Let's Talk Cabling!

Send us Fan Mail We break down NEC 2026 with a focus on clarity, consistency, and how the reorganization impacts limited energy systems from design to inspection. Chapter 8 loses independence, new Articles 720–723, 742, and 750 reshape daily practice, and Class 4 power takes a step forward. • purpose of the NEC as safety and minimum construction quality • how the code is structured and why legal l...

Send us Fan Mail We explore how field innovation keeps outrunning the standards, why extended copper links beyond 100 meters are gaining momentum, and what TIA’s new TSB could mean for testing, warranties, and contracts. We share practical steps for techs, PMs, and designers to push the edge without getting burned. • standards lag and field innovation tension  • permanent link versus channel clari...

Send us Fan Mail We pick up the live stream after a rough month and dive straight into the most asked questions on getting into limited energy: tools, licenses, certifications, first-day tactics, site safety, career ladders, and the real work behind the title. Along the way, we flag code changes for 2026, unravel myths about sprinklers, and share practical tips to stand out from day one. • limited...

Send us Fan Mail Tonight we bring back an fan favorite as I travel this week... We unpack how to test copper the right way—permanent link, channel, and especially MPTL—and why choosing the correct limit and adapters is the difference between clean passes and costly callbacks. We also make the business case for certification, show how labeling workflows save hours, and explain how to fix wrong cate...

Send us Fan Mail We are back from a short hiatus, between NECA2025 and a trainng week in Ohio I literally ran out of time. Inside sales representatives are the unsung heroes of the ICT industry who often save contractors from costly mistakes and provide valuable information that improves bid efficiency. Jalen Barnes, who started his career in 2015 and worked his way up to owning his own distributi...

Send us Fan Mail We take a special tour of the IBW 357 Southern Nevada Chapter NECA Electrical Training Facility in Las Vegas, exploring their comprehensive apprenticeship programs and state-of-the-art training labs for ICT professionals. • Tour guide Matthew Apfel, Assistant Training Director, showcases the 25,000 square foot facility with 10 classrooms and 10 attached labs • The facility houses...

Send us Fan Mail As Chuck continues to heal from surgery, we offer this replay of one of the most popular lives streams from 2023! Our industry often incorrectly labels lead technicians as project managers without providing proper training or understanding of the role's responsibilities. We explore seven critical habits that separate successful telecommunications project managers from the res...

Send us Fan Mail Distributed Edge Architecture is revolutionizing the structured cabling industry by decentralizing network intelligence and bringing connectivity directly to where it's needed. This approach dramatically reduces cable runs, simplifies infrastructure, and provides unprecedented flexibility for future modifications while delivering significant cost savings. • Chris Hanshaw, Tec...

Send us Fan Mail Breaking beyond the conventional 100-meter cable limit isn't just possible—it's becoming essential in today's expanding network environments. This deep dive into extended distance cabling reveals how manufacturers are pushing boundaries with specialized solutions that extend connectivity to 150-200 meters without sacrificing reliability. Steve Cowles steps in for Ch...

Send us Fan Mail Let's Talk Cabling celebrates its five-year anniversary with special giveaways, reflections on the podcast's evolution, and glimpses of exciting future content. Chuck shares his journey from recording in a closet to building an award-winning podcast with 18,000 followers and nearly 200,000 monthly views across platforms. • Started as "Five Minutes with an RCDD"...

Send us Fan Mail Chuck shares his eye-opening experience at BICSI Beyond 2025 in Las Vegas, revealing industry shifts and technological developments that will impact ICT professionals. The conference highlighted alarming workforce demographics and showcased emerging technologies that could transform how cable installation is performed. • Introduction to Challenge Coins as special recognition token...

Send us Fan Mail Doug Greenwald shares his journey from skilled technician to successful integration business owner, revealing how he developed Projects360 software to solve the unique project management challenges of low-voltage companies. • Starting a low-voltage business requires shifting from working IN the business to working ON the business • Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are critical...

Send us Fan Mail Chuck Bowser, RCDD, shares essential knowledge for those transitioning from traditional electrical work to the specialized world of low voltage and ICT installation. His comprehensive guide covers critical resources, industry standards, and career development strategies. • FOA Reference Guides provide clear explanations with diagrams for fiber optic theory, connectors, and testing...

Send us Fan Mail Distribution companies serve as translators between stakeholders in the ICT industry, helping to bridge communication gaps and solve problems before they become costly mistakes. Anthony from Wise Components shares insights on how distributors add value beyond just supplying products, from emergency response to catching errors in orders and specifications. • Distribution companies...

Send us Fan Mail We break down nine essential traits of successful project managers and provide practical tips for developing these skills to advance your career in the ICT industry. • Leadership qualities including leading by example and making decisions under pressure • Organizational skills for tracking projects and maintaining documentation • Assuming authority appropriately in meetings and cl...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Knowledge is power!  Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling .  Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com  Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

Send us Fan Mail TEKSGiving 2025 transforms technology infrastructure at Sojourner House, a domestic violence shelter in Rhode Island, with volunteers donating their skills to install critical safety and communication systems at four shelter buildings. • Technology Worldwide's annual charity project allows members to nominate deserving organizations for complete technology makeovers • Sojourn...

Send us Fan Mail We tackle the proposed 50% copper tariff and its potential impact on low voltage contractors, bringing insights from both manufacturing circles and distribution expertise. • Copper tariffs could affect numerous products including cable, patch cords, bus bars, connectors, and grounding materials • Current price increases stem from panic buying and supply/demand dynamics, not from t...

Send us Fan Mail We tackle the most pressing questions in the ICT industry, from career progression paths to the future of low-voltage work in an increasingly wireless and AI-driven world. • Career progression from cable puller to technician requires learning to read floor plans, developing termination skills, and building troubleshooting capabilities • Certifications demonstrate career commitment...

Send us Fan Mail Video surveillance systems require careful planning to be effective, from choosing the right camera types to ensuring proper installation and customer training. • Understanding what the customer needs to see is the first crucial step in system design • Balance feature-rich performance with budget considerations and storage limitations • Select appropriate cameras with proper IP ra...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Knowledge is power!  Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling .  Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com  Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

Send us Fan Mail The ICT industry has long been divided between outside plant and inside plant technologies, but fabric interduct is bridging that gap with its space-saving mesh design and cost-saving benefits. Tyler Andrews from Maxell explains how this textile-based solution can triple conduit capacity while cutting installation costs in half. • Provides dedicated pathways for cable within condu...

Send us Fan Mail Plug into the electric buzz of innovation with Let's Talk Cabling, where we're bridging the gap between technical expertise and future possibilities in the world of Information and Communications Technology. This energetic introduction to our podcast sets the tone for a journey that will transform how you think about the invisible infrastructure powering our digital live...

Send us Fan Mail Fault Managed Power Systems represent a revolutionary approach to power delivery that bridges the gap between traditional electrical distribution and low-voltage cabling infrastructure. This Class 4 technology enables sending up to 450 volts through cables installed like structured cabling while maintaining safety through millisecond fault detection. • Class 4 FMP systems offer hi...

Send us Fan Mail We're back in the home studio after a brief hiatus to share updates and answer your burning questions about low-voltage cabling, career development, and business strategies. • Upcoming episodes include features on Polywater's cable jacket repair kit and fault managed power systems • Telecommunications Equipment Center (TEC) is the healthcare facility equivalent of an ent...