When it comes to fiber optic cables, you’re looking at a lot of important data being transmitted across vast swaths of land and sea. And even though fiber optic cables are pretty sturdy, it’s important to keep them as protected as possible so they can do their job without interruption. Here are a few ways you can protect your fiber optic cables.
Invest in Good Cable Seals
Sealed fiber optics are some of the most well-guarded against environmental factors that would cause damage. This is particularly important for subsea fiber optics. Without high-pressure hermetic seals on these cables, the risk of damage becomes pretty high. Sealed fiber optics are immune to water damage and cable connectivity issues with the right cable seals attached to them. While this type of seal may not be necessary for indoor environments, anywhere where fiber optic cables are exposed to the elements requires the use of cable seals for protection. Whether it’s exposure to water and high pressure under the ocean or exposure to wind, sun, and even lightning on land, good cable seals are essential to protecting your fiber optics.
Avoid Pulling or Twisting Cables
When it comes to making sure your fiber optic cables stay in prime condition, it’s important to be mindful of how you handle them when they’re in need of maintenance. That means no pulling, twisting, or unnecessary bending. Compromising your fiber optic cables this way could result in damage that renders your cables useless if you’re not careful. Pulling on a fiber optic cable has the potential to cause an optical fiber within the cable to break. Worse, you might remove the cable sheath from your optical connector. If you’re dealing with sealed fiber optics, this is a recipe for disaster. When you’re handling fiber optic cables, make sure you’re handling them with care.
Working with sealed fiber optics means working with cables that get the job done. But before your cables can help you, it’s important to know how to protect them. These two tips are crucial when it comes to fiber optic cable care.