Some time within the last two weeks my cell phone “paired” with my office computer.  I’m not really certain how, as the two never enquired as to my wishes, or if I even sanctioned this event.  Apparently the relatively short proximity of distance which they enjoyed allowed these two, supposedly non-sentient, devices to accomplish the task without any input from me.  Now, this pairing is normally a very good thing.  On the face of it, it allows your data to be backed up automatically.  If one of the two decides were to malfunction?  No problem; the data is easily retrieved from the other device.  There are though, valid reasons why a user would not desire this functionality.

I do quite a bit of research on my work computer delving into the IT world.  As the Purchasing Agent, the sites that I visit often auto-channel me within the site to one of their advertisers.  This happened the other day when a site whisked me over to the site of a discount Telecom Distribution Center.  This low-price vendor offers, among other things, outdated Cat-5e cables and Patch Cords.  Unfortunately, when my phone paired, it facetiously decided that I now need to see these ads on virtually EVERYTHING that I look up!  Whee.  So I decided to make the most of it.

Anixter, a distributor that we continue to use today, developed the Category standards for Telecomm Cabling in 1989.  The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) agreed with this and released one of the first Cable ratings as Cat-3.  From there, they pretty much bypassed Cat-4 and went straight to Cat-5.  In roughly 2001, Cat-5e was adopted.  This substantially advanced the cable’s data speed from 10Mbps to 100Mbps!   (I have personal experience of Cat-5e data cables operating very well at 1Gbps!  And these are on cables that were terminated in the “old school” style of installation.  The stringent standards in place today were not as universal at that time.)  Cat-6 is actually rated at 1Gbps.  Up to 55meters, it is rated to 10Gbps.  Cat-6a has virtually identical ratings, but at double the bandwidth.  It is also able to safely carry more electrical power than its non-augmented cousin.

How does any of this matter?  It is simply to state, emphatically, that DataCom Inc. only installs Cat-6 and Cat-6a data cables.  Yes, we could get Cat-5e and make much more profit, but that would not provide our customers with the state-of-the-art infrastructure that we are known for.  DataCom’s networks and cabling installs shine as first-rate examples of professionally installed network infrastructure, while utilizing quality, up-to-date material and parts.  We test to the maximum extent and offer a lifetime certification!

Pretty much at the beginning of our work-day yesterday, at approximately 7:10 a.m,  the flash and resultant “boom” of an explosion was witnessed by myself and a few others at DataCom Inc.  Luckily, for us, the incident happened outside of our office space.  It was from a traffic accident that knocked a power-pole down, with the transformer astride of it exploding being the result.  Our power went out for the few seconds it took for the grid to realign itself and supply us with A.C. again.

Within scant minutes, emergency responders were on scene and secured the area.  Thankfully, no one was badly injured.  Within the hour, road crews arrived to clear the vehicles, downed power lines, and the smashed pole.  North Lima’s electricity vendors also quickly responded and began repair of the power grid.  We ended up being without power for about 3-4 hours while the crews swapped the infrastructure onto the new pole and transformer.

For those not aware, it was in single digit temperature territory when the accident occurred.  It never did get above 18° F yesterday, and while the wind was not fierce, it was definitely lending a strong hand to the chill factor.

DataCom Inc., along with the vast majority of trades, did not shut her doors during the Covid Pandemic.  We were considered essential!  I’m actually quite proud of that!  We worked as normally as possible while navigating our way through the various mandates that were thrown up as obstacles.  That privilege has to be paid for eventually.  Yesterday’s temperatures reminded me of that.

While we typically conduct the majority of our work indoors, that does not mean that we do not ever venture outside.  This inclement weather has already forced us to seek an extension on one project’s completion date.  While DataCom employees are able to dress for the cold, the same cannot be said of the cable that we’re installing.  These brutal temperatures actually freeze the insulated jacket surrounding the cable pairs.  Pulling them in that condition results in cracks.  Today’s Cat-6 testing with its’ stringent standards do not allow for cracks in the insulation!  As such, we’re finding inside work until this cold spell passes.

I only wish that the linemen yesterday could say the same thing.  DataCom Inc. thanks those workers for their dedication and professionalism yesterday in returning our power in a safe and orderly fashion!