Incorrect installation can lead to necessary fiber optic cable repair soon after.
Fiber optic cables have become increasingly popular and widespread due to their reliability and fast data transmission. Fiber optic cables can generally last a long time, but there are still some issues that may arise. Give your fiber optic cables regular inspections to determine if any of these issues are present; if they are, a fiber optic cable repair is required.
Broken Fiber Optic Cables
Fiber optic cables can accidentally break as they are being installed if they are bent excessively. Fiber cables can also sustain damage if they’re tampered with when they’re in the ground or installed in a building. If your cables are broken, bent, or tampered with somehow, they will need to be replaced rather than repaired to return your system to optimum performance levels.
Stretched-Out Fiber Optic Cables
A fiber optic cable repair is necessary if your cables have been stretched during installation to make them fit. If the cables are stretched too much, it can damage components inside the cables. If the core or cladding diameters of the fiber are altered, the fiber performance will be compromised. Installers can avoid this happening by using the right size fiber optic cables during the installation, using factory-installed pulling eyes when possible and pulling using the cable’s strength member.
Tight Bends in the Fiber Optic Cables
During installation, installers are supposed to avoid bending the fiber in a radius less than 20 x the Outside Diameter. This minimum bend radius can be eased to 10 x the diameter after the cable has been installed. Exceeding the minimum bend radius will allow light to escape the fiber sheath, causing a loss of signal strength. This is usually caused by faulty pathway design, and the only correction is to re-install fiber in a correctly-installed pathway. Unless the fiber is broken, the cable will generally correct itself once the tight bend is eliminated.
Bad Connectors on Fiber Cables
There are a variety of connectors that can be used to join two fiber optic cables together. You must use the right connectors based on the type of cables you are using. The correct connector will fit properly and create no interruptions in the fiber optic network connection. New connectors can be added to a fiber optic network if the previous connectors are not working. Dirty connectors on the cables and the fiber patch cords can be the source of network failures.
Get in Touch with FiberPlus
FiberPlus has been providing data communication solutions for over 25 years in the Mid Atlantic Region for a number of different markets. What began as a cable installation company for Local Area Networks has grown into a leading provider of innovative technology solutions improving the way our customers communicate and keeping them secure. Our solutions now include:
- Structured Cabling (Fiberoptic, Copper and Coax for inside and outside plant networks)
- Electronic Security Systems (Access Control & CCTV Solutions)
- Wireless Access Point installations
- Public Safety DAS – Emergency Call Stations
- Audio/Video Services (Intercoms and Display Monitors)
- Support Services
- Specialty Systems
- Design/Build Services
FiberPlus promises the communities in which we serve that we will continue to expand and evolve as new technology is introduced within the telecommunications industry.
Have any questions? Interested in one of our services? Call FiberPlus today 800-394-3301, email us at info@fiberplusinc.com, or visit our contact page. Our offices are located in the Washington, DC metro area and Richmond, VA. In Pennsylvania, please call Pennsylvania Networks, Inc. at 814-259-3999.
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