Data cabling – choosing the right fibre optic solution
Making the right decisions when it comes to Data Network cabling can make a huge difference in the ability of your network to reliably support current, and future requirements. While copper cabling is still the best choice between the Server room and the PC, it is the interconnecting links between floors or buildings where Fibre Optic cable is the prefered option. Elam’s staff have a wealth of experience to guide you through the many options available and find the one that best suits your application.
Optical Fibre Cabling – The Backbone of any Structured Cabling Solution.
Optical fibre itself comes in many flavours. For long distance and high bandwidth applications the ultimate choice is Single mode fibre or OS1. With the upcoming 10G network, bandwidth over distance is critical and the traditional Multimode Fibre (62.5 µm OM1) is not suited. The new breed of Multimode fibre, 50 µm OM3, is a better solution for the ever increasing demand for bandwidth
Fibre Optic Cable is manufactured for both indoor and outdoor applications. Indoor cables are flexible, and tough, containing multiple Tight Buffered or Unit Cord fibres. These types of cables lend themselves to direct termination.
Optical fibre in outdoor applications requires more protection from water ingress, vermin, and other conditions encountered underground. Outdoor cables also need increased strength for greater pulling distances. Loose Tube fibre optic cable best meets these requirements.
Fibre Termination choices include fusion splicing of pre-terminated pigtails, or the direct termination of connectors. The pre-terminated pigtails are a length of fibre cord with your choice of optical connector factory terminated at one end. These pigtails are then fusion spliced in to the installed cable. Loose Tube cables should be fusion spliced.
Direct terminated connectors like the 3M Hotmelt are designed for termination of indoor cables. Popular connector types are ST, SC, and more recently the more compact LC.
Termination Enclosures, or Fibre Optic Breakout Trays (FOBOT) as they are sometimes referred to, house the fibre terminations and provide access for patching to your communications equipment or other cables. They are often given little attention by designers, and can subsequently be a source of irritation when it comes to termination and ongoing use. Care should be taken in selecting the right FOBOT for the application. (See Picture)
Verification Testing ensures the installation of the cable and the terminations have been carried out correctly. Simple light source / power meter tests give the end to end loss at selected wavelengths. However, it is the OTDR Tester that provides a graphical view of the loss versus distance of the fibre. By testing with an OTDR, any fusion splice or connector interface along the length of a fibre link can be inspected individually to ensure it meets specification.
Let the staff at Elam help you realize the best outcome for your network. Take advantage of their extensive range of equipment, installation and testing capabilities.
• Singlemode and multimode installations
• Indoor and Outdoor cabling
• Fusion splicing
• Direct Termination
• Optical Fibre testing
• All installations guaranteed and supported with written test results
• Elam has completed projects with 2000 terminations
25-Oct-2006