Fiber-Optic Cabling Installation Best Practices – Part 2
As discussed in Part 1, business owners who are installing fiber-optic cabling will find the following guidelines helpful when they are working with the professionals who are handling their installation. Part 2 will continue discussing best practices for fiber-optic cabling installations.
Beware Copper Service Loops
If growth is anticipated, make allowance for the movement of patch panels within the cabinet by having service loops for both copper and fiber cabling. Inside typical server cabinets, copper trunk service loops rapidly become unmanageable as they are stiffer and thicker than fiber-optic trunking.
When bunched together, copper also tends to generate crosstalk, harming transmission performance. Minimize or eliminate service loops in small cabinets measuring less than two feet in width and four feet in depth.
Furcation Point Management
Only utilize zip ties on trunk furcation points, which have metal sleeves, when securing fiber trunk cables to cabinets, enclosures, or racks. Use Velcro for all other applications because using zip ties directly on the jacket of fiber-optic cables may break the fibers inside.
Handling, Inspection & Cleaning
Fiber-optic cables must be handled with care! No bending, kinking, pinching, or hard pulling should be done while installing them. Their protective caps should be left in place until just before installation.
An installer needs to use a fiber optic inspection microscope to inspect the ferrule (the fiber-optic glass end point). If necessary, clean the connector using a one-click cleaner. After cleaning, a second inspection should be performed prior to plugging in the cable.
Cable Management
During the installation of copper patch cords and fiber-optic jumper cables from the patch panel to the active ports within the same cabinet, best practice is to combine vertical and horizontal cable management for routing cables from the right side of the patch panel to right side active ports and the left side of the patch panel to left side active ports.
Post-Installation Testing & Reporting
The performance of data transmissions will be reliant on the quality of cabling. Factors include connecting hardware, cross-connect wiring, patch cords, the number of connections, and proper handling during installation and maintenance. Testing and reporting should be accurate and comprehensive, provide data, names of personnel, and the details of field test instruments.
Progressive Office Cabling
Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking cost-effective solutions. Working together, Progressive teams are committed to getting your data cabling, access control, and telecom systems installed and operating while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll free number (800) 614-4560 today.
