Fiber optic systems are becoming more popular in vehicles because of their ability to handle large amounts of data and transfer it quickly. They are also lighter than traditional wires, which can help improve fuel economy and meet CAFE standards.
When a vehicle has a fiber cable installed, it’s important to take care of it properly so that signals aren’t compromised. That means making sure that the cable isn’t cut, kinked or bent in ways that will negatively impact the system. It’s also important to ensure that the length is kept as consistent as possible to avoid signal interference.
Before starting the installation, create a detailed plan for the job that includes equipment and supplies, testing requirements, data forms, personnel experience level and assignment, installation methods, identification of potential problem areas, safety issues and more. This will eliminate most problems that installers often face, which will save time and money and keep employees safe from injury.
Choose the Right Cable
It’s best to use single mode or multimode cable depending on what kind of signal you’re trying to transmit. Single mode cable has a smaller core that allows it to carry a smaller amount of data over a longer distance, while multimode is designed to carry more data but can suffer from signal quality issues over long distances.
Choose the Right Connectors
The type of connector you choose is also important. It’s important to choose connectors that are designed for fiber cables so that they minimize optical return loss – the loss of light signals between the two ends of the cable due to repeated mating. You should also look for ferrules with a slightly rounded end face, as this reduces the size of the area where mating can damage the connector’s ferrule.
If you’re using metal terminals to splice the ends of the cable together, make sure that you strip off a little bit of the outer coating of each piece before crimping them. This will help the terminals splice onto the ends of the cable more securely and prevent them from pulling out later on.
Ensure that you use the proper tools when connecting fiber optic cables. If you use a tool that doesn’t work with the fiber, the cable will be damaged and you may not be able to fix it. For example, a wire cutter will squeeze the ends of the fibers and distort the signals, which can affect how the cable works.
Never pull on the fiber itself directly! Instead, use a puller that has tension control or a breakaway pulling eye. Always be sure to follow the cable’s minimum bend radius, which is specified in the product specification.
Place the cable in the duct or conduit according to its bend radius, but don’t twist it at all! Twisting can stress the fiber and cause it to break. Rather, divide the length of cable into several shorter pulls to allow the bend radius to remain in check and to keep it from twisting at the point where it’s pulled into the next section.