DIY Fibre termination

[Drunkard #1]

I tend to install Cat 5 for all my networking needs. (I've even tracked down some gel filled, PE sheathed stuff for underground.) All I've ever used is a stripper and a RJ45 crimper.

Can I follow the same cheapass, amateur approach with fibre. I was thinking of buying the terminations (ST or SC or whatever), the epoxy, a cleaver, a stripper, and the polishing puck and pads. Do I really need the microscope and tester? I've never used a tester with cat 5.

Every time I think of using fibre the quote to supply and install scares me back to DIY copper. Is there any solution?

 

[sn3rd]

If you have all the gear, then by all means. But be prepared for a few mishaps the first few times you try it.

 

[Drunkard #1]

So I got prices on 3M fibrloc. It works out to about R400 per end for the box, pigtails, splices, patch leads and sundries. Add the media converters or fibre switches and the cost hit R 2 000 per connection (both ends) excluding the cable! The terminating kit is about R 7 500.

Waterproof cat 5 is cheaper for distances less than 170 m but has a max length of 100 m. Has anyone got experience with cat 5 at 100 m, does it work OK, what about lightning protectors - do they reduce the max distance?

What is my best option?

 

[sn3rd]

So I got prices on 3M fibrloc. It works out to about R400 per end for the box, pigtails, splices, patch leads and sundries. Add the media converters or fibre switches and the cost hit R 2 000 per connection (both ends) excluding the cable! The terminating kit is about R 7 500.

Waterproof cat 5 is cheaper for distances less than 170 m but has a max length of 100 m. Has anyone got experience with cat 5 at 100 m, does it work OK, what about lightning protectors - do they reduce the max distance?

What is my best option?

I've run Cat 5e over long distances (80m - 110m), with no problems. But that was within buildings (never between)

 

[Amida]

Doesn't Cat 6 support a longer distance then Cat 5e?