Custom Design Cables Ltd » Cable solutions

Could Custom Cables Make Your Office More Efficient?

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

We’re used to building all kinds of cable for all kinds of applications here at Custom Designed Cables. Occasionally, that cable will be designed to power a massive machine, facilitating the transfer of large amounts of data at once. Other times, however, a cable’s sole purpose will be to make a process a little bit more efficient or to improve the safety and aesthetics of a certain location that relies heavily on cables. It was these kinds of cables that came to mind when reading new research that suggests that the average office has 21m of cable per person. That is a lot of cable! The research, conducted by the cable management company D-Line, considered the cables that run from essential office items such as computers, printers and card payment machines, as well as less essential items such as fax machines. Of course, this won’t necessarily be a problem for a lot of offices who already have some form of cable management in place. However, for the less-organised workplace, a solution may be required for the ever-growing mass of wires keeping the office running on a day-to-day basis. Unorganised cables present a number of issues. Firstly, rampant cables can be dangerous and present a tripping hazard for your employees. Having cables everywhere can also make your office look unorganised, giving you a less-than-professional approach – definitely not what you want if you regularly have customers or clients in the office! One of the solutions to this would be to invest in a cable management system, but this isn’t always plausible, especially if you work in a larger office. Another solution would be to invest in custom cables combining multiple functions into a single cable. Custom cables can be a very practical solution for cable-intensive environments, reducing the amount of cables you rely on significantly. Depending on what you require, there’s a number of solutions that could improve your office environment. The first would be a multicore cable that splits off at the end to power multiple machines. This cable could house multiple power sources to power different computers, or could combine multiple cables providing an internet connection to your employees. You could even combine both of these functions into a single cable which, in theory, would halve the amount of cables you rely on to run your office! While having your own custom office cables designed might seem like an elaborate and expensive exercise, it could save you a lot of money in the long run in improved efficiency and it’ll make your office look a much more professional environment too. For more information on custom cables, get in touch with Custom Designed Cables.

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Cable solutions revive the ailing TV

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

New cable solutions are breathing new life into the ‘first screen’ of home entertainment, according to industry analyst Nielsen. For decades, the television wasn’t just the ‘first screen’ – it was the only screen households saw on a daily basis. Since the 1980s, home computers have introduced a second screen to the home entertainment mix, while mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones are now adding a third screen to the line-up. And while many critics have claimed this sounds the death knell for television as the dominant format, Nielsen disagrees – and cable solutions are the answer to the problem. This is thanks to Internet Protocol Television, or IPTV, which allows on-demand content to be streamed directly to a TV set via a broadband internet connection. Pat McDonough, Nielsen’s senior vice-president of insights, analysis and policy, says: “IPTV has grown dramatically over the course of the last year. “People talk about ‘the TV is dead’, or that it’s dying, but it doesn’t look like it yet.” As technologies such as IPTV emerge, UK cable manufacturers will be on hand to produce the custom cable solutions required to enable connectivity, and to ensure home entertainment is able to develop throughout the 21st century.

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New smartphones have varying needs for custom cable solutions

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

The recent announcements of new smartphones from Apple (the iPhone 5) and Nokia (the Lumia 820 and 920) each have different relevance for manufacturers of custom cable solutions – particularly when it comes to powering the handsets. Apple have famously shunned wireless charging, meaning their new figurehead handset must still be tethered to a mains socket to recharge its battery. Nokia, meanwhile, have given customers the choice over whether to use wired or wireless charging, with built-in wireless charging in the Nokia Lumia 920, and an optional backplate to enable it in the Nokia Lumia 820. Some reports say that Apple deliberately avoided wireless charging because the mat on which the phone is placed needs to be plugged in anyway – a short-sighted view, in light of the prospects for public charging points in airport lounges and coffee shops. Either way, there’s a whole new generation of custom cables to be made, particularly for manufacturers of charging accessories for this new generation of smartphones. Whether that means cables to connect to the mains, adaptors to allow the iPhone 5 to work with existing iPhone accessories (in light of the altered design of the dock connector) or just funky cables to connect wireless charging pads, UK cable manufacturers will be ready to create designs as the new handsets hit the market.

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Rebounding HDDs could drive need for power and data cable solutions

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

A return to growth in shipments of hard disk drives – and the use of HDDs in new types of consumer gadgetry – could help to drive demand for custom power and data cable solutions higher. In recent years, solid-state disks or ‘SSDs’ have risen in popularity for several reasons: they are quieter, they contain no moving parts, they offer fast disk access, and they’re widely believed to last for longer before failing. However, they have never been able to provide as much cheap storage capacity as conventional HDDs, and that is one factor helping hard disks to retain a substantial market share. As time goes on, though, HDDs are increasingly being used in less-usual applications – components analyst iSuppli points out that ‘ultrabooks’, the new, high-performance variation on laptop computers, are incorporating hybrid HDDs with SSDs alongside them. Digital video recording is a further growth segment, as HDDs cater for the massive capacity needed in personal video recorders for high-definition television broadcasts. As these markets develop, cable manufacturers will be on hand to create the custom cable solutions needed for both the power and data connections of disk drives – whether they are HDDs or SSDs – and to make sure that the wiring is as compact as possible within ultra-small portable devices.

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Custom Cables – The Secret to Holding a Good Live Event?

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

What would you consider to be the essentials of the average live event? At the top of most people’s lists would be live entertainment such as bands or comedians, while security would also be pretty high up there. Refreshments, video screens and lighting – all are essential and all are key aspects of organising a live event that most people would prioritise. But how would you go about hooking up all that lighting and powering it efficiently and reliably? What about that big video screen? How would you go about transmitting an uninterrupted feed from a camera in the audience to that screen? The answer is simple; custom cables. Considering what cables you’re going to need for a live event isn’t exactly the most romantic or glamorous of tasks but it’s easily one of the most important. You might think that all of the equipment you either purchase or hire will come with the ideal cable but often this isn’t the case; every event is different and places different demands on cabling. This is where custom cables come in. If you’re organising a live event, custom cables should be at the top of your shopping list – every event demands different audio, visual, power and data requirements. You could shop around for pre-built cables that match these demands but the chances are you’ll end up with a mishmash of cables and a very messy set-up; imagine the average tangle you get around a multi plug adapter at home but on a much larger scale! A far easier and efficient option is to invest in custom cables. So, what should you be looking for?

What Makes A Good Event Cable?

Unfortunately, there’s no single answer to what makes for a good event cable as the requirements of different events can vary wildly. Your requirements will ultimately determine the ideal cable for you, with cables constructed based on the level of performance required and environmental factors. The average live event will require cables to a perform a broad range of functions; audio, visual, data transmission and power being just a few. Having all of these different demands usually means having a lot of different cables. However, a custom cable can actually incorporate all of these elements into a single cable; for example, a video screen can be powered, have a feed transmitted to it and have its AV requirements dealt with via one cable rather than four. Environmental factors also play a big part in cable design, with a great deal of events being held outside and thus leaving cables exposed to the elements. A well-designed cable for outdoor purposes should incorporate cable shielding to ensure that the cable functions whatever the weather. Events with a lot of attendees also tend to be subject to a lot of electromagnetic interference, with each attendee usually owning a phone. The combined power of these phones can be quite disruptive so it’s important to ensure that your cable can stand up to this. A screened cable will usually do the trick. If you’re organising a live event then whatever you do, don’t forget about the cables! Get in touch with Custom Designed Cables to discuss your requirements; our cable designers will able to produce the right cable for you no matter what you need.

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Custom Cables: An Essential Component of Medical Machinery

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

When we or someone we know gets considerably ill, or suffers an accident, we rely on hospitals – or, more specifically, the doctors and nurses that work within those hospitals – to provide us with an accurate diagnosis of our ailment followed by adequate treatment for that ailment. In order to give these accurate diagnoses and administer treatment, doctors often turn to the wealth of high-tech equipment the average hospital has at it’s disposal; MRI scanners, X-ray machines, CT scanners and so on. These complex machines require a lot of technology to be housed into a relatively small space, as well as needing to be reliable – both in the data they return and their ongoing operation – and durable. Custom cables ensure that medical technology meets all of these requirements

What sort of cables are used?

Different equipment demands different cable solutions but there are a few common types of custom cables used across a range of medical machinery. Composite cables combining data, power and coaxial cables are frequently used in order to save space as well as enabling the machine to fulfill all of it’s functions. Combining the functions of three cables into one single cable also reduces the amount of maintenance a machine will require over it’s operational lifetime, making the machine more reliable and allowing doctors to use it more often. Durability is also a key consideration when designing a medical cable. A great deal of medical equipment features moving parts that can operate for extended periods of time, placing strain on cables and wearing them down over time. With adequate cable sheathing, however, a cable can withstand this constant flexing and deliver many years of reliable service. So how do these cables work in practice? Recently, Custom Designed Cables was commissioned to design cables for use in MRI scanners. Producing a single cable for use in an MRI scanner provides somewhat of a challenge for a cable designer; not only does the cable need to power the machine, but it also needs to be able transmit complex data and provide a live video feed of the patient. In addition to this, the cable also needs to withstand constant strain and flexing and perform its functions no matter what. After three years of intensive research, development and testing, we designed a composite cable combining the functions of data, power and coaxial cables, providing the equipment manufacturer with a cable solution built to last. For more information on medical cables – or custom cables for any purpose – call Custom Designed Cables on 01204 658 784 or get in touch through our contact us page. Image credit: The Open University

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Struggling With Standard Theatre Cables? We’ve Got The Solution…

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

If we were to ask you what lies at the heart of a good theatre production, what would you say? The actors? The director? The set? The lighting? One thing you probably wouldn’t say is cables, but any theatre technician would be quick to point out just how important cables are to the successful production of a theatrical performance. Stage cables are used for all kinds of purposes; they can be used to transmit power to stage lights, for audio and visual connections to screens as well as a wealth of other purposes. It’s a wonder that more stages aren’t strewn with the bundles of cables we’re accustomed to seeing behind our televisions!

What’s Wrong With Standard Cables?

In truth, there’s nothing wrong with the standard cables that come with most stage equipment; in fact, most will be more than efficient at carrying out their purpose. The real problem with standard stage cables is that no theatrical setting is the same; cables may have to be longer in one theatre than they need to be in another, while another theatre may not have the space to accommodate separate cables for all the functions they need. However, there is a solution – custom cables. Whether you’re a theatre company based in one location or a touring band of actors treading the boards of many different venues, having your own custom-built theatre cables provides a great deal flexibility and ease-of-use, as well as great performance tailored to your specific specifications.

What Kind Of Custom Cables Are Used In Theatres?

One of the chief concerns of theatre technicians is practicality. Cables need to be able to reach the equipment they need to be connected to without putting performers at risk and without hampering the performance of the equipment. Designed to the exact specifications of the theatre, custom cables make this issue a thing of the past. Custom cables can also be used to combine multiple cables of differing lengths into a single cable jacket which breaks out at the end to allow you to connect the various cables to the relevant equipment, saving on space and reducing the risk of a hapless performer or tech tripping over a cable! Custom cables can also be designed with different connectors dependent on the equipment you use and the level of power you want to draw through the connector itself. This can be tricky to determine but a good cable designer will be able to identify what you need and design accordingly. Custom Designed Cables have a wealth of experience in providing cable solutions to theatres and theatre production companies,so if you’re looking for a custom cable solution to power your latest production, get in touch or call us on 01204 658 784.

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The Wonderful World of Undersea Cables – Mapped!

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

A couple of months ago, we blogged about the astounding global network of subsea cables that keep the world connected through the internet. Underwater cables play an essential part in day-to-day life, yet very few people are actually aware of their existence. It’s difficult to describe the true scale of the network of offshore custom cables that power the internet in words, which is why we’re thankful for the this frankly jaw dropping map of the underwater cable network in 2013, produced by TeleGeography. The map, which you can view either as a straightforward image in this post or in an excellent interactive format on the TeleGeography site, provides a truly fascinating insight into a network that not many people know about. The old-school map shows the precise location of every underwater cable in the world and the countries it connects, as well as cables planned for the near-future. The map also provides a potted history of subsea cables with an impressive timeline illustrating the massive growth of the subsea cable network since the mid-90s – a boom that coincides with the explosion in worldwide internet usage. Particularly interesting is the recent development of underwater cables between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, which only started emerging in 2008. There is also a latency section, neatly set out in the manner of a star chart, illustrating the delay in the round trip data sent over the internet between two countries. If you’ve ever wondered why a site hosted in Australia takes longer to load than a site hosted in the US, here’s your answer! We all take connectivity for granted, yet the map provides an interesting illustration of just how far our data has to travel. While the UK has direct undersea connections with the US, data sent to Japan, for example, has to embark on a cross-continent journey that would potentially take days for a person to complete. Data sent through underwater cables takes just a matter of seconds to arrive at it’s destination. When you consider the amount of data being sent through these cables too, it becomes clear what a marvel of modern engineering subsea cables are. Well, we say modern – the first subsea cables were actually installed way back in the late 1800s, while most of the continents in the world were connected by the early 1900s! It’s fair to say that early cables weren’t quite as technologically advanced as the optic-fiber cables we use today but it says something for the effectiveness of underwater communication that we still rely on the technology for a completely different purpose over 100 years later! For more information on how subsea cables are built and designed, take a look at our previous post on the subject or get in touch with Custom Designed Cables on 01204 658 784.

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Custom Cable Solutions For CCTV Cameras and High Level Installations

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Although all custom cables are different in their design, there is one characteristic they all share; they were all designed to solve some kind of problem a normal cable couldn’t address. Custom cables work where other cables simply can’t, whether that’s because a standard cable lacks the required power or simply isn’t long enough to reach whatever it is it needs to power.

The latter is actually one of the most common issues a cable designer has to contend with; a great deal of applications involve some form of height – think security cameras or flood lights. This is the same with high level masts, which again can feature some kind of video camera, a standard camera or even just lamps.

Building a cable to fulfil the core functions of these applications seems difficult. Not only does the cable need to be long enough to actually reach the equipment it needs to be connected to, but it also has to combine multiple functions, like powering the equipment while transmitting audiovisual data to a screen elsewhere. For lighting, a single cable is often required to light multiple lamps in a reliable manner.

There are other practical issues to consider too. Having multiple cables crawling up a mast can lead to those cables getting entangled, potentially leading to damage. This means that cable designers are often tasked with creating a single cable rather than having the luxury of two separate cables. The cable also needs to be strong and resilient enough to operate in occasionally adverse outdoor weather conditions.

The Solution

Most cables intended for use on high level masts and with CCTV cameras make use of multicore cables combining power, data and coaxial elements. This cable will be responsible for powering the equipment as well as ensuring that the data captured by the device (in this case, video data) is transmitted in a reliable manner. As the cable is to be used outdoor, a degree of cable screening is required to negate the ill-effects of electromagnetic interference and ensure that a smooth transmission of data is achieved. A cable jacket can also protect the cable against tampering and any environmental damage. Multicore cables are most commonly deployed for high altitude applications; the types of core the cable consists of, however, depends on the particular application. For lighting towers using more than one lamp, a multicore cable will usually consist of multiple power cores, each powering a different lamp. For adjustable masts, a solution will have to be devised with the manufacturer of the mast itself in order to ensure that the cable isn’t damaged when the mast is lowered or extended. In some cases, this will involve designing some kind of way to lower the cable separately to the mast, or to remove the cable altogether. For more information on custom cables for security and high-level purposes, contact Custom Designed Cables. Image credit: freefotouk

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