10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

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2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

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5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D

10/7/2009

1

Network Cabling IlluminatedChapter 7

Fiber-Optic Media

Learning Objectives

• After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand fiber-optic cabling and how it differs from coppercabling

• Understand the theory behind fiber-optic media

• Understand how fiber-optic cables are manufactured

• Discuss enclosures and patch panels

• Identify fiber-optic cabling connector types

• Understand the increased bandwidth capacity of fiber-opticcabling

• Understand the advantages fiber-optic cabling provides overcopper cabling

Network Cabling Illuminated 2

Fiber-Optic Cable

• In recent years, fiber-optic cabling has beenreplacing copper cable as the media of choicefor backbone network connectivity for severalreasons. Fiber-optic cable has an expandedbandwidth capacity to reach longer distances,and it resists outside interferences such aselectromagnetic noise.

Network Cabling Illuminated 3

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• Fiber-optic cable is made up of three maincomponents

– The core

– The cladding

– The protective buffer coating

Network Cabling Illuminated 4

10/7/2009

2

Fiber-Optic Cable Basics

• In some cases, the protective buffer coating issupported by a layer of Kevlar fibers to make thecable stronger while it is being pulled

• To minimize distortion in the data signal, it isnecessary to use glass that is extremely pure

• When the feasibility of using fiber-optic cable totransmit data was first discussed, it was decided thatin order to be usable, the cable would have to bepure enough to retain 1% of the original signalstrength over a distance of 1 kilometer

Network Cabling Illuminated 5

Refraction and Reflection

• Light changes speed as it moves between dissimilarelements

• Refraction is light bending at the junction of twodissimilar elements as it changes speed

• Each element has a refractive index, or the amountof refraction that it allows to take place

• Reflection is light bouncing at the junction of twodissimilar elements

Network Cabling Illuminated 6

Refraction and Reflection

• Fiber-optic cable uses these principals ofreflection and refraction to transmit data.Light waves are guided down the core of thefiber-optic cable by being reflectedthroughout the length of the cable. Thedifference in the refractive index of the mediabetween the core and cladding determine thecable’s ability to reflect light.

Network Cabling Illuminated 7

Refraction and Reflection

• Controlling the angle at which the lightreflects down the length of the core makes itpossible to control how efficiently the lightpulses will reach the receiving end

Network Cabling Illuminated 8

10/7/2009

3

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Predominantly LEDs or laser diodes (LDs),although some are vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs)

• Lasers transmit at a significantly higher powerrange than do LEDs, so in long-distance fiber-optic systems, lasers are the transmitter ofchoice

Network Cabling Illuminated 9

Fiber-Optic Transmitters

• Never look directly into a fiber-optic cable that is connected to alaser. Serious eye injury canoccur. If you are not sure if it islaser or LED, don’t take anychances

Network Cabling Illuminated 10

Optical Receivers

• Fiber-optic receivers perform two functions:

they must receive the light waves from the

transmitter and then convert them into

electrical signals

Network Cabling Illuminated 11

Fiber-Optic Transmission

• The light travels down the length of the fiber-optic cable by continuously reflecting backfrom the junction of the core and claddingusing the principals of reflection andrefraction

Network Cabling Illuminated 12

10/7/2009

4

Fiber-Optic Transmission• Attenuation

– loss of light as measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km)

• Dispersion

– As light waves travel away from their source, they fan outor disperse

• Bandwidth

• Multiplexing

– The two main types of multiplexing in common use aretime division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)

Network Cabling Illuminated 13

Types of Optical Fiber

• Multimode

– The core of a multimode cable is usually either 50or 62.5 microns in diameter, although 62.5microns is in more widespread use

• Single Mode

– The common diameter of a single-mode core is 8to 9 microns (remember, a human hair isapproximately 50 microns in diameter)

Network Cabling Illuminated 14

Enclosure Systems and PatchPanels

Network Cabling Illuminated 15

Fiber-Optic Connectors

• Several different types of connectors areavailable for fiber-optic patch cables, such asLC, FC, and MTRJ

• The two most common types of fiber-opticconnectors in use today are the ST-style andthe SC-style connector

Network Cabling Illuminated 16

10/7/2009

5

Security Considerations

• Security on fiber-optic cables is tighter than

that of copper cables. If a fiber-optic cable is

tapped into, it would break the core, which

would shut down the signal and render it

useless

Network Cabling Illuminated 17

Constructing Fiber-Optic Cabling

• One common misconception about glass fiber-

optic cable is that it is very fragile and weak. In

fact, the opposite is true. The high level of

purity of the glass that is used to manufacture

fiber-optic cable is what gives it its strength

Network Cabling Illuminated 18

Fiber Types

• Loose Tube

– Loose-tube cable consists of many individual strands offiber-optic cable encased in a protective sheath known as abuffer tube. Loose-tube cabling is usually found in outdoorfiber-optic installations

• Tight Buffered

– Tight-buffered cable consists of a single strand of fiber-optic cable enclosed in a 900-micron protective buffersheathing. Tight-buffered cable is generally used for indoorapplications

Network Cabling Illuminated 19

Common Cable Configurations

• Fiber-optic patch cables are available with ST–ST connectors (ST style on both ends), SC–SCconnectors, and SC–ST connectors (alsoknown as hybrids). Fiber-optic patch cablesare available in many different lengths. It is agood rule of thumb to use the shortest cablepossible to reduce the amount of slack in thecable

Network Cabling Illuminated 20

10/7/2009

6

Network Cabling Illuminated 21

Optical Fiber Connectors• SC Connector ST Connector

• To remember the difference between SC and STconnectors, think of SC as stick and click, and ST asstick and twist

Network Cabling Illuminated 22

Termination• It is not recommended that IT technicians try to

terminate fiber on your own because it is a difficultprocess. Unless you take a course such as:

– ET287B Introduction to Fiber Optic

• A simple mistake can ruin the costly fiber, thusrendering the materials useless because there is noway to turn back from most mistakes.

• Should you be faced with the necessity to terminate(or even splice) fiber cables, proceed with caution.Many difficulties can arise during the process, suchas the following

Network Cabling Illuminated 23

Termination

• End gap -A

• Concentricity – B

• Uneven ends – C

• Air gaps - D