Blog
Practical guidance on network cabling, fiber, security cameras, low-voltage systems and keeping your business connected, from the A+ Cable Runners team in Tampa Bay.
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One Small Cable Penetration Can Compromise a Fire-Rated Wall
A fire-rated wall is only as effective as its protected openings. What property owners and managers should know about small penetrations, firestop materials, installation and future cable changes.
Why Firestopping Matters in Low-Voltage Installations
Some walls and floors are part of a building's fire-rated construction. When cable passes through them, the opening has to be protected. Here is why firestopping matters and what to ask before you compare estimates.
Wi-Fi Dead Zones in the Office Are Usually a Cabling Problem
Extenders and wireless mesh rarely fix weak Wi-Fi across a business floor. The usual fix is a wired connection to an access point in the right place. Here is why.
Questions To Ask About Terminations and Components When Getting a Cabling Estimate
Two cabling estimates can use different connectors, jacks and termination practices. Here are the questions to ask about components, RJ45 and keystone terminations, testing and what is included.
The Cost of a Bad Network Connection
Poor terminations, damaged cable, dirty or corroded connections and poor cable management all lead to slow networks, outages and repeat service calls. Here is what each problem looks like and what it costs.
How Many Security Cameras Does a Small Business Need?
The right number of security cameras is not a number from a box kit. Here is how a site survey works out coverage, one area and one purpose at a time.
Keystone Jacks: Small Part, Big Impact
A keystone jack is where the cable in your wall is terminated. Here is what a keystone jack is, the common options, how to match it to the cable and what proper installation and testing involve.
Not All RJ45 Connectors Are Created Equal
RJ45 connectors look alike but differ by cable category, solid or stranded conductor, wire gauge and performance. Here is what to match, the common termination mistakes and how to tell the job was done right.
Cheap Isn't Always the Cheapest: Why RJ45 Connectors and Keystone Jacks Matter
RJ45 connectors and keystone jacks cost little, but a poor-quality, mismatched or badly installed one can mean failed tests, intermittent connections, return visits and downtime. Here is why the smallest parts deserve attention.
Holiday Shoplifting: Where Cameras Actually Help
More cameras do not automatically mean better footage. Here is where cameras help most in a store during the holidays, and why angle and lighting matter more than camera count.
Comparing Cabling Bids? Ask These Six Questions
Not every network cabling bid covers the same work. These six questions about cable, routing, firestopping, testing, warranties and what is included help you compare bids fairly, not on price alone.
It Passed the Cable Test. So Why Is the Network Having Problems?
A basic wire-map test shows the wires are connected correctly. It does not show the cable meets the performance requirements of its category. Here is what certification measures, and what a PASS does and does not tell you.
Why Your Business Internet Needs a Backup, and What Cellular Failover Actually Does
A plain-English look at cellular failover for business internet: what switches over when your main connection fails, how fast it happens, and what it keeps running.
Your Network Cable May Carry More Than Data
Power over Ethernet sends power and data over the same network cable to cameras, access points and phones. Here is why the cable's resistance, heating and construction matter for the power that reaches each device.
Why Copper-Clad Aluminum Is Not the Same as Solid Copper
Copper-clad aluminum (CCA) network cable has an aluminum core with a copper coating. Here is how it differs from solid copper in resistance, Power over Ethernet, thermal expansion, oxidation and Category compliance.
The Hidden Cost of Cheap Network Cable
Two network cables can look the same and perform very differently. Conductor material, construction and jacket rating all affect performance, Power over Ethernet and standards compliance. Here is what to compare besides the price.
After the Storms: Checking Your Low-Voltage Systems Before Winter
As hurricane season winds down, a short inspection of outdoor cameras, exterior cable runs, grounding and backup internet can catch storm damage before it causes a failure.
What a Messy Network Closet Is Really Costing You
Tangled, unlabeled cables make outages last longer and every IT visit slower. Here is what a messy network closet costs a business, and what a cleanup and labeling job involves.
Use It or Lose It: Cabling Projects That Fit a Year-End Budget
Budget left over before December 31? These small, well-scoped cabling and camera projects can be planned, installed and finished before the year closes.
Free TV for the Lobby: What a Digital Antenna Setup Involves for a Business
Local channels for a waiting room, lobby or break room can come from an antenna instead of a monthly TV bill. Here is what a business antenna setup involves, from the roof to each TV, and what NextGen TV means for the TVs you buy.
The Network Jack in Your Lobby Is a Cybersecurity Question
Every live network jack can be a way into your network for anyone who can plug in. For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, here is how to find the live jacks in your building and what to do about the ones nobody uses.
Cat6 vs. Cat6A: Which One Does Your Office Actually Need?
Cat6 and Cat6A look alike on a quote, but they differ in speed over distance, size, cost and how they handle power to cameras and access points. Here is how to choose without guessing.
Is Your Security Camera System a Back Door Into Your Network?
Business security cameras sit on your network around the clock. If they share it with your office computers and still use default settings, they can become the easiest way in. Here is how to check and fix that.