Why Cat 6 versus Cat 5/5e network cabling

Why should I choose Cat 6 network cabling over a Cat 5/ 5e system?

The term "Category", in reference to cables, is describing their classification and is governed by the TIA-568 standard. As such, both Cat5/5e and Cat6 cables are a twisted pair copper cable consisting of 4 pairs of centre core cables.


So what can Cat 5/5e provide? Cat5 or 5e cables can provide both voice and data services. They do support Gigabit Ethernet capabilities (1000BASE-T) at its limits, but not very well. They are more flexible than Cat 6 cabling and more prone to damage and quality issues.

What's different about Category 6 cabling?
The cable cores are larger and the twist rates are higher providing more capacity and less flexibility. This higher twist rate and a centre plastic spine separating each pair from each other provide lower crosstalk and again provide strength in the cable reducing flexibility, but the spine's main function is the separation. A draw string is provided for pulling strength and this is not the function of the spine. During installation this reduces undue stress being placed on the cable to stretch or damage it in these critical initial stages.

What's the result - Higher speed.
While Cat 5/5e performs at 100MHz as opposed to the more than double performance of Cat 6 providing 250MHz. Other components also need to be considered for an overall system speed. For instance, if there is one Cat 5/ 5e cable in a Cat 6 system, it means the entire system is down graded to a Cat 5/ 5e system, as it will be affected.

Apart from Speed, what are the other benefits of Category 6 cabling?
These above characteristics provide lower crosstalk, a higher signal-to-noise ratio and as a result provide 10Gigabit Ethernet capabilities (10GBASE-T). It is also reverse compatible, meaning that it meets the requirements of Cat 5/5e cabling, but the specification and quality for Cat 6 are higher. 

But what does this all mean?
Crosstalk is categorised by when a signal transmitted on one circuit creates an undesired effect in another circuit. It can refer to electromagnetic interference from one twisted pair to the next or from an adjacent cable to the next. What this really means is data errors and voice breaks and interference causing slow transmission of signal because it needs to keep trying to send it over and over again.


All these Category 6 specifications mean significantly lower interference and near-end-crosstalk (NEXT). It also improves equal level far end crosstalk (ELFEXT), at the other end of the cable, together with insertion and return loss.

This all translates to less interference, less noise & less errors, larger data rates and higher quality of signal.

Meaning higher speed.




At Excel, if we are extending, modifying or installing a new fit out; we always install Cat6 network cabling. It just makes sense. Even if there is currently a Cat5/ 5e system in place, you may decide to upgrade it in the future. Why waste money on old technology?

If you are installing any cabling, it is highly recommended to have premium Cat 6 cabling installed.


Live smart,
B.Saffy

Are you spending a fortune on old lighting technology?

How far we have come!

Since the first stage of the common 50W/12V Halogen downlight phase out commenced in October of 2010, LED technology has been a storm of development.

What do you mean phase-out?

The 12V 50W luminaire was once thought of as being low energy efficient, but this could not be further from the truth. Compared to alternative options that are now available, 12V/ 50W lamps burn hot while illuminated and have been linked to many a roof cavity fire and also, as a result, decrease the efficiency of air conditioning units and add to their poor reputation for energy efficiency.

In April last year (2012), the phase-out progressed and the high electricity consuming 50W Halogen lamps started disappearing off the shelves, being replaced with Compact Fluorescent (CFLs) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps. “The lamp was targeted for replacement due to its high energy usage and the large number installed. The lighting council estimates there are some 300 Million 50W downlights in Australian homes and businesses” says Lighting Council Australia chief executive officer Bryan Douglas.

But LED technology isn't good enough! I hear you say.

In the early days of LED technology lamps, the light output was very poor and to replace 50W dichroic lamps, you needed to install higher quantities of LED downlights to achieve the same level of luminance. This is no longer the case, as the ever developing LED market now has options available which are straight replacements for the number of downlights you already have installed. Manufacturers around the world are pouring enormous resources into LED technology and as a result it’s development is extremely rapid with suppliers keeping limited stock of any products as their superior replacement is just around the corner.

Previously only available in the “blue” 5000-6500K colour, options are now available to provide warm white “yellow” 3000 - 4500K colour levels. But be warned, quality is key and there are, as always, cheap, dodgy examples which will NOT provide the longevity of a realistic investment or the same light output.

Can I just replace the lamps in my existing downlights with LED lamps?

If they are 240V versions, yes. But, you cannot just replace the lamps in your existing 12V fittings. Your existing 50W downlights are run on a 12V transformer and LED technology runs on a “constant voltage system”; which means they have an LED driver, not a transformer. This basically does the same thing in reducing the voltage from 240V to 12V, but provides a higher quality of power for the LED. Therefore, to upgrade your lighting to LED technology you do need to replace the entire fitting with a new one.

Won’t that cost a fortune to upgrade then?

There will be an initial investment to upgrade to LED fittings, but not as much as you think.

Consideration needs to be given to the ongoing costs in maintaining the old technology. LED lighting can provide up to 80% saving on your existing installation. They cost virtually nothing to run and last 50,000 hrs. That is up to 20x times longer than some other lamps. And, they look so much better these days. (There are multiple savings calculators online to provide you with examples of probable savings available) Generally the payback periods are usually less than 1 or 2 years, depending on the existing installation. Thereafter you are likely to be saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year on your electricity bill. There are also government grants available to encourage businesses to carry out upgrade works.

Serious consideration needs to be given to LED lighting upgrades to replace your existing technologies and always choose quality products to perform your upgrade.

To find out more information on the government grants available, visit their Sustainable Business page.  Or if you are considering purchasing more energy efficient equipment, you may be able to take advantage of the Government’s small business instant asset write-off. As of 1 July 2012 the instant asset write-off has been increased, enabling eligible small businesses to write-off depreciating assets costing less than $6,500 in the income year in which they start to use the asset or have it installed ready for use. There is no limit to the number of items that can be written off in a financial year. Assets which cost $6,500 or more can be allocated to the general small business pool and depreciated at a rate of 15 per cent in the year of allocation and 30 per cent in following years. Visit the government website to get more information and tips.


Contact Excel via email or phone (02) 8824 4671 for a free initial inspection and consultation.


Live smart, Live long,
B.Saffy


www.excelelectrical.net.au

10 Things to know about Fire Safety

 1.  There is a difference between smoke alarms and smoke detectors

Do you know the difference? Basically, a smoke alarm is a 240Vac, interconnected device with a DC battery back-up. A smoke detector is a 24Vdc device supplied and monitored for faults on a central fire system panel. 

 2.  Smoke alarms should be interconnected and tested half yearly

Make sure your smoke alarms are all interconnected with each other. You can check this by pushing the test button and holding it for a period to see if the other smoke alarms installed are set off into alarm after a short delay.

Smoke alarms should be tested every six months by the owner/ occupier and inspected and tested annually by the owner, or the owner’s agent, being a qualified technician.

Smoke alarms cannot be used in some building classifications as they do not meet the requirements of The Building Code of Australia (BCA).  Confirmation should be sought from a qualified technician if you suspect your building may not comply.

3.  Smoke detector positioning is determined by the BCA

Ever wondered why you need so many fire detectors?

Fire detectors are positioned to strict spacing and layouts as per the requirements of various Australian standards required by the BCA. Anything impeding the smoke path will change the requirements for detection (For example: If you put a dividing wall, floor to ceiling partition or new bulkhead in your office)

4.  Warning tones and announcements are standard across every system

Occupant warning systems are speaker systems that provide evacuation warning signals, tones and voice overs together with a general paging system at the Fire Panel. The “Woot, Woot” , “Beep Beep” tones and automated voice overs are now standardised throughout every system on the market.

5.  Fire installations need to carried out by properly trained and qualified technicians

There are very strict rules and regulations for Fire systems and things like spacings are pretty black & white. The BCA is the governing rule book of the industry. Then there is a multitude of standards which cover the various areas of hazard and protection modalities within the industry and the inspection, testing and certification criteria.

The Fire Protection Association (FPA) and many technicians in the industry are pushing for licencing to be implemented, though at the moment, there is no licensing or regulatory body that certifies the fire industry installations. Unfortunately technicians are not always properly trained and qualified with the appropriate industry field experience to determine the correctness of the system they are installing. Sometimes unqualified people are are certifying systems, not to a standard high enough to save lives. Or at least give enough warning to occupants that there may be an impending risk within the premises they are residing.

6.  Smoke detection testing needs to be done monthly

Why am I forever hearing fire tests in my building?

As per the BCA, fire indicator panels need to be tested every month. The fire detectors, attached to the panel, tested every six and twelve months. These detector tests are on 50% of the system and need to be carried out by a qualified technician.

At the completion of the twelve months of testing, some buildings may be required by council to provide an Annual Fire Safety Statement. Check with your council to see if this applies to your building.

7.  Evacuation lighting needs to be tested 6 monthly

Why are my exit lights flashing or not working?

Exit and emergency lighting layouts are designed and installed to strict criteria. The BCA clause E2.4 and AS/NZS2293 are the rules and guidelines for this area. Properly qualified and experienced electricians should be used for these installations. Inspection and 90 minute testing routines need to be carried out every six months and logged records kept on site to record the maintenance an correct operation of all fittings.

Have you ever noticed some exit signs have the word Exit and others have a person running?

The running man symbol, introduced in 2005, is an international symbol and must be used in all buildings built after May 2006. Sites with pre-existing “Exit” signs may use either. 

8.  There are different fire extinguishers for different types of fires

There is a multitude of extinguishers available on the market, all serving different types of risk areas.

CO2 types are required between 2m – 20 m from all kitchenette or cooking areas and the same to each significant switchboard. They leave no residue, no mess but their effectiveness is not high enough for all fires.

More appropriate for the majority of areas in the office are AB:E extinguishers, that serve (A) wood, cloth, paper etc., (B) Flammable/ combustible and (E) Electrical hazards. Specific signage is required for all extinguishers to locate and identify them.

An experienced inspection and evaluation should be sought to determine what types and how many extinguishers are appropriate for all business premises. 

All extinguishers should then be inspected every six months by a qualified technician and a hydrostatic pressure test every 5 years. If discharged within this 5 year period, a pressure test should be carried out to allow the extinguisher to begin the 5 year cycle again.

Some situations may require a glass faced cabinet for the extinguisher to protect it from the surrounding elements like moisture or chemicals. (For example: dusty or dirty environments like a manufacturing plant or warehouse). 

9.  Mandatory maintenance programs can save you money

Any building with a Fire Indicator Panel is required by the BCA to have mandatory inspection, testing and maintenance programs in place. 

These programs are designed specifically to minimise and control the risk of breakdown and the possible loss of life. They also virtually eliminate expensive emergency service calls. By having a service agreement with a reliable partner, you can budget your maintenance costs, thereby protecting your investment and this allows you to focus on your core business with peace of mind your system will be taken care of.

10.  There can be legal ramifications for building owners or the owners agents if there are fire fatalities

All councils require certification on some buildings to confirm the building has been assessed by a properly qualified person and

• was found, when it was assessed, to be properly implementing correct fire safety measures and these measures are capable of performing to at least the standard required OR
• was found to be operating to a standard no less than that to which the measure was originally designed and installed.

Annual Fire Safety Statements and inspections need to be carried out by a qualified and experienced technician, though final responsibility lies with the owner of the building.

The NSW Fire Brigade regulations strictly state, that any fatalities caused from negligent implementation of the the mandatory routine inspection and testing maintenance programs, may result in legal ramifications being the responsibility of the owner or the owners’ agent and can result in life imprisonment.



Get more information on fire services from Excel Electrical by leaving an enquiry here.

Live smart, Live long,
B.Saffy 


www.excelelectrical.com.au/fire-services
 

Hawkesbury International Sand Sculpting Championship

Last weekend,  I was very fortunate to be able to volunteer at the 2nd Hawkesbury International Sand Sculpting Championship.  

  

What an amazing event.  The theme was "Fairytales and Fables" and featured 14 competitors from around the world.  Each contestant given 20 tonnes of sand and 4 days to create their interpretation of the theme. 

The thought of creating something rather spectacular from practically nothing is impressive.  These artists dream up an image and then through hours and hours of patient work, they bring their image to life using little particles of nothing.  

The other wonderful thing to watch is a group of strangers working together to help out at a community event.  We probably had about 1000 people through the gates for the 5 hours I was there.  The event is held over 2 weeks and would not be possible without the support from the sponsors, suppliers and the many volunteers who are helping over the span of the championship. 

I enjoyed my time volunteering and meeting many new people.  I encourage you to find a way to help your community by doing the same. 

Live smart, Live long. 

B. Saffy

excelcommercialservices.com.au

How much electricity is your business really consuming and how can you monitor it to save money?

To succeed in today’s fiercely competitive business environment, companies must monitor and reduce both production and service costs. No matter what size business you have, energy represents a significant portion of these costs and energy monitoring becomes a key factor in cost reduction.

There are simple things you can employ to help you monitor and manage your energy consumption. A basic dial type meter will tell you your consumption manually. Stepping up to a digital type meter will provide more detailed information and compile automated reports and billing software if required. From here you could move on to monitoring and analysis with intelligence to predict any rising problems before they cause you any expensive rectification works.

Reducing consumption during peak times or shifting loads to off-peak times can save a typical commercial premises ten to fifty percent annually on energy usage costs. By monitoring energy consumption on a regular basis and compiling your energy usage data you have a record you can reference.

In a critical situation, this energy data can be gathered 24/7 by using products like the Dranetz ES and Encore series intelligence modules. Dranetz is a leading provider of intelligent monitoring solutions for electrical demand, energy monitoring and power quality. Dranetz Encore series allows you to capture and analyse your data, and also help you solve your power quality problems. For as detailed as you want, Dranetz can help you proactively manage your power infrastructure and increase reliability and decrease costs. From portable equipment to permanent installed systems and the best power quality software on the market, including web-based solutions, the integration of power measurement capabilities sets the Encore 61000 apart as a truly revolutionary product and provides preventive and predictive information with ease.

With this data you are placed in a position where you have a wealth of information to guide you into an area of energy reduction, power quality improvement and most importantly, money back in your pocket. And, with product selections to meet a range of budgets and installation requirements, here are some of the benefits you or your clients will receive with energy monitoring:

• Scalable solutions to fit a variety of budgets

• Segregated consumption details to know exactly what energy different areas are using
• Identify high usage areas to target for energy efficiency development

• Identify poor efficiency areas to diagnose improvement solutions

 

Some higher end systems provide:

• Diagnosis of problems before they translate into overall failures
• The easy to use and intuitive Windows and web-based software (local and remote)
• Interpretive tools and reports to help find problems
• User friently touchscreens

Excel Electrical Solutions can provide you with an energy monitoring solution to meet your needs and budget. We are also proud to be the recommended installers for the Dranetz Encore series for the Australian agent Pacific Test Equipment. Contact us today to make sure your critical system stays up and running efficiently. You can contact us on sales@excelelectrical.net.au or (02) 8824 4671.

For more details on Dranetz product range, you can check out their website.

Live smart, live long

B.Saffy

excelcommercialservices.com.au

How do you make the right choice of fit out contractor and not risk the ultimate cost?

Are you looking for a fitout company and trying to work out the right choice?

Carrying out a recent fitout for a service station mechanic's shop. We started with some existing base building fitout already in place. It very quickly became apparent that the previous contractor had either used unlicensed electrical tradesmen or apprentices to do the installation. This could have cost someone's life.

There was no earthing to be found at any lighting points, some fittings installed straight on to the metal purlins were also defective and the surface cable ducting was atrocious. A very dangerous situation was present. Once discovered, we needed to upgrade the existing installation not only to meet the standard but to also make it safe. The original principle contractor had would not have realised the impact of their choice, which was more than likely the cheapest submission.

So how do you know if the contractor you are about to choose will keep you and the people around you in a safe environment? Or the people moving into your finished project?

Always use licensed trades people and get copies of the companies licence details for everyone working on your site. Make sure there are sufficient OH&S practices in place, with appropriate documentation. It is a great idea to get some references or look at some testimonials. If other people (or companies) are raving fans of a prospective choice, it is a good indicator that they are the right choice.

Live smart, live long
B.Saffy

excelcommercialservices.com.au