Expert opinions vary, but many agree that up to 75% of all fiber network problems are caused by contamination of patch cords, adapters, alignment sleeves or transceivers. Dirty endface connectors in particular are a real hazard to modern fiber-optic networks. The higher the light frequency in a network, the greater its sensitivity to contamination. This means that faster 5G networks, which need every milliwatt of power to function flawlessly, are more vulnerable to contamination.
Pearson Technologies recently updated three Fiber-To-The-Home/Passive Optical Network (FTTH/PON) hands-on training programs. One is an installation program, another a design program, and the third is a combination of design and installation. “Since the principles for design and installation of both FTTH/PON and optical LANs are similar, these programs develop the knowledge, skills and abilities (SKAs) for both,” Pearson Technologies said when announcing the updates.
The performance of a fiber optic system depends heavily on the cleanliness of the interfaces. Dirt particles, grease, dust, etc. can have a highly negative impact on the transmission characteristics. They can actually destroy a fiber optic connection depending on the circumstances. If the connector is plugged in without first being tested, it could well be too late. The high pressure in the connection means that particles are immediately pressed in and this causes irreversible damage. This is why it is becoming increasingly important to test all connectors and adapters, and, if necessary, to clean them before they are mated – even new products that have just come out of the packing.
Equipment cords are an integral part of any network—whether it’s a fiber jumper used to make connections between fiber patching areas and switches in the data center or a copper patch cord out in the LAN to connect end devices to the work area outlet. Unfortunately, they are also typically the weakest link in the network. They are handled and manipulated more than any other component, which makes them more subject to damage. They are also often considered a commodity item and some end users will seek to save money by purchasing them from lesser-known generic sources that may skimp on quality and compliance.
Read this interview with Doug Moore, Chairman of TIA’s Board of Directors and CEO of Fujitsu Network Communications. Moore explores the issues currently facing the ICT industry as the world begins to emerge after more than a year under work-from-home and social distancing advisory orders and discusses the challenges and opportunities lie ahead for our industry.
The need to connect data center facilities to one another, frequently referred to as data center interconnect (DCI), has been a primary driver for optical-fiber and fiber- optic cable manufacturers to develop products containing thousands of fibers. We refer to cables with 1728 or more fibers as ultra-high-density cables, and this article examines those products.
Platinum Tools has launched a Fiber Optic Cleaner product line. The pen-style cleaners work with virtually all common fiber-optic sizes and connector types, allowing you to clean connectors and ports for the best possible optical performance. The two sizes have color-coded tips for easy identification, so all you need to do is push to effortlessly clean fiber ports or connectors.
A new standard for single pair Ethernet (SPE) is gathering speed with multiple companies joining the SPE industrial partner network to avoid making the same mistakes as the past with proprietary connector systems.
This on-demand webinar discusses the importance of inspecting and cleaning the connector end-faces, the approval/rejection criteria defined by the standards, as well as methods to maintain clean connectors.
CommScope’s Jim Young explains how data centers are responding to the challenges of densification and campus architecture as we move toward 400G.
