What type of fiber optic cable should I use?

[TazExprez]

I will be installing fiber optic cables in my house soon and would like to know which type to use. I would like it terminated and will be running it partly inside the wall but mostly outside the house. What kind can I use and what type of connector should I get it with? I am thinking of either SC or ST. I only need about 20-25 feet. I would like to put wall jacks at both ends of the the cable. Then I will be putting fiber-to-copper converters at both ends. I wonder if there are ways to run a single fiber cable, or if it is recommended to run a pair? I was thinking of getting these cables and two of these fiber-to-copper converters. What do you think? Thank you for any help.

 

[netsysadmin]

Why are you running fiber and not copper?

John

 

[ScottMac]

Assuming the distance is less than 2 kilometers, I'd recomend Multi-mode fiber, 50/125.

You should pull at least four-strand and terminate all ends (so you have backup media).

You DO NOT want to use jumper cordage (looks like lamp power cord) ... there is a type of fiber made for infrastructure runs, which is a round cable, and includes both a kevlar (or spectra) bundle (reduces the chance of stretching) and another stiff plastic member to reduce the chance of exceeding the minimum bend radius (MBR) and breaking the glass.

If this is for direct burial, then you need direct-burial fiber (sealed jacketing with moisture-displacing gel inside). You may also want to look into "G" rated (G is for Gopher resistant).

If it's going into conduit, it's less critical, but direct burial is still a good choice in case water manages to infiltrate the pipe.

You can use a variety of connectors, SC is probably your best bet (ST or ST-Type are still curently more common, but SC will get you from Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet -- adapters for fiber-to-copper are availabel for both with no real difference in cost).

You will not be able to terminate the fiber yourself. It requires special tools and a certain amount of experience and talent. Fiber connectors are generally a one-shot attempt, and cost anywhere from US$5.00 to $15.00 each.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[TazExprez]

I am running fiber because I've been told that copper attracts lightning in an outdoor environment. I am going to be running cat 6 indoors this week. I want to run fiber in the next couple of weeks in order to connect my basement PC with my router through a wired port, instead of the wireless connection.

 

[netsysadmin]

Sorry I guess I missed the outside part. Is there a reason you cannot run copper to the basement without going outside?

John

 

[TazExprez]

Thanks a lot for your help guys. I will not be burying the cable. This cable will be exposed to the air and attached to a bundle with my CATV coaxial cables. I have six TV's with cable boxes. Will these wires interfere with the optical signal? Also, I live in Yonkers, NY. We have snow, cold temperatures, and sometimes pretty hot temperatures. Btw, my CATV wires are exposed for about 10 feet, but the rest are underneath the outside panels. I've never had any problems with these cables. I would like outdoor optical cables that will have a similar resistance. I will look into the ones that you recommended. I wonder if you have a link to these cables? Thanks again.

 

[TazExprez]

Originally posted by: netsysadmin
Sorry I guess I missed the outside part. Is there a reason you cannot run copper to the basement without going outside?

John

It would be much easier to do it through the outside. Also, I don't want to see any more wires hanging inside the house. If I would run the wires outside, they would be right next to the CATV wires in a bundle.

 

[netsysadmin]

Why not run them through the wall? If you cant do that yourself run copper and use the money you saved by not buying the fiber converters and hire an installer. I am not one for running cables outside unless it is going to another building.

John

 

[skyking]

I am wondering, for a 10' run up an outside wall, would steel conduit over cat5 work? If it is right alongside the house and in a grounded steel conduit, I would think it would be sufficiently protected under any circumstance save a direct strike. If that happened, all bets are off inside the house anyway.
I am not saying this is for sure a solution, just putting it out there.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: TazExprez
I am running fiber because I've been told that copper attracts lightning in an outdoor environment. I am going to be running cat 6 indoors this week. I want to run fiber in the next couple of weeks in order to connect my basement PC with my router through a wired port, instead of the wireless connection.

Doesn't Coax cable have copper in it? I don't a 10 foot run of Cat5 is going to make the difference between a lightning strike and not getting hit. Ever watch mythbusters on discovery? Excessive body jewlery has no effect, why would an insulated cat5 cable? This is all imho, for what it's worth

 

[ScottMac]

More common than lightning is static buildup. When it's dry and the wind is blowing, the cable builds up a static charge that'll blow you halfway to Kansas (unless you're aready in Kansas, then it'll blow you to Timbuktoo!).

ANY copper with outdoor exposure needs "entrance protection" at each end to drain static and (hopefully) shunt some / most / all of the energy from a direct or near lightning strike (or even the possibility of a fallen power wire).

There is only one Category-rated entrance protector that I'm aware of, made by Avaya. They cost ~US$100.00 each. For shorts runs, you can get fiber and do it right for nearly the same cash.

Outdoor = fiber. Copper (especially for an installer that doesn't know all the rules) is a Bad Thing outdoors.


FWIW

Scott