Tag: Fiber Optic Cables

When most people think about fiber optic cables, they automatically associate them with the internet. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that fiber optic cables are used to do more than just help people connect to the World Wide Web. There are a wide range of uses for them, which is what has made them so popular in a litany of industries. Here are some of the ways in which fiber optic cables have benefited those in different fields.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

There are quite a few telecommunications companies that have come around to using fiber optic cables over the years. If you’ve placed a phone call either at home or at work over the course of the last few days, there’s a good chance that fiber optic cables made it possible.

MEDICAL

Fiber optic cables have also found a place in the medical field. They can be used to create flexible strands that can be inserted in different areas of the body, like the lungs and even blood vessels. Fiber optic cables allow for doctors to get a glimpse of what’s going on inside of a person’s body without putting them through an exploratory surgery.

GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSES

Even government agencies have started to put fiber optic cables to good use in a variety of different ways. They play an integral role in sonar and are often found in submarines, certain types of aircraft, and other defense vehicles.

Data storage

The data storage industry has obviously grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade or so. And you could argue that both data storage and data transmission wouldn’t be as widely used as they are today without fiber optic cables. They make it possible to store and transmit data quickly and efficiently.

There are so many advantages that come along with using fiber optic cables over traditional copper ones. Fiber optic cables can transmit data significantly faster than copper ones. They’re also able to carry data over longer distances without experiencing any disruptions. Nevertheless, over the years, companies have found that there is one challenge associated with using fiber optic cables as opposed to copper cables. Freezing-cold temperatures seem to take a toll on fiber optic cables and cause them to stop working suddenly in some cases.

WHY IT HAPPENS

So, why does this happen? 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 carrying the cables and freeze. The ice that forms around the fiber optic cables often causes the cables to bend, which affects the signals sent through the cables. In some instances, the signals are simply slowed down and degraded, but in others, the signals aren’t able to pass through the fiber optic cables at all. It can lead to fiber optic networks going down unexpectedly.

HOW IT CAN BE PREVENTED

The good news is that there are steps that can be taken to limit the impact that freezing-cold weather has on fiber optic cables. For starters, those installing fiber optic cables can be careful about where and how they’re installed. Burying fiber optic cables below the frost line, for example, often eliminates the threat of ice. There are also many companies that are using antifreeze gels and other products to prevent water from freezing in ducts carrying fiber optic cables along bridges and other structures. These products have proven to be useful when it comes to protecting fiber optic cables from the elements.

Fiber optic cables are capable of transmitting data significantly faster than traditional copper cables. However, one thing that people have worried about when it comes to fiber optic cables taking the place of copper ones is durability. Fiber optic cables contain glass in them, which is why some people are concerned about how they’ll hold up over time.

The truth is that, when handled properly, fiber optic cables are a lot more durable than you might think. They’re designed to stand the test of time and should hold up for many years to come once they’re in place. Nevertheless, there are a few factors that can affect their longevity. Read about them below.

THE INITIAL STRENGTH OF FIBER OPTIC CABLES

One of the first things that can cut down on how long fiber optic cables last is the initial strength of the cables. There are some fiber optic cables that have tiny cracks in their surfaces when they’re first produced. It’s why it’s so important for fiber optic installers to test cables out at the beginning to make sure they’re in good shape.

THE INSTALLATION OF FIBER OPTIC CABLES

Another thing that can cut down on the longevity of fiber optic cables is the installation process that they go through. Fiber optic installers need to be careful about how they go about installing the cables. If they stretch them out too much while putting them into place, it can cause the cables to wear out quicker than they should.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS SURROUNDING FIBER OPTIC CABLES

No matter how strong fiber optic cables are or how careful fiber optic installers are about installing them, the environment surrounding the cables can take a toll on them. Extremely high and extremely low temperatures can both affect fiber optic cables and cause cracking. If moisture is able to make its way to areas where fiber optic cables are located, it can also cause the cables to break down quicker over time.

Many businesses, especially those which depend on high data usage and transmission, have been switching their cabling over to fiber optic cables as they realize all the benefits provided by fiber optic technology. Apart from the nature of business and its built-in appetite for data, another reason for this trend is due to the increasing demands placed on companies undergoing growth – which naturally elevates the demand for data usage as well. Here are some of the benefits offered by fiber optic cables which make them so appealing.

5 Reasons Why Businesses are Making the Switch to Fiber Optic Cables

Overall cost

There might be a slightly higher initial cost associated with installing fiber optic cables, but in the long run, the investment pays off in spades. Because it is more durable, more functional, and requires less ongoing maintenance, fiber optics can end up being the most cost-effective approach for many companies.

Physical size

Performance of fiber optic cables has nothing to do with their size, unlike the case with copper-based cables. To increase speed and bandwidth on a copper line, more copper must be included, which means the physical size of the cable grows, leading to increased costs for transportation and installation.

Dependability

Copper wiring is subject to degraded performance or damage when exposed to wet weather or other wet conditions. Since there is no electricity being transmitted through fiber optic cables, there is no hazard created if they should be exposed to severe weather conditions.

Security

It is much more difficult and costly for hackers to attempt a breach of fiber optic cabling, which is why it has been subjected to far fewer attacks than other forms of cabling. With the number and the severity of cyber attacks constantly on the rise, it makes sense to consider every aspect of security for your data center.

Performance

Voice communication has always been the primary usage for copper wiring, and even though it has been adapted for data usage as well, it is limited in terms of its capabilities for speed and bandwidth. Fiber optics have no such constraints, and have already provided unprecedented rates in both categories.

Where to Find Fiber Optic Cabling and Fiber Optic Tool Box

Ease of use can be a big appeal when it’s time to install fiber optic cabling. A fiber optic tool box has all the tools needed for fiber optic cable installation, making it an easy process. Your single source provider for all fiber optic technology should be 4Fiber, an industry leader in research and production of high-quality fiber optic technology.

In the optical network deployment, fiber optic termination should be an unavoidable and vitally important procedure that enables fiber cross connection and light wave signal distribution. Only when the fiber optic cables in the network are terminated properly can they be protected from dirt or damage so as to achieve a smooth and steady network. Meanwhile, proper fiber optic termination can efficiently avoid the excessive loss of light when the network runs, which strengthens the smooth connection. But how to properly terminate fiber optic cables to ensure a smooth connection? Let’s talk about this topic and find the most suitable method to terminate fiber optic cables for your network.

Proper Methods for Fiber Optic Termination

There are two methods for terminating fiber optic cables, using connectors and splicing, each of which allows for a smooth connection with low light loss and back reflection in a proper manner. We can learn these two methods in the following figure. The method of using connectors to terminate fiber optic cables is shown in the top right corner that is able to mate two fibers for a temporary joint, while the other method is splicing which has the ability to create a permanent joint between the two fibers. As for the step-by-step instructions of these two methods, it will be introduced detailedly in the following text.

fiber optic termination methods

Using Connectors to Terminate Fiber Optic Cables

You may often hear about the descriptions like LC to LC patch cord, LC to SC patch cord and LC to FC patch cord when choosing fiber patch cords to deploy your network. Do you understand what do the words “LC” “SC” and ”FC” mean? In fact, they stand for three kinds of connectors that are to terminate the ends of fiber optic cables, with the aim of connecting and disconnecting two fibers for many times without affecting the optical performance of the fiber circuit. To get a smooth fiber circuit, the following will illustrate how to use the connectors to properly terminate fiber optic cables.

Take out the fiber optic cable that you want to terminate and prepare a fiber cleaver for the termination.

Strip away the outer jacket, buffer and cladding of the fiber optic cable and cut away the excess aramid yarn.

Lightly score the fiber by pressing the fiber cleaver. Don’t use the cleaver more than once to score the fiber, so that the fiber will not be broken by unexpected, additional notch.

Along the score, bend the fiber and the tongue of the cleaver together to break the fiber.

Use the scale on the cleaver for measuring the bare fiber to ensure that it is long enough, so that it can reach the fiber inside the connector and make the termination work finally.

Utilize alcohol wipes with at least 90% isopropyl alcohol content and lint-free material to clean the fiber.

Carefully insert the bare fiber into the connector and crimp the connector onto the buffer.

Notices: Please check and confirm the right types of connectors and their polishing styles before making the termination to avoid non-corresponding installation. Moreover, test periodically during the installation, rather than testing them all after the job is completed to eliminate the possibility of repeating the same errors throughout the installation.

Splicing to Terminate Fiber Optic Cables

When the fiber cable is too long or there are various fiber cables that needs to be mixed, the splicing is strongly recommended to do the fiber optic termination. For instance, splicing a 48-fiber cable and six 8-fiber cables together. Meanwhile, if a buried finer cable is accidentally severed, you are also suggested to use the splicing method to restore the fiber optic cable. The following will introduce the procedures of fusion splicing which may be useful for you to make a proper fiber optic termination.

Prepare the two fiber ends that need to be spliced together.

Strip the protective coating, jackets, tubes, strength members, etc, and only leave the bare fiber showing.

Clean the fiber cables and use score-and-break method to score the fibers, for the sake of proper splicing.

Properly align the cleaved end-faces of the two fibers, and then utilize an electrical arc to melt them. Hence, the two fiber ends can be permanently welded together.

Finally use the heat shrink tubing, silicone gel and mechanical crimp protector to protect the splice from outside elements and breakage.

Conclusion

From the mentioned above information, we can easily acquire two proper methods for fiber optic termination, using connectors and splicing, both of which are the useful and effective solutions to achieve smooth connections. Using these two methods to terminate fiber optic cables can protect the fibers from being damaged, avoid the excessive loss of light and keep a stable performance for your network.