Fiber optics deliver information to your home through a cable that is either strung up on an aerial power pole or buried underground. These cables are much faster than the copper wires that have been used for decades to deliver Internet service, which makes them an ideal choice for high-speed connections.
The process of connecting fiber to your home is referred to as FTTH (fiber to the home) and is currently being deployed by many internet service providers in the United States. It involves a specialist fiber installer and “truck roll” being dispatched to the home for service connection and placement of new equipment.
Once the installation has been completed, your Internet router will connect to your new network via Ethernet. This allows you to use your favorite devices without worrying about lag or slow speeds.
When you order your FTTH plan, the technician will schedule an appointment to install a small utility box called an optical network terminal (ONT) at the side of your home. Once the ONT has been installed, your technician will run a cable from this box to a nearby equipment box that will then connect to your home’s router through an Ethernet connection.
Your technician will also install a “wall box” or termination enclosure at the side of your home near your main electrical panel. This wall box creates a demarcation point between the provider’s fiber network and your home.
The wall box encases the fiber cable in a riser pipe or conduit. Eventually, the fiber network terminal will be placed in this wall box as well.
Before you start to install your fiber cabling, make sure that all the equipment and tools are on hand. In addition, have the right type of lubricant on hand to properly install your cabling in conduits and pull boxes. The proper lubricant will reduce the pulling load and help keep your cable from breaking.
After installing the cable, test it to ensure that it meets your specifications. This includes checking the insertion loss, the amount of attenuation it produces, and OTDR (optical time-domain reflectometer) readings. It is important to have these measurements available when troubleshooting your installation and maintaining your network.
You should also mark the cable as “fiber optic” in all locations in which it can be reached. This will alert electricians that this is a specific type of cable and will help reduce the likelihood of accidents or other safety issues.
Lastly, make sure to record all of the required details of your project, including route drawings and other pertinent information. This will help you avoid rework and future problems during your installation and maintenance efforts.
The most important part of any fiber installation is ensuring that it is done correctly. This will save you money, headaches, and potentially damaged equipment in the future. It will also ensure that your fiber internet service is as fast and reliable as possible. So, before you start to think about connecting your home with fiber optics, be sure to ask your provider for a quote and do your research.