Information Board

Beat the Heat this Summer!

Here in NC the temps are slowly crawling upward to triple digits, and it looks to be that way until early September. Living in a hot, humid environment day in and out can take its toll out on the best of us. But what about those of us who WORK outdoors for a living and don’t have the option to stay inside?

During these scorching summer months, it’s important to remember to drink plenty of water and look for the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses that run rampant this time of year.

• Heat Cramps – can occur during or after work – mainly in arms, legs and abdomen. Heat cramps are a signal that your body has lost too much sweat from sweating
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Pale, clammy skin
• Quick pulse
• Low Blood Pressure

Heat stroke is a serious matter and should be taken seriously – if left untreated it can become fatal. Signs to look for are lack of sweat, skin flushed and hot and a rapid heart rate. If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or coworkers, contact a medical professional immediately.

Take precautions to protect yourself from the rising temperatures with these 9 helpful tips!

1. Get used to working outdoors gradually. Take it easy until you are used to the increase in temperature. Roll windows up in vehicles and try not to use the AC on the way to a job. When you arrive on the job site, your body won’t have massive temperature differences to account for.

2. DRINK WATER! Your body loses hydration when you sweat. Drink plenty of water before, during and after being outdoors in the heat. Your body is already dehydrated by the time you notice you are hot and thirsty so make it a point to keep water on you and consume it regularly. Sports drinks are a great option, as they replace needed electrolytes to keep you energized. When working in the heat, avoid alcoholic beverages and sodas, as they can actually cause your body to lose water and salt.

3. Wear protective sun shields (don’t have one? buy it HERE!). Your head absorbs heat directly and moves it to the rest of your body. Wearing a sun shield can help keep your body cool and prevent heat exhaustion.

4. Take frequent rest breaks. Sit in the shade or AC while you replenish your water supply. Move to a cooler area or switch to lighter work if you are unable to take a break.

Taking a break in the shade can lower your body temperature by as much as 15 degrees!

5. Wear sun block!

6. If possible, dress in layers so that you can shed layers as the temperature rises.

7. Wear long sleeve shirts. The long shirts act like an evaporation cooler. It causes the wearer to sweat and, when the wind blows onto the wet fabric, cools the wearer down quicker vs. overheating.

8. Keep a cool, wet cloth to use to wipe down after a hot job. Your head, neck and arms are all areas that absorb heat – so a quick wipe down will have you feeling cooler in seconds!

9. Educate yourself about the signs of heat related illness so you can take the proper precautions for yourself and your coworkers.

U-TECK To Attend TCEI Expo April 5th-7th!

We are thrilled to announce that the TCEI Expo is back up and running and we will be attending for 2022!

Texas Communications Expo, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation chartered to engage in charitable, educational, scientific, civil or similar purposes including the promotion, advancement, development and dissemination of knowledge and information relating to the communications industry.

The EXPO is held each year in early April and provides vendors from across the nation and around the world an opportunity to present their products and services to operating companies engaged in the business of providing telecommunication services to end users. In addition to the product displays, vendors can perform training seminars for their products. Certificates of attendance are provided to all seminar participants.

Monies collected are donated to communications organizations that provide scholarships to promote education within the industry. Additionally, contributions are made to non-profit organizations to assist with training and education of craft and management personnel.

Visit us at the TCEI EXPO April 5-7th in Belton Tx, at booth 614!

U-TECK Introduces the ‘Street Saver’ and ‘Street Saver Slim’!

FEATURES:

U-TECK’s New “Street Saver” Micro-Trench Protectors gives Fiber Optic Contractors added protection on their Saw Cuts, keeping the trench open and preventing breakage, prior to back filling. Using the Micro-Trench Protector results in a much cleaner looking finished product.

Two lengths are available to assist in complete trench coverage, and linking The “Street Savers” together is simple using our interlocking design, which also allows for flexibility when micro-trenches are cut along curves.

Select from the 12″ or 6″ widths for added convenience while working on the job!

For higher speed traffic or overnight construction, there are 6 holes which can be used for temporally screwing or bolting the Street Savers into place.

The “Street Saver” is Constructed from High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE), will not break or crack under heavy traffic and are UV Stable. The Hi-Vis HDPE ensures increased motorist awareness to the construction zone. The Sloped Edges ensure ease for Ingress and Egress.

The “Street Savers” were designed to stay in place by utilizing the ¾” fins located underneath the product. These fins sit into the Micro Trench, ensuring the Micro-Trench Protectors will stay firmly in place.

*Be sure to follow all local Municipal Codes when using this Product

Cable Pulling & Installation products to make your life easier

Today we are going to take a look at the Cable Pulling & Installation tools developed by U-TECK to simplify everyday jobs. All of the products featured in this article are used when dealing with cable in trenches. These products have been developed over time to solve specific issues encountered in the field.

*Please ensure you are following your company’s proper procedures when digging and laying cable*

The Fiber Drop Caddy

One of the biggest pains when starting a job is trying to lay out the coil for your fiber drops. Longer drop lines have a tendency of ‘springing back’, causing delays in the job flow having to deal with this. U-TECK’s Fiber Drop Caddy is designed to hold and manage fiber drop hand coils. This caddy is adjustable to accommodate various inside diameters of coils. This caddy can also be used to pay out fiber coils, wire, or pull tape, that are already on a core with a 1.25” inside diameter and a 5.25″ wide width, by using the spindle only.

Learn more HERE!

Cable Pulling Mesh

Also referred to as cable socks or stockings, Cable Pulling Mesh is used to pull cables through ducts. U-TECK’s NEW Cable Pulling Mesh provides an easy convenient means of pulling various sizes of Fiber Optic Cable. Made with Dual Polymer and Kevlar Construction, Radial Compression holds cables tightly during pull. We recommend using a Bowline knot when using the Cable Pulling Mesh. This product comes pre-cut OR in a bulk reel for added convenience!

Learn more HERE!

RayDius Fiber Quadrant Block

U-TECK’s New RayDius™ Fiber Quadrant Block is designed to protect fiber optic cable during installation. This product can be used as in Infeed Guide or as an Outfeed Guide for Fiber Cable to prevent breakage, which can occur on some standard quadrant blocks. Pulling Diameter  of 40” MBD (101cm), 600lbs (2700N) Max Cable Tension Load. *Always refer to recommended guidelines from cable manufacturers.

Using a new, gently curving solid design we were able to provide a smooth contour, while maintaining the required bend radius of the Fiber Optic Cable, and eliminating breakage caused from contact pressure.

This product will fit on all standard Jamb Skids, Hanger Arms, Hanger Blocks, Support Bars and Pole Brackets. The RayDius™ block has 6 unique CableKeeper slots for using Deltec™ strapping or tie wraps when you want to ensure that the cable continues to travel over the block without bouncing off. Using proper tools, such as the RayDius™ will also greatly reduce man hours spent trying to resolve internal cable breakage issues. The RayDius™ is also safer to utilize and lightweight for easier manuvering
in small spaces with ergonomic grips molded into the design!

Learn more HERE!

Micro Trench Tamper Tool

One challenge faced when placing fiber into these trenches is making sure the fiber is laying at the bottom of the entire trench in order to avoid potential future damage by road re-surfacing or other maintenance activities on the surface above. We’ve created a quick and easy tool that will ensure that your fiber is tucked neatly at the bottom of the trench and out of harms way.

The 3/4” thick, 14” long tamper fits easily into the slot-cut, and, with it’s curved end design, fits snug to the fiber cable without pinching or cutting. The tamper end is made from 100% recycled plastics fitted over welded forged steel. The straight 48“ hardwood handle makes it easy to use and quick to tuck away in the back of your truck.

Learn more HERE!

Clip Insertion Tool

Micro-trenching involves cutting a narrow trench into concrete sidewalks, asphalt roadways, across parking lots, etc. Microduct is then installed into these trenches and usually placed relatively shallow as compared to traditional cable trenches. Many times the ducts float inside the trench for a myriad of reasons, mostly from the memory of the plastics, or the direction the trench is taking.

U-TECK has developed an approved method of holding the duct firmly to the bottom of the trench by placing our new trench clips into the narrow gap of the trench and firmly against the duct. These spring clips expand and press against the sidewalls of the trench and hold the duct in place so that backfilling procedures can then take place. These clips are installed using our trench clip insertion tool. A trench clip is attached to the tip of the trench clip insertion tool and then pressed into the gap of the trench and firmly against to the top of the duct. Trench clips are specially designed to release from the insertion tool as they are forced into the gap.

Learn more HERE!

The Street Saver

U-TECK’s New “Street Saver” Micro-Trench Protectors gives Fiber Optic Contractors added protection on their Saw Cuts, keeping the trench open and preventing breakage, prior to back filling. Using the Micro-Trench Protector results in a much cleaner looking finished product.

Two lengths are available to assist in complete trench coverage, and linking The “Street Savers” together is simple using our interlocking design, which also allows for flexibility when micro-trenches are cut along curves

For higher speed traffic or overnight construction, there are 6 holes which can be used for temporally screwing or bolting the Street Savers into place.

The “Street Saver” is Constructed from High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE), will not break or crack under heavy traffic and are UV Stable. The Hi-Vis HDPE ensures increased motorist awareness to the construction zone. The Sloped Edges ensure ease for Ingress and Egress.

The “Street Savers” were designed to stay in place by utilizing the ¾” fins located underneath the product. These fins sit into the Micro Trench, ensuring the Micro-Trench Protectors will stay firmly in place.

Learn more HERE!

Temporary Fiber Drop Markers

When new communication services are installed at a location, often a temporary cable is placed on the ground and left until such time as a crew can come and permanently bury the cable in the ground. This leaves the cable vulnerable from damage caused by vehicle traffic, mowers and people tripping on the cable, not aware of its presence.

U-TECK has developed a temporary solution to this problem – The Temporary Fiber Drop Markers!

Our markers are made from a Highly Visible Fluorescent Orange Acrylic material that enhances the visibility of the cable and helps reduce damage that might occur. Each marker is 2.5″ in diameter.

Simply insert the staple pin onto the marker disc with the message side up, straddle  the cable with the marker, and push firmly into the ground. The arrow indicator should align with the direction of the cable. Space markers adequately for best results.

U-TECK’s Temporary Fiber Drop Markers are meant to be reused.

Learn more HERE!

What you need to know about Cold Weather and Fiber Optic Cables!

Winter is here, and with it comes freezing temperatures, snow, sleet and ice storms! The temperature drops, the cold rolls in, and then the snow starts falling at a rapid pace.

The snow accumulation can lead to outages that can affect your ability to get work done. Have you ever noticed when the snow starts to fall, so do your fiber optic internet speeds? You’ve noticed, and so have your customers! Freezing-cold temperatures seem to take a toll on fiber optic cables and cause them to stop working suddenly in some cases. The calls are going to start to coming soon, so you need to be ready to troubleshoot and answer their questions!

There are so many advantages that come along with using fiber optic cables over traditional copper ones. Fiber optic cables can transmit data much faster than standard copper wires. They can also carry more data over further distances – without disruptions! Many advantages come with installing fiber optic cables over traditional copper cables, but that doesn’t mean they are invincible. Over the years one of the big challenges associated with fiber optic cables has been the cables poor performance during colder weather.

So – What gives? Does the cold weather actually effect the quality of your fiber optic connection, or just a random coincidence? To answer your question – the actual cold temperatures do not affect the quality of your connection. However, some of the byproducts of the cold will cause issues with your fiber optic cables. Mainly due to freezing cables inside the conduits due to condensation and infiltration.

Freezing cables in an innerduct or conduit has been happening as long as cables have been put into ducts, but fiber optic cable is susceptible to freezing in a way that traditional copper cables are not. There is quite a bit of research that has been done on it, and it appears as though fiber optic cables are affected by cold temperatures whenever water is able to make its way into the ducts housing the cables, and then the water freezes. The ice that forms around the fiber optic cables often causes the cables to bend, which affects the signals sent through the cables. If water has the chance to enter into the housing of your cables and freeze, then your overall internet performance will deteriorate. Depending on how extreme the bending is, the signals may not be able to pass through the fiber optic cables at all. It can lead to fiber optic networks going down unexpectedly. Loss of connectivity can be inconvenient to any business that relies on fiber for day-to-day operations. Signal strength usually returns to normal as the ice melts.

How does water get into innerducts? It gets in by infiltration and condensation. Picture an innerduct as a hose laid out along the road with occasional access points. Water infiltrates these access points and flows downhill, which could lead to hundreds of gallons of water being present in the system. As long as the innerduct is buried below the frost line, no freezing will occur. Where a fiber optic cable is exposed to freezing temps, such as at an exposed bridge crossing, ice can form in the duct. In many cases field techs entered an innerduct, and water poured out for several minutes.

Condensation is another possible culprit, especially at exposed bridge crossings where differences between the ambient temperature and the inside innerduct regularly exist. Just as condensation forms on a cold glass, condensation can form inside innerducts and conduits.

Fortunately, there are preventative steps you can take when installing your fiber optic cables to ensure that your cables are not affected and that your connectivity is not interrupted.

First, when installing fiber cables, carefully plan out where they are installed. Often, burying the fiber optic cables below the frost line will help greatly reduce and may even eliminate the threat of ice. If, for some reason, you are unable to install your cables below the frost line, there are antifreeze gels and other preventative measures that can help prevent water from freezing inside the ducts. These products have proven to be useful when it comes to protecting fiber optic cables from the elements.

Most fiber optic freeze-ups have also been found to occur two to three feet within the head wall of a bridge. Freeze-ups are similarly a problem in abandoned pipelines where the pipes are exposed or placed on a cantilever when they cross creeks or rivers.

Several companies have sought to remedy this issue by constructing along railroad rights-of-way and attaching carrier pipes to the sides of any bridges or culverts they encounter, or by laying a carrier pipe on the bridge deck. This is far more economical than placing the cable underground by means of a directional boring device.

Although temps in the lower forty-eight states may reach -40°F (with a wind chill exceeding -80°F) the temperature inside the conduit underground will not drop below about 25°F. Fiber optic cable in a conduit will not experience temperatures below the ambient outside temperature; as wind chills only affect exposed surfaces.

U-TECK Launches NEW RayDius Fiber Quadrant Block!

Fiber Quadrant Blocks are one of the many devices used in cable placement and are necessary to ensure that fiber optic cabling is protected during these installations especially when placing newer high-count fiber cables. 

Optical fiber cables are designed with a minimum bending radiuses and maximum tensile strengths. The cable should never be bent below its minimum bending radius, or internal, and often unknown, breakages can occur. A typical standard quadrant block is comprised of a series of rollers on a frame that serves as a guide to ensure that fiber optic cable is pulled along a proper bend radius to prevent breakage of the glass fibers that make up the core of the cable. 

Up until now, a standard quadrant block has been used to feed the cable into/out of areas such as manholes and handholes through underground ducts and aerially onto utility poles. In theory the cable should travel along the rollers, and the rollers act as a guide to ensure that the cable is never bent below its minimum bending radius. However, this has proven not to be a reliable method of preventing breakage. The rollers themselves have proven to be a problem as they apply too much contact pressure to the cable, causing breakage to occur when the cable bends from roller to roller (the bend radius changes to a lesser minimum bend radius). This issue was being temporarily solved by modifying the quadrant blocks with split pipes and steel forms for a more constant path of travel for the cable.

U-TECK was recently approached to help develop an answer to this problem. After extensive research, they designed and developed a whole new design: a solid bodied quadrant block specifically for use when placing fiber optic cables. Using a new, gently curving, solid design they were able to provide a smooth contour, while maintaining the required bend radius of the Fiber Optic Cable, and eliminating breakage caused from contact pressure. The RayDius™ demonstrates a very low coefficient of friction.

Made with a unique, high-strength, polymer compound, The RayDius™ Fiber Optic Quadrant Block is made to withstand all outdoor conditions! The RayDius™ measures 29.25” length by 9.5” high by 2” width and weighs in at just 9lbs! The RayDius™ has been tested extensively at leading test sites and exceeds all manufacturer cable recommendations.

This product will fit on all standard Jamb Skids, Hanger Arms, Hanger Blocks, Support Bars and Pole Brackets. The RayDius™ block has 6 unique CableKeeper slots for using Deltec™ strapping or tie wraps when you want to ensure that the cable continues to travel over the block without bouncing off. Using proper tools, such as the RayDius™ will also greatly reduce man hours spent trying to resolve internal cable breakage issues. The RayDius™ is also safer to utilize and lightweight for easier maneuvering in small spaces with ergonomic grips molded into the design. The RayDius™ has gone through extensive testing and has exceeded all factory testing standards.  And did we mention it’s available at a fraction of the cost of traditional Quadrant Blocks?  

We are currently working on several additional products that will work with the RayDius™, such as Pole Brackets and manhole frames to allow vertical and horizontal pivoting of the RayDius™ block! 

Russ Mason III, U-TECK’s CEO, said, “U-TECK is proud to be solving yet another problem that cable placing crews have been experiencing.”

“Using our manufacturing capabilities, our new, solid bodied, RayDius™ Fiber Quadrant Block solved issues with fiber breakage due to over bending the cable and the minimum bend radius (diameter) that most cable manufacturers require.

“Although U-TECK’s customers span several industries, we have always been very in-tune with the needs of the telecommunication field, as the majority of our first clients came from this market. We are looking forward to participating in next year’s industry trade shows and showcasing a wide range of both new and well-established solutions.”

Call to order NOW!   +1 (800) 542-7011

U-TECK will be attending TEXAS EXPO 2021!

U-TECK will be attending Texas Expo 2021 in Belton, Texas – dates TBD .  Come on out and visit our booth! We will be bringing our latest products to demonstrate for you.

Texas Expo aims to engage in charitable, educational, scientific, civic or similar purposes including the promotion, advancement, development, and dissemination of knowledge and information relating to the communications industry.

Downloadable Catalog

You can now download our entire 2020 catalog right to your computer!

2022 UTECK CATALOG

For any questions, or to order any of our products, please call us at +1 (800) 542-7011

U-TECK AND COVID-19

U-TECK was formerly scheduled to attend the ISE Expo and the Texas Telecommunications Association Expo for 2020, however as of right now, all trade shows and expo’s have been placed on hold due to COVID-19.

U-TECK is striving to do our part to ensure that our customers and trade partners are protected in these unprecedented times. We are following all government mandated policies and procedures to include face covering, social distancing and disinfecting in all areas of our office, warehouse, and plants.

As always, we are proud to offer Personal Protective Equipment and the best in safety solutions for your company!

For product release information, demonstrations and news updates please feel free to email us or give us a call at +1-800-542-7011

U-TECK is participating in the “Missing Man Table” Initiative 2018

U-TECK is participating in the “Missing Man Table” Initiative for Heroes Homecoming again this year.  We are excited to be a part of this.  We always want to support the community but are very excited to be a part of this special event to honor all of those that make and have made sacrifices for our freedoms.

#UnitedInService
#HeroesHomecoming