Fiber optics 2-3

1. FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATIONS
Whether the installation is outside plant or premises
it is very important to the installer of fiber optic
cabling systems to remember the following:

2. FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATIONS
Outside plant installations are all singlemode fiber, and
cables often have very high fiber counts. Cable
designs are optimized for resisting moisture and
rodent damage. Installation requires special pullers
or plows, and even trailers to carry giant spools of
cable.
Long distances mean cables are spliced together,
since cables are not made longer than about 4 km
(2.5 miles), and most splices are by fusion splicing.
Connectors (SC, ST or FC styles) on factory made
pigtails are spliced onto the end of the cable. After
installation, every fiber and every splice is tested
with an OTDR. The installer usually has a
temperature controlled van or trailer for splicing
and/or a bucket truck. Investments in fusion splicers
and OTDRs can add up to over $100,000 alone.

3. FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATIONS
Premises cabling is mostly multimode in short lengths,
rarely longer than a few hundred feet, with 2 to 48
fibers per cable typically. Some users install hybrid
cable with both multimode and singlemode fibers.
Splicing is practically unknown in premises
applications. Most connectors are SC or ST style.
Termination is by installing connectors directly on the
ends of the fibers, primarily using adhesive
technology. Testing is done my a source and meter,
but every installer has a flashlight type tracer to
check fiber continuity and connection.
Unlike the outside plant technician, the premises cabler
(who is often also installing the power cable and Cat 5
for LANs too!) probably has an investment of less
than $2,000 in tools and test equipment.

4. FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATIONS –
OUTSIDE PLANT
Outside plant installations require more hardware (and more
investment in the tools and test equipment.) Pullers, splicers,
OTDRs and even splicing vans are the tools of the trade for OSP
contractors.

5. FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATIONS -
PREMISES
Premises applications usually mean lots of cables -
both copper and fiber - terminated in telecom rooms.

6. FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATIONS -
PREMISES
Premises installers need only a termination kit for attaching
connectors and a simple test kit for their installations. Working in
crowded telecom closets or communications rooms is the norm.

7. FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATIONS -
PREMISES
Premises installers need only a termination kit for attaching
connectors and a simple test kit for their installations. Working in
crowded telecom closets or communications rooms is the norm.