Fiber optic cables are usually quite durable, which means you won’t have to spend much time worrying about them breaking so long as they’re installed properly. Nevertheless, there are some common issues that can plague fiber optic cables and cause them to sustain damage if you’re not careful. Take a look at some of the issues you might face below.
Overstretching
You should never stretch fiber optic cables to try and get a little bit more length out of them. There are components located inside the cables that are delicate, and they can break if you overstretch the cables themselves. Rather than stretching cables that are too short, you should make sure you’re using cables that are long enough to go from point A to point B.
Splits, Scratches, and Other External Damage
The casing that wraps around fiber optic cables is designed to protect the fibers inside. It can withstand a certain degree of wear and tear without showing any signs of it. However, there will be times when the casing will split or scratch. That could prevent fiber optic cables from working properly. Cables should be examined from time to time to make sure no damage has been done to the casing.
Broken Fibers
At times, you won’t be able to spot the problem with the naked eye. For example, if the fibers inside of a cable are broken, it won’t be apparent when you simply look at the cable. A fiber optic tracer can be used to spot potential problems within a fiber optic cable, though. It’ll shine a light through the cable and indicate whether there are any broken fibers within it.
Are you dealing with one of these fiber optic cable issues, or do you suspect another issue might be to blame for problems with your cables? Connected Fiber can provide you with emergency fiber optic services and help you solve your issue. Call us at 910-443-0532 to get started.
