Fiber Questions

[TC10284]

I recently got a few rolls of fiber from an auction.
See pics:
http://home.earthlink.net/~tcurry1/images/DSCF2186.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~tcurry1/images/DSCF2187.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~tcurry1/images/DSCF2188.JPG

The specs on the cable are below. All cable has dual optical cores on each rolls, none are single cores.

The information on the plastic of the cable is:

Image - DSCF2186.JPG
Amp Incorporated Optical Fiber 62.5/125 LB Dulan E176377 Type ONFP 10/99
2404 meters

Image - DSCF2187.JPG
Amp Incorporated Optical Fiber 62.5/125 LB Dulan E176377 Type ONFP 10/99
1801 meters

Image - DSCF2188.JPG
Madison Cable Corp Optical Fiber 62.5/125 LB E176377 Type OFNR 8/98
4375 Meters (fiber cores are in separate plastic sheaths)


My questions:
I was hoping to learn how to terminate fiber (for myself and for future jobs) and use SC Duplex connectors on the cable because that?s what most devices I have.
Do you know where I could pick up a used/new terminating kit to learn how to do this?

The other question I had; I obviously won?t need about five miles of fiber for myself, is there anyone/anywhere I can sell the excess? I was thinking of eBay, but these spools are heavy for shipping as I?m sure you know. I could do local pickup or freight though.

Thanks for your time!

 

[ScottMac]

Well, first, nice score on the fiber!

As far as learning to terminate it, that gets a bit into the grey areas. There are ~ half dozen different ways (methods) to terminate, some have some commonality between the methods, some don't.

For example, some connectors (not relevent to the type of connector SC, LC, ST, etc) use epoxy to fix the fiber into the connector, some use cyanoacrylic glue (crazy glue), some use thermal compound, and some use physical restraint (cams or compression fitting).

So, some parts are the same, like stripping the fiber down to the glass, cleaning, {prep the connector according to the system}, insert the glass strand, wait for the fixative to work (~2 - 10 minutes depending), cleave the glass, polish{inspect}, polish{inspect} {repeat this part until the end is clean & shiney).

Once terminated, you should also be able to certify the strand ... a calibrated optical source and optical power meter.

Termination kits (new) provide all the tools for one type of system, though cyanoacrylic and epoxy systems are basically the same and use {usually} the same tools ... most kits will provide a fiber microscope to view the connector syrface. A typical epoxy/CA kit is ~US$750.00 - $2000.00, the AMP kit for thermal is ~US$1500.00 or so, the Unicam kit is ~US$1800.00.

Expendable kits (lapping film, bonding agent {epoxy, CA, whatever}, alcohol, piano wire, the stuff that gets used up ... kits (if necessary) are ~US$200 or so, depending.

Things like the CamLite or Unicam systems require special tools and connectors, but they eliminate the cleave & polish{inspect} steps ... which can be a huge time savings.

Connectors run ~US$5.00-25.00 each and except for one or two companies that make a compression-fit system (usually for a quick repair, then do the "real" repair off-hours, on schedule), the connectors cannot be re-used.

You can check with some of the local installation companies to see if they want your spare. Some will, I imagine ... some won't, because it's not a trusted source, and if the fiber is trashed (you need to do an end-to-end scope/OTDR to see if it's intact) there's nobody to sue.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[jlazzaro]

curious...how much did you pay at the auction and how much are these rolls retail?

 

[p0lar]

I was curious about that myself -- plan on building a new house soon and would like to roll fiber throughout rather than using those futureproof [sic] bundles.

Oh, and just FYI to the OP -- if you can get good and have your own tools for fiber termination/repair/testing&diag, there is a solid market almost anywhere (internationally too) and the rates that are charged are unholy.

 

[TC10284]

p0lar/jlazzaro - I think about $30 for all three spools. YES, I'd definitely want to terminate both ends to make sure none are broken. It could be why they were sold, but who knows. It could also be they sold them because the dates on them are October 99 and August 98 (I'm assuming that's what that means)
AND - I KNOW! That's one reason I'd like to learn how to end them. I am talking to some cabling guys that do fiber-ing that I did some computer work for a few months back. I'm hoping they will help me out and/or teach me.

ScottMac - wow - $750 - $2000 - Right now, all I'd like to learn how to put on would be SC ends for some Cisco and fiber NICs I have since I have not worked much with fiber.

 

[TC10284]

Well, as you can tell, I?m a newb when it comes to fiber cabling, but I?d REALLY like to learn how to terminate it. So I appreciate the help you have given me so far.

From doing a little more research on Google, I think what all I have is zipcord. I think they are just rated for desktop/rack mount applications.


For a fiber kit and connectors, as I mentioned, I?m a real newb when it comes to fiber. I'm not sure what kind of end to select other than "SC". Mostly what I want right now is to terminate each end of each spool with an SC connector to make sure there are no breaks in the fiber. After that, they would be used with some Cisco and fiber network cards (and/or sold). So I?m not real picky about any special application connectors. Would you recommend purchasing from a site such as www.fiberinstrumentsales.com?

I would really enjoy learning to end fiber with different connectors. I wouldn?t mind doing that for a job either (besides the computer side of things). I really wouldn?t mind being on the telecom side maintaining their servers, switches, routers, etc. and I think learning to work with fiber would really help with that. Do you any of you have any suggestions for this?

One again, I really appreciate all your help.

 

[ScottMac]

Regardless of whether you are using SC, ST, LC, mini-bnc, biconic, ESCON or any other simple connector (and I mean "simple" as in not a 24 pair screw-lock industrial / military connector), the basic process is the same ... it's only the assembly of the connector itself that changes.

You usually do not have to connectorize the ends to check the spool. Even for a long roll, you can usually clip the ends flat and shine a small (bright is good) flashlight on one end and look for the light at the other. If it passes this test, you don't have any *major* breaks.

The only way you'd know "fer sher" that it's good from end-to-end would be some fairly pricey test gear (an OTDR or calibrated source with a an optical power meter).

There are also some temporary / test connectors you can get to attach unterminated fiber to the test apparatus. They are not meant to be used for any kind of production.

I'll check out www.fiberinstrumentsales.com, thanks.

You should check out some of the websites for the manufacutrers of major termination systems (AMP, SEICOR, Avaya, 3M ...), some have video lessons available to show off their system. Some might even have classes available or promote training organizations that teach cable stuff.

You could always shoot for a job at a Telco or cable TV .... you'll splice & terminate until you can do it in your sleep.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[TC10284]

Where could I look to build a cheap terminating kit for just SC connectors at the moment?

I'll try to shine a light through the fiber and see if anything is broken. I'll have to dig out the other end though.

You could always shoot for a job at a Telco or cable TV .... you'll splice & terminate until you can do it in your sleep.

I would if there were any damn telco jobs in this area. I hate this place =(