Knowledge of counterfeit cable enables project manager to win CableCheck contest, prize

The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA) recently announced that Bill Lawrence, RCDD, NTS, WD—an IT project manager principal at the Georgia Institute of Technology—is the winner of CCCA’s CableCheck game and Kindle prize. “Designed to be both fun and educational about spotting counterfeit cable, CCCA’s newest CableCheck game drew hundreds of participants from the structured cabling industry,” the CCCA said when announcing Lawrence as the winner. Individuals could enter the contest in person at the BICSI Winter Conference, or online through the CCCA’s website or through a number of newsletters.

“The game consists of five true/false questions about counterfeit communications cable that is non-compliant to industry standards,” the association further explained. “Through the game, participants learn about the problems caused by using copper-clad aluminum cable for communications cable, how to determine if suspect cable may be counterfeit, and a contractor’s potential liability if installed cable is counterfeit. This is crucial information since the influx of counterfeit and non-compliant communications cable continues to be an industry-wide problem. Testing has shown the serious life-safety risks due to high flame spread and large amounts of smoke in fires.”

Lawrence said, “I’m glad CCCA has been at the forefront in making those of us in the communications cabling industry aware of the issues with copper-clad aluminum cable. Our IT engineering team here at Georgia Tech design and manage the installation of tens of thousands of feet of category cabling throughout the year, and it’s very important to use to ensure that we are getting quality products with the university’s money, and that those products meet the relevant standards and codes.”