Did you know that around 80% of long-distance communication in residential and commercial buildings is carried through fiber optic networks? If you are in the business of installing fiber optic to help make your client’s work easier, then this guide is for you. We have put together the top tips to make fiber optic installation easier.
Keep reading to learn some simple rules that should be followed before any fiber optic cable installation.
Take Care of the Cables
One of the top tips is to not bend or kink the fiber cables. When the fiber optic glass under the jacket is running straight it will perform best. Although sometimes you will have to bend the cables in order to reach their final destination make sure you follow the recommended bend radius for the brand of fiber optic cable you are using.
Sometimes you might even have to drill underneath the home or any commercial construction in order to properly have the fiber optic cables installed. In this case, make sure you use HDD equipment to ensure that the fiber optic cables remain as straight as possible.
End Face Contamination
Another tip is to avoid end-face contamination. The tip of the connector protrudes which makes it the most common area for damage to occur. It is best to always leave the protective caps on and do not remove them until you are about to plug in the equipment.
Before you plug anything in, we recommend inspecting the end face and cleaning it as needed.
No Mixing and Matching
It is best to not mix and match different core sizes. Thankfully, most companies that sell fiber optic cables add color-coded jackets to help avoid this problem. If the manufacturer you purchase your cables from does not color-code their cables then you might want to consider changing suppliers or ask them if this is something they are willing to change.
No Pinching
Never ever pinch the fiber optic cables. Doing so can lead to the glass being squeezed and it ruining the performance. Stay away from using velcro or zip-ties to tie any cables together because this can also pinch the cables and cause performance issues.
Be Careful When Pulling
While you are installing be mindful to not pull too hard on the cable or cables. If you ever find that the cable is too short to reach from point A to point B, never try to stretch it to make it work. Pulling fiber optic cables will more than likely lead to a break in the connector or the fiber optic cable.
Ready to Make Fiber Optic Installation Easier?
We hope that now that you have our top tips to make fiber optic installation easier, you can feel even more confident during your next install.
In case you need any assistance feel free to contact us!
