Abstract: An improved, reversibly terminable fiber stub connector assembly is provided that can be readily and positively terminated in the field using simple termination tools. This allows repositioning or replacement of fiber optic cable field fibers if termination is not acceptable in performance. The tool may be a hand-held tool, or used in conjunction with a connector support structure to provide simplified and expeditious field termination of fiber optic cables. The cam tool can include a throughbore that enables connection of a patchcord to the stub fiber of the connector during or shortly after termination without removal of the termination tool. Accordingly, field testing of the connection can be made at the site of termination.

Abstract: A system comprises a plug locking assembly and a key. The plug locking assembly comprises a cover for receiving and holding a plug comprising a latch and a latch support surface positionable under the latch. A rotatable cam comprising a stop surface and a slot may carry the latch support surface and may interact with a cam latch comprising an arm. The arm is alternately positionable to abut the stop surface and to lie within the slot. The key may comprise a shaft, a key tab and a limit tab. The key mates with a key receiving member associated with the cover. The limit tab is positioned on a top surface of the shaft and helps prevent over-rotation of the latch support member.

Abstract: A network cabinet is provided comprising a door and a handle, which is mounted to the door and moveable between a first position and a second position. A retractable hinge pin is interconnected with the handle through a rod, which has a plurality of apertures associated therewith. The hinge pin is in an extended position with the handle in the first position and in a retracted position with the handle in the second position. A pawl is interconnected with the door and has at least one tooth protruding from a first end. The tooth engages at least one of the apertures with the door in an open position, thus preventing extension of the hinge pin from the retracted position.

Abstract: An in-ceiling cabling enclosure for supporting communications network equipment and cables interconnecting the network equipment including a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls extending between the front wall and the rear wall creating a volume inside the enclosure. An access door assembly is pivotally connected to either the rear wall or the two side walls. An equipment mount plate is attached to an interior portion of the access door assembly, and opposed equipment mount rails are removably attached to the equipment mount plate. A cable slack management tray extends between the opposed equipment mount rails, and the slack management tray has a surface adapted to support and maintain the position and the contour of cable bundles located in the enclosure. A thermal management system is also disposed in the housing to provide efficient exhaust of hot air generated by active equipment in the enclosure to the space outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: An auxiliary cable bracket having a main plate and a mounting plate. The mounting plate is connected to the main plate and is positioned spaced apart from the main plate such that the frame of a ladder rack section can be positioned therebetween. At least one tooth is formed on a surface of at least one of the mounting plate and the main plate.

Abstract: A network cabinet is provided comprising a door comprising first and second opposing lateral sides. A hinge lever is rotatably connected to the door and a retractable hinge pin is connected to the hinge lever and is positioned closer to the first lateral side of the door than the second lateral side. A lever stop is also connected to the door and is associated with the hinge lever. The lever stop prevents retraction of the hinge pin from an extended position with the second lateral side of the door in an open position.

Abstract: A building automation system is provided in which a controller is connected to remote modules through a zone enclosure using RS-485 cables. Branches of modules extending from the zone enclosure are connected together by removable jumpers at the zone enclosure. Sets of branches of modules using different protocols are isolated from each other. Shorts in the RS-485 cables can be determined by disconnecting and reconnecting the branches from the network. The zone enclosure has a patch panel that contains modular RS-485 connectors. An RS-485 cable from the controller and pulled through the building along with other data cables is connected to the RS-485 connectors at the back of the patch panel. The modules are connected to the RS-485 connectors at the front of the patch panel through RS-485 cables.

Abstract: A communication jack is provided with plug interface contacts that have a short conductive signal pathway between a plug-jack interface and crosstalk compensation provided on a printed circuit board within the jack. Contacts of the jack are specially designed not to take a permanent set if a six-position plug or an eight-position plug is inserted into an eight-position jack. A printed circuit board in the jack is placed at an angle, shortening the conductive pathway between plug contacts and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A two-piece cable tie is provided that is capable of usage with an automated cable tie installation tool. The two-piece cable tie accommodates improved gripping of large or small bundles. By including a cored-out region near the neck, the cable tie can secure a near zero bundle size. By including a transverse pad on the bottom side of the cable tie strap near the cable tie head, the cable tie can be prevented from rotation relative to the bundle to which is it secured. A preferred cable tie strap has a wide recessed center section and high side rails that increase lateral clamping force. To resist barb inversion, the cable tie preferably includes a reinforcement area underneath the metal locking device when used with a strap having a recessed area. By maintaining relatively high side rails and a thin web section in the tip, the cable tie can achieve zero insertion force while maintaining sufficient strap rigidity and size to enable feeding of the strap through an automated cable tie installation tool.

Abstract: A powered communications patch panel is adapted to power network devices connected to the communications patch panel. Power is supplied to the network devices by the powered communications patch panel over the communication cabling. The powered communications patch panel may be provided with a management port to allow remote management of the patch panel via a network connection. Multiple management ports may be provided, allowing patch panels to be connected to one another in a daisy-chain configuration.

Abstract: A network cabinet is provided includes a base member, two pairs of vertical frame rail members connected to the base member, and a top cover supported by at least one of the vertical frame rail members. The base member defines an opening and another opening is defined in the top cover. The vertical frame rail members are positioned spaced apart from four sidewalls from four corners of the cabinet formed by the four sidewalls, where each sidewall includes a panel or a door. The two pairs of vertical frame rail members and the four sidewalls define at least one cable management pathway and at least a portion of the cable management pathway is vertically aligned with at least a portion of the opening of the base member and the opening of the top cover.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a stackable mount assembly that includes indexing and/or locking features. The stackable mount assembly includes a plurality of mounts. Each mount includes a hub and a fastener. Indexing features prevent the hub from freely rotating about the fastener, but allow the hub to index or rotate about the fastener at an index angle. The locking features prevent the hub from rotating about the fastener, locking the hub in a desired position and/or orientation.

Abstract: A cable slack manager for managing cable slack comprises two or more spaced apart cable management members rotatable between a first stored position and a second deployed position. At least one arm releasably securable to a cable management assembly (e.g., a rack or data cabinet) may carry the two or more spaced apart cable management members, which may exhibit a round or C-shaped configuration. The cable slack manager may optionally comprise a base mountable to the cable management assembly, with the at least arm securable to the base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for incorporating guided network cable Move/Add/Change (MAC) work order capability into a power patch panel. MAC work orders may be controlled and monitored using in-band signaling using, e.g., standard RJ-45 patch cords. Cable detection is performed at a port level on a real-time basis. Coordination of guided MAC operations may be performed by the patch panel, independently, or in conjunction with, or under the control of, a remote Network Management System. The patch panel may be in either an interconnect or cross-connect configuration.

Abstract: A cable pathway system has a base with a bottom, a generally planar top surface, a first side, and a second side. The base is configured to be secured to an electronic equipment enclosure and also has an aperture formed therein and a wall positioned adjacent to the aperture. The wall has a curved surface that extends from the top surface to the bottom. A first sidewall extends from the top surface along the first side and extends generally perpendicular to the top surface and substantially along the length of the first side. A second sidewall also extends from the top surface along the second side and extends generally perpendicular to the top surface and substantially along the length of the second side.

Abstract: A cable manager is disclosed. The cable manager includes a backbone, a plurality of finger sections connected to the backbone to form a vertical cable channel, and a first pair of horizontal rails connected to the top end of the backbone and a second pair of horizontal rails connected to the bottom end of the backbone. The cable manager also includes a first cross brace connected to the first pair of horizontal rails and a second cross brace connected to the second pair of horizontal rails, and a door hingedly connected to the first and second cross braces. Each cross brace includes a mounting surface having a plurality of guide surfaces and an alignment aid protruding from the mounting surface and extending beyond a horizontal axis extending between the guide surfaces. The door includes a pair of latches connected to a hinge pin through a pair of windows, and a spring connected to the hinge pin and the pair of latches.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for documenting network path connectivity are described that allow a network management system/revision management system (NMS/RMS) to determine what equipment and ports support a network path by interrupting and restoring Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) service on the network path. Upon detecting a loss of PoE service, communication active jacks that support network path connectivity may activate an internal switch that interrupts downstream connectivity. Each communication active jack along the network path may then begin broadcasting a unique message in the upstream direction that is addressed to the NMS/RMS. Upon receiving a unique active jack message, the NMS/RMS may record the information contained within and instruct the communication active jack to reestablish connectivity to the next downstream device.

Abstract: The embodiments provide a barb assembly for use with a cable duct component to oppose removal of a cable duct section from the cable duct component. The barb assembly can comprise a releasable assembly for applying a force to a barb and, responsive to the application of the force, for moving the barb and one or more barb arms from an unengaged position to an engaged position without the use of tools. The barb assembly and/or cable duct component can also comprise a spring bias, which can bias the releasable assembly to the unengaged position upon actuating the releasable assembly to the unengaged position. The embodiments also provide methods of installing cable duct components and systems with the above-described features.