Optical Networking Best Practices Handbook

4.6. CARE, PRODUCTIVITY, AND CHOICES

Fiber-optic cables should be handled with care. They should be treated like glass and not be left on the floor to be stepped on [1].

4.6.1. Handle with Care

Rough treatment of fiber-optic cables could affect the diameter of the core, and cause great changes in dispersion. As a result, the transmission qualities could be dynamically affected. Although one may be used to making sharp bends in copper wire, fiber-optic cables should not be handled in such a manner. It should never be tightly bent or curved [1].

4.6.2. Utilization of Different Types of Connectors

Although in the past the utilization of different types of connectors has been a difficult part of setting up fiber-optic cables, this is not as big a hassle at this time. New technology has made the termination, patching of fiber, and installation of connectors much easier. Not only is the installation much easier, but also the terminating fiber is more durable and takes less time to install.

VF-45 connectors, which are fiber's version of RJ-45 connectors for copper, are used for patching and desktop connectivity. The durable connectors are suited for areas in which they typically could be kicked or ripped away accidentally from a wall socket [1].

4.6.3. Speed and Bandwidth

The speed of fiber optics is absolutely incredible. With today's fiber systems, the entire contents of a CD ROM can be transmitted in about half a second. Efforts are now underway to increase the bandwidth to 40 ...