Fibre optic brochure.pdf - Westermo - #2

Fibre Optic Communications

Fibre optics (optical fibres) are long, thin strands of very pure glass about the diameter of a human hair They carry much more information than conventional copper wire and one of the advantages of fibre cable is that it is completely insensitive to electromagnetic interference (EMI). It is therefore ideal for instal­lations in harsh industrial environments. It provides reliable transmission and high data transfer capacity over long distances. For example, almost all telephone long-distance lines (cross country) are fibre optic cables.

Advantages with Fibre Optic Cables vs. copper wire

!:: Speed: Operates at high data-rates - up into the gigabits.

::: Bandwidth: Large data carrying capacity

::: Distance: Longer ranges without needing to be amplified or boosted.

ii: Immunity: Insensitive to electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Fibre cables

There are a lot of different fibre optic cable types available on the market to meet different installation requirements. Internal grade cable is constructed to be flexible and lightweight and it may be coated to meet fire protection codes. External grade cable is constructed to withstand immersion in water, exposure to ultraviolet rays and attack by rodents and birds.

Fibre optic cable is constructed in several layers. The actual glass fibre consists of a central glass core that is surrounded by a layer called cladding of a dif­ferent refractive index. This causes the light to travel in a controlled path along the entire length of the glass core. The glass fibre can be placed in a "tight" or "loose" buffer tube array which is a protective covering that protects the fibre from sustaining damage. It also prevents light from escaping the assembly and is often colour-coded for identification purposes. This allows for the neces­sary management of fibres due to the normally high counts contained within a cable. Tight-buffered cable is generally used in horizontal interior installations. The loose buffer tube array allows the glass fibre to "float" with considerable movement. As the fibre cable is installed (in conduit, directly buried, or placed on a pole) the glass fibres are not subjected to the forces of the pulling tension and therefore sustain minimal damage or distortion from stretching.

Produced by:

Westermo Teleindustri AB Photo:

Studio Roland AB Eskilstuna, Sweden Fotosearch Stock Photography Future Images Bank Tele & Datanät AB Örebro, Sweden BildN

Västeräs, Sweden Illustrations:

Visual Information Sweden AB Eskilstuna, Sweden Printed by:

Eskilstuna Offset AB Sweden 2007 Specifications are subject to

Wire

Dielectric Strength Member

r Inner Jacket

Buffer Tube

Cladding Core

Filler Material Water Blocking Tape

Outer Jacket \

Armour Corrugated Steel

Example of a fibre optic cable