Category Archive: Fiber Optic Cables

Network Cabling Solutions

If you are looking for a reliable and competent network and cabling solutions provider, you have come to the right place. At Opticonx, we specialize in the assembly of standard and complex fiber optic cable, furcation tubing, cable assemblies, and connectivity solutions.

We understand the importance of dependable network infrastructure in today’s modern business world. We proudly offer our clients top-of-the-line network cabling solutions that meet your current and future needs.

Network Cabling Solutions

What is network cabling?

Using network cables, data is relayed from individual computers to larger networks in telecommunications. Cables of this type are sometimes external and can be plugged into Internet modems or grounded ports on computers. Having them as part of a more extensive infrastructure is also possible.

Cable networks connect computers, routers, switches, and storage area networks and transfer data and information between them. Data flows through these cables as a carrier or media. Communication between network devices is usually performed through network cabling.

Fiber optic cabling

Signals are transmitted as light waves or pulses over glass strands. Depending on the cable run length, fiber optic network cable solutions may be either single-mode or multimode. As a backbone cable run, fiber-optic cabling connects vertical buildings on campus and buildings for high-speed connections between networking devices in a wiring closet and connecting servers and workstations to high-speed networks.

A fiber optic cable is applicable for long-distance networks. This type of wiring is coated several times to keep it protected. Unlike other cables, it transmits light instead of electrical signals, making it an ideal cable for networks subject to much electrical interference. Large networks, like those used by big businesses, also use it to transmit information at high speeds.

Advantages of network cabling

With the right network cabling solutions, data transfer can be significantly accelerated, reducing costs, saving time, and improving productivity for the company.

Security: Wireless networking has progressed with security issues, but cables are still the most secure way to connect a network to a computer. Servers or workstations are connected with shielded network cables that other workstations cannot see. In addition, wireless networks send out signals that can be encrypted, but can be also easier for criminals to hack into.

Service: Static interference from electrical appliances and a reset router can affect a wireless network connection. Wireless networks are susceptible to interference, whereas network cables offer more reliable service.

Organization: Implementing an effective networking cabling system contributes to the design, organization, and maintenance of procedures within an organization.

Cost-effective: With network cabling, you can easily remove or reinstall it during frequent relocations, making it cost-efficient and very flexible

Flexible: It is also important to remember that network cabling can adapt to any changes in the networking or infrastructure without disrupting workflow and is suitable for data and voice transmission.

Our network cabling solutions

Here are the network cable management solutions that Opticonx can offer you:

Pre-terminated MTP® / MPO Solutions

MTP® and MPO cables use MPO connectors to connect components efficiently. We offer pre-terminated cables, allowing you to save even more time when installing them. MTP® fiber optic cable and MPO fiber optic cable are often used interchangeably, but they are not identical.

Despite being similar to all other MPO cables, MTP® cables offer certain features that generic connectors do not. MTPs are also more rugged and offer better performance than generic MPOs, although both can be used in the same applications.

Patch Panels

Various fiber optic patch panel cable management solutions are available to manage high-density structured cabling in multiple applications. Data centers must have reliable, scalable, and manageable cabling infrastructures, and the patch panel cable management solutions help resolve these issues and facilitate high-density data center cabling efficiency.

Splice Shelves/Tray/Cassettes

With our Xtreme+ Trunk, Splice, and Pigtail cassettes, you can create an end-to-end cabling system of Xtreme low-loss fusion spliced cables. We offer Xtreme+ cassettes with superior fiber protection, strain relief, fiber routing, and a transparent cover for easy fiber mapping and identification.

Installing them from the front or rear of the panel enclosure eliminates the need to dress out the panel enclosure and the associated risk of damaging individual fibers and connectors.

Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies

Fiber optic cable assemblies are composed of optical fibers, reinforcement strands, and connectors. Data is transmitted faster through fiber optic systems than copper wires, which rely on electrical pulse transmissions. We offer you different types of cable assemblies that can cater to all your wiring needs.

Pre-terminated Multi-Fiber Cables

Pre-terminated Multi-Fiber Cables from Opticonx provide exceptional value for various installations. A pre-connectorized fiber cable is well suited for LAN and campus deployments and large-scale Data Center and Hyperscale Data Center deployments.

Pulling Eye Kits

Pulling eye kits from Opticonx protects pre-terminated fiber optic cables during installation in conduits, ducts, or risers. PEK SERIES allows the installation of pre-connectorized multi-fiber cables with 2 to 24 fibers, saving time and money. Strain is relieved directly by the pulling eye attached to the cable’s outer jacket, while a protective sheath protects the terminations.

Therefore, the terminations are not under stress or strain during cable installation. Kits are available for installation in the field or factory-installed.

Fiber Optic Interconnect Cable

Optical-fiber interconnects cables can transmit significantly more information faster than traditional wire-based networks. Manufacturers of cable assemblies can benefit from Opticonx Fiber Optic Interconnect Cables. With single fiber and uniboot style cables and MTP®/MPO connectors, Opticonx has the UL-listed ONFR and OFNP cables to meet your most exacting requirements.

Fiber Optic Breakout Kits

Each breakout kit and assembly consists of housing at both ends. Fiber optic cable is received at one end by a retaining member, which attaches to the housing at the first end to hold exposed layers of fiber optic cable. During installation, a breakout head is installed at the second end of the housing and has holes for receiving furcation tubes, and a nut secures the breakout head inside.

Optical fibers from the fiber optic cable are inserted into the furcation tubes and held by the breakout head. The breakout head is prevented from rotating within the housing by having round sides on an outside surface and an inside surface that extends between the flat top and bottom surfaces.

In our fiber optic breakout kits, we offer secure housing for the exposed optical fibers and a firmer grip between connectors and optical fibers, which prevents the optical fibers from breaking.

Fiber Optic Field Assembly Connectors

The pre-polished, pre-assembled connectors can be installed with no epoxy or polishing required in under 2 minutes. Perfect for FTTx applications and other installations requiring fast, durable fiber connections. No electricity is needed to install it.

Fiber Optic Fusion Splice-On Connectors

Factory-terminated and polished fiber optic fusion splice-on connectors make fiber optic installation quick and easy. With a fusion splicer, these connectors eliminate the need for field termination and polishing.

Weatherproof Enclosures

Enclosures by Opticonx are designed to meet NEMA standards and are ideal for housing equipment requiring environmental protection. Enclosures can be mounted on walls or poles for outdoor (or indoor) applications and prewired (ready to connect) or pre-stubbed (any length). Typically, Opticonx enclosures have 12-24 fibers.

Harsh Environment Cables

With IP68 environmental sealing ratings, these rugged connectors are ideal for outdoor wireless applications. Available in LC, SC, and MPO format, they are based on IEC 61076-3-106 interface standards.

Custom Fiber Products

With decades of related industry experience, our management team is excited to use our expertise to put our knowledge to work for you. Opticonx Custom Fiber Solutions provides engineered product solutions for the most technical and demanding fiber optic applications.

Network cabling can be daunting, but with our team of experts by your side

Network cabling solutions are an important part of any business. Having a reliable and secure network is crucial to keep your data safe and ensuring that your employees can work productively.

At Opticonx, we understand the importance of having a dependable network and offer various services to meet your needs.

We are one of the top fiber optic cable manufacturers with our wide range of experience, so no matter what kind of business you own, we can help you get set up with the proper infrastructure. Contact us today to learn more about our network cabling solutions or to schedule a consultation.

The Basics of Fiber Optic Polarity

Polarity is the direction of flow in an electric current or a magnetic field. In fiber optics, polarity is the direction in which light signals travel through an optic cable. For the signal to flow, the transmit signal (Tx) must match the partnered receiver (Rx).

This guide will discuss fiber optics polarity in more detail, how polarity affects installation, and the fiber optic products available at Opticonx.

What is Fiber Optics Polarity?

As optic cables become increasingly popular for transmitting high-speed data, fiber numbers also increase, making their connections more complex. Thus, users should take the time to understand how fiber optics polarity works. Consider the following factors when determining a solution to a polarity problem:

  • General Fiber Polarity: Is the polarity straight, crossed, flipped, or other?
  • Gender: Are the paired male and female components properly connected?
  • Orientation: Is the orientation KeyUp-KeyUp or KeyUp-KeyDown?
  • End-Face Alignment: Is it straight or angled?

How Does Fiber Optics Polarity Affect the Installation of Fiber Optic Cables?

Black and white icon showing polarity concept
In duplex fibers, data transmission is bidirectional over two fibers: each fiber connects the transmitter on one end to the receiver on the other. The Tx should always connect to the Rx, no matter the number of cable segments or patch panel adapters in the circuit. The role of polarity is to maintain this connection, which is essential for data to flow.

These connections are relatively simple for duplex fibers, but multi-fiber push on connectors, or MPOs, are more complex. Some MPOs can contain eight, 12, or 24 fibers for LAN applications. There are three main deployment methods depending on the types of MPO cables.

Fiber Cable Products Available at Opticonx

Opticonx provides UL-listed ONFR and OFNP cables that meet the highest standards for any application, whether you require a single fiber or custom-manufactured cable. Here are the fiber optic cable types we carry.

2MM and 3MM Simplex

Our simplex cables use a 900um tight-buffered fiber encircled by aramid yarn strength attachments with a pliable flame-retardant riser. These cables are perfect for single fiber connectors. You may choose from a selection of fiber types and add a custom print legend.

2MM and 3MM Duplex

Our duplex zipcord cables use two 900um tight-buffered fibers encircled by aramid yarn strength attachments with a pliable, flame-retardant riser. These cables are perfect for single fiber connectors, namely those with duplex clips or housings. You can choose from different fiber types and add a custom print legend.

2MM 2 Fiber Round for Uniboot

Opticonx 2 Fiber Round cables safely terminate high-density uniboot connectors, including SN, LC, MDC, and CS. Two 600um tight-buffered fibers, aramid yarn strength attachments, and a pliable flame-retardant plenum-rated jacket provide added strength.

3MM 12 Fiber for MTP/MPO

Opticonx 12 Fiber Micro-Distribution style cables are perfect for MPO cables. Featuring a UL OFNP listing, these cables are incredibly versatile. With twelve 250 micron fiber color codes, identification is easy. The aramid yarn strength attachments that come with all our fiber optic cable products form strong cables and secure terminations.

Custom Cables or Custom Extrusion

If you require a non-standard cable, Opticonx can help. We can custom-make or extrude cables to your unique specifications, even for short production runs.

Fiber Optic Cables from Opticonx

As we increasingly depend on fiber optic cables for high-speed data transmission, we must also understand the basics of polarity. Polarity is crucial in maintaining proper connections within fiber optic cables. At Opticonx, we provide fiber optic cable solutions that meet your application’s requirements. Choose from our standard stock, or contact us to place a custom order. If you’re ready to get started, request a quote today.

What Are Pre-Terminated Fiber Cables?

Pre-terminated fiber optic trunk cables

Fiber optic cables are critical to various industries and applications across the world. Unlike traditional copper cables, they are capable of transmitting large volumes of data at high speed. Additionally, they are light and flexible, making them easier to install, maintain, and repair, which has led to them being the go-to option for countless data transmission applications.

Fiber optic cables need to be terminated before they are installed. Termination refers to the process of adding a device to the end(s) of the cable that enables it to be connected to other cables and devices. While the process can be performed in the field, pre-terminated cables are terminated by the manufacturer before shipment and can improve installation efficiency and/or reduce installation costs.

How Are Fiber Cables Terminated?

The fiber optic cable termination process requires a variety of tools and supplies. It involves exposing the fiber elements and attaching them together. The connections formed can be temporary or permanent. Temporary connections use connector components, which are available in many designs to suit different applications. Permanent connections involve splicing, a process in which the bare fibers are connected directly.

Pre-Terminated Fiber Cable vs. Field-Terminated Fiber Cable

As indicated above, fiber cables can be field-terminated or pre-terminated. Field-terminated cables are terminated at the installation site. Pre-terminated cables are terminated at the manufacturing facility.

When Should I Use Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Assemblies?

Pre-terminated fiber optic cables offer a variety of advantages over field-terminated fiber optic cables. Since they arrive on-site ready to use (i.e., they do not need to be prepared or tested), they are much quicker and easier to install. As a result, they can lead to lower labor costs and a smaller risk of installation error. If you’re looking to reduce project costs, shorten installation timelines, and/or decrease termination issues, pre-terminated fiber optic cables are the perfect solution.

When Should I Not Use Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Assemblies?

While pre-terminated fiber optic cables are suitable for many applications, they are not suitable for every application. Since they are precut before they arrive on-site, they may not be as accurate or precise in length as field-terminated fiber optic cables. If high accuracy and precision are critical for an application, it may be better to use field-terminated cables to reduce the risk of measurement miscalculation.

Considerations for Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Cables

There are many design options for pre-terminated fiber optic cable assemblies. Additionally, they are a variety of tools available to facilitate their installation.

Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Cable Connectors

Fiber cables can be pre-terminated with a range of connector types. New types are regularly hitting the market while existing ones consistently receive improvements. The connector types available at Opticonx include:

  • LC
  • SC
  • APC
  • MTP

We continuously work with connector manufacturers to ensure we remain up to date on the latest advancements in connector technologies.

Pull Eye Kits

While pre-terminated fiber cables are easier to use than field-terminated fiber cables, they still carry a risk of being strained during the installation process. The PEK series pulling eye kits from Opticonx are designed to protect pre-terminated cables while they are installed in conduits, ducts, or risers. The kits ensure terminations do not experience any stress or strain during installation.

Contact Opticonx for Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Cable Solutions

Want to learn more about pre-terminated fiber optic cables? Ask the experts at Opticonx! Equipped with over 25 years of experience providing industry-leading fiber solutions, our team can answer or address any questions or concerns you may have about these products. Additionally, if you need fiber cables for your next project, we can engineer and manufacture a solution that fully meets even your most demanding specifications and standards.

Contact us today to learn more about our pre-terminated fiber optic cable solutions. Request a quote to get started on your solution.