Know What Can Potentially Damage Your Fiber Optic Networks?
Fiber optic networks are widespread owing to the vast array of benefits they offer. High speed of transmission, data security, immunity against electromagnetic and radio frequencies, etc are some of the benefits that contributed to the popularity and widespread use of fiber optic networks. However, durability is one of the overlooked advantages of these cables. The fiber optic networks offer a long life cycle. The life expectancy of fiber optics is generally estimated to be 30 years. In spite of their long shelf life, these fiber optic cables are susceptible to damage if exposed to certain damaging factors. In order to prevent damage to fiber cables and maintain the performance efficiency of the fiber optic networks, it is essential to know about the damaging factors. This post discusses different factors that can damage the fiber cables which eventually results in a reduction in the performance efficiency of fiber-based networks.
An Overview of Fiber
Optic Network and Its Deployment
In
fiber optic networks, various fiber optic devices are connected using fiber
optic cables. These cables transmit information in the form of optical pulses. In
these networks, the source device acts as a transmitter, and the recipient
device acts as a receiver. The transmission between the transmitters and
receivers takes place in the form of light via fiber optic cables. These
networks are immune to electromagnetic waves, radio frequencies, noise, etc and
therefore the data transmission remains uninterrupted as long as the fiber
cable is not damaged.
The fiber optic networks
are commonly deployed for the following applications.
·
Business communication networks
·
Security and surveillance networks
·
Wi-Fi Networks
·
Factory Automation Networks
·
Intelligent Traffic Monitoring Networks
·
VLAN
Often the deployment of fiber
optic networks involves fiber cable splicing, termination using fiber
connectors, and integration of media converters in case of hybrid networking
(Copper-Fiber).
However, if not deployed
effectively, the fiber optic cables are susceptible to cuts and damage. Let us
discuss different factors that can cause damage to fiber optic networks.
Factors that Can Damage
Fiber Optic Networks
Here
are the factors that can damage fiber optics cables.
1. Improper Deployment of Fiber Cables: Deployment
of fiber optic cables is a tedious task. It requires splicing or termination
using fiber connectors. In any of the deployment techniques i.e.; fiber
splicing or termination, the skilled workmanship and right apparatus must be
used. If not, the connection between two fiber cables may lack strength. This
may become a reason for the damage of fiber optic cables. If improperly spliced,
the fiber cables get tightened, the tension may lead to damage to the fiber.
This eventually results in data leakage or abrupt failure of the entire
fiber-based network.
The
repair and maintenance activities for fiber optic networks can also cause
damage to the cables if poor patching or splicing is done, cables are tensed,
etc.
2. Animals: Generally,
the fiber optic cables run over long distances. To avoid the interference of
these cables from public activities, they are often carried through underground
routes, under waterways, etc. In such situations, animals may cause damage to
these cables. In fact, in many cases, the cause of damage for fiber optics
cable has been reported to be animal bites. Rodents are known to cause cuts and
damages to fiber optic cables. Also, for underwater fiber cables, fish bites
are noticed as the cause of damage.
3. Weather Changes and Natural
Calamities: Although fiber cables are immune to minor
weather fluctuations like heavy rain, thunderstorm, etc, the damage due to some
natural calamities is inevitable. If harsh weather changes occur, or natural
disasters like floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc happen, the fiber cables
are exposed to serious damage. Natural disasters expose the fiber-based networks
through immense air pressure on the cables which can result in the detachment
of spliced joints. This can also cause cracks and cuts on the optical cable
shielding which can result in the escape of optical signals. In situations like
a flood, snowstorms, etc, the spliced joints may suffer water rush or frosting which
can damage the fiber cables.
4. Construction Equipment: Fiber
cables that run underground are always at the risk of damage due to
construction equipment like excavators, drills, dozers, and so on. This
equipment moves the earth beneath, which may carry these cables.
5. Vehicles: Fiber
cables for short-distance networks often do not run underground. They are
carried from pole to pole. If not properly shielded, they may get caught in a vehicle
that may cause damage to these vehicles.
Bonus
Man-Caused
Destruction: Man-caused destruction during vandalism
can be really damaging for the fiber optics networks. According to the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), several vandalism attacks have resulted in
power and Internet outage due to damaged fiber optic cables.
Now that the factors that
cause damage to the fiber networks are discussed, it is essential to find
efficient ways to deploy secured fiber networks. This can help in reducing data
loss, reduce preventive maintenance and repair costs, and enhancing the performance
of fiber networks in overall circumstances. Also, the quality of fiber optic cables
and fiber-compliant devices like optical connectors, fiber optic media converters, etc
plays an important role in the performance of fiber networks. It is always
recommended to invest in high-quality fiber cables and related devices that are
hard to damage even when exposed to the aforementioned damaging factors.
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