How to Reduce the Loss of Fiber Optic Cables

There are many factors can lead to the loss of fiber optic cables, how to reduce the loss in fiber transmission is the essential issue to be focused. There are mainly two kinds of transmission loss of fiber cables: the splice loss (e.g. intrinsic loss and connection loss) and the non-splice loss (e.g. bending loss and other construction loss). Meanwhile, the transmission loss is one of the important factors to determine the distance, stability and reliability of fiber transmission. 

1. Solutions for splice loss
(1) During the engineering design, construction and maintaining, make sure to adapt the high-quality cables with same properties as much as possible so that cables can match each other and reduce the loss to a minimum level.

(2) Related regulations and requirements should be strictly followed in construction 
Try to use the entire disc to configure (single disc ≥500 meters) in order to minimize the number of joints. Strictly according the plate number when laying cables and to decrease the loss to a minimum level.

(3) The connectivity should meet the requirements
Prohibit operating in dusty and humid environments, and the connecting parts should be keeping clean and dry. After cutting, the fiber cables can not be exposed to dusty and humid surroundings for a long time. When the temperature is too low to operate, necessary measures should be taken to warm up.

(4) Choose qualified connector as much as possible. Make sure that the insertion loss should lower than 0.3dB and the additional loss should be lower than 0.2dB.

(5) The connecting joints must have excellent patch and closed coupling so that can prevent the light leakage.

(6) Make sure the cleanliness of connector
The cleanliness of adapters and plugs, engine room and equipment should be noticed during construction and maintenance. Prevent the dirt and dust in adapters and plugs, and reduce the scattering loss.

2. Solutions for non-splice loss
(1) Choose the best route and methods to lay the fiber cables during design and construction.

(2) It’s crucial to select and form a qualified construction team to make the quality of construction. Any negligence may result the increased loss of fiber cables.

(3)Strengthen the protection work, especially lightning protection, electrical protection, anti- corrosion and anti mechanical damage.

(4) Do not use the heat-shrinkable tube with poor quality, especially the deformed tube. This kind of tube will generate thermal stress internally when operating, and increase the loss. Keep cleanliness of tube when carrying and storing tubes and prevent other objects into the casing.

(5)Strengthen the daily maintenance work and technical maintenance

Fiber to the home (FTTH) is an inevitable trend. With the development of fiber optic communication, face and solve problems caused by fiber loss can greatly improve and optimize its communication capacity.