atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring I hope to bring home the Grand Trophy again this year

That's the problem. I've only lost one job because I wasn't certified. That one job I got some work after the fact correcting the certified techs wiring errors, not many but a few. I'm sure they paid at least 3 times what I would have charged to bring in techs from a couple hundred miles away. The over all job they did was OK, but I would have done a few things different, like using colored backboards for the voice. The patch panels weren't terrible, but not as neat as I like to see them.

Likes been said throughout this topic, being certified doesn't make you a good tech. Just gives you the tools to become one.

I believe the BICSI installer challenger would determine who would be a better assembly line worker. Exact, repetitive detail. Sort of like Forrest Gump when he assembled his rifle.

The wonderful thing about standards is that there's so many of them.

Interesting points here. I would have thought that as much as some of the people here complain about lack of standards and unity that they would be embracing BICSI. They are at least trying to make communications cabling something that is considered up front and importaht instead of an afterthought. I have met several of the BICSI instructors and their all concerned with the same things we are. In my opinion BICSI has made lots of progress bringing our field to the front. Many organizations are moving towards requiring adherance to BICSI standards and best practices. We see bid requests all the time that require an RCDD involved in the design process. The companies who dont have an RCDD on staff are probably going to be complaining and trying to run down this requirement but its not going away. As time goes on your only going to see more and more of a BICSI presence in the construction process. Many large and powerful institutions like the US military are using BICSI as the standard for all of the communciations cabling. Collleges are another place where you see BICSI quite often along with major retailers, large corporations, etc., etc. Is the system perfect? of course not. I am an RCDD and am very proud of that title. I dont remember any salespeople at any of the training classes though. As far as the BICSI challenge goes, so what? big deal? its fun. You guys have never raced each other to see who can terminate a jack faster or can pull cable faster? Ive gotten many a free lunch this way. I think that instead of complaining about whats not right or perfect that all of us should own a TDMM and be using it daily instead of trying to buck the system. Nothing will ever be perfect in our world and thats just life but how about embracing an organization that is at least trying to help all of us and our industry. You dont have to go a BICSI course to take the RCDD exam. Just buy the TDMM, study your butt off, and try. On another note, 568A has always been the standard for commercial cabling and 568B has been optional. In residential it is required to be 568A. 568A was the standard and it was because of AT&T not wanting to play along that 568B came into play. Over the years because 568B was a newer standard it was assumed to be better and here we are. Anyways enough of that.