Meeting the EIA / TIA Standardsfor Cable Confinement

The Choices Available

A review of the current standards and how products meet the specific requirements

EIA / TIA Standards

“Proper installation practices shall be observed for cabling to

ensure performance of the cabling system over its life cycle.

Installation of cable shall be undertaken according to the

installation specifications.”

EIA / TIA Standards

“During cabling installation, appropriate techniques shall be followed:

b) cable management precautions shall be observed including the

elimination of cable stress as caused by tension in suspended cable runs

and tightly cinched cable bundles;

c) minimum bend radii shall never be less than those specified

in the product standard;

f) no force shall be allowed that cause pressure marks

(e.g. through improper fastening or crossovers) on the cable sheath

or the cable elements;

Confinement Systems?

THE CHEAPEST COMPONENT YOU BUY

AND THE LAST THING YOU THINK OR WORRY ABOUT!

TAKE A MINUTE TO THINK ABOUT THIS COMPONENT

IT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO MANAGE CABLE!!

A fraction of a percent of total cost.

BUT THERE IS A RISK OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARDS!

Confinement Systems- The Choice

Three formats available:

1) Nylon “Zip” Ties

2) Hook-&-Loop (Velcro®) Ties

3) Mille-TieTM

HOW DO THEY PERFORM AGAINST THE STANDARDS?

OBJECTIVE – TO AVOID ANYTHING THAT CAN RISK THE STANDARDS!

Mille-TieTM is a trademark of Millepede International Ltd. Velcro® is a trademark of Velcro Industries B.V.

Nylon “Zip” Ties

• Low cost generic format

• Readily available

• Known & understood technology

• Quick and efficient to use

BUT:

• Quality can vary

• Only works in one direction, so

THEY ONLY GET TIGHTER!!

Nylon “Zip” Ties

THE ISSUE

The construction will ALWAYS compromise EIA / TIA standards no matter how loose!

The “teardrop” shape will always risk or crush one cable.

IT CANNOT FORM AN “O”!

Nylon “Zip” Ties

Nylon is a hygroscopic plastic, that absorbs or LOOSES moisture.

“Not only can regular nylon cable ties be put on too tight but also they shrink over time and squeeze the cables as they dry out.”

Mark Bullivant (RCDD) – Royal Signals Regiment (MOD)

“Nylon cable ties go on shrinking for at least four days after they have been put on.”

Rob Woodford Honeywell.

GETS WORSE!

BRITTLE & TIGHT

=

RISK OF CABLE DAMAGE & PERFORMANCE LOSS

At fitting, the tie is in its best condition.

That does not remain! It then dries out and contracts.

INSTALLER SURVEY – CABLE TIES

•Personal Injury - 59%

Mainly cuts and grazes but some involved hospital treatment and potential legal claims.

•Cable Damage - 38%

Loss of performance or system failure due to crush or cinch caused by cable ties.

Survey conducted with 105 installation companies in UK and Germany via questionnaire in 2003.

Health & Safety : physical & legal risk-p

The Alternatives

TWO PRODUCTS ENSURE THESE STANDARDS

CANNOT BE COMPROMISED

• “elimination of cable stress”

• “tightly cinched cable bundles”

• “no force shall be allowed that cause pressure marks”

1) Hook & Loop (Velcro®) Ties

2) Mille-TiesTM

1) Hook & Loop (Velcro®) Ties

• Created as clothing fastener

• Easy to use (but can snag)

• Gentle on cable

• Understood technology

• Good on horizontals

1) Hook & Loop (Velcro®) Ties - Limitations

• Difficulties in managing verticals

• Grip affected by dust & moisture

• Tends to stick together

• Requires preparation time:

•Separation or opening

•Cutting rolls

•Some waste – overlap

• Higher unit cost

2) Mille-TieTM

The First Confinement System Designed for Data Cable Management

FAST

SAFE

ECONOMIC

The Mile-Tie offers the 21st Century Solution for

safer cable management

Faster than Nylon Ties – Safer than Hook & Loop “One Handed” zip tight action (no risk of over-tightening) “One size fits all” (Cut or join each strip for any length)

Mille-Tie takes the time and risk out of installation

FAST: reduce fitting time by up to 50%

The Mille-Tie™ hugs the outsideof the cable safely and uniformly with no internal deformation.

Nylon ties can easily be overtightened causing deformation and bandwidth loss

SAFE: intelligent “No Crush” grip system

ECONOMIC: reduce waste by up to 70%

Mille-Tie takes the time and risk out of installation

Each Mille-Tie Strip = 3+ ties (average bundle sizes) “One Handed” zip tight action (no risk of over tightening) “One size fits all” (Cut or join each strip for any length)

2) Mille-TieTM - Limitations

THE KNOWLEDGE BARRIER

UNDERSTANDING & AWARENESS

Different Design = New Knowledge

• Revolutionary design - requires a few minutes of education and familiarisation to use effected.

• Imagination – as it is like plastic string less rigid ways of thinking are required.

2) Mille-TieTM Strips

THE ONLY SYSTEM THAT CAN OFFER THE COMPLETE PACKAGE!

A) “ensure performance of the cabling system over its life cycle.”

Mille-Tie™ Intelligent Latch Systems not only protects the cable from damage when fitting but monitors the cable throughout it’s life.

Like mini “pressure fuses” if a force great enough to damage the cable is exerted the latches will release rather than allow the cable to be damaged.

The plastic used does not tighten or loose grip over time.

2) Mille-TieTM Strips

THE ONLY SYSTEM THAT CAN OFFER THE COMPLETE PACKAGE!

B) “bend radii shall never be less than those specified.”

Mille-Tie™ can be spiral wrapped to ensure bend radii are protected

The Message!

Why risk non-compliance with the standards for a few cents?

(Mille-Tie is cheaper overall when fitting costs and product used is included!)

Why risk personal injury for a faction of a percent of the total job costs?

Hook & Loop and Mille-Tie have no sharp edges

Why risk expensive rework?

Hook & Loop and Mille-Tie do not risk EIA / TIA Standards failure.

Why not have one stop solution that meets all EIA / TIA needs?

Mille-Tie will cover lifetime protection and bend Radii

NYLON ZIP TIES SHOULD HAVE NO PART IN DATA CABLE MANAGEMENT

(leave their use to the electrical guys)

Treat Data Cables As Standards Require

Manage with Cable Confinement that separates Data cable from Power.

Use either:

Better kinder alternatives – Hook and Loop (Velcro®)

Or

The one design for Data cable management – Mille-TieTM

Millepede International Ltd

www.millepede.com