What are Fiber Cable Performance Killers?

So, you’ve decided to shun the Dark Fiber side of the force and revamp your data center’s fiber cable. Well done.  Now, fiber optic cables are a bit more fragile than their conventional coaxial predecessors, and are more susceptible to damage and power loss.

Damaged fiber optic cables can spell disaster for your data center, so be sure you know how to avoid these top killers of fiber cable performance.

Dirty lenses:

Fiber optic cables have glass or plastic lenses at each end. If these become scratched or smeared, it interferes with the digital signal. Even a small amount of dirt can lead to “jitter,” resulting in a jumpy signal and an increase in error correction on the receiving end. If the lenses get dirty enough, the cable may be completely unable to transmit a signal. Invest in a fiber optic cleaning system to keep lenses clear, and avoid handling them improperly.

Outdoor Single Mode Figure 8 Aerial Hybrid Cable

Poor storage:

Fiber optic cables can last for a long time without degrading, but they must not be bent, tangled, or kinked.  It takes finesse to store fiber optic cables properly. Wrap them in a loose coil and avoid securing them with too-tight zip ties that can damage the delicate fibers inside. Keep extra cables loosely coiled in a storage unit that protects them from damage.

Power (dB) loss:

Some power loss between the send and receiver of a signal along a fiber optic cable is to be expected, but if that power loss exceeds acceptable limits, it can degrade signals to a point that data center efficiency and productivity are compromised. Regular testing of fiber optic cables and their connections can help detect power loss problems. Plus, ensuring cables stay clean and in good condition can help avoid power loss in the first place.

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