Fibre Optic Cable Installation: How To Properly Install It
Installing Fibre Optic Cable
Fibre optic installation offers high-performance networking for your business. It delivers greater bandwidth capacity and less chance of the electromagnetic interference you receive with a copper cable.
The Network Installers specialize in various fibre optic cable installation services to deliver the speed and reliability of service your business depends on. We offer fiber optic fusion splicing and cable repair, as well as regular network audits to ensure the integrity of your fiber optic cables.
What Is Fibre Optic Installation?
Fibre optic installation involves fibre optic cable laying to deliver high-speed internet to a building. Much of the world’s internet connections are based on fibre optic cables running between cities and countries. However, fibre optic installation is also possible in residential and business districts.
Fibre Optic Network Installation
There are different types of fibre optic network installation, including:
- FTTP (fibre to the premises) – optical fibre is laid to your building. From here, optical network terminals convert the signal from optical to electrical.
- FTTB (fibre to the building or business) works as above.
- FTTC/N (fibre to the curb of the node) – fiber is laid to the node, but copper continues the fibre optic connection within the building.
- Direct fibre – this is recommended for small service areas where excellent bandwidth is required.
- Shared fiber – an Active Optical Network or Passive Optical Network splits a fiber into customer-specific optical fibers.
What is fiber optic installation?
Fiber Optic Installation Requirements
Fiber optic cables are laid outdoors or indoors, depending on your requirements. For outdoor fiber optic installation, fiber optic cable is often run in ducts or directly buried.
You may need fiber to run across a bridge, road, or waterway; in this scenario, fiber optic cables can withstand the elements as they rely on light beams rather than electric transmission.
For indoor fiber optic installation, fiber optic cable is often run through an existing conduit. You can also install indoor cables in plenum spaces, suspended from the ceiling, or placed in cable trays beneath a raised floor.
Whether ceiling or cable trays, you’ll need the experience of The Network Installers to develop a road map of your fiber optic installation.
Fiber optic installation requirement
What Is Fiber Optic Cable Used For?
Fiber optic cables are essential in the running of our day-to-day lives. We use them for:
- Internet and computer networking
- Telecommunications
- Cable TV
- Military and space applications
Fiber Optic Installation Best Practices
The Network Installers always follow best practices for a safe and efficient fiber optic cable installation. These include:
- Determining how much cable is required–remember you don’t want your cable pulled too tight.
- Building a port map to identify what each port connects to.
- Checking the cable’s pulling tension and loads and staying within these limits (part of safety procedures)
- Do not twist the cables, as this can damage the delicate fibers.
Fiber Optic Installation Methods
Two main methods of installing optical fiber cables are pulling and blowing. Cable blowing is often preferred, but pulling may be used as a backup. The Network Installers will conduct a site survey beforehand to decide the best approach for your installation.
How Fiber Optic Cable Works
A fiber optic cable is filled with strands of glass fibers within the insulated casing. Each strand is a similar thickness to a human hair, but at the core of each is a pathway for light to travel. The cable uses light pulses from lasers to carry communication signals from one destination to the next. You can choose between single-mode or multi-mode cables–the single-mode fiber requires a laser to generate light, whereas multi-mode cables rely on light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
How fiber optic cable works
Fiber Optic Cable Bend Radius
Bend radius should be a key feature of your cable management. This measurement determines how far a fiber optic cable can bend without causing damage to the glass fibers within. If the fibers become damaged, this can disrupt the transmission of light along the cable and negatively impact the quality of data transmission. Therefore, each cable has a minimum bend radius, determining how tightly you can bend it around furniture or within a server cabinet.
Fiber optic cable bend radius.
Fiber Optic Cable Blowing Procedure
One of the more efficient methods of installing fiber optic cable is to move it into place using a pressurized blowing system. This is far quicker than using cable pulling and offers faster installation process. A further benefit is less stress on the cable throughout the procedure.
Fiber optic cable blowing procedure
Fiber Optic Cable Color Code
Color codes are used in fiber optics to help installers identify components, including the outer jacket of the cable, the inner cable, and the connector. When the engineer must identify the correct connected fibers, they’re beneficial during fiber splicing. EIA/TIA-598 is the recognized fiber color-coding system used for this purpose.
Fiber Optic Installation Underground
Installing fiber optic cables underground is a standard method of installation. The cable is placed into ducts within an underground conduit. This protects the cables from environmental changes such as shifting rocks, rodent dens, or landscaping tools like shovels. If you need to replace the cables in the future, it’s straightforward to access them within the conduit and maintain or upgrade them as required.
Fiber Optic Installation Process
Fiber optic cables are usually installed using either a pulling or blowing technique. Cable pulling is used as part of the installation process. It is where the cable is pulled into place using a winch or other mechanical device.
Alternatively, you can install fiber cable by cable blowing- it uses compressed air to push the cable into place. The Network Installers can advise on the best installation process for your project.
Fiber Optic Cable Armored
Armored fiber optic cable is a type of cable designed to withstand harsh environments. The cable is encased in a steel or aluminum sheath and then covered in a polyethylene outer jacket. This protects it from physical damage and makes it more durable.
This type of fiber cable is often used in industrial or commercial applications with a risk of cable tampering. It can be installed in various ways- ducts, underground conduits, or aerial installations.
Fiber Optic Cable Diameter
The cable diameter is an essential factor to consider when choosing which type of cable to use. A multimode fiber cable’s outer diameter (OD) is measured from one side of the cable to the other.
The core diameter (CD) measures the glass fibers, while the cladding diameter (CCD) measures the material surrounding the glass fibers.
The larger the core diameter, the more light can be transmitted. Therefore, single-mode fiber has a much thinner core than multi-mode fibers.
The cladding diameter is also critical as it determines the amount of light reflected into the core. This is known as the reflectance coefficient. A low reflectance coefficient means less light is reflected and more is transmitted, resulting in a higher-quality signal.
Fiber Optic Cable Extender
A fiber optic cable extender is a device used to extend the length of a fiber optic cable. This is commonly used when you need to increase the fiber cable length, but using a standard fiber optic cable is not possible or practical.
Extenders can also be used in troubleshooting – for example, to repair a damaged cable or to connect two pieces of fiber optic cable.
Fiber optic installation process
Fiber Optic Cable Range
If you’re investing in fiber optic cabling, many single and multi-mode options are available. The single-mode fiber is OS2, while the multi-mode fibers range from OM1 to OM5 inclusive. Single-mode offers a longer distance than multi-mode but lacks the higher data rate provided by multi-mode fiber cabling.
Fiber optic cable range
Fiber Optic Cable Speed
One of the main benefits of fiber cable installation is the fast speed of transmission in comparison to copper wires. This is because fiber optic cables are made from glass or plastic, allowing light signals to be transmitted at high speeds. The transmission speed depends on the type of fiber, but you can expect speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s with multi-mode fiber.
Fiber optic cable speed
Fiber Optic Cable Types
There are a wide variety of optical fiber cables in the market. Our fiber optic installers routinely use some of the following brands:
- Cisco Meraki
- Aruba
- Rucks
Fiber optic cable types
How to Connect Fiber Optic Cable
Fiber optic cables are typically connected using either a splice or a connector. A fusion splicer is used wherein two pieces of fiber optic cable are joined together using either a mechanical or fusion splice. A connector is a fiber optic cable joined to another device, such as a switch or router.
The most common connector type is the LC (Lucent Connector), which uses a push-pull mechanism to connect and disconnect the cable.
The Network Installers use professional technicians who ensure the end of the cable is clean and free from damage. If there is any dirt or debris on the end of the cable, it can cause signal loss. It’s also essential to ensure the fiber optic connection is secure and tight to prevent signal loss.
Once the fiber optic connection is made, the final step is to test it using an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) to ensure it works correctly. This device sends a light pulse down the fiber optic cable and measures the time it takes to reflect the light. This information can then be used to identify any problems with the cable or connection.
How to Terminate Fiber Optic Cable
Fiber optic cable termination involves connecting a fiber optic cable to a communication device or network – two main methods are used. Your engineers will use fiber splicing, where the two bare ends of the fiber are connected directly. The second method is to use connectors to create a temporary joint.
How to Fiber Optic Installation
For fiber optic cable installation, your engineers must install the fiber optic cable. The installation involves three main steps: running, connecting, and terminating the cable.
After determining your cable routes, the cable is run by pulling it through an existing conduit or trenching. Connecting the cable involves using either a splice or a connector; terminating the cable is connecting it to a communication device or data network.
Once the fiber optic cable is installed, your engineers must test the connection to ensure it works correctly. This is achieved using an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR).