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Understanding Basic Terms in Indoor Fiber Optic Cable Installation
By Colin Yao
Fiber optic cables are exposed to electrical, mechanical, chemical and environmental
elements, so proper installation is critical for the long-term stability and survival of
fiber cables.
Cable installation must also meet the NEC(National Electric Code) and local building
codes. NEC indicates that fiber optic cables can be placed in the same raceway, cable tray
or enclosure with CATV, telephone, communication circuits and Class 2 and 3 remote control
signaling circuits.
Note that you should never put the fiber optic cable in the same enclosure that houses
electrical terminations.
What are conduits?
Conduit is a tube or trough for protecting electrical or communication wires and cables.
It may be a solid or flexible tube in which cables are run. They house and protect the
fiber optic cables as well as any other type of data or communication transmission line.
Underground conduits are also called ducts and consist of one or more conduits spaced
closely together. They are often buried directly in the ground in concrete casing. Duct
lines terminate in underground vaults called manholes. Conduits are made of fiber, PVC, PE
and other materials.
Above ground conduits are made of metal or nonmetal materials. They can be used in
exposed or concealed locations aboveground.
Characteristics of a good conduit installation
1.Good mechanical properties to withstand the forces imposed by cable installations
2.Observes fiber optic cables minimum bending radius
3.No sharp edges or bends touches the fiber optic cables throughout the route
4.Meets current and future expansion requirements
What are cable trays?
A cable tray is an assembly of units made of metal or other noncombustible materials
that form a continuous, rigid support for fiber cables. Cable trays are used throughout
the industry and they greatly simplify the installation of fiber optic cables.
Cable trays come in several different types including ladder type, trough type, channel
type and solid-bottom type.
Ladder type cable tray is a metal structure consisting of two longitudinal side rails
connected by individual transverse members. The transverse members provide the support for
fiber cables.
Trough type cable tray is also a metal structure. It consists of a ventilated bottom
and has closely spaced supports within integral or separate longitudinal side rails.
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