Fiber optic cables can be easily damaged if they are improperly handled or installed. It is imperative that certain procedures be followed in the handling of these cables to avoid damage and/or limiting their usefulness.

1. Fiber Optic Cable Installation and
Handling Instructions

2. Introduction
Fiber optic cables can be easily damaged if they are improperly
handled or installed. It is imperative that certain procedures be
followed in the handling of these cables to avoid damage and/or
limiting their usefulness.
• Do not exceed maximum cable lengths.
• Do not exceed minimum bend radius for a given cable type.

3. Overview
Avoid twisting cable Optical fibers require special care during
installation to ensure reliable operation. Installation guidelines
regarding minimum bend radius, tensile loads, twisting,
squeezing, or pinching of cable must be followed. Cable
connectors should be protected from contamination and
scratching at all times. The following are a few general comments
to consider when installing fiber optic cables are:
• Make sure you check the installation instructions of the
module for the appropriate cable lengths to ensure proper
operation.
• You may experience additional attenuation loss when using
bulkhead connectors to join cables even when the total length
is less than the maximum.

4. Fiber Optic Cable Pulling Techniques
On runs from 40m to 100m, use proper lubricants and make sure
they are compatible with the cable jacket.
On runs over 100m, use proper lubricants and pull from the
middle out to both ends. Installation methods for both wire cables
and optical fiber cables are similar. Just remember these rules:
• Never pull on the connector
• Use a pulling grip
• Monitor tension
• Always use a straight pull
• For a 40m or longer pull
• Use a swivel-pulling eye

5. Routing Fiber Optic Cables
Take care to properly route cables through cabinets and right
angle raceways.
• Install cables in raceways without loops.
• Protect cables from excessive or frequent bending.
• Use proper cable pulling techniques when routing cables.
• Attach cables with plastic clamps having large surface
areas.

6. Cleaning Techniques for Fiber Optic
Cables
• Cleaning Fiber Optic Transceivers
• Fiber-Optic Specifications

7. Cleaning Fiber Optic Transceivers
Proper cleaning of the fiber optic cable ends and transceivers is essential to
minimize system attenuation. Dirty fiber optic cables cross contaminate their
mating transceivers. Conversely a dirty transceiver contaminates its mating
fiber optic cable. There are a variety of ways to clean fiber optic components.
• Always choose an optical grade cleaner for these purposes.
• Use a wet wipe to loosen particles on the end of the cable connector using a
circular or straight wiping motion while using care to avoid wiping over
area of pad that has already been used.
• Do not use a back and forth scrubbing action.
• Always use a clean area of the swab for each connector.
• When in doubt use a fresh wipe.
• Follow up the wet wipe cleaning with a dry wipe to remove any residue.
• Use canned air to remove any lint from the cable end.

8. Fiber-Optic Specifications
What are the specifications of the fiber-optic cables Time-O-Matic ships with an LED
sign?
Watch fire Signs has used dual fiber-optic cables since June of 2005. Specifications on
the dual fiber are as follows:
• Plenum rated. Approved to be placed in plenum spaces of buildings. OFNP listed.
• Standard ST connectors
• Diameter - 62.5 microns
• Multi-mode
• Wavelength, for serial communications (Fiber Com box, CB) 820nm, For Ethernet
over Fiber 1310nm
• Minimum Bend Radii: 2.0" operation, 3.0" bend radius installation
• Pull Strength - 303 lbs. during installation; 90 lbs. during operation
• Entire Cable Diameter - 0.19"
• Glass core

9. Installation Standards
• The fiber-optic cable should be installed in 1 1/2" or larger PVC or
EMT conduit.
• The fiber-optic cable must be placed in weatherproof conduit for its
entire life-span. Exposure to sunlight will bleach the fiber and cause
loss of communication.
• Use caution when pulling the fiber through conduit containing large
power wires.
• Cleaning ST connectors: Use alcohol and a lint free cloth to clean
the ST connectors. Do not leave fingerprints on the glass fiber.
• Do not remove the pulling eye prior to installing fiber; this could
cause damage to the fiber and connectors.
• Do not fold or kink the fiber, this can cause the fiber to break.

10. Contact details
The LED Studio:
The Clarendon Centre
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 2TJ
UK
Website: http://www.theledstudio.co.uk
sales@theledstudio.co.uk
+44(0)203 617 1979

11. Social Media Channels
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-led-studio/
https://plus.google.com/+TheledstudioCoUk