Fiber Optic Cable: Storage & Handling Tips

The prevalence of fiber optic cable has become a trend which is embraced globally, since optical fiber offers unsurpassed advantages. Fiber optic cables are sensitive to excessive pulling, bending, twisting, crushing and other impact forces, for any such damage may alter the fiber property and may pose threats to its performance. So, optical cable should be stored and handled in an appropriate way. This article offers recommendations for proper storage and handling of fiber optic cable.

Fiber Optic Cable Storage

Fiber optic cable can be basically categorized into indoor fiber optic cable and outdoor fiber optic cable. Indoor cables are used exclusively within buildings whereas outdoor cables are employed in outside plant applications. Here are some factors to consider for indoor and outdoor storage.

Indoor Fiber Optic Cable Storage Recommendations

• Always keep the reel tag that comes with the cable. There is vital information on the tag which indicates the cable description, attenuation, bandwidth and cable length. All these are valid identification of the fiber optic cable for future traceability.
• Store fiber optic cable reels standing on both flanges, or held through center. Never store a cable reel sitting on one flange surface, which will result in possible future cable damage when unwinding.

• Once rewind the fiber optic cable to another reel, the diameter of the new reel shall be compatible with the minimum bending radius of the cable. And the original cable label details should be copied to the new reel.
• In no circumstances shall any indoor cable boxes or reels be stored outside or in a harsh environment. Instead, indoor cables should be stored in a dry and UV protected location, such as a room or container.
• Choose a site for storage with no risk of excessive humidity, falling objects, chemical spills (oil, grease,etc.) open flames or excessive heat. Elements like moisture and other contamination should also be considered when picking storage location.

Outdoor Fiber Optic Cable Storage Recommendations

Requirements listed below are applicable to both outdoor and indoor/outdoor fiber optic cables. Ends of the cables shall be sealed during storage.

• All fiber optic cable reels including part used should be stored upright. Always store the reel in areas with flat firm surfaces. And use appropriate devices to secure reels to prevent reel movement during storage.
• Avoid storage areas that are susceptible to flooding, or that could damage the cable, such as sharp, uneven terrain.
• When the cable reel is too heavy to lift manually, it must be moved upright by lifting the cable with a forklift or reel mover. Never drop a cable reel from any height during transportation or use.
• When unloading from a vehicle, use either the tail-lift / elevator (if fitted) or a suitable mechanical aid such as a forklift truck. Never let reels drop from the vehicle to the ground.

• Before de-reeling cable, the reel should be visually inspected for possible damage caused during storage.

Considerations for Handling Fiber Optic Cable

Fiber optic cable is prone to damages due to improper handling and such damages can degrade the cable performance. Therefore the following suggestions may be useful to handle fiber optic cable properly.

1. Store the cable drums in an upright position, resting it vertically on cable flange edge not in the horizontal position. The flanges of reels shall not be interleaved, and reels must not be lifted by their flanges.

2. The rolling of the drum in the direction of the arrow decreases the chance for the cable to loosen its wind on the drum. However, you should notice that when pulling the fiber optic cable off the drum to install the cable, the arrow will point in the opposite direction to the rotation of the drum. (see the picture below).

3. When moving or handling the drum by a forklift, one should operate it in a proper manner to avoid any damage to fiber optic cable. The fork should not have any direct contact with the cable jacket.

4. While removing fiber optic cable from the drum. It is essential to avoid any reverse bending or twisting that may ultimately deteriorate fiber performance.

5. Always grounding optical fiber in figure 8 configuration, which allows for pulling of cable in both directions from a central location. It is necessary to protect the figure 8 coil form passers by. The figure 8 coil should be at least 10M by 5M. So what if the longer cable is required to be unreeled? The overwhelming weight of the coil may damage the cable at the bottom. In this case, try to spread the cable out in several figure 8 coils.

Conclusion

Proper storage and handling of fiber optic cable help to decreas chances for accidental damages, yet increases longevity of fiber optic cable. This article simply offers a recommended guideline for optical fiber storage and handling, while it is always wise to consult a professional for your unique application.

Source: http://www.china-cable-suppliers.com/fiber-optic-cable-storage-handling.html

Server Rack Choice: How to Make the Right Decision?

Server rack functions to organize IT equipment (servers and network switches) into assembly order to make the most use of space and resources. Therefore, it can affect the availability, serviceability, flexibility and manageability of the data center to a large extent. In other words, your daily operation and maintenance rely heavily on your rack choice. Well, since not all the server racks are created equal, it is thus essential to choose the right one that matches your current needs as well as future network growth. Then, let’s see how to choose the right server rack.

What Is a Server Rack and Why We Need it?

A  server rack basically consists of two or four vertical mounting rails and the supporting framework required to keep the rails in place. Typically made of steel or aluminum, rails and framework are capable of holding hundreds or even thousands of pounds of equipment. For now, the vast majority of IT applications use 19-inch racks and equipment. As the width of which is always the same, the height and depth can be various.

Be it a data center, server room or even cabinet closet, racks are always needed to accommodate IT production equipment, such as servers, storage, network switches, routers, telecommunication hardware and other devices. Server rack is designed to hold all standard 19-inch rack-mountable equipment, as long as it isn’t too deep for the cabinet or too high to fit in the available rack spaces. Moreover, server rack also holds IT infrastructures and rack accessories that support the operation of the production equipment, including UPS systems, PDUs, cable managers, KVM switches, patch panels and shelves.

Common Server Rack Types Analysis

Generally, there are three types of server rack: open frame racks, rack enclosures and wall-mount racks.

Open frame racks are just open frames—with mounting rails but no sides or doors. This kind of rack is typically used for applications that do not need the rack to perform airflow control or provide physical security. Open frame racks are optimal for network wiring closet and distribution frame applications that have high-density cabling, due to they offer flexible access and lots of open space that facilitate cable management.

Rack enclosures are also referred to as rack cabinets, they have removable front and rear doors, removable side panels and four adjustable vertical mounting rails. The front and rear design of rack enclosures achieves ample airflow for any installed equipment. Rack enclosures provide an ideal alternative for applications which require heavier or hotter equipment. And they often include additional rails to mount accessories like vertical cable managers and PDUs. Nowadays, rack enclosures have gained in much popularity in data centers and server rooms.

Wall-mount racks just do what the name indicates—they can be attached to the wall. In this case, wall-mount racks can save floor space and fit in areas where other racks cannot. They can be open frame racks or enclosed cabinets. Wall-mount racks fail to support as much weight as their counterparts since they are basically smaller than those floor-standing ones. However, by adding rolling casters, they can also accommodate floor-standing applications.

What Should I Look for a Server Rack?

There exist a dazzling array of server rack options, in terms of different heights, sizes and styles. When selecting the server rack for your installation, here are some factors to consider:

AV vs. IT-based installations: the choice should better depend on the equipment being installed. IT racks are designed for use with traditional IT equipment in which the I/O and cabling is on the front of the rack. This makes easier troubleshooting and network monitoring. AV racks, however, are typically shallower in depth, enabling a cleaner installation by using equipment with rear facing I/O so that cabling is hidden in the back.

Airflow and cooling: these two factors are critical to the performance and longevity of the equipment installed in the server rack. Depending on the airflow condition of the place where the server rack will be located, you may need to increase the rack’s cooling capability. Fortunately, multiple cooling options are available now, but remember to consider the noise level tolerated.

Equipment width: with 19-inches being the traditional standard for rack mounted network hardware, some vendors make custom sizes for other types of equipment. Make sure to check what size of server rack your equipment requires.

Security options: while there might be a great amount of expensive equipment installed on the server rack, you have always to bear security in mind. A server rack that meets the security goal is thus essential. Locking cabinet and tinted door glass can help protecting your network from prying eyes and hands.

Conclusion

Although selecting the server rack may not sound like a big decision to make, your choice can actually affect the overall performance and operation of the network. The right type of server rack that meets your installation demand helps you improve power protection, cooling, cable management, and physical security. Taking the above factors into consideration and thinking thoroughly before making the choice.

Source: http://www.fiber-optic-solutions.com/server-rack-choice-right-decision.html