to manually calculate loss. When joined
with the included 850nm “docking” light
source, the power meter measures fiber optic power in milliwatts (mW) and decibel-milliwatts
(dBm), as well as measure fiber signal loss (dB) at 850, 1300, 1310, 1490 and
1550nm wavelengths. The 850nm wavelength is encountered in most LAN,
residential, commercial and campus environments, while the 1490nm wavelength is
common in emerging FTTx applications such as single mode fiber to the home or
curb. “Advanced
engineering allows the FiberMASTER to provide a stable platform for testing
fiber cables, connections and splices on multi- and single-mode systems to
identify faults that may impact network performance,” explained Dan Payerle,
Product Manager, IDEAL. “FiberMASTER is a powerful troubleshooting solution
that has only three buttons required for operation, making it perfect for field
use. Plus, it makes loss testing very simple thanks to the decibel calibration
feature.” Pricing and Availability Available
immediately, the IDEAL FiberMASTER (Part #33-928) is future-ready with high-end
capabilities, yet is low in cost. Trade price for the power meter with an 850nm
source is $749, and $995 for both 850nm and 1300nm sources. As an added
value, FiberMASTER comes with universal (2.5mm) and FC adapters for the meter
interface, as well as free SC, ST and FC adapters for the light source, worth
$140, to suit virtually any cable plant. Test jumpers and a heavy-duty carrying
pouch are included in the package. FiberMASTER runs on AAA batteries. For more
information, contact IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC., ABOUT IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. IDEAL has
been serving the electrical industry since 1916. IDEAL is one of the world's
leading manufacturers of professional quality tools and supplies serving
installation professionals in the construction, maintenance, data communications
and original equipment manufacturing industries. ********************************* Job Losses: 533,000 in November 2008 Recession
winds are blowing with gale force as The
November job cutting was dramatically worse than expected, with estimates by
economists ranging from 220,000 to 470,000, with a median forecast of 333,000
job cuts, according to a Bloomberg survey. The cuts last month came from a
variety of sectors -- manufacturing, construction, financials, retail, travel
and tourism. Only a few areas recorded employment gains, including education,
health care and government. The rate rose from 6.5% in October. The
news comes one day after a slew of large companies such as AT&T (NYSE:T
- News), Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS
- News), and others announced major
layoffs. The Dec. 4 layoff announcements came from, among others, AT&T
(12,000 jobs), DuPont (NYSE:DD - News; 2,500), Avis Budget
(NYSE:CAR - News; 2,200), NBC
Universal, Honda Motor (NYSE:HMC - News), Viacom (NYSE:VIA
- News), and Windstream (NYSE:WIN
- News). Companies
are cutting jobs to try to preserve profits -- or minimize losses -- at a time
when consumer demand is abruptly drying up and banks are tightening lending
standards. An all-out effort by the federal government to provide fiscal and
monetary stimulus should get gross domestic product growing again by the second
half of 2009, many economists believe. But even after GDP is growing, companies
are likely to keep shedding jobs. Wachovia predicts that the unemployment rate
will keep rising until mid-2010, topping out around 9%. Drop In Shopping Impacts
The Jobs Numbers How
bad are these numbers? Worse than in the 1990-91 recession, whose worst month
saw 306,000 lost jobs, or the 2001 recession, whose worst month was a loss of
325,000 jobs. The One
factor that's likely to account for a large portion of the winter 2008 job
losses is the tepid shopping season. The government's seasonal adjustment
attempts to filter out ups and downs in employment caused by seasonal factors
like holiday shopping. So when retailers ramp up employment less than they have
in the past, it shows up as an outright employment decline in the seasonally
adjusted data, notes Ellen Zentner, senior ********************************* Frogner Named Business Development Manager For
Leviton’s Expansion Into Leviton is
pleased to announce the appointment of Willy Frogner to lead the company’s
expansion into Frogner
brings to his new post with Leviton more than 25 years of experience
developing, marketing and selling electrical products. Prior to joining
Leviton, he worked for the CETgroup as a sales manager for their Norwegian
operations. He also held positions as a marketing manager for Schneider
Electric and as a Product Manager for Norwesco. “Willy
brings an excellent background and track record of success in the industry to
his new position with Leviton, and we are delighted to have him on board
leading our expansion into Frogner’s
academic background includes studies in electrical, low-voltage and
communications systems in ********************************* Switzer to Lead Development of Eco-Friendly,
Distributed Lighting Management Systems for Leviton Leviton is
pleased to announce the appointment of Jerry Switzer to the position of Senior
Product Manager, Distributed Energy Management Systems for its Lighting
Management Systems business. Switzer brings to his new post 20 years of
experience in marketing, product management and business development with
industry-leading companies. Prior to
joining Leviton, Switzer worked at Hewlett-Packard, where he enjoyed a 17-year
long career in the area of business development, and at GE Security, where he
worked for 3 years in product and marketing management. At HP, he helped
develop innovative printing and bar coding technologies, as well as create a
market for the company’s industry-leading line of printers. As a Senior
Product Marketing Manager for GE Security, he developed and marketed residential
networking and security products. “Jerry’s
background in design, consulting and project management combined with his
formidable experience introducing technology-based products both in the US and
abroad provide a strong foundation for his success in helping us launch our
distributed lighting control systems, “ said Tom Leonard, Director of Marketing
for Leviton Lighting Management Systems. Switzer
holds a BS in Business from Switzer
currently is Director of the West Linn Public Library Foundation and Chairman
of the Budget Committee of the City of ********************************* MOHAWK ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF IRONWOOD ASSOCIATES
TO THEIR SALES FORCE About
Mohawk ********************************* NAED and TED Magazine stay on top of the latest news –
Cooper Plunges Copper Headed Below $1.00/Pound? “Copper
Is Vulnerable to Falling Further” read the headline on a Nov. 24 <I< Fascinating fact: The Nov. 24 article included the information
(sourced to John Gross, publisher of the Copper Journal) that copper’s
price had averaged “about $1.33 for the period from January 1988 through this
October.” Fascinating fact No. 2: The price of three-month copper futures fell
below $3,000 per ton on Dec. 5 “for the first time since May 2005.” Fact No. 3: Copper last traded below $1/lb. in December 2003. Where’s the bottom, from here? From
Michael Widmer, analyst, BNP Paribas (quoted in the Nov. 24 article): In 1993,
1997, and 2001, copper’s price “bottomed around the production costs of the 75%
lowest-cost producers.” If form follows, he indicated, prices could bottom in
2009 at about $.91/lb. From
Leon Westgate, analyst, Standard Bank (quoted in the Dec. 8 article): “The
metals have already priced in most of the worst-case scenario [and] we believe
significant downside to prices is limited.” And
over on Bloomberg.com (Nov. 20), David Threlkeld,
president of Resolved (a trading firm), said on Bloomberg TV that he saw prices
falling below $1/lb. in 2009. Why? TedMag’s
Commodity Watch reports last week’s close at $1.44/pound. That’s the
unofficial final-trade price as reported on www.metalprices.com,
the website of the London Metal Exchange. Reprinted
with permission from TED The Electrical Distributor Magazine On-Line Newsletter
www.naed.org www.tedmag.com. ********************************* Category 6 Coupler Modules and Patch
Panel PANDUIT® Mini-Com® Category 6 Coupler Modules and Patch
Panels are now available for installations which require modular, reliable,
high performing network connections. Fast and simple to install, the couplers
allow quick connection of RJ45 patch cords for faster installation. Couplers
are ideal for use in engineering/testing laboratories or temporary networks
during a system upgrade or maintenance, reducing costly network downtime. www.panduit.com/cat 22 ********************************* BERLIN: Siemens, the biggest European engineering company, on Monday
agreed to pay $1.34 billion to settle U.S. and German bribery charges, ending
two-year inquiries into payments made to government officials worldwide. Siemens
will pay €395 million to settle the German inquiry, according to a statement.
The Munich-based company also agreed to pay $800 million to end charges brought
by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and pleaded guilty to violating The
company appointed the former German finance minister Theo Waigel to monitor the
company's compliance with the terms of the The
deal with The
german agreement was announced shortly after a Under
the The
U.S. District Court for the ********************************* Sony to cut 8000 jobs
4 percent of work force `Back
at square one' -- Sony to cut 8,000 electronics jobs, close plants Sony
Corp. is slashing 4 percent of its worldwide work force, reining in spending
and shutting plants as it tries to ride out a looming worldwide recession that
is battering Tokyo-based
Sony, which is cutting 8,000 of its 185,000 jobs, said Tuesday it will shut
five or six plants -- about 10 percent of its 57 factories. Sony also plans to
reduce its electronics investments by about one-third by the end of March 2010,
although it did not give specific numbers. The
job cuts are the most drastic here since the "This
may mean that Sony is now back at square one," said Kazuharu Miura,
electronics analyst at Daiwa Institute of Research in Miura
also warned that Sony's measures might not be enough to offset its sliding
profits. Sony's
Sony
said a plant in "Now
we are all facing a recession together," said Senior Vice President
Naofumi Hara. "It is impossible to predict how much longer the situation
will last." Sony's
announcement comes amid similar news from other Japanese manufacturers, which
face plunging demand at home and abroad, as well as falling gadget prices and
unfavorable currency fluctuations. Sony
is particularly vulnerable to the strong yen since about 80 percent of its
sales come from overseas. The dollar has dropped to about 93 yen from 117 yen
last year, eroding with it Sony's foreign income. Hara
said the ways the job cuts will be carried out will vary by country, but he did
not provide a breakdown. Sony's electronics business employs about 160,000
workers. The company also has movie, video game and financial businesses. Sony
has adjusted production and lowered inventories, but tough times demand more
drastic efforts, it contends. The cost-cutting plan includes postponing an
investment to boost production of liquid crystal display TVs in Sony
will also trim spending in semiconductors, and will outsource a portion of the
production it had planned for image sensors for mobile phones. Apart
from the 8,000 electronics job losses, Hara said Sony would cut at least 8,000
temporary jobs in the same sector by the end of March 2010. He said temporary
workers are not counted in the tally of Sony's global work force. Sony
usually can count on the year-end holiday shopping season to rake in sales of
gadgets such as flat-panel TVs, Blu-ray disc players and game consoles. But
consumer sentiments have been dashed by the financial meltdown. Hara said Sony
recently slashed its full-year earnings projection, citing weaker consumer
demand and a stronger yen. For the fiscal year through March 2009, it is
expecting a 150 billion yen ($1.5 billion) profit, down 59 percent from the
previous year. Since
2005, Stringer, the first foreigner to lead Sony, has gradually turned the
company around, shedding money-losing operations and catching up in flat-panel
TVs and portable music players. Hara acknowledged Stringer was sending Sony
employees a sad message Tuesday. "He
has told us that the efforts will entail pain. But unless we can get over this,
there is no future," he said. "We are taking a step toward the
future." Copyright
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in
the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. ********************************* Strategies
for Success in Optical Communications
Bandwidth
and Applications on the Rise: Will Profits Follow? OSA
and Lightwave announce the first in a series of panels to be presented at the
2009 Executive
Forum, held in conjunction with OFC/NFOEC. This event, which
provides vital information about the optical communications industry attracts
C-level executives from over 100 companies Panel I: Successful Strategies for Supporting Bandwidth-Intensive
Applications Panel
Speakers Include: Stephen
Carlton,Vice President, Planning and Product Management, Fujitsu Network
Communications Stuart
Elby, Vice President, Network Architecture, Verizon Vik
Saxena, Senior Director, Network Architecture, Office of the CTO, Comcast Cable
For
full speaker biographies visit the program
section of the Executive Forum website. Important
Deadlines: Register
by March 5, 2009 for pre-registration savings! Housing
Deadline: February 23, 2009 OSA
Corporate Members Recieve a 2-for-1 registration package. Founded
in 1916, the Optical Society of America (OSA) was organized to increase and
diffuse the knowledge of optics, pure and applied; to promote the common
interests of investigators of optical problems, of designers and of users of
optical apparatus of all kinds; and to encourage cooperation among them. The
purposes of the Society are scientific, technical and educational. The
Optical Society of America brings together optics and photonics scientists,
engineers, educators, technicians and business leaders. OSA's membership totals
more than 14,000 individuals from over 81 countries. Approximately 40% of the
Society's members reside outside the ********************************* Worthington
Distribution, known for their award winning product knowledge, industry
training and customer service, has published the 2009 Worthington University
Training Calendar. These trainings consist of full day and 4-day
trainings on popular product combinations from top industry companies including
HAI, Leviton, Russound, Philips, Centralite, Proficient, OnQ Legrand, Middle
Atlantic, Techniku and others. Topics include structured wiring, cameras, DVRs,
lighting control (UPB, Z-Wave, Zigbee), motorized window treatments,
distributed audio, temperature control, automation, touch screens, remote
controls, and home theater. The 4th day of University is
dedicated to running a small business, putting together proposals, and selling
home automation. The next 4-day hands-on About Worthington
Distribution, an award winning national distributor with offices in ********************************* Leviton
Introduces GreenPack™ Bulk Connector Packaging Contractor-friendly,
recyclable packaging reduces jobsite waste Leviton
today announced the release of its new GreenPack bulk connector packaging. The
new packaging was designed as a contractor- and earth-friendly solution to
speed large network infrastructure installations and reduce jobsite waste. GreenPack
holds 24 connectors in individual, clear pockets. Connectors can be popped out
one at a time, with remaining inventory well organized and easily counted. In
addition, GreenPack offers an environmentally sound alternative to individually
packaged connectors. The cardboard and plastic packaging is 100% recyclable,
while the connectors are lead-free and RoHS-compliant. GreenPack
packaging is available in 5e, 5e+ (component-rated), and 6 category ratings,
with white, ivory, blue, orange, or black connectors. Leviton’s connectors,
including those sold in the new GreenPack, are available through the company’s
reseller network. About Leviton Network Solutions Leviton
Network Solutions was created 20 years ago to meet the growing need for
telecommunications and high-speed data technologies. Today, the division is
dedicated to producing complete copper, fiber, and power network infrastructure
solutions for its enterprise, data center, service provider, developer, and
government customers. Category-rated connectors, cabling assemblies, and patch
panels; enclosures and splice trays; PDUs and surge strips; and much more are
engineered to exacting standards and offer guaranteed performance. www.leviton.com ********************************* McCormick
Enables Contractors To Do Takeoffs On Screen McCormick
Systems offers a unique new opportunity to electrical contractors: No matter
how a set of electronic drawings ends up in your computer, you can do all your
takeoffs on screen – and move the results (automatically) to your McCormick
estimating system. Up until
now, most contractors worked with drawings on paper. A significant exception –
for those using McCormick’s CAD Estimating software – pertained only to those
who could obtain CAD drawings electronically from architects and engineers. Now, thanks
to McCormick’s interface with On Center Software Inc.’s On-Screen Takeoff product, estimates can be done on screen.
Quantities can then be automatically moved to the McCormick estimating system
(via a special link and database). Additionally,
McCormick is now a re-seller of On-Screen
Takeoff. “Our contractors prefer to have a one-stop shop when they can get
it, and as a re-seller for On Center, we now offer that,” said Todd McCormick,
the company’s president. “We can get contractors the software and our exclusive
interface, in one bundle.” Bottom-line:
Here’s another McCormick-created avenue to raise estimating productivity for
electrical contractors and their estimators. Important notes: a. This arrangement applies to drawings
that come to the contractor in virtually any electronic format --.tiff, .pdf,
.dwf, .dwg, .jpeg . . . and many others. b. Exclusive to McCormick Systems. c. On Center Software is no
Johnny-come-lately to construction software; the company in 2008 is celebrating
its 20th year. d. “Contractors
we’ve talked with about this seem to love it – and there’s a ‘green’ angle as
well,” said McCormick. “Contractors we have spoken with about this new
arrangement told us in addition, it would save a lot of trees!” Typically,
several contractors each will obtain paper drawings for a specific project – to
submit a bid for the work. When the winner is determined, the others, quite
naturally, dispose of the paper. The McCormick-On Center Software interface
should help make that waste (of time, resources, and money) obsolete for the
savvy electrical contractor. About On Center
Software, Inc. Founded in
1988 by construction industry professionals, On Center Software’s products
eliminate the tedious task of creating takeoffs on paper plans and trying to
calculate accurate results for complicated figures with a calculator. See www.on-screentakeoff.com. About McCormick
Systems Privately
owned McCormick Systems ( ********************************* Megladon®
Manufacturing Group Hires Gil Perez as Business Development Manager Gil Perez
has joined the Megladon® Manufacturing Group team as the Business Development
Manager. Gil recognized a golden
opportunity to work with a company who offers leading edge fiber product
technology to an industry with which he is already familiar. Gil is
originally from When asked
about his new position, Gil responds with favoring accolades, “I see Megladon
as one of the leading fiber optic technology manufacturing companies within the
communications industry. The product offerings of Megladon show our ability and
capability to develop and provide a leading edge solution for the
communications industry. My goal is to hit the ground running by expanding our
market share and increase company revenue.” “Gil Perez
is known in the industry and has many long term relationships providing
excellent service and support” stated John M. Culbert, President of Megladon.
“There is fruit attached to his track record. We welcomed Gil into our
strategic planning circle because of his knowledge, experience and character.
We expect big things from him as we grow together.” Megladon®
Manufacturing Group Ltd., a subsidiary of TyRex Group Ltd.®, is recognized as a
leader in the fiber optic marketplace. Founded in 1997, Megladon made it their
mission to provide customers with fiber optic products that far exceed industry
standards. As technology innovators, Megladon created the HLC® (Hardened Lens
Contact) termination, which has changed the market and taken it to the next
level. For additional information on Megladon and their patented processes
please visit the company’s website at www.megladonmfg.com. ACUTA Calls on New
Congress, Administration to Make National Broadband Strategy a Priority Citing
the importance of broadband communications networks to ACUTA,
the Association for Information Communications Technology Professionals in
Higher Education, is calling on lawmakers, the Federal Communications
Commission, and others in ACUTA
is the only national association dedicated to serving the needs of higher
education information communications technology professionals, representing
some 2,000 individuals at 780 institutions. An ambitious national broadband
policy, ACUTA says, would enable a much greater degree of remote learning at
the university level, for example, extending higher education to all Americans,
no matter where they are located. “Broadband
access is critical in today’s economy, and the federal government must lead the
way in strengthening our broadband infrastructure, just as it has led the way
in the development of highways and electrical power in the past,” said Jeri
Semer, executive director of ACUTA. “Without this access, American students run
the risk of falling behind, to the detriment of our educational and business
institutions.” ACUTA
expressed its support for policies that would drive investment in high-speed
broadband as well as to stimulate its adoption and use. “The goal, as ACUTA
sees it, is to enable every American institution, business, and home to have
access to affordable high-speed broadband connections, with the assurance of
reasonable levels of competition and open access,” Semer said. About
ACUTA A Message from BICSI’s President Still
deciding on whether to attend the 2009 BICSI Winter Conference? In today’s
uncertain economic climate, many may be wondering what BICSI is doing to combat
the recession. We understand that many of you may be affected by the recent
economic status and we are continually working on new programs and ideas to
keep members involved and up-to-date. At BICSI,
we are excited to announce the 2009 Winter Conference & Exhibition Early
Bird Registration Rate has been extended from December 5 to December 31. In
addition, the On-site Rate will be eliminated. The Regular Rate will begin on
January 1 and continue throughout the conference—including on-site
registrations! Additionally, make your hotel room reservation at the Rosen
Shingle Creek Resort before Wednesday, December 17, to receive a discounted
rate. Acting quickly can result in saving hundreds of dollars. In tough
times, networking is an important way to learn about new business
opportunities. Furthermore, taking the time to attend training may open the
door to new projects that you were previously not qualified for. At BICSI, we
are proud to say that we are here for our members and will continue to be in
the future. As a BICSI member, you should feel confident and reassured that
BICSI is and will continue to be the leading supplier of ITS information,
education and knowledge assessment. Now is the
time for BICSI to give back to its members by making this Winter Conference
more affordable. Take advantage of the discounted rate before the New Year.
Visit www.bicsi.org or call +1 813.979.1991
today. Thank you
for your continued support of BICSI. Sincerely, Edward
Donelan, RCDD, NTS, TLT BICSI
President ********************************* Students
receive scholarship for Information Transport studies Next Generation Scholarship
complements initiative of the BICSI NxtGEN Program A program started
this year in the Canadian Region by Director Richard S. Smith, RCDD, NTS, OSP,
the Next Generation Scholarship is awarded to a deserving student in a
college-level IT program. It is part of BICSI’s NxtGEN Program, which is
working to modernize BICSI’s credentialing programs and make them more
consistent with how professionals are credentialed today. Created as
a way to thank the technical schools that offer BICSI a place to conduct region
meetings, the scholarship represents the association’s focus to reach out to
the next generation of IT, engineering and other ITS professionals to help them
achieve their knowledge-based goals. The first
one was awarded in June to Rebecca Bullock, a first-year student at Nova Scotia
Community College (NSCC) in Upon
receiving news of the scholarship, Bullock expressed her surprise. “I wasn't
expecting an award because I hadn't really applied for any,” she said. “I was
nominated by a few teachers at the college who felt that I had met all the
expectations to receive this award, and I feel extremely thankful and very
blessed.” Bullock,
20, of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, studies in the IT program at NSCC with a
focus on the networking and systems administration concentration. She is also
involved in developing the college’s Web-based training program. NSCC
Academic Chair Ian McLeod was one of the faculty members involved in nominating
Bullock for the award based on her academic standing. “Rebecca is a very strong
student,” McLeod said. “All of her marks rank in the honors category at the
school.” The scholarship, valued at $500, will cover the cost of all of
Bullock’s books for her second year at NSCC. Smith
presented the second scholarship in October to Daniel Ferguson of “I thank
the faculty who nominated me for this award, and I thank BICSI for offering
it,” said Consistent
with feedback from faculty at the NSCC, the faculty at “The
faculties of the institutions we visit have been so appreciative of BICSI
offering the bursary, and it was an honor to make the presentations to these
deserving students,” said Smith, a manager for Bell Aliant Cabling Solutions in
The next
two schools that will award the scholarship are ********************************* BICSI News features 25 Changemakers in 25 Years A celebration of ambition, drive and
follow-through This year
marks the 25th anniversary of the RCDD® (Registered Communications
Distribution Designer) Program. Over the years, we have witnessed the
contributions of many influential individuals who, through their vision and
drive, have revolutionized the information transport systems (ITS) industry.
The group of Changemakers featured in this article are educators, mentors,
spokespeople and leaders who have left their footprint in a constantly evolving
world. You’ll read about individuals who revitalized cities by developing IT
Zones and updating water and power facilities. You’ll discover RCDDs who have
co-authored books on industry subjects never before addressed. You’ll learn
about folks who have initiated industry standards and educational events—even
those who helped introduce BICSI to areas outside of the A little history While
telephone giant AT&T was being dismantled following a government antitrust
suit in the early 1980s, Tampa, Florida-based BICSI, serving less than 480
members, was developing a credentialing designation for individuals in the
communications and building industries. The idea
for an exam-based registration originated with a group of building industry
consultants (BICs) from The RCDD
registration was created in 1984 to promote economical, efficient and flexible
telecommunications in commercial and multi-family buildings. The program was
intended for architects, electrical engineers, interior designers and telecom
personnel from both the regulated and deregulated sectors. Today, the RCDD is
an internationally recognized credential for the telecommunications cabling
industry and has evolved to include voice, data, video, security and other
low-voltage systems. The RCDD credential is achieved by passing a rigorous exam
based on the Telecommunications
Distribution Methods Manual (TDMM), and is maintained by meeting continuing
education requirements and by frequent interaction with other members of the
ITS community. Our Changemakers Although
there are countless individuals to recognize as changemakers, the professionals
featured in this article have effectively helped to shape the course of the ITS
industry. This core group of individuals is empowering in their ability to
share what they’ve learned to make a difference. Check them out in the
January/February issue of BICSI News. www.bicsi.org ********************************* Best
practices for optical fiber inspection and cleaning ensure optimized network
performance. By Matt
Brown Fiber
connectors are widely known as the weakest and most problematic points in a
network. The more connections there are in a network, the greater the potential
for interruption caused by improper handling during installation, operation,
expansion and maintenance. The more information transferred per second, the
less loss the system can handle, requiring tighter budgets on all network
parameters. The more people served by a network, the greater the impact of a
poorly performing, or failed, optical channel. All of
these factors make proper handling of the optical fiber connections more critical
than ever. The recognition of the negative potential of poor fiber handling on
network performance is bringing about the development and implementation of
best practices for optical fiber inspection and cleaning. Three P’s
of Efficient Fiber Connections Network
performance is optimized when the proper steps are taken to ensure low-loss
fiber connections. The three basic principles necessary to achieve efficient
fiber connections are: 1. Perfect core alignment. 2. Physical contact. 3. Pristine connector interface. Today’s
connector design and production techniques have eliminated most of the
challenges to achieving principles one and two. Number three—pristine connector
interface—remains the biggest challenge to optimal network performance because it
cannot be controlled by the manufacturer. The full potential for a low-loss
connection is only realized when the technician ensures there is no
contamination prior to connecting. Number One
Cause of Impaired Fiber Network Performance: End Face Contamination Research
indicates that more than 75 percent of physical network troubleshooting is a
result of optical fiber connectors that are dirty or have been damaged by dirt.
Light cannot pass through dirt or damaged fiber, so network performance is
impaired. Figure 1 clearly shows the increase in loss resulting from core
contamination. That dirt
impairs network performance was first discovered by high-bandwidth equipment
manufacturers, and later by information transport systems (ITS) teams, which
led to practical research within the industry by the International Electronics
Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI). This research by iNEMI is now one pillar of a
pending international standard (IEC-61300-3-35) that will prescribe inspection
procedures and pass-fail criteria for manufacturers and operators of optical
fiber networks. The iNEMI
team set out to discover the relationship between the amount of dirt and its
location and the resulting signal degradation it creates. Results of the
research determined that dirt on the core dramatically affected signal
performance, while dirt on the cladding had less predictable effects. The
research also showed that large particles nearly anywhere in the innermost 200
microns were prone to breaking apart and spreading across the end face. As a
result, even when the core area is clean, if large particles exist on the
cladding or inner ferrule, that dirt can “migrate” to the core after successive
mating and affect signal performance. This
understanding of contamination migration led to iNEMI recommendations that
large particles be eliminated within this entire area. See Table 1. A series of
tables, specific to the fiber type, giving pass-fail inspection criteria were
produced. Those tables are one of the essential components of the pending
international standard and are core to the successful deployment of modern
optical fiber cabling systems. Optical
Fiber Connectors are Especially Vulnerable to Contamination To
understand the potential negative effects of fiber contamination on network
performance, it helps to better understand optical fiber connector
architecture. In an
optical fiber connector, the glass fiber strand is composed of an outer area,
or cladding, and an inner core area, each with a different refractive index.
See Figure 2. The glass cladding serves to trap the light within the core but
does not conduct light itself. The fiber is mounted within a round ceramic
ferrule, which is then captured by a plastic connector body. The connectors are
male; therefore, a female-to-female adapter joins them together. When two
connectors are mated, these microscopic dirt particles get trapped, preventing
light from moving naturally down the fiber. The dirt blocks, scatters or
reflects a portion of the light back toward the source. Due to the force
exerted on the fiber during the mating process, some of the trapped dirt can
actually become permanently buried or embedded, requiring replacing or
repolishing the connector to restore it to optimal performance. It is
important to note that the costs of troubleshooting, asset damage and network
downtime are exponentially higher when dirt is embedded in the fiber inside
expensive network equipment where replacing or repolishing the fiber is not an
option. Proactive
Inspection Is It is
important to visually inspect fiber connectors at every stage of handling
before mating them. If you can catch contamination before mating (proactively)
you can almost always clean it and eliminate the contamination. If you wait
to visually inspect fiber connectors during troubleshooting after a problem is
detected (reactive), connectors and other equipment may have suffered permanent
damage. This is because once mated, the dirt can embed in the fiber, making it
uncleanable and permanently damaged and potentially damaging connectors that
are mated to it. Anyone who
has worked with the physical layer of a network can understand the potential
for connector contamination from dirt and the resulting need for inspection
during network operation and troubleshooting. Unfortunately, most connectors
are not inspected until problems are detected and damage has already occurred. Damage
caused by initial contamination can be avoided through the implementation of
proactive inspection and cleaning processes. These practices are based on the
following factors: • The potential for contamination is
always present, even in new components. Even the best clean manufacturing
practices cannot prevent microscopic particles from entering sealed bags and
under dust caps. • Dirt particles on the core of the
fiber produce massive signal degradation. • Large dirt particles away from the
core can break apart and end up on the core after successive mating. • Dirt particles mated between
connectors can become permanently buried or embedded in the glass of the fiber,
making cleaning impossible. These facts
support the practice of proactive inspection of fiber connectors using a
microscope designed specifically for this purpose at every stage of fiber
handling— from component manufacturing, receiving and quality control to
assembly, installation, system testing, troubleshooting and maintenance. Indisputable
ROI of Proactive Inspection Practices This
proactive approach to inspection adds time and costs to the network deployment
process. As a result, it has not been common practice among installers and IT
staff. However, the benefits clearly outweigh the costs, as evidenced by the
massive reduction in trouble-shooting and lower operating costs experienced by
the companies that have adopted proactive cleaning and inspection on a mass
scale. These
operational benefits translate directly into business benefits. By reducing
troubleshooting and network downtime, proactive inspection reduces maintenance
costs and keeps the network active and users online. Because proactive
inspection ensures that network components operate at their highest level of
performance, signal and network performance is optimized. Finally, proactive
inspection prevents network damage and ensures longevity of costly network
equipment, protecting the technology investment. Implementing
Proactive Inspection Practices Even with
such clear benefits, systemwide change of this scale takes time to implement
and requires effective process development, equipment selection and training. Process
Development A
successful process development strategy should include a combination of
hands-on training, practical visual aids and detailed training guides.
Companies should look to sources of optical fiber inspection equipment for
guidance and assistance with proactive inspection process development. Equipment
Selection Selecting
equipment used in the inspection process can be confusing because of the
multiple sources available and the biases of each source. Successful users rely
on field trials or pilot implementations to put each potential solution through
its paces. When selecting a microscope,
consider these factors: • Microscope should be able to inspect
both male connectors and connectors located inside bulkhead adapters. • Video-based microscopes provide
inherent laser safety and potential accessibility advantages. • A specific tip for each connector type
encountered is required. Tips should be tried for ease of use (getting the
fiber on the screen and focusing easily), as well as accessibility. Multiple
tip availability does not ensure the microscope will work for every application. Consider
difficult-to-reach connectors first and choose a system that will work in your
worst-case applications. • Different display options work best
for different workflows. Options exist for hand-held and PC-based displays. • Automated software that provides
pass-fail grading of the image will greatly accelerate learning the process and
improve chances for a successful process implementation. Training Training
programs are a cornerstone of successful implementations. Contact the best
suppliers of the equipment for expertise in guiding operators through this
process. Comprehensive programs will include: • Establishing a training plan, which
includes site identification and train-the-trainer opportunities. • Developing and mastering presentation
materials, a course syllabus and practical visual aids for field use. • Classes offering hands-on experience
for field technicians. Inspection
Best Practices Follow the
simple inspection process shown in Figure 3 to ensure fiber end faces are clean
prior to mating connectors: Step 1
Inspect: Use a probe microscope to inspect the fiber. If the fiber is dirty, go
to step 2. If the fiber is clean, go to step 4. Step 2
Clean: If the fiber is dirty, use a cleaning tool to clean the fiber end face. Step 3
Inspect: Use a probe microscope to reinspect and confirm the fiber is clean. If
the fiber is still dirty, go back to step 2. If the fiber is clean, go to step
4. Step 4
Connect: If the fiber is clean, it is ready to connect. Be sure to
inspect both sides (patch cord “male” and bulkhead “female”) of the fiber
interconnect before connecting. Patch cords are easy to access and view
compared with the fiber inside the bulkhead, which is frequently overlooked.
The bulkhead side may only be half of the connection, but it is far more likely
to be dirty. Inspecting both sides of the connection is the only way to ensure
that it will be free of contamination and defects. Cleaning
Options Multiple
vendors claim the advantage when it comes to fiber cleaning equipment. Few
users can wade through the jargon. It is
critical to understand that most real-world contamination is from airborne
particulates. When comparing cleaning techniques, resist the urge to use hand
and body oils to provide your baseline for contamination and cleaning
effectiveness. The following is a brief guide to several cleaning tool options: Automated
Combination Inspection/Cleaning Systems These
dual-purpose systems can be very valuable in high-volume installation as the
resulting lower operating expenses can definitely outweigh the initial high
cost of these systems. These systems work equally well for patch cords or
bulkhead cleaning and are unique in their ability to clean SFP/XFP
transceivers. Bulkhead
Cleaning For
cleaning connectors within bulkhead adapters, two categories of consumable
products are available. The first products are specialized swabs, which have a
low purchase price but are relatively expensive on a per-cleaning basis. These
must be thoroughly tested as they have a reputation for merely moving dirt and
not removing it or actually adding debris. More advanced bulkhead cleaners, now
offered by at least two vendors, use a tiny cleaning tape that advances across
the fiber. These are quickly gaining popularity due to their superior
performance, low per-cleaning cost and ability to clean both bulkhead
connectors and patch cords. Patch Cord
Cleaning For
cleaning uninstalled connectors, solutions range from individual wipes and
perforated wipes in small boxes to cassette cleaners. These should be tested
for ease of use but are generally quite effective. The tape-based bulkhead
cleaners shown above are also capable of cleaning patch cords. Cleaning
Solvents Many of the
wipes, swabs and bulkhead cleaners are offered with cleaning solvents to
improve cleaning performance. In general, when chosen carefully and used
properly, solvents are useful and positive elements in the cleaning process.
However, it is best to use solvents only when dry cleaning techniques have
failed. A common mistake is to saturate the bulkhead adapter when using a
solvent, which leads to recontamination of the connector as the solvent dries.
Ensure those used are fast drying and applied in small amounts. Dampen the
cleaning tool with solvent, but do not saturate it. Summary With more
people and locations to serve and more information to transfer at even greater
speeds, today’s networks require more fiber and fiber connectors than ever
before. Particulate contamination is the number one source of troubleshooting
in optical networks. Simple visual inspection of optical fiber connectors with
a microscope is the only way to determine if connectors are clean before they
are mated. To ensure optimal optical performance over the lifetime of the
network, both end faces of all optical fiber connections must be proactively
inspected, and cleaned if necessary, before mating at every stage of the
network development process. Proactive inspection is simple, and the
benefits—reduced downtime and troubleshooting, optimized signal performance and
prevention of network damage—are great.
www.bicsi.org ********************************* The Elements of Fiber Cable Management Proper
cable management strengthens network reliability, improves performance and
lowers operating costs. By Kam
Patel As
business, university and government network managers continue upgrading their
networks to transport high-bandwidth broadband services, an increase in fiber
usage is essential to meet both the bandwidth and cost requirements. But just
deploying this additional fiber is not enough. A successful, well-built network
also must be based on a strong fiber cable management system. Proper
fiber management has a direct impact on the network’s reliability, performance
and cost. Additionally, it affects maintenance, expansion and moves, adds or
changes (MACs). The four primary elements of a strong fiber cable management
system are bend radius protection, cable routing paths, cable accessibility and
physical protection of the fiber network. Executing these concepts correctly
will enable the network to realize its full potential. Introduction With strong
demand steadily increasing for broadband services that will include several
bandwidth-hungry technologies like high-definition television (HDTV) and higher
Internet speeds for handling larger file sharing requirements, fiber is being
pushed closer and closer to the customer premises. This, in turn, creates a
need for additional fiber in the data center and backbone while active
equipment must be managed to accommodate future network growth. Any new
broadband network infrastructure must have the inherent capability to easily
migrate to the next generation of technologies and services. As the amount of
fiber across the network increases, the importance of properly managing the
fiber cables becomes a more crucial issue. The manner
in which fiber cables are connected, terminated, routed, spliced, stored and
handled will directly and substantially impact the network’s performance and,
more importantly, its cost of ownership. The four fundamental elements of fiber
cable management—bend radius protection, cable routing paths, accessibility and
physical protection—are reviewed, as well as new technologies and products that
have been developed in the past few years to improve these elements. Bend Radius
Protection Two types
of bends in fiber—microbends and macrobends—can affect the fiber network’s
long-term reliability and performance. The
microbend is a small, microscopic bend that may be caused by the cabling
process itself, mechanical stress due to water in the cable during repeated
freeze and thaw cycles, packaging or installation. External forces are also a
source of microbends. An external force deforms the cabled jacket surrounding
the fiber but causes only a small bend in the fiber. A microbend
typically changes the path that propagating modes take, resulting in loss from
increased attenuation as low-order modes become coupled with high-order modes
that are naturally lossy. A macrobend is a larger cable bend that can be seen
with the unaided eye and is often reversible. As the macrobend occurs, the
radius can become too small and allow light to escape the core and enter the
cladding. The result is insertion loss at best, and in worst cases, the signal
is decreased or completely lost. Through proper fiber handling and routing,
however, both microbends and macrobends can be reduced and even prevented. The minimum
bend radius will vary depending on the specific fiber cable. In general, the
minimum bend radius of a fiber should not be less than 10 times its outer
diameter. Thus, a 3 millimeter (mm) cable should not have any bends less than
30 mm in radius. Telcordia recommends a minimum 38 mm bend radius for 3 mm
patch cords. If a tensile load is applied to a fiber cable, such as the weight
of a cable in a long vertical run or a cable pulled tightly between two points,
the minimum bend radius is increased due to the added stress. The advent
of bend insensitive fiber is an example of how tech-nology has addressed the
bend radius issue. Whereas the minimum bend radius should not be less than 10
times the outer diameter of the fiber cable in typical fiber, bend insensitive
fiber provides more leeway. However,
designers must understand that these new fibers do not diminish the need for
solid fiber cable management. On the contrary, the increase in the sheer number
of fibers being added to the system to accommodate broadband upgrades makes
bend radius protection as important as ever. As fibers
are added on top of installed fibers, macrobends can be induced on the
installed fibers if they are routed over an unprotected bend. A fiber that had
been working fine for many years can suddenly have an increased level of
attenuation, as well as a potentially shorter service life. Although bend
insensitive fiber is an innovative breakthrough in addressing the issue of bend
radius protection, it may be some time before any network owner replaces
existing fibers with a bend insensitive variety of fiber. Meanwhile, the
importance of bend radius protection is critical to avoid operational problems
in the network. Cable
Routing Paths The second
element of fiber cable management is cable routing paths and is related to bend
radius protection because improper routing of fibers by technicians is one of
the major causes of bend radius violations. Wherever fiber is used, routing
paths must be clearly defined and easy to follow—to the point where the
technician has no other option than to route the cables properly. Leaving cable
routing to the technician’s imagination leads to a fiber network that is inconsistently
routed and difficult to manage. The quality
of the cable routing paths, particularly within a fiber distribution frame
system, can be the difference between congested chaos and neatly placed, easily
accessible patch cords. It’s often said that the best teacher in fiber routing
techniques is the first technician to route it properly. Conversely, the worst
teacher is the first to use improper techniques since subsequent technicians
are likely to follow that lead. Well-defined
routing paths therefore reduce the proficiency training time required for
technicians and increase the uniformity of the work done by ensuring and
maintaining bend radius requirements at all points to improve overall network
reliability. It is important to note that, again, the use of bend insensitive
fiber does not diminish the need for clear cable routing paths. There are
benefits that go beyond bend radius protection. Defined
routing paths make accessing individual fibers easier, quicker and safer,
reducing the time required for reconfigurations. Fiber twists are reduced to
make tracing a particular fiber for rerouting much easier. Even with new
technologies, such as the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at both ends of
patch cords for easy identification, well-defined cable routing paths still
greatly reduce the time required to route and reroute patch cords. All of this
directly affects network operating costs and the time required to turn up or
restore service. Cable
Access Cable
access is the third element to good fiber cable management and refers to the
accessibility of the installed fibers. As the number of fibers increases
dramatically in both the distribution frame and the active equipment, cable
access becomes an increasingly important issue. In the past, an active
equipment rack might have had about 50 fibers exiting, and managing those
fibers was much less of an issue. But as that same rack is fitted for next
generation broadband services, there may be many more fibers involved, making
proper management and accessibility vitally important matters. With huge
amounts of data and critical business systems moving across those fibers, the
ability for technicians to have quick and easy access is critical. The last
thing any business wants is service interruptions caused by mishandling one
fiber to gain access to another. As previously mentioned, patch cords designed
with LEDs at both ends can help technicians identify particular cable runs with
no chance of error. These innovations can be implemented into a good cable
management system to help minimize problems caused by disconnecting the wrong
patch cord. There are many other tools and techniques for ensuring that every
fiber can be installed or removed without bending or disturbing an adjacent
fiber. The
accessibility of the fibers in the fiber cable management system can mean the
difference between a network reconfiguration time of 20 minutes per fiber and
one of more than 90 minutes per fiber. Since accessibility is most critical
during network reconfiguration operations, proper cable access directly impacts
operational costs and network reliability. Physical
Fiber Protection The last
element of a fiber cable management system addresses the physical protection of
the installed fibers. Every fiber throughout the network must be protected
against accidental damage by technicians or equipment. Fibers traversing from
one piece of equipment to another must be routed with physical protection in
mind, such as using raceway systems that protect from outside disturbances. Without
proper physical protection, fibers are susceptible to damage that can
critically affect network reliability. The fiber cable management system should
always include ensuring that every fiber is protected from physical damage. A Final
Word—Planning Because
many businesses are upgrading their networks for delivering high-bandwidth
broad-band services, it is important to stress the need for planning in terms
of cable management. Today’s network is a living and growing entity. What is
enough today will almost certainly be too little for tomorrow. Future-proofing
the network wherever possible should be a major consideration, and fiber cable
management is no different. Is the raceway system designed for growth in fiber
count without sacrificing accessibility? Is the fiber distribution frame sized
to accommodate growth in a centralized location without sacrificing protection
of fiber jumpers? It is far less expensive to plan and build for growth today
than a costly, time-consuming, service-affecting retrofit. Ignoring
future growth, particularly in terms of fiber, will result in higher long-term
operational costs because of poor network performance or a requirement to
retrofit products that can no longer accommodate network demand. Another
consideration in planning for good fiber cable management concerns the active
equipment rack. Most manufacturers have traditionally overlooked the need for
providing cable management within their equipment. Before purchasing, network
planners should insist that cable management is included within every piece of
active equipment to ensure it will operate efficiently over time. Cable
management should address all four elements of fiber cable management—bend
radius protection, cable routing paths, cable access and physical protection—to
strengthen the network’s reliability and functionality while lowering costs and
ensuring smooth upgrades when necessary. ********************************* Cost, port
utilization, efficiency, and “green” make fiber to the enclosure and attractive
design alternative. By Rodney
Casteel, RCDD, NTS When
working with designers or engineers I often hear the phrase “because that is
the way I have always designed it” when they discuss their choice of network architecture.
Perhaps it is because some network designers are not aware that new standards
offer them alternative choices. Or maybe it is a case of “if it ain’t broke
don’t fix it.” However, understanding all the available options is critical
when looking for a network solution that will support convergence, intelligent
building systems, data center reliability, Internet protocol (IP) everywhere,
“green” buildings and more, all while saving money and improving efficiency. This
article compares three different architectures addressed in the TIA-568
standards: hierarchical star, centralized cabling and fiber to the enclosure
(FTTE), also known as zone cabling. It evaluates how “playing in the zone” can
help address many emerging network issues, while simultaneously saving as much
as 50 percent or more when compared with the installed first costs of typical
hierarchical star deployments. Hierarchical
Star: The First
Structured Cabling Architecture In 1991,
the ratification of ANSI/TIA/EIA-568, Commercial Building Telecommunications
Cabling Standard, laid the groundwork for a unified way for delivering
telecommunications services. Prior to this standard being developed,
proprietary systems ruled, and there were no standardized solutions or
practices. While the concept of a structured approach for premises cabling was
not immediately embraced, it certainly was needed to tackle the growing demand
for telecommunications connections for both voice and data. Today, standardized
solutions are the norm and have enabled the progression of increasingly complex
enterprise networks. At the
heart of the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568 standard was the hierarchical star architecture.
In this network topology, all cables “home run” from the work area back to a
common space, then known as a “closet,” were connected via a backbone cable to
the main computer room. Utilizing this approach made it easier to accommodate
the myriad networking topologies of the day, including token ring, bus and
point-to-point. The
specifications for the hierarchical star were based on the ability of the most
common media of the day, unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) copper cable. While
other media types were available—including optical fiber and coaxial cable—UTP
became the workhorse behind the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568 standard. Its limitations are
what set the stage not only for the hierarchical star architecture but also for
future topologies. Centralized
Cabling Offers a
Standards-Based Fiber Solution In 1995,
growing demands for alternative ways to deploy networks led to the adoption of
the TIA Telecommunications Systems Bulletin (TSB)-72, which outlined the
requirements for deploying a centralized network. In 2001, TSB-72 was
incorporated into the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1 standard. Centralized
cabling designs use the high-bandwidth, low-attenuation and extended distance
capability of multimode fiber to centralize local area network (LAN)
electronics in one telecommunications room (TR) within a building. The cabling
media extends from the main computer room all the way to the end user, without
the need for an intermediate TR for distances up to 90 meters (m [295 feet
(ft)]). Ironically,
while this is the first architecture that leverages the properties of optical
fiber cable, it was designed with a copper mindset and was written around the
limitations of UTP. While copper cabling is limited to a 90 m (295 ft) link
length, fiber could easily support lengths of 300 m (984 ft). As a result, the
standard requires the implementation of a splice point or interconnect within a
TR for distances greater than 90 m (295 ft). The 90 m (295 ft) limitation was
included to ensure backwards compatibility; to protect end users in the event
that they chose to change their media from fiber back to UTP; and to guard
against potential future issues of restricted distance. There are a number of important
benefits to centralizing electronics, including: • Long-term cost savings. • Improved port and chassis
utilization. • Easier network rearrangements. • Greater security. • Centralized management. • Fewer or smaller TRs. By reducing
the size of the TRs, network managers can reclaim valuable floor space and
realize savings in the cost of powering and cooling the TRs. However,
adoption of the architecture has been slow, primarily because computer and
telephone manufacturers still do not offer a fiber interface as a standard
option on peripheral devices such as laptops, desktops, workstations and voice
over IP (VoIP) telephones. This means fiber network interface cards (NICs) must
be purchased and deployed separately and deploying power over Ethernet (PoE)
becomes more difficult. This factor, along with the cost of electronics, means
that centralized cabling often requires the highest initial investment. Fiber to
the Enclosure: Bringing the Benefits of Fiber Closer to the User In 2004,
the FTTE standard was introduced to meet the needs of environments such as
airports, education, sports arenas, hotels, convention centers and industrial
buildings that have long cable runs and need to frequently reconfigure their
work areas. FTTE was
ratified in the ANSI/TIA-568-B.1-5 and TIA-569-B documents. The 568-B.1-5
document explains the cabling aspect of the TE, also known as the mini TR; the
569-B document describes the enclosure and space utilized for this new
topology. With this
topology, fiber is deployed from the main computer room out to the work area
and terminated inside of a telecommunications enclosure (TE) that can be
mounted in the ceiling, on the wall, under the floor or in a rack or cabinet. See Figure 1. Fiber links can extend up to 300 m
(984 ft). From the enclosure, a short length of UTP or fiber extends to the
user’s work area and terminates. The enclosure accommodates one or more small
to medium switches, patch panels and power for the equipment. This mini TR
functions much like a standard TR, but with less capacity and a few more
restrictions. While the
benefits to deploying the FTTE architecture (described in the next section) are
significant, awareness and adoption of the standard are still low. Many users
simply are not aware that FTTE is supported by standards; others are concerned
about locating the TE in the work space, especially when it is mounted in the
ceiling. However, given the many benefits that the architecture offers, figuring
out where to store the ladder may be a worthwhile exercise. The
Benefits of Deploying FTTE FTTE is an
architecture that offers benefits in performance, flexibility and cost. To
begin with, the design frees up valuable real estate by eliminating the need
for traditional TRs. Along with the space that can be reallocated, the TEs are
less expensive to maintain because they require less power and little, if any,
dedicated cooling to maintain. Since the TEs only store a couple of small
workgroup switches, the amount of heat buildup is minimal, requiring only vents
or a small fan for heat dissipation. Even when utilizing PoE patch panels, many
of the TEs can handle the heat from two 48 port PoE switches simply by
utilizing a fan. In addition, the architecture allows network managers to shut
down zones that are not needed over the weekends or during holidays to help
conserve energy. Serving
individual zones from TEs has other advantages too. Smaller zones can be easily
customized to accommodate moves, adds or changes (MACs), more closely
reflecting the needs of many companies. In addition, using smaller switches
helps increase port utilization by more closely matching switch deployment to
the actual number of users. Finally,
this design potentially offers the highest throughput. One of the problems
associated with the hierarchical design is blocking. This occurs when larger
switches (with 24 or 48 ports) are connected back to the main computer room
with a single 1 gigabit per second (Gb/s) uplink. This introduces a data
bottleneck, where 1 Gb/s is supporting 2.4 or 4.8 Gb of information. In
comparison, low-density FTTE configurations are completely nonblocking, and
even medium-density systems offer more throughput than a standard hierarchical
star architecture. Minimizing
the amount of cabling deployed and reducing cooling and environmental costs
also means that FTTE improves the environmental efficiency of a building. In a
typical hierarchical star network, the addition of multiple rooms for network
equipment and applications invariably leads to inefficiencies in cooling,
power, redundancy and materials. With the zone implementation, the amount of
cabling being deployed is significantly reduced, which helps to minimize the
NEC requirement for the removal of unused or abandoned cable. While the
performance, space and environmental benefits offered by the zone concept are
encouraging, the most attractive aspect of the FTTE architecture is the cost
savings. According to the TIA Fiber Optics LAN Section (FOLS) cost model,
available as a free download at www.fols.org, FTTE implementation can save
network designers 50 percent or more over hierarchical star deployments,
depending on the number and types of variables being addressed. Additional
Drivers for FTTE It was
mentioned above that FTTE architectures are ideal for office buildings or
applications that need long cable runs and frequent reconfigurations. Two other
areas where FTTE makes sense are in simplifying a building automation system
(BAS) and in the data center. The
ANSI/TIA/EIA-862 standard, which deals with the BAS, recommends a zone approach
for integrating all the various building subsystems such as fire-life-safety,
heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) controls, access controls and
lighting controls into a common infrastructure. Implementing this concept
reduces the amount of cabling and pathways and spaces used, which reduces waste
and energy and improves efficiencies. This
section looks at how data centers can be configured. The ANSI/TIA/EIA-942 data
center standard, like the 568-B standard, addresses three topologies. The first
is distributed, or a hierarchical star approach, where all the server cabinets
contain access switches that connect back to the core switches housed in the main
distribution area. See Figure 3. In this design, the cabling is limited mainly
to intracabinet links with only the backbone cables going back to the main
distribution area. This is an efficient use of cabling but a very inefficient
use of network switch ports. When every
server cabinet has its own access switch, a lot of switches are spread
throughout the data center, making it harder to manage and maintain each
switch, especially in large data centers. If the average switch utilizes only
60 to 70 percent of available ports, it leads to a lot of wasted power, extra
heat to cool and wasted cost for electronics. The second
approach for the access layer is to use centralized cabling. See Figure 4. In
this design, all the switches are located in the computer room, with the cables
from each server cabinet home run back to the main distribution area. The
result is better port utilization, greater security, less heat generated in the
server racks and a reduction in the amount of equipment being used. The limitation
for centralized cabling in the data center is the amount of cables coming from
each server cabinet. These bundles of cables (copper, fiber or both) require
more pathways and spaces for routing. The centralized approach works well in
smaller data centers where the number of server cabinets is limited and only a
small amount of growth is expected. The third
architecture is FTTE, or zone. See Figure 5. This design creates a zone of a
given size that is replicated over and over throughout the data center. In the zone
deployment, each row of servers is connected to the appropriate number of
switch ports. Those switches may be located in a server cabinet or in a
stand-alone cabinet at the ends of the rows. This configuration keeps most of
the connections within the row and the cabling mostly within the zone, so it
does not require a significant amount of pathways and space. The zone switches
are connected back to the main distribution area via a backbone link. Utilizing
the zone concept in data centers has the same advantages as in other
environments: • Saves money • Reduces cabling • Improves port utilization • Limits the number of active
electronics in the data center space • Minimizes added heat within the server rows • Is easier to plan, maintain and grow With the
right planning, zone utilization within the data center can be the most
efficient architecture for current and future applications. FTTE Offers
a Solution to Build On In today’s
economy, people are challenged every day to look for better ways to live their
lives and perform their jobs in ways that reduce cost and help to minimize
negative effects on the environment. The trend
is clear: As network speeds continue to increase, electronics will continue to
consume more power and produce more heat. This in turn will require more backup
power and air conditioning to maintain the expected performance of the network.
While the hierarchical star has been a cornerstone for our industry, it was
adopted at a time when speeds were slow, power consumption and heat were
minimal, the number of connections was low, enterprise data centers were few
and small and convergence was just a thought in the minds of visionaries.
According to the proverbial saying, “If a hammer is the only tool you have, then
every problem will look like a nail,” but is this the way to address every
network design? With the
standardization of centralized and FTTE architectures comes the responsibility
of network designers to evaluate their situation and think outside the box. Progress is an active term. With the passing
of time, the technological progress in our industry will require creativity and
new solutions for solving the current and future challenges facing our network
designers. The bottom
line? No single architecture will address every network’s requirements, so the
network designer needs to prioritize the issues most important for the
environment and choose the architectures that will best meet those needs.
However, if cost, port utilization, efficiency and green are the priorities,
then FTTE or zone architecture is the best choice. www.bicsi.org FOA The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. Newsletter Monthly
News From The FOA December 2008 The
December 2008 issue of the FOA Newsletter is now online. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In This Issue FOA Expands
Online Fiber Optic Reference New "Premises Cabling" Section New "Google Custom Search" 40 to 100G
Ethernet-Who Wants It? Special
Offer: Report on Government Contracting For Fiber Optics Good
Question! Comments on Last Month's Tech Questions And A New One On Attenuators Jobs:
Looking for work? Sales and field tech jobs available this month - immediate
needs! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What are people saying about the new
FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference website? "I have found that the fiber optics
website is extremely useful. It gives very in depth and detailed information to
educate yourself in fiber optics. I like how it uses the history of fiber
optics to explain and compare the advantages of fiber optics to copper
wire! Overall I will continue to use
this website to further educate myself to become a very knowledgeable and
efficient installer. I would recommend this site to beginner and experienced
installers alike just to keep up with the ever-changing telecommunication
industry." The FOA
Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide is available free to everyone - another FOA
contribution to the fiber optic community.
Read the introduction and check out the current Table of Contents - then
peruse the materials. Try the CFOT Study Guide too. The FOA
reference website is online at www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/index.html. Be sure to
tell everybody about the new FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Website! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Renew Your
FOA Membership and Certifications Online And Get a Extra Month Free You can now
renew your FOA membership and certifications online at the new FOA eCommerce
site. As a bonus,
if you renew before your membership expires, you get an extra month's membershp
free! Here are
the full directions on how to do it. Quick
Links... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FOA
Website: www.thefoa.org FOA Online
Newsletter FOA Online
Fiber Optic Reference Guide Tech
Bulletins Contact
Information ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ phone:
760-451-3655 FOA
Website: www.thefoa.org ********************************* Submit Links to Your Online Fiber Optic Technical
Materials For Listing On The FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Website The new
FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Website (http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/)
is now available for use by everyone. While it’s a work in progress” with new
information being added continuously, it already become a major source of
information on fiber optics. The FOA is now seeking the assistance of others
with technical materials on fiber optics to expand the scope of this already
enormous website. According
to FOA President Jim Hayes who is also editor of the site, “We created the FOA
Online Fiber Optic Reference Website as a comprehensive “textbook” on fiber optics to complement our printed
textbooks and Tech Topics website. It is designed for use as a teaching tool
for our hundreds of FOA-approved schools and their thousands of students taking
CFOT certification classes each year. It’s designed as a technical reference
site for the 25,000+ FOA CFOTs certified since 1995 who want to keep up with
the technology. And it’s made available free to anyone interested in fiber
optics looking for a single source of comprehensive technical information and
lesson plans for self-study on fiber optic topics. Traffic and feedback in the
first month indicates it’s going to be a very popular site!” The FOA
recognizes that many fiber optic vendors and other organizations have created
lots of technical reference materials that are valuable to those working in the
industry or studying to become part of it.
The problem is making sure those interested can find that material! The FOA
thinks we may have a solution. The FOA
will create an “Information Links” section on our Fiber Optic Reference website
that will link to a special page on the contributor’s website. Contributors are
free to promote white papers, technical application notes, product literature,
or anything they think will be of interest to our audience. If you are
interested in participating, see the request for submissions posted at http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/links/index.html
or contact Jim Hayes at the FOA <jim@thefoa.org>
or 760-451-3655. Have you
seen the FOA Fiber Optic Reference
website? Take a
look for yourself if you have not yet seen it: http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/
and peruse the contents page http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/contents.html
to see the extent of its content already. Are
we already the largest "library" of fiber optic information on the
web? That's what we're being told! What are
people saying about the FOA Fiber Optic Reference website? “I have found that the fiber
optics website is extremely useful. It gives very in depth and detailed
information to educate yourself in fiber optics. I like how it uses the history
of fiber optics to explain and compare the advantages of fiber optics to copper
wire! Overall I will continue to use
this website to further educate myself to become a very knowledgeable and
efficient installer. I would recommend this site to beginner and experienced
installers alike just to keep up with the ever-changing telecommunication
industry. Thanks for providing me with this reference guide.“ MH NAED Registration is Open for the 2009 NAED South Central
Region Conference in
World's Foremost Authority on Fraud and Identity Theft Frank Abagnale to
Give Keynote Presentation
The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) announces that
registration is open for the 2009 South Central Region Conference. The
conference will take place February 25-28, at the Omni Orlando Resort at
ChampionsGate in
NAED’s education sessions will include:
To ensure that NAED members are getting the value they should out of their
membership, there will be a special session entitled Are You Maximizing
Your NAED Benefits? by Wes Morgenthaler, LMS administrator, NAED Education
& Research Foundation. The conference also will include a Women in Industry
networking luncheon featuring Dale Carnegie’s Public Speaking Skills
Training and numerous opportunities to build your professional network. *********************************
The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) is joining with over
30 other distribution trade associations to sponsor the 2009 University of
Industrial Distribution (UID), March 8-11 in
Three instructors familiar to NAED members return for 2009:
Since 1993, the UID has trained more than 5,900 distributor and manufacturing
professionals. The program is ideal for a wide range of employees, from branch
managers to purchasing, inventory, sales, and operations personnel. ### Click
here to download a pdf of this release. ********************************* NAED
Commissions Two Energy Research Studies for 2009
Studies will present the opportunities and challenges of “going green” and help members take advantage of emerging markets
The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) recently commissioned
two new research projects: Corporate Sustainability: Why You Need it and How
to Get There; and Selling Energy Management Solutions. Earlier this
month, NAED selected and funded these research studies to provide members with
tangible, actionable information, as well as strategies and tools to take
advantage of emerging markets. Major findings of these studies will be
available in May 2009.
The task force for both projects convenes by teleconference on a monthly basis
throughout the duration of the project to provide guidance, discuss project
resources, and review project outputs and overall findings. NAED is
looking for distributors and manufacturers to participate in telephone
interviews (about an hour in duration), online surveys, focus groups at the
NAED Western and South Central Region Conferences, and case studies to talk
about their company’s level of commitment/investment in corporate
sustainability planning and/or selling energy management solutions. ********************************* NAED Education & Research Foundation Announces
Annual Contribution Campaign
Industry Contributions Support New Education, Training Tools
The NAED Education & Research Foundation announces the launch of its
2008-2009 Annual Contribution Campaign, which runs through June 2009. The
campaign funds NAED’s industry-specific education and training programs and is
led by Foundation Chair-Elect James Etheredge, Sr. VP & CFO of Crescent
Electric Supply Company. All
contributions to the NAED Education & Research Foundation are
tax-deductible. Donors to the Annual Campaign receive a certificate, ribbon acknowledgment
at all NAED regional conferences and the National Electrical Leadership Summit,
and a listing in TED Magazine. ********************************* NAED Introduces Selling Green 101 New
course series offers a starting point for distributors interested in selling
green solutions
The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) announces the launch
of the first course in a series of Web-based, narrated presentations created
for distributors serious about getting into the growing market for green
products and services. This training series—Selling Green 101—is based
on research commissioned by the NAED Channel Advantage Partnership. The
research study, titled Green Goes Mainstream: How to Profit from Green
Market Opportunities, was conducted by Yudelson Associates.
Following is the complete list of Selling Green 101 course titles: ********************************* NAED Releases White Paper on Service Liability
Exposure
Study examines potential liability issues associated with the provision of
value-added services The
National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) recently made available
the white paper, “Service Liability Exposure: Navigating the Legal Risks
and Protections” which addresses some of the most common services NAED
members offer their customers, the potential for liability arising from the
provision of such services, and recommendations on how to limit liability
exposure.
“I joined this task force to gain a better understanding of the risks
associated with the old and new services our company offers. Distributors need
to know the real exposure in offering these services and how to protect their
own company. Managing risk is how one runs a successful business,” said Maureen
Barsema, vice president and CFO, BJ Electric Supply, Inc. “The service
liability white paper is an invaluable tool that identifies ways to minimize
exposure and limit liability. Our industry finally has access to a resource
that answers so many questions that were left unanswered in the past. One would
be remiss without taking advantage of this extremely thorough, inestimable
information.” NEMA Reaffirms Industrial Control and System Standards
ICS 1 and ICS 2.3 The National Electrical Manufacturers Association
(NEMA) has reaffirmed ICS 1 Industrial
Control and Systems: General Requirements and ICS 2.3 Industrial Control and Systems: Instructions for the Handling,
Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of ICS 1-2000 (R2005, R2008) provides practical general
information concerning ratings, construction, testing, performance, and
manufacture of industrial control and systems equipment and terminal blocks.
This publication is strongly recommended for use in conjunction with other NEMA
ICS publications. ICS 2.3-1995 (R2002, R2008) provides guidelines
to facilitate movement, handling, installation, and maintenance of motor
control centers at the job site and to help avoid personal injury and equipment
damage during these processes. ICS 1-2000 (R2005, R2008) may be downloaded at no charge,
and a hard copy or electronic copy purchased for $112, by visiting NEMA’s
website at http://www.nema.org/stds/ics1.cfm; ICS
2.3-1995 (R2002, R2008) may be downloaded at no charge, and a hard copy or
electronic copy purchased for $52, by visiting NEMA’s Web site at www.nema.org/stds/ics2-3.cfm. Standards may also be purchased by
contacting IHS at 800-854-7179 (within the NEMA is the trade association of choice for the
electrical manufacturing industry. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near ********************************* NEMA Applauds Decision to Support Use of Carbon
Monoxide Alarms On December
19, the Board of Directors of the International Code Council (ICC) rebuffed a
challenge to and affirmed new carbon monoxide (CO) detection requirements
incorporated into the 2009 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC).
The new requirements, which were adopted by ICC members at its Final Action
Hearing in “I am
pleased that the ICC Board stood behind the decision of its members to
incorporate carbon monoxide requirements into the IRC,” NEMA President and CEO
Evan R. Gaddis said. “By rejecting an appeal to overturn the results of the
Final Action Hearing, the ICC affirmed the life-saving value of carbon monoxide
alarms and demonstrated once again its commitment to model building codes which
promote the safety of residents.” Carbon
monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning death in the The most
effective way to reduce the incidence of CO poisoning is to ensure that
effective carbon monoxide sensing, detection, and notification devices are
installed in residential and other places where people sleep. Carbon monoxide
alarms and detectors can be purchased at minimal cost and are available at
retail, hardware and home improvement stores nationwide. NEMA is the
trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded
in 1926 and headquartered near ********************************* NEMA Leads Coalition in Advocating Safety in OSHA
Product-Approval Process The
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), in conjunction with 17
other organizations, has submitted a letter to Thomas M. Stohler, Acting
Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, expressing concerns
regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) consideration
of a proposal to adopt Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) as an
alternative to third-party certification of electrical products used in
American workplaces. At the
request of European Commission, OSHA in October 2008 published in the Federal
Register a Request for Information on a proposal to permit the use of an SDoC
as an alternative to the nationally recognized testing laboratories (NRTLs)
product-approval process. In their response to Acting Assistant Secretary
Stohler, NEMA and its coalition allies stressed the safety benefits of using
third-party certification for electrical products and commended OSHA’s NRTL
program as a cost-effective and efficient avenue for ensuring the safety of
American workers. “We are
hopeful that OSHA will not be influenced by false claims that international
trade priorities necessitate replacing the well-established NRTL program with
SDoC,” NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis said. “It would be unwise to
compromise the most successful electrical safety system in the world.” “The U.S.
electrical safety system, which is principally based on third-party
certification, is regarded as one of the most effective systems in the world
for successfully ensuring workplace safety, while at the same time allowing for
free and open market access for products and services, with minimal cost to the
taxpayer,” the coalition letter states. “Indeed, those who now wish to
institutionalize SDoC must accept that the checks-and-balances of our current
system have played a fundamental role in driving NEMA will
be submitting detailed comments on specific issues raised in OSHA’s Request for
Information by the January 20, 2009 deadline. NEMA is the
trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded
in 1926 and headquartered near ********************************* NEMA Names Ilyse Schuman to Lead MITA The
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has named Ilyse Schuman to
lead its Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA), the collective voice
of medical imaging equipment manufacturers, innovators, and product developers. Schuman;
the former minority staff director and chief counsel of the U.S. Senate
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); has joined as
managing director of MITA and vice president of NEMA. Since 2001 she has served
on the HELP Committee as counsel to the former chairman and now ranking member,
Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY). “Knowledge
of healthcare policy is integral to the medical imaging industry’s future of
improving medicine and Ilyse has the deep substantive expertise, government
leadership experience and credentials to successfully lead MITA,” said NEMA
President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis. “MITA will be strengthened with Ilyse’s
leadership.” While
serving on the Senate HELP Committee, Schuman oversaw legislative and
communications activity, which included the Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Amendments Act,
and health information technology legislation. As staff director and counsel to
the chair of the committee, she successfully managed major legislative
initiatives including the FDA Drug Safety Reform, Pension Protection Act,
Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, College Cost Reduction and Access
Act, Head Start reauthorization, and Patient Safety bill through Congress with
a proven ability to work in a bipartisan manner. Prior to
the Senate, Schuman was senior counsel at Navistar International Corporation,
and, before that, an associate at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
and Flom. Schuman
graduated cum laude from NEMA is the
trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded
in 1926 and headquartered near ********************************* NEMA
Offers Electroindustry Recommendations to President-elect Obama In an open
letter to President-elect Barack Obama on behalf of the National Electrical
Manufacturers Association, NEMA President and CEO Evan Gaddis has offered the
association as a resource for addressing unprecedented challenges facing the “NEMA is
the nation’s largest association representing 430 companies that manufacture electrical
and medical imaging equipment. Our members serve a domestic market in excess of
$100 billion annually, export $20 billion in goods, and represent about 350,000
According
to Gaddis, NEMA maintains a leadership role in creating a more energy-efficient
society and its efforts to develop a modernized “smart” electrical grid for the
country. Deployment of energy-efficient technologies and products must be incented
in climate change legislation, along with funding for advanced technologies to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On the
energy supply side, he recommends support for a long-term production tax
credit, research for renewable supply sources (wind, solar, geothermal, and
ocean), expanded nuclear energy use, accelerating clean coal technology
development, and ending the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the outer
continental shelf. On the transmission grid side, he calls for funding of Smart
Grid provisions in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, enactment
of a 10-year accelerated depreciation for distribution equipment purchases, and
changes to the rate recovery formula for transmission facilities to include
power electronics and high-voltage direct current technologies. The letter
also calls for resources at the Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure
promulgation of product energy-efficiency rules, incentives for states to adopt
and enforce energy building codes, funding for the High Performance Green
Building and Commercial Building Initiative, and increased funding for DOE
research on advanced solid-state (LED and OLED) lighting technologies. On the
environmental front, he notes the industry initiative to reduce and eliminate
certain hazardous substances from electrical products and urges the
administration to support legislation that would codify the industry’s
commitments by establishing a national standard in specified electrical
products. “Rising
health care costs are one of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers,”
Gaddis said. “A comprehensive approach to healthcare reform is vital to our
long-term economic progress and future job growth. The Medical Imaging and
Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of NEMA, represents manufacturers of
medical imaging technologies that play a critical role in early diagnosis of
disease, improvement in patient care and outcome, and keeping people healthy
and productive.” On the
international trade front, Gaddis identifies the important role trade
agreements have played in opening markets to manufactured goods and removing
barriers to export. He recommends that the President seek renewal of expired
trade promotion authority, enhance the effectiveness of the Trade Adjustment
Assistance programs, and pursue all avenues (bilateral, regional, or
multinational) for advancing free trade in electrical and medical imaging
goods. Gaddis
further stated that counterfeit electrical equipment is a growing problem and
represents a serious threat to public safety. Public policy must be one of zero
tolerance for those who manufacture and traffic in counterfeit products. NEMA’s
recommendations focus on prompt implementation of the Intellectual Property
Rights Act of 2008, including the naming of a White House Intellectual Property
Enforcement Coordinator and providing sufficient resources to protect national
borders. In the
areas of consumer and workplace safety, Gaddis calls for full funding and
staffing of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in line with the Consumer
Product Safety Improvements Act of 2008, and for the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration to reaffirm the current U.S. approach to electrical
safety by maintaining the nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL)
program and rejecting EU effort to change our system of safety. On border
and homeland security issues, Gaddis urges the administration to fully fund and
support the standards development of Digital Imaging and Communication in
Security (DICOS) and to promote the adoption of DICOS for baggage screening in
airports, with further expansion to ports and mass transit. “NEMA will
work with the new administration and the 111th Congress,” Gaddis pledged, “to
enact a pro-growth, pro-competitive agenda that addresses energy policy, the
environment, health care, taxation, consumer safety, work force issues, and
international trade.” NEMA is the
trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded
in 1926 and headquartered near ********************************* NEMA Publishes Errata To ICS 5-2000 Industrial Control
and Systems: Control Circuit and Pilot Devices The
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published errata to
ICS 5-2000 Industrial Control and Systems: Control Circuit and Pilot
Devices. In the current publication,
Figure 1-8-3 on Page 1-19 contains incorrect dimensions. It has been altered to
reflect dimensions specified in Section 8.2.7.1. A complete
copy of ICS 5-2000, including the corrected figure, may be downloaded at no
charge or a hard copy purchased for $158 at http://www.nema.org/stds/ics5.cfm,
or by contacting IHS at 800-854-7179 (within the U.S.), 303-397-7956
(international), 303-397-2740 (fax), or on the Web at global.ihs.com. NEMA is the
trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded
in 1926 and headquartered near SCTE Seeks Nominees For Its 2009 Board Election The Society
of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) is now accepting candidate
nominations for the seven seats on its board of directors that are up for
election in 2009. Any member
of the Society can nominate a candidate by submitting the online nomination
form located at www.scte.org. Nominators can click on the website’s Member
Services section and then select National Leadership to access details and the
form. The
nomination deadline is Monday, Feb. 2, 2009. All board
members are elected to a two-year term. The seven positions up for nominations
are: · Region 1
Director representing CA, HI, NV · Region 2
Director representing AZ, CO, NM, UT, WY · Region 6
Director representing MN, ND, SD, WI · Region 9
Director representing FL, GA, SC, PR · Region 11
Director representing DE, MD, NJ, PA ·
Director-At-Large representing the entire SCTE membership ·
Director-At-Large representing the entire SCTE membership Eligible
candidates must be active SCTE members who have been members for at least the
last three years and reside within the Region they will represent. According to
SCTE’s bylaws, no more than four employees from one company will be allowed to
sit on the board during the same year. The SCTE
Nominations Committee will consider all nominations and select a slate of
qualified candidates that it will recommend to the SCTE Board of Directors for
the board’s approval. The board-approved candidate slate will be announced
April 9, 2009. The time
period for SCTE members to cast their votes will be May 15–July 31, 2009. In
keeping with SCTE’s resolve to be economically and ecologically prudent,
starting with the 2009 election, voting will be conducted electronically
through an impartial election company’s secure website, and paper election
materials including the paper ballot will no longer be automatically mailed to
all SCTE members. Members who are unable to vote online must request paper
materials to cast their ballot. SCTE
members can make those paper materials requests by calling 610-594-7300 or
e-mailing elections@scte.org prior to April 24, 2009. Candidates
elected to the board in the 2009 election will take office on Tuesday, Oct. 27,
2009, in Questions
may be directed to SCTE’s Cheryl Taylor at 610-594-7308 or elections@scte.org. #### The Society
of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) is a non-profit professional
association that provides technical leadership for the telecommunications
industry and serves its members through professional development, standards,
certification and information. SCTE currently has more than 14,000 members from
the ********************************* Productive SCTE Standards Program Reaccredited,
Improves ANSI Rank The Society of Cable
Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) is proud to announce today that the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recently reaccredited the
flourishing SCTE Standards Program, which also has moved up to 13th in the
ranking of ANSI’s 219 accredited standards developers. Both its reaccreditation
and improved rank are a testament to the SCTE program’s strength and increasing
popularity. SCTE’s program was first accredited by ANSI in 1995. The prolific SCTE
program was ranked 15th in September 2007. The program has come a long way from
its 79th place ANSI ranking in 1998. ASTM International holds ANSI’s top
ranking. The SCTE Standards
Program also recently achieved the significant milestone of 200 ANSI-approved
SCTE technical standards. The count has since risen to 203, with a dozen or so
more technical standards due for ANSI approval early in 2009. By comparison,
when ranked 15th with ANSI in September 2007, SCTE had 175 ANSI-approved
standards. ANSI facilitates the
development of American National Standards (ANS) by accrediting the procedures
of Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs) like SCTE. These groups work
cooperatively to develop voluntary national consensus standards. Accreditation
by ANSI signifies that the procedures used by the standards body in connection
with the development of American National Standards meet the institute’s
essential requirements for openness, balance, consensus, and due process. The SCTE Standards
Program maintains a vigorous commitment to establishing much-needed standards
to help the fast-paced cable telecommunications industry prosper. To satisfy a
wide range of industry needs, the SCTE program’s member organizations develop
standards covering everything from F-connectors to hot-topic, here-and-now
issues such as protocols for high-speed data access over cable and digital
program insertion. SCTE’s accreditation
with ANSI and its increasingly strong position within that organization lend
vital credibility to the ongoing efforts of the SCTE program’s many member
volunteers. Any organization or individual
interested in participating in the SCTE Standards Program is invited to access
complete information about the program at www.scte.org. Program sponsorships
are also available by contacting SCTE’s Debra Swann at 610-594-7313 or Heather
Gosciniak at 610-594-7306. ********************************* SCTE Foundation Provides Major Grant To OLA EKUNDARE The SCTE
Foundation is pleased to announce today that it recently awarded a major grant
to Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) member Olakunle (Ola)
Ekundare of Comcast Cable Communications. Ekundare,
of The SCTE
Foundation was established by the SCTE Board of Directors in 2005 and began
issuing grants in 2006. The Foundation has helped numerous SCTE members by
distributing grants totaling approximately $95,000. All of the
financial assistance that the SCTE Foundation provides to SCTE members is made
possible through donations from generous individuals and organizations within
the cable telecommunications industry. Many have contributed to the SCTE
Foundation’s 2008 Giving Campaign, “Fueling Cable’s Future,” which is going on
now through Dec. 31. The campaign, chaired by Marwan Fawaz of Charter
Communications, seeks to raise $15,000. One of the
SCTE Foundation’s purposes is to provide expanded educational opportunities for
SCTE members to assist them in accomplishing their professional development
goals and dreams. SCTE members have applied their grants to a variety of
professional development opportunities including SCTE Virtual Classroom online
courses, Jones/NCTI™ courses, college degrees in business management and
telecommunications engineering technology, and attendance at industry events
like SCTE Cable-Tec Expo®. The SCTE
Foundation Board of Directors recently approved Ekundare’s application for a
major grant following preliminary approvals by the Foundation’s Major Grants
Subcommittee and the Foundation’s Awards Committee. The grant
and scholarship application and complete information about the SCTE Foundation
are available at http://foundation.scte.org. The SCTE
Foundation was established by the SCTE Board of Directors in 2005. The
Foundation’s three-part mission is to assist in innovation and education within
the industry, to further research and information, and to maintain a history
and awareness of the cable and telecommunications industry, all for the benefit
of future generations. The SCTE Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable
organization. Visit the SCTE Foundation website at http://foundation.scte.org. The Society
of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) is a non-profit professional
association that provides technical leadership for the telecommunications
industry and serves its members through professional development, standards,
certification and information. SCTE currently has more than 14,000 members from
the ********************************* SCTE NAMES MARK L. DZUBAN AS ITS NEW PRESIDENT/CEO The Society
of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) is pleased to announce today that
it has named Mark L. Dzuban as its new president/CEO. Dzuban’s first day on the
job will be Monday, Feb. 2. A 41-year
cable industry veteran, Dzuban comes to SCTE from Cedar Point Communications,
where he served as vice chairman and as executive vice president, strategic
accounts. Dzuban began at Cedar Point in August 2001. He also served as the
first chairman of the organization’s technical advisory board. At Cedar Point,
Dzuban pioneered the development of cable telephony switching technology from
concept to nearly 5 million lines deployed. Dzuban’s
hiring ends an exhaustive six-month search comprising nearly 100 candidates to
succeed John Clark, who was SCTE’s president/CEO from 1998 until July of last
year. SCTE Vice President, Professional Development Marv Nelson has been
serving as SCTE’s interim president/CEO. Like SCTE,
Dzuban has amassed four decades of service to the cable telecommunications
industry, starting in 1968 as a design engineer for Vikoa and advancing to
executive leadership positions in which he constructed and operated networks in
the Dzuban took
his cable background to AT&T in 1991 and worked there until 2000. His first
role at AT&T was as a member of the Bell Labs Technical Staff. He was the
Bell Labs representative to CableLabs® from 1992 to 1997. He was
promoted to senior vice president of AT&T Broadband Telephony Operations
and Engineering. While with AT&T, Dzuban played a key role in bringing the
vision of cable telephony deployment to fruition. He helped drive the AT&T
strategy to reconstitute local access capability by partnering or acquiring
cable television networks and operators, forming the foundation of AT&T
Broadband. Dzuban’s
cable longevity mirrors that of the organization he will now run. SCTE this
year is celebrating its milestone 40th Anniversary around the theme, “The Best
Is Yet to Be.” The new president/CEO brings a focus on the business of
engineering and will seek to create a legacy of educating the next generation of
technical leaders for the cable telecommunications industry. Dzuban
describes his approach as SMART Engineering, which is engineering skills
combined with good business tools and awareness of total cost of ownership and
operations efficiency. His background is working for start-up ventures to build
new or realign existing networks to compete in the marketplace. “Mark owns
a vision for taking SCTE to the forefront of engineering and technology for the
cable industry,” said SCTE Board of Directors Chairman Tom Gorman. “He is
resolved to address the needs of all levels of engineering—from installer to
switched digital video engineer and from plant manager to Internet engineer. He
is a great fit for his new position and will get SCTE well on its way to another
successful 40-plus years of service.” #### The Society
of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) is a non-profit professional
association that provides technical leadership for the telecommunications
industry and serves its members through professional development, standards,
certification and information. SCTE currently has more than 14,000 members from
the Telecommunications
Industry Association (TIA) Recommends Specific Broadband Incentives for
Economic Stimulus Plan Investment
in Digital Infrastructure Would Create Jobs, Boost Productivity and Improve
Healthcare, Public Safety, Education and More, Congressional Leaders Told The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in advocacy,
standards development, business development and intelligence for the
information and communications technology (ICT) industry, today urged
congressional leaders to adopt specific broadband deployment and adoption
incentives in the economic stimulus bill Congress is planning to consider at
the start of the 111th Congress. TIA’s proposal encompasses
targeted incentives that will stimulate investment across all broadband
platforms, including wireless and fixed broadband, and represents a unified
package for the ICT community. In a letter
to House and Senate leaders, TIA President Grant Seiffert highlighted the
benefits that broadband technology brings to Americans: “Broadband networks
directly impact the productivity of our industries and our economy, and
pivotally affect public safety, education, health care, and countless other
functions in Americans’ daily lives. Like any other infrastructure
project, the deployment and use of broadband will significantly increase and
maintain job growth well beyond the initial investment in the infrastructure,
laptops and computing devices themselves. Broadband incentives are a necessary
component of a 21st century stimulus package.” TIA’s
letter commended and built upon a proposal by the Communications Workers of
America (CWA) that would create 97,500 direct jobs and 2.5 million jobs
throughout the economy in the near-term with every $5 billion investment,
according to CWA estimates. Adding to the CWA proposal, TIA suggests
including new tiers of tax incentives for a comprehensive approach that would
include the full spectrum of broadband platforms. The TIA proposal outlines
specific recommendations for tiers of service and tax benefits. TIA’s
approach recognizes that a
ubiquitous broadband infrastructure has four critical and
complementary components: fixed broadband, wireless broadband, satellite
broadband and broadband core and backbone transport. In
developing a direct grant program for rural broadband deployments, also
included in the CWA proposal, TIA urges lawmakers to consider a $25 billion
grant program for deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved
areas. TIA asks Congress to also consider stimulus for broadband demand
through measures such as: vouchers for low-income Americans (including both
adults and students) so that they may purchase laptops, mobile handsets and
other computing devices; a tax credit for small- and medium-sized businesses
that purchase/upgrade their PCs, laptops, mobile handsets, broadband equipment,
services, and software; and allowing consumers eligible for Lifeline and
Link-Up to use discounts for broadband services and devices as well as telephony. TIA’s
letter to congressional leaders is available on the Capitol
Hill filings page at tiaonline.org. For more
information, please contact Danielle Coffey at (202) 346-3243 or dcoffey@tiaonline.org.
Sign up for
TIA RSS
news feeds on government affairs and other TIA news. About
TIA The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information
and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development,
advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and
world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924,
TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless,
information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications.
Members’ products and services empower communications in every industry and market,
including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation,
government, the military, the environment and entertainment. TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM®
tradeshow and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Visit tiaonline.org. TIA’s Board of Directors includes senior-level
executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, ArrayComm,
AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cam Communications, Cisco
Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels &
McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia
Siemens Networks, Nortel, OneChip Photonics Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions
Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation,
Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to
the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies. ********************************* GENBAND CEO Joins the Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA) Board of Directors President and CEO of GENBAND, Inc.,
Charles D. Vogt Elected to Board; John Marinho Is New Board Member Representing
Alcatel-Lucent At its
November meeting, the Board of Directors of the Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA), the leader in advocacy, standards development, business
development and intelligence for the information and communications technology
(ICT) industry, unanimously confirmed two new board members: ·
Charles D. Vogt, President and CEO of GENBAND, Inc. ·
John Marinho,
Vice President Americas Region, Global Government and Public Affairs, of
Alcatel-Lucent John
Giere, formerly
with Alcatel-Lucent, remains on the board as CEO of Giere & Associates. “We welcome
GENBAND’s Charles D. Vogt and Alcatel-Lucent’s John Marinho to the board as we focus
on leading the ICT industry through challenging economic times,” said TIA
President Grant Seiffert. “We left the meeting confident that we’re doing
what’s necessary to move forward, continuing on a path of growth and
stability.” Vogt is a
telecommunications industry veteran who, in a few short years, has led GENBAND
to a leading position atop the IP gateway market and the distinction of one of
the fastest-growing private companies in the Marinho has
held various strategy, business, policy and technical positions in the
telecommunications industry. In his current position, he is responsible for
public policy, legislative and regulatory areas for Alcatel-Lucent’s Americas
Region. Marinho is the retired Chairman of TIA’s TR-45 Mobile and Personal
Communications Systems Standards Engineering Committee responsible for 3G and
ANSI-41 Standards. In his role as Chairman, Marinho was responsible for
the establishment of the 3GPP2 global standards body. At the
meeting, the Board heard two keynote addresses: ·
John Donovan,
Chief Technology Officer, AT&T, spoke about his views on differentiation,
integration and problem solving as part of his vision of the future of the ICT
industry. ·
Brian R. Mefford, Chairman and CEO of Connected Nation, Inc., gave board members his
outlook on the continuing efforts to deploy broadband to rural areas of the About
TIA The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information
and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development,
advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and
world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924,
TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless,
information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications.
Members’ products and services empower communications in every industry and
market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety,
transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.
TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM® tradeshow and is accredited
by the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org. TIA’s
Board of Directors
includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA
Networks, ArrayComm, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cam
Communications, Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND,
Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE,
Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, OneChip Photonics Inc.,
Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo
Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc.,
and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems
and Telcordia Technologies. About
GENBAND GENBAND is
a global leader and innovator of next generation IP media, session border and
fixed mobile convergence security solutions deployed in over half of the
world’s 100 largest service providers. These high-performance gateway solutions
are at the core of fixed and mobile networks around the world - evolving,
securing and enhancing communications networks. Headquartered in About
Alcatel-Lucent ********************************* India Environmental Report Released on TIA’s EIATRACK,
the Global Benchmark in Environmental Regulatory Tracking At the time
most of the existing environmental laws in The latest
EIATRACK special report provides a detailed description of the Indian
regulatory regime governing environmental issues, including the regulatory
mechanisms embodying product stewardship aspects for the electronics industry,
the key authorities and their respective roles and responsibilities, and recent
developments and initiatives associated with the environmentally sound
management of electronic products. “Recognizing
the difficulties companies are having in this economy and with increased
environmental regulations affecting their businesses worldwide, TIA has mounted
an energetic campaign to increase EIATRACK coverage to include fast-developing
countries such as To read the
special report, visit the Overview of India page. Soon, a range
of subject reports for ·
Energy
efficiency ·
·
Domestic
management and trans-boundary movement of hazardous substances/wastes ·
Waste
disposal and recycling ·
Product
take back “ EIATRACK is
a subscription-based web service that delivers information on product-oriented
environmental compliance for the electronics sector in more than 100 global jurisdictions,
including each of the About
TIA The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information
and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development,
advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and
world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924, TIA
enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information
technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members’
products and services empower communications in every industry and market,
including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation,
government, the military, the environment and entertainment. TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM®
tradeshow and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Visit tiaonline.org. TIA’s
Board of Directors
includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA
Networks, ArrayComm, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cam
Communications, Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND,
Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE,
Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, OneChip Photonics Inc.,
Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo
Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and
Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and
Telcordia Technologies. ********************************* Telecommunications
Industry Association (TIA) Urges the FCC to Oppose RTG’s Proposal for Spectrum
Cap Reinstating a Spectrum Cap Would
Reverse Current Policies and Severely Harm the The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in advocacy,
standards development, business development and intelligence for the information
and communications technology (ICT) industry, today urged the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to reject the Rural Telecommunications Group,
Inc.’s (RTG) Petition for Rulemaking to mandate a 110-MHz
county-by-county spectrum cap on all commercial terrestrial wireless spectrum
below 2.3 GHz. TIA stated
in Comments that reinstating a spectrum cap would reverse the Commission’s
current spectrum policies and severely harm the mobile and wireless broadband
product market. “We agree
with the Commission’s findings that wireless broadband technologies are vital
components of the FCC’s effort to deploy broadband services to rural and other
underserved areas,” said Danielle Coffey, TIA Vice President for Government
Affairs. “The Commission’s existing spectrum policy complements this
policy goal by addressing competition issues on a market-by-market basis,” she
added. “However,
in its Petition, RTG attempts to resurrect a failed, arbitrary, and
innovation-stifling spectrum cap that has been summarily discarded by the
Commission,” Coffey continued. “The Commission has replaced this arcane
policy with a flexible spectrum screen method to review competition issues on a
market-by-market basis. Such a review affords the Commission a fuller
understanding of market competitiveness. RTG has not in any way
established that a reversal of the current policy is necessary to protect
consumers or that the discarded policy is any more viable now than it was prior
to its elimination in 2003.” “The
Commission should also acknowledge in any future policy that innovative
wireless broadband networks will be built on blocks of spectrum ranging from
1.25 MHz to 20 MHz or more,” Coffey stated. “These evolving networks
should not be regulated with an antiquated spectrum cap policy that disregards
the spectrum needed for deployment of wireless broadband service.
Additionally, the Commission should implement spectrum policies that ensure
that wireless carriers can migrate their spectrum to broadband uses.” TIA’s
comments are available on the FCC filings
page at tiaonline.org. For more
information, please contact Patrick Sullivan at 202-346-3244 or psullivan@tiaonline.org.
Sign up for
TIA RSS
news feeds on government affairs and other TIA news. About
TIA The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information
and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development,
advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and
world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924,
TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless,
information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications.
Members’ products and services empower communications in every industry and
market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety,
transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.
TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM® tradeshow and is accredited
by the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org. TIA’s
Board of Directors
includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA
Networks, ArrayComm, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cam
Communications, Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND,
Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE,
Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, OneChip Photonics Inc.,
Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo
Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc.,
and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems
and Telcordia Technologies. ********************************* Telecommunications
Industry Association (TIA) Issues Standard for cdma2000® Application
on UICC for Spread Spectrum New
Standard Defines CSIM Application to Ensure Interoperability With The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in advocacy,
standards development, business development and intelligence for the
information and communications technology (ICT) industry, recently issued TIA-1080
cdma2000® Application on UICC for Spread Spectrum Systems. TIA-1080 defines the cdma2000 Subscriber
Identify Module (CSIM) application that resides on the Universal
Integrated Circuit Card (UICC),
an Integrated Circuit (IC) card specified in TIA-1058, UICC-Terminal
interface Physical and Logical Characteristics for cdma2000 Spread Spectrum
Systems. In particular, TIA-1058 specifies the
application-independent properties of the UICC/terminal interface such as the
physical characteristics and the logical structure. TIA-1080 defines the cdma2000 application
for cdma2000 network operation, specifying the following to ensure
interoperability between a CSIM and a Mobile Equipment (ME) device
independently of the respective manufacturer, card issuer or operator: ·
Command
parameters; ·
File
structures; ·
Security
functions; ·
Interworking
with other applications (IP Multimedia Services Identity Module [ISIM], Universal
Subscriber Identity Module [USIM], etc.) on UICC; ·
Application
protocol to be used on the interface between UICC (cdma2000 application) and
ME. The new
standard does not define any aspects related to the administrative management
phase of the cdma2000 application. Any internal technical realization of either
the cdma2000 application or the ME is only specified where these are reflected
over the interface. TIA-1080 does not specify any of the security
algorithms that may be used. The document considers only changes from the
existing Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM) specification in TIA-820-C
Removable User Identity Module for Spread Spectrum Systems to adapt to UICC
platform. TIA-1080 was formulated under the cognizance
of TIA Engineering Committee TR-45
Mobile & Personal Communications Systems, TR-45.5 Subcommittee on Spread
Spectrum Digital Technology. To obtain
copies of the document, contact IHS International at +1.800.854.7179 ( For
technical information, please contact Peter Bogard at pbogard@tiaonline.org.
For media inquiries, please contact Mike Snyder: msnyder@tiaonline.org. Sign up for
TIA RSS
news feeds on standards and other TIA news. TR-45
member companies
include: Aeroflex; Agilent Technologies, Inc.; AirCell, LLC; Airvana, Inc.;
Alcatel-Lucent; ALLTEL Communications, Inc.; Apple; AT&T; Bell Canada;
Bridgewater Systems Inc.; Camiant; CDMA Development Group; Cingular Wireless;
Cisco Systems, Inc.; CML Microcircuits (USA) Inc.; CommFlow Resources Inc.; CSI
Telecommunications; Defense Information Systems Agency; DoCoMo Communications
Lab USA, Inc.; Dolby Laboratories Inc.; Ericsson Inc.; ETI Connect; FBI;
FTR&D LLC; Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc.; Gemalto INC; Hitachi Telecom
(USA) Inc.; Huawei Technologies USA; Hughes Network Systems, LLC; I'M
Technologies Ltd.; Intel Corporation; Intellon; Intrado; IP Fabrics; Kyocera
Sanyo Telecom, Inc.; LG InfoComm U.S.A., Inc.; Lockheed Martin Corporation;
Marketing Information Technologies, Inc. (MIT); Maz-Sky Canadian International
Group, Inc.; Motorola, Inc.; Movius Interactive Corporation; National
Communications System; NeuStar Inc.; Nokia Siemens Networks; Nokia, Inc.;
Nortel Networks; ORCA SYSTEMS, INC.; Panasonic Computer Solutions Company;
Prysmian Cables and Systems; QUALCOMM; Research In Motion Corporation; Rogers
Wireless; Rohde & Schwarz, Inc.; RTKL Associates Inc.; Samsung Electronics;
Samsung Telecom America; Sharp Laboratories of America; Sierra Wireless
America, Inc.; Sigma Delta Communications, Inc.; Space Data Corporation;
Spirent Communications; Sprint Nextel; SS8 Networks, Inc.; Starent Networks
Corporation; Tatara Systems; Telcordia Technologies; TeleCommunication Systems,
Inc.; Telus Mobility; Texas Instruments, Inc.; US Cellular; UTStarcom, Inc.;
Verizon Wireless; VIA Telecom; ZTE USA, Inc. About
TIA The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information
and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development,
advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and
world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924,
TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless,
information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications.
Members’ products and services empower communications in every industry and
market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety,
transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.
TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM® tradeshow and is accredited
by the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org. TIA’s
Board of Directors
includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA
Networks, ArrayComm, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cam
Communications, Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND,
Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE,
Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, OneChip Photonics Inc.,
Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo
Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and
Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and
Telcordia Technologies. Green building goes high tech (Video) CNN, December 3, 2008 This year's Greenbuild
conference in Green Expo Opens with Big Crowd More than
26,000 people packed the GOOD, November 25, 2008 At the very
moment that many critics are writing off the green building movement as a
casualty of today's economic crisis, the industry is proving that it will
likely weather the financial maelstrom. At the U.S. Green Building Council's
(USGBC) annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo last week in "When
people ask if the green building movement is going to survive the recession,
you'll say 'We are how the economy will get back on track - with green jobs,
green energy and green innovation," proclaimed Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC
president, CEO, and founding chairman. His assertion becomes more on point with
every passing week-and every "fireside" web chat-as it seems
increasingly likely that the backbone of any imminent economic stimulus plan
will be job creation, specifically "green collar" job creation. This year's
gathering, titled "Revolutionary Green," was both a nod to the
historic host city and a reference to USGBC's new ambitions. Barely a month
earlier, the Council added a new, so-called "guiding principle" to
its mission: "for the human community, in t |