Fiber optics , LX, SX , and splicing

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WildPikachu

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Fiber optics - single-mode, multi-mode and splicing

Hi guys,

I am being given the run around by so many people ... maybe someone with some knowledge on this can give me a good 500 page answer :D

1. How easy is it to buy fiber optic cable? what kinds do you get? I've heard SX and LX mentioned.
2. What is the bare minimum tools I need to spilce myself a patch cable about 50m long? where can you get it from, and approx price?

I got a few clients that would like to run fiber between buildings, but every company that does fiber optics I ask gives me a different story and runs me around the bush because I want to do it myself.

As a test I want to run a 50m FX link between two gbit media converters.

-WP
 
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Unless you have the correct splicing equipment, forget about it. It's not like a normal copper cable that is easily joined.
 
MickeyD said:
Unless you have the correct splicing equipment, forget about it. It's not like a normal copper cable that is easily joined.
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Why do you think I'm asking?? #2 asks this exact question.

People have told me the tools cost between R20k and R500k.
 
WildPikachu said:
Why do you think I'm asking?? #2 asks this exact question.

People have told me the tools cost between R20k and R500k.
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Those people are correct.

Making off the end pieces (joining the connectors) is even more difficult.

And then you'll need the test gear to verify your links after you've linked the sites.

So, unless you want to venture into this field for the long haul, it makes sense to outsource it to the specialist established companies.
 
You guys are just like the rest ....

Just give me the details, I'm not asking because I"m clueless.

If you don't have anything useful to say, then bugger off.

I want those who know what they doing to enlighten me. I hold a doctorate in computer science , so I don't want some tard telling me "oh no, its too complicated".
 
That would be awesome.

All I get is "its too complicated", "you cannot afford the equipment" .... I just want to know what the cable costs +-, what the differences are in the difference types? LX and SX and what equipment one could use. Very simple. :)

I fully understand its not easy or for the faint of heart.

If you could get me pricing it would be awesome, just after rough estimates.

-WP
 
Oooo, some of those look very nice.

Whats the difference then between SX, LX and FX? is this the mode the transmitters and receivers run in but over the same physical medium?


LX fibre - e.g. 1GBASE-LX / 1000BASE-LX is available in 50 μm and 62.5 μm as multi-mode fibre (mmf) supporting about 550 meters distance at 1300 nm wavelength. Distances of 2..10 km are possible in case of single-mode fibre (smf).

SX fibre - e.g. 1GBASE-SX / 1000BASE-SX is available in 50 μm and 62.5 μm as multi-mode fibre supporting about 250 meters distance at 850 nm wavelength. This wavlength allows for the use of LED transmitters, which are cheaper available then the normally used laser components.

FX fibre refers to the 100BASE-FX fast ethernet standard. This fibre type is the long wavelength optics fibre type for 100Mbps transmission systems.
 
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WildPikachu said:
Why do you think I'm asking?? #2 asks this exact question.

People have told me the tools cost between R20k and R500k.
Click to expand...

That's about right on the pricing, I used to do manual splices as well as fusion splices, and the kit is expensive. Fusion splices are better rate of success, manual splicing is a P.I.T.A.
 
WildPikachu said:
If you don't have anything useful to say, then bugger off.

I want those who know what they doing to enlighten me. I hold a doctorate in computer science , so I don't want some tard telling me "oh no, its too complicated".
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Tools...rubbish...you can use your excellent people skills to join the fibers.
 
WildPikachu said:
What did you pay for your manual and fusion splicer?
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You need to do a training course if you don't want to throw away 80% of the cable you make. And don't bother with manual splicing either - also a high failure rate on that.

The fusion splicing units are really nice to work with but you will not buy one for less than R50 000. I think the splicers often come as a 'starter pack' with a cleaver, stripper and a few other tools - but those are not the expensive bits. We did the sums and you'd have to do about 5 splices a day for about 5 years to recover the cost.

It is important to know whether you will be using singlemode or multimode fibre. Multimode only works for short distances (less than 200m) but multimode optics are much cheaper. Singlemode is what is used for all the longhaul fibre and the optics are more expensive.

We get lots of fibre stuff from www.fe.co.za. Custom made patch cables are a few hundred rand. I don't know if you're needing ruggedised cable or armoured cable for burying but they should be able to make it up for you.
 
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The LX, FX etc defines the physical layer interface standard for Gigabit Ethernet and not so much the fiber although the interface standard will dictate the type of fiber optic cable you will have to use (single mode, multi mode etc). Distance of the fiber run will also be a determining factor of what to use.

Last time I check (many moons ago) a Fujikura Fusion Splicer was R100k+ but it's been a while. It's not something you procure just to do a few odd splices now and again, if you own one (or more) of these you need to know that you are going to use it a lot in order to recoup the capital outlay. The cheaper ones are crap. You also need to know how to use it properly else you are going to stuff up and courses are available. It's a better idea to rent a fusion splicer (there are companies that rent them out) or alternatively once you have hauled all your fiber in just get a company in to come do the splicing. The materials are relatively cheap, the labour, fusion splicer & OTDR are the expensive things. For things like patch leads it's better to buy the premoulded ones as they seem more reliable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabit_Ethernet#Varieties
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_splicing

So for your clients first determine the interface types they are going to use, this will dictate the type of fiber optic cable & pigtails you have to source. Haul the fiber (might require armour clad depending on specific environment), observe rules for bend radii, leave a good couple of meters of slack on both ends, install the splice boxes, leave pigtails in splice enclosures and get a company in to come do the splicing.

Call a company like Datanet, they will be able to supply you with all the materials required and advice.

If you want you can PM me to go into more details.
 
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I forgot to mention that kit using multi-mode fiber cost a lot less than single-mode stuff due to the cheaper LEDs (& VCSELs) they use as opposed to the more expensive laser diodes for the single-mode stuff.

So if distances don't exceed 550m use the SX stuff with 50/125µm fiber optic cable as it will work out cheaper.
 
So if I got the FSM-60S I would be set?

Maybe I should go to FE's offices and them show me exactly what I would need. :)
 
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