Working with Fiber-Optic Cable

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Electrical Construction and Maintenance

David Herres

By David Herres, Master Electrician

Tue, 2012-12-18 12:31

Many electricians have broadened their work model in recent years to include coaxial and Ethernet wiring for
communications and data networks. This is usually seen as a good move, given the fact that additional revenue
streams become available without excessive overhead or investment during uncertain economic times. The
reasons for pursuing low-voltage work are compelling. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable is quite
user-friendly, and it is in high demand on residential and commercial local area network (LAN) installations.
Currently, Cat. 5e systems and beyond are adequate for network speeds most electricians encounter. However,
that will inevitably change in the near future (see SIDEBAR: Connectivity Trends).
Because of its obvious benefits, there are compelling reasons to go with optical fiber. So if you havent already
done so, its time to start accumulating knowledge and certification in this area.
A look inside optical
Although they involve some specialized skills, installation techniques are definitely doable for electricians with
this product. These will be discussed later on in the article, but first lets take a look at the basics of how optical
fiber works.
If youve ever
skipped a
stone across
a pond, you
can
understand
exactly what
is happening
inside an
optical fiber.
To avoid
penetrating
the surface
and sinking
to the
bottom, the
stone must
travel at a
fast pace
almost

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parallel to
the air/water
interface.
That way, its
inertia
carries the
stone along
with
sufficient
force (at a
small angle)
so as not to
break
through into
the other
medium.
This is what happens inside an optical fiber. The inner core that carries the light particles (or waves, depending
on how you want to think about them) has a higher index of refraction than the outer cladding. Consequently, the
light bounces from side to side, almost totally reflected so that little loss occurs. Very long distance transmission
is possible up to 100 miles as opposed to the 300-foot limit for UTP cabling.
An optical fiber is a special case of a waveguide a hollow tube that conveys various forms of radiation by
means of total internal reflection. The diameter of the waveguide must be of the same order of magnitude as the
wavelength of the energy conveyed. The waveguide for a radio telescope, carrying the output from the dish to the
receiver, is massive and best set with a crane. The waveguide connected to a TV satellite dish, on the other hand,
weighs only a couple of pounds. For still higher frequencies, a pair of tweezers is used to position a waveguide so
that it can be attached to a printed circuit board. Waveguides also carry sound. Most of us know that the song of
a whale can be heard at enormous distances. This is because thermal layers in the ocean form a huge waveguide
that is appropriate for the low frequencies that are conveyed.
At the other end of the scale, visible light contains wavelengths in the hundreds of nanometers, so some optical
fibers resemble a human hair. The two discrete types of optical fiber comprise single-mode and multi-mode.
Multi-mode optical fiber has a much larger core diameter than single-mode. Multi-mode fiber usually has up to
a 100-micrometer diameter. This is much larger than the wavelength of light being conveyed. Consequently,
multi-mode is easier to terminate. The problem is, because multi-mode carries light of various wavelengths
simultaneously and these signals travel at different rates distortion occurs if the cable length is too long. For
high-speed performance, multi-mode has a distance limit of around 1,000 feet. Because it has a larger aperture,
less expensive equipment is required at the terminations. For single-mode, lasers are used as the signal source,
while for multi-mode, LEDs often suffice. Other than size, the two types of optical fiber can be distinguished by
jacket color yellow for single-mode, orange for multi-mode, and aqua for multi-mode optimized for laser.

Application options
Optical fiber work falls into either of two categories. Premises installations are inside the building or short
(generally underground) runs between nearby buildings under single ownership. This work is done by
electricians who have decided to branch out into this upscale field or by technicians specializing in fiber optics
and low-voltage installation work. Utility-scale outdoor work is a totally different trade, performed by the
network providers with their own crews or sometimes by high-tech contractors. Premises work requires a small
initial investment in equipment. In addition to standard electricians tools (including conduit benders, hole saws,
fish tapes, long drill bits, etc.), essential items include a fiber-optic power meter (in conjunction with a test

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source and connector adapters), a flashlight-type source for visual tracing, and a specialized microscope for
inspecting terminations. For indoor work, splicing is not generally done, because the typical short runs can be
made of unbroken segments. The lower-tech multi-mode cable is used.
In contrast, outside fiber-optic work requires significant capitalization. To get started, youll need a
temperature-controlled van for making the fusion splices, a bucket truck, a trencher, a backhoe, and a flatbed
for hauling it. As for test equipment, the optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR), typically priced at less than
$5,000 for a good one with launch and receive cables, is needed.
The OTDR, which resembles the time-domain reflectometer that is used for copper network cabling, is
connected to either end of an optical fiber. It feeds in light pulses and receives/records any reflections due to
defects and anomalies anywhere along the line. To accurately set up the machine with proper cabling hookups,
perform the tests, and interpret the results, a large amount of training and experience is necessary. OTDR
readings are taken throughout manufacturing, warehousing, and shipping operations. The careful installer will
use this instrument to check cable integrity on the reel immediately prior to installation.
For long runs, the OTDR finds and reports the distance to a fault, so underground lines (often direct buried
without conduit) can be accessed at the fault without digging up the whole line. The OTDR does not work on
short segments, and is not used in most premises cabling work.
For outside work, fiber-optic cable is often spliced. This is because maximum reel lengths are under three miles,
and total runs are often much longer. Fusion splicing makes the best joint. Ends are scored, cleaved, polished,
and inspected, and then heated by means of an electric spark so that they melt and fuse.

Reaping the benefits

Optical fiber has several significant advantages over copper in terms of performance:
Optical fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and is never the cause of it. There is no
crosstalk, and it is ideal for noisy industrial environments with lots of motors and fluorescent ballasts.
There is complete electrical isolation between input and output.
For non-composite fiber, there is no danger of electric shock to installers or end-users.
Much greater bandwidth is available over long distances.
Fewer repeaters are needed to boost an attenuated signal.
Lightweight, small diameter means less labor to run the cable.
Price volatility of both media and a changing labor pool make a definitive cost comparison problematic. For long
runs with heavy data requirements, optical fiber has a clear advantage. No one in his right mind would lay a
transatlantic data cable in copper, for example, but UTP is the way to go for a two-computer LAN in a
residential setting.

NEC considerations
Fiber-optic installations are covered by the National Electrical Code (NEC). Your jurisdiction may not require
licensing for low-voltage and data cabling work. However, as part of the overall electrical installation, the
inspector will be looking at optical fiber for NEC compliance. You may wonder why this is necessary, since
non-composite fiber does not carry the kind of energy that could be a shock hazard or ignite combustible
material. The hazards addressed in 2011 NEC for the most part fall into two categories. Even though fire cannot

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be initiated by the energy that non-composite optical fiber conveys, these cables can contribute to propagation of
fire from some other source. Secondly, the jacket material of fiber-optic cable (once ignited) can contribute a
large amount of thick, choking smoke.
The NEC mitigates these hazards by requiring that abandoned fiber-optic cable be removed. This parallels an
identical requirement for low-voltage and communications cabling in general, as covered in their respective
Code articles. Interestingly enough, it does not apply to power and light wiring. Abandoned fiber-optic cable is
defined as that which is not terminated at equipment other than a connector and not identified for future use
with a tag.
Additionally, it is provided that access to electrical equipment is not to be denied by an accumulation of optical
fiber cables that prevents removal of panels, including suspended ceiling panels. This means that it is not
permitted to lay optical fiber cables directly on the suspended ceiling panels. They must be properly supported
and secured at a higher level. In addition, like all wiring, they may not be cable tied to the nearest convenient
conduit or raceway (frequently the practice), because this could add weight and impede heat dissipation.
A further set of requirements that seeks to confront these same problems is collectively known as the hierarchy
of cable types. Fiber-optic cable (like coax or UTP) jackets are made of various materials that differ in fire
propagation and smoke generation properties. The unfortunate fact is that the safer of these cable types is also
the more costly. Accordingly, they are rated for (and their use permitted in) selected areas, depending upon the
sensitivity of the location. These locations, starting with the most potentially hazardous, are:
Plenum, defined as spaces used for environmental air, excluding fabricated ducts. These do not include an
entire room that is part of a buildings air flow, but they do include the space above a suspended ceiling that is
used for environmental air.
Riser, defined as a vertical run penetrating one or more floors and a vertical run in a shaft.
General-purpose optical fiber is permitted in other than the above locations, including one- and two-family
dwellings.
Each of the locations requires that optical fiber cable for use therein be rated as suitable. The cable use can be
determined by the final letter in the marking. For example, OFNR denotes non-conductive riser-rated optical
fiber. The interesting fact is that the higher-rated cables are permitted to be substituted for cables listed for less
restrictive applications. Thus, plenum-rated cable can be used is riser locations, but riser-rated cable cannot be
used in a plenum area. (The same basic scheme is used for other low-voltage and communications cables, with
some variations.)
Other Code requirements that pertain to fiber-optic installations include grounding. Non-current-carrying
conductive components of the system, such as metallic armor, are to be grounded and bonded ultimately back to
the ground lug in the buildings service entrance enclosure and grounding electrode system. This may be
accomplished by means of the connector bonded to the upstream enclosure in the usual fashion. Any metallic
raceways or cable trays are to be similarly bonded and grounded.

Safety first
Optical fiber is generally considered a fairly non-hazardous medium, but some safety concerns do exist. Small
fragments of the fiber are very sharp much more so than broken window glass. Therefore, you need to protect
yourself and others.
First, always wear safety glasses with good side panels, and keep an extra pair on hand in case someone enters
the work area. Do not smoke, eat, or drink in the vicinity. Any cutting or other end preparation should be done

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over a black mat so that glass particles will be visible. Keep a small container handy to collect these fragments.
Later, seal up the container with duct tape, and dispose of it properly. Second, isopropyl alcohol, used for
cleaning terminations, is flammable and toxic, as are various adhesives and other chemicals you may use. Thus,
it is important to take appropriate action to prevent human exposure. In addition, when working in a trench or
with a bucket truck, beware of the specific hazards involved, and make sure you have the necessary training to
work safely.
As we have seen, fiber-optic cabling, especially within the premises, presents a bit of a learning curve, not unlike
electrical wiring in general. Although on-the-job experience is a key part of the picture, Internet and print
resources are of great value as well. An especially useful website is www.thefoa.org, maintained by the Fiber
Optic Association, a non-profit professional society. The site contains voluminous free educational material
leading to certification in the field.
Herres is a licensed master electrician in Stewartstown, N.H. He can be reached at
David@electriciansparadise.com.

With more people connecting to networks every day coupled with the greater demands being placed on those
networks because of graphics, music, streaming video, etc. existing cable eventually will lack sufficient
bandwidth to do the job.
Currently, Cat. 5e is used for most applications. The e means enhanced. After Cat. 6 was made available, it
was quickly replaced by Cat. 6a. The a means augmented.
Although much faster than Cat. 5e, Cat. 6 is much more expensive; thus, most applications stick with Cat 5e. Cat.
7 has also been developed, but it has not become generally accepted yet. All of these choices (beyond Cat. 5e) will
inevitably become moot as the price of optical fiber drops and simpler installation hardware becomes available.
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