CCCA’s testing of 379 copper patch cords from lesser known offshore manufacturers revealed that 85% of the samples failed NEXT, and 78% failed by a margin of 3dB or more! Of the 120 patch cords from major manufacturers, none failed NEXT.

http://www.cccassoc.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/CCCA-Press-release-CAT-6-patch-Cords.pdf

Clearly, off-brand patch cords can be a very weak link if each component is not properly manufactured and/or assembled. But here’s an interesting question to ponder… Can a really good permanent link compensate for a bad patch cord and still result in a channel that meets specifications?

Fluke recently did some excellent work to answer that question and the result might surprise you.  A poor quality patch cord can knock out even a very good permanent link and cause the entire channel to fail.  You can access Fluke’s study, and other useful information on testing patch cords, from their webcast “The Truth about Twisted Pair Patch Cords”.

http://cabling.flukenetworks.com/?elqpurlpage=719&document=9826811

Welcome to the 1st Edition of the CCCA Newsletter!

The primary mission of the CCCA is to provide vital, fact based education and information for structured cabling professionals to stay abreast of key issues and topics affecting our industry. This newsletter is one way we’ll keep you informed. While we’ll have much to say about CCCA activities, the newsletter won’t be limited to CCCA only. We’ll also strive to cover the latest industry news and direct you to valuable resources.

2011 was another noteworthy year for the CCCA and our reputation as an important structured cabling resource continues to grow. We added more top manufacturers and distributors to our membership roster who, like all CCCA members and many of our supporters, are committed to preserving an industry focused on quality and integrity. One top priority that continues to receive a high level of attention is the marketing and sale of non-compliant cables, and I encourage you to examine all the information on our website to help protect yourself. You’ll find some ready links in this newsletter to get you to the right place.

And, by the way, if you have any ideas or thoughts on how CCCA can provide even more value to you and the industry, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Frank Peri, Executive Director

View Newsletter Articles:

• CCCA & UL Webcast – February 1
• More on the Weakest Link
• Non-Compliant Cable

Click the link below to view CCCA’s presentation to the Fall BICSI Conference.

Non-compliant Cabling Products -
How Big is the Problem and What Can be Done? 

– or –

“Caveat Emptor” . . . Let the Buyer Beware
A Warning More Important than Ever

View Presentation

The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (“CCCA”) has found that certain imported communications cable does not comply with National Electrical Code (“NEC”) standards. Contractors that install this noncompliant cable, whether known to the contractor or not, may be exposed to liability for violating applicable building codes and in civil lawsuits for damages caused by the installation of noncompliant cable. Background about this issue and an overview of potential liability are provided herein.

Read Full Article

Washington, DC – The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA) Board of Directors installed and welcomed comCables, a Denver-based structured cabling manufacturer and low-voltage systems distributor, as a new member during its spring 2011 meeting.

Kevin Ressler, CCCA Chairman of the Board, said, “We are delighted to have comCables join CCCA and we welcome their participation as seasoned professionals in our industry. Our continued growth and diversity in membership across industry segments is a very gratifying indicator of the broad appeal and value of our association’s initiatives and programs.”

Joining the CCCA is representative of the significant growth and success comCables is experiencing. The company reported record-breaking revenue in the first quarter.

“comCables is excited about joining the CCCA because it’s a strong association that represents comCables’ commitment to quality products and doing business with integrity”, said Greg Greenwood, CEO of comCables.  “We believe that CCCA’s work to preserve the codes and standards of the structured cabling industry is vital to our industry’s future growth and success.”

CCCA, a non-profit corporation, has a mission to serve as the major resource  for well researched, fact-based information on the technologies and products of structured cabling media to support current and future needs of the networking, IT and communications industries.  CCCA also is proactive at codes and standards bodies and other trade, industry and governmental organizations in communicating and influencing policy and decisions affecting the quality, performance and societal needs of the structured cabling infrastructure.

CCCA member companies: Accu-Tech; AlphaGary; Anixter; Belden; Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company; Cable Components Group; comCables; CommScope; Daikin America; DuPont; 3M Dyneon; General Cable; Optical Cable Corporation (OCC); OFS, a Furukawa Company; Panduit; PolyOne; Sentinel Connector Systems; Solvay Solexis; Superior Essex; TE Connectivity.

Headquarters: 1001 Pennsylvania NW, Washington, DC, 20004. For further information, visit the CCCA website www.cccassoc.org or contact Frank Peri, Executive Director at fperi@cccassoc.org or via phone at (904) 223-4100.

View PDF Release

Washington, DC - The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA) Board of Directors installed and welcomed Panduit as a new member during its spring 2011 meeting.

Kevin Ressler, CCCA Chairman of the Board, said, “We at CCCA are thrilled Panduit has chosen to add its voice to ours in addressing key issues facing the structured cabling industry. Our continued growth, both in breadth and in numbers, signifies that CCCA initiatives and programs are impactful and provide value to member firms”.

Panduit’s Tom Kelly expressed, “Panduit has been impressed with CCCA’s initiatives and activity to stem the importation of potentially hazardous, non-compliant cables into North America.  We view CCCA as a strong industry association and excellent platform for Panduit, and other members, to address the proliferation of counterfeit products plaguing all levels of the structured cabling industry.”

CCCA, a non-profit corporation, has a mission to serve as the major resource  for well researched, fact-based information on the technologies and products of structured cabling media to support current and future needs of the networking, IT and communications industries.  CCCA also is proactive at codes and standards bodies and other trade, industry and governmental organizations in communicating and influencing policy and decisions affecting the quality, performance and societal needs of the structured cabling infrastructure.

CCCA member companies: Accu-Tech; AlphaGary; Anixter; Belden; Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company; Cable Components Group; comCables; CommScope; Daikin America; DuPont; 3M Dyneon; General Cable; Optical Cable Corporation (OCC); OFS, a Furukawa Company; Panduit; PolyOne; Sentinel Connector Systems; Solvay Solexis; Superior Essex; TE Connectivity.

Headquarters: 1001 Pennsylvania NW, Washington, DC, 20004. For further information, visit the CCCA website www.cccassoc.org or contact Frank Peri, Executive Director at fperi@cccassoc.org or via phone at (904) 223-4100.

View PDF Release

View PDF: BICSI Orlando 2011 CCCA Presentation FINAL.pdf

Washington, DC (December 23, 2010) – The CCCA will be presenting at the 2011 Winter BICSI Conference in Orlando, Florida January, 16 -20.   The session, entitled “Caveat Emptor … Let the Buyer Beware – A Warning More Important Than Ever” will be presented on Wednesday, January 19 by Todd Harpel, Director of Marketing at Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company, on behalf of the CCCA.

Read PDF Press Release

BICSI Event Overview

The National Electrical Code is published by the National Fire Protection Association with revisions on a three-year schedule. The 2011 NEC^®, which replaces the 2008 NEC, was released by NFPA in August 2011. There were many changes of interest to manufacturers, installers and users of communications cable and connectivity products.

The purpose of this document is to educate and communicate those relevant changes in the NEC^®.

Read the full White Paper here.

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 24, 2010 – The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA) announced today the addition of a new section on their website.  The new Environmental Responsibility section will recognize and highlight the accomplishments of CCCA member companies to preserve and protect global resources.

Read more »