Are your USB cables and chargers posing a fire hazard to your home? Is your cell phone covered in germs? Is your mobile device putting you at risk for radiation exposure? Every day, it seems like there’s some new health or safety concern we should be worried about with our cell phones and electronic devices. The Internet loves spreading rumors, especially when it comes to the things we hold so near and dear like our cell phone accessories. While you should always keep safety in mind when it comes to electronic devices, it’s time to suss out the myths from the facts. Learn which stories are true and which ones might just be pure fabrication.

Rumor: Charger cables are a dangerous fire hazard.

Verdict: True. In 2008, there were a reported 500 deaths and 1,400 injuries as a result of electrical fires. Damaged or frayed cables caused 53,600 home fires and as much as $1.4 billion in property damage. Be sure to frequently inspect cell phone cables for wear and tear and always use a power strip surge protector for plugging in multiple devices. Accidents can be avoided with a little common sense.

Rumor: Your cell phone is dirtier than a toilet seat.

Verdict: True. With 25,000 germs on every square inch of surface, your cell phone is likely dirtier than a toilet seat, the bottom of your shoe, or your pet’s food dish. You can clean your cell phone and cell phone accessories every once in a while with a simple alcohol antiseptic wipe found in any drugstore — no fancy gadgets required. And with that many germs, you really might want to pick one up on your way home.

Rumor: Cell phone radiation causes brain cancer.

Verdict: Probably false. A recent study from the University of Sydney, Australia, found no correlation between the rate of brain cancer and the prevalence of cell phones over the past 30 years. While your smartphone might only have a lifespan of two years, it’s not likely to shorten your own.

As something we all use every day, our cell phones are practically an extension of our bodies. That means taking good care of your devices and cables is worthwhile. Like any electronic tool or device, be sure to play it safe with all your cell phone accessories.

What’s the big deal about plenum cable? In a word, safety. Plenum cable has a specially-made coating that’s meant to be fire resistant and non-toxic for use in potentially hazardous areas. The word “plenum” itself comes from the HVAC industry, referring to the spaces above dropped ceilings or below raised flooring that circulate heating, ventilation and air conditioning. In more recent years, builders have discovered that these open spaces are also great for running telecommunications or network Ethernet cables. There’s just one problem: Plenum spaces are also extremely good at quickly spreading fire.

It’s easy to see how cabling and electrical wires can pose a fire hazard, especially if they become damaged or frayed. In 2008, electrical fires, failures and malfunctions resulted in $1.4 billion in property damage throughout 53,600 home fires, as well as 1,400 injuries and 500 deaths. And those were just the fires caused by frayed phone cables. Because of these dangers, cabling in plenum spaces is held to very high safety standards. The coating is usually made of a flame-resistant material like Teflon, as opposed to standard PVC coating. This also ensures that, in the event of a fire, the smoke doesn’t give off toxic fumes that might come from burning PVC.

Plenum cable isn’t just limited to use in plenum spaces, however. In the last decade, data storage centers have sprouted up around the country, but these centers face extremely high fire risks, making plenum cables a popular option. Its high safety rating makes it usable for riser cable and standard cable situations, too. While plenum cable is typically more expensive than other types of cable, its added protection might be worth the costs, especially if you’re able to purchase in bulk.

Buying bulk plenum zip cord fiber optic cables for a hospital or office setting, for example, could ultimately prove more cost-effective from a materials and insurance perspective. According to the West Health Institute, hospitals could save a collective $30 billion a year by connecting medical technology like smart pumps, ventilators, and vital sign monitors to their electronic health records via bulk plenum zip cord fiber optic cables.

Additionally, the added protection could also increase the quality and lifespan of high-end Ethernet cabling systems. Top-grade Cat5e cables are designed to last five to 10 years at minimum, but a plenum coating may ensure an even longer usable lifespan. So why use plenum cable instead of riser cable or PVC coatings? While safety is a huge added bonus, there are lots of hidden perks of the plenum space that any cable set-up could use.

Siamese cables are named as such because they provide two services in one cable: power and video. They’re commonly used for television cable connections, or for wiring up a home video surveillance or closed-circuit television (CCTV) system. The pairing of picture and power in a Siamese video cable helps cut back on the number of cables and wires needed for installation, which is a big bonus for professional contractors and adventurous DIYers alike. Moreover, Siamese video cables are durable, reliable and relatively inexpensive, especially when purchased in bulk. Just like HDMI high-speed cables, it’s a myth that Siamese cables have to cost $50 or more; many stores will price them that high, but there’s no reason you actually have to pay that much when you can cut bulk cables yourself to the exact length and size you need.

Speaking of length, you can find Siamese cabling in lengths of up to 1,000 feet to meet any need. And again, like high-speed HDMI cables, the length of the cable shouldn’t affect the quality of the signal, so long as a cable running 100 feet or longer is specifically designed to meet those needs. So what should you look for in a Siamese video cable? The biggest difference for consumers has to do with the video portion of the cable, which can come as either an RG-59 or RG-6. The RG-59 is the most common Siamese video cable component, though as modern picture qualities demand higher transfer speeds, they’re becoming less popular for television connections. They still work perfectly fine for any frequencies under 50MHz.

The RG-6 has a larger conductor than the RG-59 for enhanced signal quality. The insulation and shielding is also built to withstand higher electrical currents. The same way you can use a 12-watt charger to power an iPhone in half the time it takes a 5-watt charger, an RG-6 delivers more juice in less time than the RG-59. Except for situations that demand very high picture quality, however, most people won’t notice the difference between an RG-59 and RG-6. In fact, the RG-59 is still preferred for security camera cabling.

Siamese video cables can be a cost-effective and clutter-free way to set up both home theaters and high tech corporate surveillance systems alike. So whether you want to stay comfortable or safe, Siamese cables let you do so in high-definition.

It’s no secret that most of us are completely dependent on our cell phones. From making plans to finding directions, and from ordering takeout to surfing the web, our mobile devices are our lifelines. However, they need care of their own, too. Your cell phone cables and cell phone accessories can have a huge impact on the durability and performance of your device. Here are some of the essentials you need to get the most out of your phone.

12-Watt Charger

Yes, you can use the cell phone cable accessories that came with your phone when you bought it — or you can upgrade to a 12-watt charger that can power an iPhone in half the time compared to the standard 5-watt chargers out of the box. With 12-watt USB cables, the iPhone 6 only takes 50 minutes to fully charge, and the iPhone 6 Plus takes just 2.5 hours. Just make sure you’re only purchasing from an authorized distributor, like CableWholesale. Apple cell phone cable accessories have authentication chips to deter third-party manufacturers.

USB-to-Lightning Cables

Diehard Apple users need a way to connect their phones to their laptops in order to back-up pictures, data, and other types of information. Easily charge and sync your device with one cable that can connect to virtually any Apple product with a Lightning port.

Backup Battery

Sometimes you’re on the go without an outlet in sight. If you’re draining your battery with GPS directions, catching Pokemon, or composing the perfect social media post, keep a backup battery charger handy so your phone doesn’t die on you unexpectedly.

Antiseptic Wipes

Do alcohol wipes count as cell phone cable accessories? Maybe not, but they’re still essential for anyone who’s constantly touching their phone all day (i.e., all of us). Every square inch of your screen likely has about 25,000 germs on it. That means your phone is dirtier than the bottom of a shoe, a pet food bowl, or even a toilet seat. Get some antiseptic wipes at the drug store and clean it off every now and then!

To get the best performance out of your cell phone, get the best accessories for charging, syncing, powering and cleaning. After all, our phones work so hard for us on a daily basis. They deserve a little pampering in return!

One of the most common mistakes to make when it comes to technology networking is to assume that all USB cables are created equally. While they might look the same on the outside, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 cables have many differences that set them apart.

For starters, USB 3.0 is one of the newest models of the Universal Serial Bus standard, which was released in 2008. Unsurprisingly, USB 3.0 provides greater speeds for transfer of data. In addition to being able to hit transfer rates of up to 4.8Gbps (gigabits per second), USB 3.0 also boasts increased maximum bus power, improved power management, and new connectors and cables that facilitate the higher transfer speeds and additional power.

In comparison, USB 2.0 cables can only transfer data at rates of up to 480 Mbps. It should be noted that transfer speeds also depend on the device in use in addition to the bus type and USB ports and cables.

Aside from the overall speed, the addition of another physical bus is the second main difference between the two cables. The actual amount of wires contained inside is actual double in 3.0 USB, from four to eight. There are even new types of connectors for the B Male and Micro B Male in order to accommodate space for the additional wires. These connector types are larger than the 2.0 equivalents and are not compatible with 2.0 ports.

USB 3.0 cables also have the additional power transfer of 900 mA as opposed to USB 2.0 cables, which provide power up to 500 mA. One of the rare areas in which USB 2.0 cables actually beat out the 3s is in cord length. USB 2.0 have a cable length of up to five meters versus the 3.0, which can only be found with up to three meters in length.

The absolute newest standard for USBs is USB 3.1. It offers three major improvements over 3.0: an “always right” C-type connector that plugs in without regard to orientation, higher data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps, and the capacity to power any type of device.

Have you ever heard the term “Lightning cable” and wondered what that was? Well, for starters, it’s got nothing to do with naturally occurring weather conditions. Lightning cables are simply USB 2.0 cables that connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod to your computer’s USB port or outlet adapter for syncing and charging.

Lightning cables replaced the 30-pin dock connectors used by older generations of Apple products, and instead have only eight signal pins. This decrease in size helps to support Apple’s preference in developing super-slim devices such as the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6. It’s only slightly bigger than a standard micro-USB connector.

Despite the fact that it’s 80% smaller than the older model, it’s sturdier and more durable. One of the other great aspects is that unlike the older cables, lightning cables are reversible. There’s no right or wrong way to plug it into your device (upside down or downside up). According to Apple, it’s an all-digital, eight-signal design that adapts to what the signals need to be for the accessory you’re connected to.

Presumably for cost reasons, lightning is based on USB 2.0, not the faster 3.0 or Thunderbolt cables. However, it wouldn’t require much extra engineering to get USB 3.0 down there, and Apple also has promised Lightning-to-HDMI and Lightning-to-VGA cables for the future.

While you won’t be able to plug it directly into anything that requires a 30-pin connector, there are adapters available that convert a 30-pin connector to a Lightning connector. The adapter supplies the user with support for analog audio output, USB audio as well as syncing and charging.

However, the adapter doesn’t support video output, and not all 30-pin devices will be supported. New accessories may still have to be purchased to use with the iPhone 5 and 2012 iPods or later models. Finally, the iPod Out feature, which gives certain devices such as car stereos iPod-like navigation of your music collection, is not supported. The adapter is fairly large as well, so any accessories that fit around the device likely won’t work.

Surge protectors are important for protecting your home and your plugged-in electronic devices from sudden voltage spikes or power disturbances.

Electrical power disturbances can occur in any number of ways,
but they generally fall into one of these four categories:

• Voltage Dips, also sometimes called sags or brownouts
• Power Surges, otherwise known as transient voltages or voltage surges
• Electromagnetic Interference
• Radio Frequency Interference

Surge protectors help to protect your appliances and devices by diverting any extra voltage that might unexpectedly pass through your electrical grid system. Despite the standardized 120-volt system in the U.S., with a 60Hz single phase alternating current, electricity does not always run at a constant 120 volts; it can run anywhere from 0 to 169 volts, depending on utility grids and local usage demands.

A power surge is defined as currents above 169 volts. While many electronics and appliances are designed to withstand variations in voltage, very high surges can sometimes cause extensive electrical damage.

Surges sometimes happen when utility providers are switching between power grids. Some very powerful ones are even caused by lightning. But surges can originate from inside your home, too. Some 60% to 80% of all voltage surges occur when large appliances, such as air conditioners, turn on or off.

A lack of surge protection can lead to appliance damage or electrical fires. Electrical distribution systems are the third leading cause of home fires, and insurance claims for this type of damage can often exceed $10,000. A main service panel surge protector to protect your whole home, on the other hand, only costs around $250.

Even small fluctuations of voltage fluctuation — as little as 10 volts — can impair proper functioning of sensitive electronic devices that include small microprocessors, which is true of many common tech gadgets today.

Surge protectors can protect your devices, but they don’t last forever. Their efficacy and absorption rate decrease with every hit of joules — which is why it’s best to replace them around once every two years.

Do you ever wake up after a full night’s sleep still feeling completely exhausted? Chances are that you are burnt out. In this fast-paced world of technology, it’s not surprising that people get caught up burning the candle at both ends. This is especially a problem here in the Silicon Valley, the tech hub of the United States. People are working too many hours, and not spending enough time to care for themselves properly. This is a problem that we all struggle with, so today we want to go over some ways you can re-set your clock, and help you get some rest and relaxation for your mind, body and spirit. We all know that we need to relax and de-stress more, but sometimes we aren’t quite sure how to go about it. Keep reading for some ideas on how how to feel revitalized this week.

Book a massage

There are numerous studies on the positive effects that massage has on the human body. Many of us spend the majority of our day bent over a computer, only to commute home at the end of the day bent over a steering wheel. A relaxing massage at least once a month will not only ease your muscles, but it gives your mind a little break as well. You don’t have to pay top-dollar at a fancy spa either. Check out Groupon to see if they are featuring any one-hour deals, or go check out your nearest Massage Envy for an affordable massage, they have locations all over the country.

Get a Pedicure

Nothing feels as good as being well groomed. The task of grooming yourself can be tedious though, so once in awhile it feels good to pay someone to take care things for you. For around $20 get your nails trimmed, painted (if you choose) and a little foot massage while you are at it. If you want to to go the extra mile, spring for a manicure too. The best part is that you only need to carve out about an hour of your day. This is a surefire way to put a little pep in your step!

Go for a Jog

This may sound cliché, but one of the quickest ways to get your blood flowing is to get out and move. Exercise is not only great for helps alleviate for getting in physical shape, but it also has a plethora of positive effects on your mind. Regular exercise can alleviate symptoms of depression, improve mental performance and boost blood flow to your brain. Exercise can also increase your brain’s dopamine production. So throw on some running shoes and hit the ground running, and start feeling better today.

Download a Meditation App

If you can find ten extra minutes in your day, download a meditation app. Ten minutes is all you need to break up the monotony of your everyday life, and to give you a little relaxing break. There are bunches available, but some of our favorites include the following apps: Calm https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/calm-meditate-relax-guided/id571800810?mt=8,
Omvana https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/omvana-meditation-for-everyone/id595585396?mt=8
And Headspace https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app

Take a Yoga Class

Grab yourself a yoga mat and find your nearest yoga studio for some instant relaxation. Not only will your muscles get a good stretch, but you can practice some breathing exercises that will help make you feel calm. There are a few different classes to choose from. Some of the most popular types include Bikram, Vinyasa and Ashtanga. Try a couple of them out and see which one you like the most!

Pick up a Book

This one might also seem cliché, but it is still the best way to escape from your everyday world. Put down your smartphone and pick up an old-fashioned paperback and let your worries slip away, if even just a few moments before sleep. Treat yourself to a trip to your local bookstore and pick up your favorite genre, be it a thriller, a drama or a comedy.

Binge Watch Netflix

This is a brand new pastime that millennials have created. Clear your planner for an entire weekend, and then prepare to chill. This includes stocking up at the grocery store for necessities, like a frozen pizza, snacks and beers. Now pick a sitcom or drama that is at least three seasons deep. Spend your entire weekend watching Netflix. Some might see this as a vast waste of time. Really though, what is life without being able to take an entire weekend to do nothing. With no pressing plans or prior commitments to stress you out, you will be fully able to actually relax.

Every time you purchase something electronic, whether it’s a phone, a computer, or a new upgrade of television equipment, you’re likely to get a bunch of cables along with it. Many of those cables you might not even know what to do with. Many people would be hard-pressed to know the difference between their iPad charger and the charger that came with their iPhone 6 plus. And if we don’t know the difference between the two of them, how can we be expected to know what in the world a bulk zipcord fiber optic cable is?

When it comes to cables, you’re likely to need a few of them on a daily basis, so it would serve you well to get to know a little bit about them. Most of us have smartphones these days. As such, you will definitely need the chord that charges your phone. In particular, the Apple iPhone series can get pretty possessive when it comes to their charging cords, and just about everything else, come to think of it.

So, the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6plus both come with their own chargers. You can get a complete charge to the iPhone 6 in about one hour and forty minutes when you use the 5-watt cord and adapter that comes with it. The iPhone 6plus will take about five hours to charge with the 5-watt cord. However, if you have a 12-watt cord that comes standard with the iPad, you can charge your phones in half the time. It looks the same from the outside, but the iPad cord has got some kick under the hood.

Another place where you are likely to encounter many a cord is through your television cable set up. Behind your television case is most probably your bulk zipcord fiber optic cable set up, with cables going here and there, attached to places you aren’t even sure work. Though it may look like a total mess, there is a method to all of the madness.

Take, for instance, your high definition television set. In order for it to display in high definition, you have to make sure all of the cables are plugged in properly. It begins with the length of the cable itself. Depending on how long a distance between the cable box and the television itself, you could need a 75 HDMI cable or a 100 ft HDMI cable. The length of a cable does not actually matter in terms of effectiveness. The only thing that counts in the actual distance from box to the television. If you do need a longer cable, though, it is best to find an HDMI high-speed cable that is specifically designed for the purposes intended.

In today’s world, cables are a necessity. Hopefully, technology will render them obsolete some time in the near future. Until then, making use of bulk zipcord fiber optic cable, HDMI cords, and iPhone chargers is the way of the world.

In a time when entire school districts are proud to announce they are going one-to- one for technology, it is difficult for the average consumer to understand the need for Ethernet cables. And while personal laptops that rely on wireless connections no longer use Ethernet cables, the large data centers that serve as back-up centers for the most profitable companies in the industry around the country rely on thousands of network Ethernet cables.

We love to think that we are a wireless nation that can find a way to be connected no matter where we are. In fact, one of Hillary Clinton’s campaign promises that she discusses is that every child should be connected to the Internet so that the educational playing field in America can be a level one. Giving every child, and furthermore every American, access to the internet by creating hot spots around the country is a noble goal and an even greater indication for the future need of network Ethernet cable. As more and more people find themselves connected to the Internet, more and more people will have digital data that they want secured and backed up.

When the Old is New Again

Former communication moguls are now the companies leading the way in the acquisition of the world’s newest live streaming services. It is difficult to ignore the continued presence of the country’s major communications providers when they appear to be the companies who are on the forefront of purchasing and promoting the communications and entertainment companies of the future.

It is difficult to deny the impact the communication companies that helped connect the world are having on the future of today’s entertainment industry. And while many of the live streaming customers use wireless technology to live stream their latest entertainment obsessions, the companies that provide and fund these services rely on the bulk fiber optic cables that were invented and produced for the first communications industries.

Staying Connected in the Digital Age

All wireless technology relies on the data and power that is provided through traditional cables and cords. From the cell phone cables and cell phone accessories that Americans gobble up more than any other purchases, to the power strip surge protectors that recharge today’s communication essentials, it is obvious that the wireless world cannot operate without the traditional power sources and computer cables.