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Tips and Videos

L-com’s knowledge base is at your disposal with text, pdf, and even flash video tips offered on a variety of common questions that we get every day. Browse below, they’re all free and can help save you time by answering your question right away.

USB, DIN, Firewire, SCSI and Others

Patch Panels/Racks

Wireless Networking/Test Equipment

Antennas

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How to assemble and install a HyperLink Brand Grid Antenna
What is Polarity?

IEEE-488 GPIB

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Find the IEEE-488 connector orientation style that you need
L-com Reverse entry adapters solve cable extension problems in the field
Connector Stacking vs. Using a Bus Strip
What does GPIB stand for?
What is IEEE-488?
Why is GPIB so popular in instrumentation and data applications?
What types of functions can GPIB devices perform?
What are the critical cable properties required for IEEE-488?
What connector type is used for IEEE-488?
What kind of hardware do IEEE-488 connectors use?
What is the maximum number of connectors recommended for stacking?
What is the maximum of devices allowed on a GPIB bus?
What is the maximum data rate on a GPIB bus?
What is the maximum length allowed for a GPIB bus?
What do the abbreviations IEEE and GPIB stand for?
How are the IEEE-488/GPIB cable assembly connectors terminated?
When would I use an in line GPIB cable assembly?
I’ve used the reverse entry cable assembly offered in the molded product line but now I need the extra shielding offered in the premium and deluxe product lines. Does L-com offer the reverse entry cable assembly for either of these lines?
What function does a reverse entry adaptor perform?
What function does an extender perform?

Coaxial

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Connector Interface Frequency Chart
When is 50 Ohm coaxial cable used?
What is the difference between a plug and a jack?
Identifying a Reverse Polarized connector
Solid vs. stranded center conductors
When is 75 Ohm coaxial cable used?
When do you use Plenum Cable?
Digital Cable
Distinguishing between 50 and 75 Ohm BNC connectors
What is the difference between a WITHIN SERIES Coaxial Adaptor and a BETWEEN SERIES Coaxial Adaptor?
What is the purpose of an Auto Terminating Adaptor?
What is a coaxial type product?
What are coaxial products typically used for?
What are some of the common connector types used on coaxial cable?
What is the difference between male and female connectors?
How do coaxial devices work?
What are the general types of coaxial cables?
What are some of the commonly used coaxial cable types?
Why are there so many cable types?
What type of products are found in the coaxial section?
What are some typical applications for coaxial type products?
What is frequency?
What is attenuation?
What does VSWR stand for?
What is impedance in a coaxial product?
What is the function of a coaxial switch?
What is the function of a balun?
What does double shield mean in a coaxial cable?
How does frequency affect performance of a coaxial cable assembly?
What is the difference between a crimp connector and a clamp connector?
What is a twinaxial cable?
What are the primary impedance standards for coaxial cable?
What are some of the major factors which influence shielding effectiveness of flexible coaxial cable assemblies?
In a coaxial cable, what is the difference in performance between a solid and stranded center conductor?
What is the function of an auto terminating connector?
What is an SMA connector?
What is an MCX connector?
What is an SMB connector?
What is a BNC connector?
What is an F connector?
What is a TNC connector?
What is an N connector?
What is a UHF connector?
What is a reverse polarized connector?
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Audio/Video

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How do I distinguish between various DVI configurations?
What is the difference between DVI single link and dual link?
Super thin VGA is ideal for tight-fitting spaces
When do you use Plenum Cable?
Using CTLB series cable for running through 3/4" conduit
What are the major digital interfaces?
Video signal transmission
What is S-Video?
How to tame the RGB, Component, S-Video, Composite Beast
How to perform a field installation of a DGBH15FT HD15 (SVGA) jack
Typical installation of an MD44FT field installable jack
What bandwidth amplification do I need when splitting or extending my monitor?
What is a KVM Switch? Why do I need one?
What are some of the typical products found in the Video section?
What organization establishes standards for the Video Monitor industry?
What are some of the common interfaces found on Video Monitor cables assemblies?
What is the primary purpose of a video cable assembly?
What does the term “composite sync” stand for?
What is bandwidth?
What is a pixel?
What does DDC stand for?
What is the difference between analog and digital signals?
What does the term baseband stand for?
What does SVGA stand for?
What is EVC ?
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Telecom/Modular

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Using L-com’s right angle Cat5E coupler
Terminating the L-com RJ45 Tool-less Jack
Using the WPMB Series Bracket
Which patch cords are best for 10BASE-T ethernet network?
How to attach a field installable harsh environment plug
How to install a keystone style connector into a wall plate
Installing an L-com Information Outlet System
How to wire a surface mount box
How to install a premium ECF Kit
What is the difference between straight-thru and cross pinning on a modular cable or coupler?
What is the difference between a USB Type A or B connector?
How to panel mount a keystone style connector
What is the difference between Category 5E and Category 6 100 Ohm UTP?
UTP and STP installation guidelines
What is the difference in flammability ratings?
What is the difference between a Stewart contact plug and a commercial grade contact plug?
What is the difference between stranded and solid contact design?
How to assemble/terminate a TDS8PC series modular plug
What is Primary and Secondary strain relief?
How to use the TDT Insertion / Extraction tool for crimp and poke type contacts
How to wire the UJC5E series Enhanced Category 5 Jack
How does a 110 IDC contact work?
What are the application differences between crossed and straight pinned modular cables and adapters?
Can L-com custom pin modular adaptor kits for me?
What kind of shield does the RS series use?
Is there a standard pinout for a d-sub to modular adaptor?
What is the maximum recommended panel thickness for mounting keystone jacks and adapters?
Buying the right modular plug
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Fiber Optic

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What is the difference between regular Multimode Fiber and 10 Gig Multimode Fiber?
Selecting the right type of Fiber Optic Cable
Bandwidth and application differences, between copper and fiber optic cabling
What are the common fiber optic connector types?
What is the MT-RJ connector? How does it work?
What is the meaning of OFNR and OFNP fiber cable designations?
The importance of the "A" and "B" markers on a duplex fiber assembly
When do you use Plenum Cable?
What is LSZH cable?
When is a Fiber Loopback Assembly necessary?
What are attenuators used for?
What is mode conditioning?
Using a CORELINK mechanical splice
How to clean a fiber cable
How to use fiber optic termination tools
How to use a termination enclosure
What are the major types of fiber optic cables?
What are some of the commonly used connector types used on fiber optic products?
What are fiber optic products used for?
What is a fiber optic splice?
Why should I use fiber optic cable in my installation instead of twisted pair?
What is the difference between breakout and distribution fiber optic cable?
What is a messenger fiber optic cable?
Do you provide fiber optic cable assemblies in connector configurations not shown in your catalog?
What do the terms 9/125, 50/125 and 62.5/125 refer to?
What is the difference between simplex and duplex fiber optic cable?
What are the basic elements of a fiber link?
What does OFNR refer to ?
What is the difference between a fiber optic coupler and adaptor?
What is the difference between a ceramic and bronze alignment sleeve?
What is an ST fiber optic connector?
What is an SC fiber optic connector?
What is an FC fiber optic connector?
What is an SMA fiber optic connector?
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D-Subminiature

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How to distinguish between male and female D-Sub connectors
How to crimp D-Sub contacts using hand tool CP3127CT
What is the difference between standard and Hi-density D-Sub configurations?
Recommended panel openings for rear mounted adapters
Flammability and toxicity ratings of different cable jacket types
How are slimline adapters used?
How slimline adapters are constructed
How to panel mount adapters
How filter adapters are constructed
Common connector types for switch boxes
How are right angle adapters used?
Greenlee punch D-Sub connector cutout dimensions
How to apply panel mount waterproof D-Sub products
What is the difference between assembled and molded cable assemblies?
Copper wire current carrying capacity
How to install reversible mounting hardware
What is the difference between a gender changer and a socket saver?
What is a jumper wire?
What do the terms “wired 1 to 1” or “wired straight through” mean?
Why are most cable assemblies insulated with a PVC outer jacket?
What is the relationship between a drain wire and cable braid?
What does the term “fully populated” mean when referring to a cable assembly?
How are high density connectors like SCSI-2, SCSI-3, and Ultra SCSI 0.8mm connectors terminated?
What is pitch or center line?
What is a connector?
Why are connectors used so often?
What is the difference between a shielded and an unshielded cable or adaptor?
What does the term “panel mount” mean?
What is the purpose of an insertion/extraction tool? Under what circumstances would I need it?
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USB, DIN, Firewire, SCSI and Others

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Where are Waterproof Connectors used and how are they rated?
Installing the UE-PT9521 USB 2.0 to Fast Ethernet Adaptor
What is USB?
How does the latching USB connector work?
Advantage of using the USB mountable extension cable assembly
USB supports three speeds
Extending USB connections beyond the 5 meter limit
What is Firewire?
Typical installation of an MD44FT field installable jack
What is Fibre Channel?
Making cable choices
Interface module assembly example
What is SCSI?
How are high density connectors like SCSI-2, SCSI-3, and Ultra SCSI 0.8mm connectors terminated?
What do the terms "wired 1 to 1" or "wired straight through" mean?
Why are most cable assemblies insulated with a PVC outer jacket?
What is the relationship between a drain wire and cable braid?
What does the term "fully populated" mean when referring to a cable assembly?
What is pitch or center line?
What is a connector?
Why are connectors used so often?
What is the difference between a shielded and an unshielded cable or adaptor?
What does the term "panel mount" mean?
What is the purpose of an insertion/extraction tool? Under what circumstances would I need it?
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Patch Panels/Racks

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Racks are a great way to neaten up closets and labs
The PR-CMB cable management kit is designed for maximum flexibility.
What is an easy way to terminate network cabling in an industrial environment?
Building a custom panel configuration
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Wireless Networking/Test Equipment

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How to customize a Metrobility-LANCAST 7500 series chassis converter
How to configure a Unicom Media Converter chassis
How auto-negotiation works
Common uses for the ESM41-ST
GarretCom’s S-Ring Technology
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Typical installation for UniHome Wiring Kit
What are Ground Loops?
Using the TKP100 Tone Generator and Probe Kit
What size cable label is appropriate for the cable that I am using?
Using the DXB66 for checking premise wiring
Metrobility-LANCAST converters
Systems that employ RS422
What is a Hub?
What is a Switch?
What is a Broadband Transmission?
What is a Client Server?
What is a Baseband Transmission?
What is Baud Rate?
What is ATM?
What is SONET?
What is a Node?
What is a MODEM?
What is a NIC?
What is a LAN?
What does CSMA/CD stand for?
What is FDDI?
What is a Media Converter?
What are some of the common connector types found in ethernet networking?
What is a WAN?
What is a Server?
What is a Transceiver?
What is a Token Ring Network?
What is Ethernet?
What makes up a network?
What is the maximum distance that I can use a single-mode fiber cable in Ethernet?
In what type of applications are redundant connections/equipment used?
Why should I use fiber optic cable in my installation instead of twisted pair?
Can I run a longer cable if I upgrade to Cat 6 or higher?
What is the maximum distance I can run a Category 5 twisted pair cable?
What is the difference between a managed network and an unmanaged network?
How many users can access one wireless hub?
What is Fast Ethernet?
Can I connect my 100Mbps media converter to my 10Mbps hub?
What is the primary difference between a Switch and a Hub?
What is Redundancy in an Ethernet network?
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