As part of your fiber optic technician training, always follow these tips:
- Always handle fiber optic cable with care so they won’t be scratched.
- Make sure that there are as few bends as possible to avoid damage and affecting performance.
- Always make sure that there is extra length allowance between the light source and termination point during maintenance.
- Cover any exposed fiber ends for side lit usage to improve intensity of light drive.
- Always keep the ends that are submerged in water sealed.
Protect the Cables From UV Radiation
Never put the fiber in any situation without protecting it from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Protection is required even inside establishments as long as the fiber will be subject to UV from lighting, windows, or anything that emits UV. UV rays will destroy the fiber and gravely affect its lifespan.
Do Not Bend
Never ever bend the fiber at hard right angles. It is not advised that you bend the fiber at more than 8x its diameter. Of course, it is possible for the fiber to be bent at very sharp angles but doing this will end up with a “lighting hot spot” and this will negatively affect the distance the fiber can illuminate.
Proximity of Illumination
High quality fiber optic cable can illuminate up to 263′. However, for a cable to illuminate 263′, a number of factors should be considered. Both the fiber and illuminator have crucial roles to play.
Fiber Orientation
The cable must be placed at the exact path where the light beam flows in order for the light to travel effectively. If the cable is misplaced at an angle to the beam of light produced by the source, it will not transmit as much light as a cable that is placed in the direct path of the beam of light coming from the light source.
How to Cut Fiber
Never cut the end of the cable without using a very sharp blade. A precise, clean cut is important since imperfect cuts result in light loss.
Colors
Some colors of the spectrum are transmitted and appear to our eyes to be more radiant than others; for example yellow appears to be much brighter than red to majority of people.
Be Careful of Scratching Fiber
Never drag the fiber around on rough floors because it will scratch or mar the surface and reduce the ability of the fiber to beam light.
Thermal Expansion May Affect Fiber
Whenever you install cables, be careful to make sure to allow for expansion and contractions especially at corners. If you don’t do this, the light transmission can be reduced and the fiber may be destroyed.
Be Careful of Liquids
Never put the ends of the fiber optic cable in any liquid such as water. The ends of the fiber must never come into contact with any liquid since fluids can transfer between the outside cladding and the fiber ending up with damage and reducing its capability in light transmission.
