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Frequently Asked Questions

For more information and answers to FAQs, please watch our detailed tutorials or visit our learning center.

Bridge Cable provides a Site Survey at the location requesting work to be done. We take detailed videos and pictures for your review to help create your custom proposal and scope of work

Most cable installations have multiple cables (either voice or data) going to the same jack or location. We do not count such cable runs as single installs, therefore pricing is drastically reduced. Please keep in mind we provide all network cabling services for your commercial location in the Philadelphia and Tri-State Area.

The scope of required work has to be considered. Generally our time frame is 1-2 weeks upon our clients contacting us. Emergency services are faster and smaller projects can be done in a shorter time frame. Product availability and other trades may impact this as well.

  • Cabling & Cable Testing: Date and voice lines and cables are tested across various grades such as CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6a, single-mode fiber, multi-mode fiber and coaxial. This is a great way to troubleshoot errors or loss of connection on your network. This is typically referred to as “tone and tag.”
  • Telephone & Voice Mail Systems: Various telephone systems can be installed as we hold certifications with systems like Avaya, Cisco and more! They are also great for remote offices or local offices experiencing issues or errors.
  • Design & Installation of Data Centers: Relocation or upgrades of existing or new data centers is planned for free with one of our Project Managers. Whether wiring a closet or a complete data center with enclosures, we help you plan for maximum growth and return of investment!
  • Home or Office Support: We provide our services to residential and offices throughout the Philadelphia and Tri-State Area. The same precision work is provided to all sites that we work at.
  • Wireless (WAP) and WAN Solutions: more companies are moving towards Wireless Access Points installed throughout their locations to provide Wireless access to their workers or visitors. We provided complete cabling installation services to access their network and more!

* The above listed services are just some of many that are offered. For a full list, please see our services and industries.

After our professional install teams have placed your new cabling in place we ensure the cable life. Many local and national companies just install data and voice cabling without testing it. During an installation, cables might be strained or pulled too tightly and therefore render the cable useless. After we adjust the cables to their proper end points we thoroughly inspect and test our cable runs. PDF or printed copies of our tests can be supplied to you and your company after we complete our installation.

Bridge Cable warrants equipment and services to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a one year period from the date of the installation or service. Bridgecable.com will repair or replace defects at no charge. Warranty excludes defects resulting from misuse, unauthorized repair, vandalism, natural disasters or any other property damage that may result in the damage of the equipment.

Give us a call at (877) 832-1206 or use our contact form to discuss options.

Unless your quote or work order specifies otherwise, yes. Our prices include new cabling installed, network jacks at the users workstations and directly feeding into our patch panel or network device. Our cables are certified for compliance and with each install we email or fax the cable results for each test we conduct. Each cable run is labeled and documented from the starting point to the end. Our technicians will also provide a site survey map of the on-site work completed.

  • Bandwidth/Frequency:
    • CAT6: Supports up to 250 MHz
    • CAT6a: Supports up to 500 MHz (twice the bandwidth)
  • Maximum Speed/Distance for 10GBASE-T:
    • CAT6: 10 Gbps up to 55 meters
    • CAT6a: 10 Gbps up to 100 meters
  • Alien Crosstalk Protection:
    • CAT6: Limited shielding against alien crosstalk
    • CAT6a: Enhanced shielding with better isolation from external interference and alien crosstalk (AXT)
  • Physical Characteristics:
    • CAT6: Generally thinner and more flexible
    • CAT6a: Usually thicker due to additional shielding and insulation, typically has a larger bend radius requirement
  • Cost:
    • CAT6: Less expensive
    • CAT6a: More expensive due to additional materials and manufacturing complexity
  • Common Applications:
    • CAT6:
      • Small to medium businesses
      • Home networks
      • Standard office environments
    • CAT6a:
      • Data centers
      • Healthcare facilities
      • Large enterprise networks
      • High-density network installations
  • Future-proofing:
    • CAT6a offers better future-proofing due to its higher bandwidth capacity and better performance specifications

Bridge Cable recommends that you partner with us to install your network or voice cabling. However, our FAQ, BLOG, and YouTube channel are a nest of resourceful materials. Established in 2006, see why Bridge Cable is the highest nationally rated Network Cabling company in the nation!

  • Core Size:
    • Single-mode fiber has a smaller core diameter, typically around 8 to 10 micrometers (µm).
    • Multi-mode fiber has a larger core diameter, usually around 50 to 62.5 micrometers (µm).
  • Light Transmission:
    • Single-mode fiber uses a single light path (mode) for data transmission. Light travels in a straight line through the core, allowing for less signal degradation over long distances.
    • Multi-mode fiber allows for multiple light paths (modes) to travel through the core. These different modes can spread out as they travel, leading to modal dispersion over long distances, which can limit performance.
  • Distance and Bandwidth:
    • Single-mode fiber is ideal for long-distance communication because it minimizes signal loss and dispersion. It can support higher bandwidth over distances of up to 40 km or more without the need for signal amplification.
    • Multi-mode fiber is better suited for shorter distances, typically up to 2 km or less. It is commonly used for LANs (local area networks) and data centers where shorter distances are sufficient.
  • Light Source:
    • Single-mode fiber typically uses a laser as its light source because it requires highly focused light for transmission.
    • Multi-mode fiber usually uses LEDs or VCSELs (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers), which are less expensive and easier to work with than lasers.
  • Cost:
    • Single-mode fiber is more expensive to install and maintain due to the need for precise alignment, specialized equipment, and the higher cost of the laser light sources.
    • Multi-mode fiber is generally less expensive to deploy because the larger core size makes it easier to align connectors and splicing, and the light sources (LEDs) are cheaper.
  • Applications:
    • Single-mode fiber is typically used in applications requiring high bandwidth over long distances, such as telecom, internet backbone networks, and long-haul data transmission.
    • Multi-mode fiber is commonly used in shorter-range applications, such as data centers, local networks (LANs), and audio-visual applications where high-speed communication is needed over shorter distances.

Yes – our fiber optic cabling technicians are equipped with the latest tools to ensure precise and reliable splicing for both single-mode and multi-mode fibers.

If unforeseen challenges arise, Bridge Cable quickly assesses the situation, communicates with our client and promptly implements unique solutions to keep the project on track. Our skilled team of office staff and technicians are experienced in problem-solving, and we have contingency plans in place to ensure minimal downtime and maintain project timelines.

To make sure that all parties are on the same page and ready for the start of the network cabling project, check out our Customer Readiness blog!

  • Twisted-Pair Copper Cables (Ethernet):
    • Cat5e (Category 5e):
      • Maximum distance: 100 meters (328 feet)
      • Speed: Supports up to 1 Gbps (Gigabit Ethernet) at the maximum distance.
    • Cat6 (Category 6):
      • Maximum distance: 100 meters (328 feet) for 1 Gbps
      • 10 Gbps speeds are possible up to 55 meters (180 feet).
    • Cat6a (Category 6a):
      • Maximum distance: 100 meters (328 feet)
      • Speed: Supports up to 10 Gbps at the full distance.
    • Cat7 (Category 7):
      • Maximum distance: 100 meters (328 feet)
      • Speed: Supports up to 10 Gbps.
    • Cat8 (Category 8):
      • Maximum distance: 30 meters (98 feet)
      • Speed: Supports up to 40 Gbps, primarily used in data centers for short, high-speed connections.
  • Coaxial Cable:
    • RG-6 (common for internet and TV):
      • Maximum distance: Typically up to 500 meters (1,640 feet), but signal degradation can occur, so it often requires signal amplifiers.
      • Speed: Supports speeds up to 10 Gbps, depending on the application.
    • RG-11 (thicker cable used for longer runs):
      • Maximum distance: Up to 600 meters (1,968 feet) without signal boosters.
  • Fiber Optic Cables:
    • Single-Mode Fiber:
      • Maximum distance: Up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) or more, depending on the equipment and signal strength used.
      • Speed: Supports up to 100 Gbps or higher over long distances.
      • Use case: Best for long-distance, high-speed data transmission.
    • Multi-Mode Fiber:
      • OM1 (62.5 µm core):
        • Maximum distance: 300 meters (984 feet) for 1 Gbps, 33 meters (108 feet) for 10 Gbps.
      • OM2 (50 µm core):
        • Maximum distance: 550 meters (1,804 feet) for 1 Gbps, 82 meters (269 feet) for 10 Gbps.
      • OM3 (laser-optimized 50 µm core):
        • Maximum distance: 300 meters (984 feet) for 10 Gbps.
      • OM4 (higher-performance multi-mode):
        • Maximum distance: 400 meters (1,312 feet) for 10 Gbps.
      • Use case: Ideal for shorter-distance, high-speed communication, commonly in data centers.

To ensure that your network infrastructure is future-proof, our team of technicians design networks scalability in mind, allowing for simple expansion as your business grows. This includes building in extra capacity for figure devices and bandwidth requirements. We use modular and adaptable network components, such as patch panels and racks, to ensure the infrastructure can be easily upgraded without extensive rewriting. Our team is continually staying up to date on the latest technologies and best practices so that we can always recommend and implement future-ready solutions for our clients!

Bridge Cable does indeed work on all telephone systems. Recent installations have included a complete backbone and installation of all telephone and voice lines. We service both digital or analog telephones.

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