Do you know the structure and application of drop cable?

Ordinary Drop cableshave a standard figure-8 structure, with two parallel strength members and an Optical Fiber in the middle. Self-supporting sheathed optical cables add a thick steel wire to the structure of ordinary sheathed optical cables. Generally speaking, self-supporting sheathed optical cables only have one additional steel wire; otherwise, the structure of these cables varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, they generally do not have a metal strength member. Take butterfly-shaped sheathed optical cables, for example. Their cross-section resembles a butterfly, hence the name. Sheathed cables are on either side, strength members are inside, and the optical fiber is in the middle.

1. Butterfly-shaped optical cables are available for indoor and outdoor use. The price difference between the two types is significant. Outdoor versions are approximately twice the price of indoor versions. Price should be considered when designing a specific solution. Generally, ordinary optical cables (GYTA-G 652D) are used for outdoor use, while indoor butterfly-shaped cables are used for indoor use. The two types are connected via a fiber splitter box or splice closure.

2. Butterfly-shaped optical cables have a smaller radius of curvature, are lightweight, relatively resistant to bending, and are easily fixed and terminated in 86 terminal boxes.

3. Butterfly-type Drop Cables are available in both non-metallic and metallic reinforcement configurations. To protect against lightning and strong electrical interference, non-metallic drop cables should be used indoors.

4. Indoor butterfly-type drop cables are available in 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-core configurations. Single-core cables are recommended for residential butterfly drop cables; 2- to 4-core designs are suitable for commercial butterfly drop cables.

Splicing methods include cold splicing and fusion splicing. Cold splicing involves preparing the fiber end faces, installing connectors, and connecting them with flange connectors. This product is used for indoor wiring, with direct connection to end users; for fiber optic cable introduction into buildings; and for indoor wiring in FTTH systems. It complies with standard YD/T1997-2009, Dish-Type Drop Cables for Access Networks. Construction Methods: FTTX projects utilize extensively covered fiber optic cables, employing two primary splicing methods: physical splicing using cold splicers and hot-melt splicing using a fusion splicer.

Cold splicing technology Cold splicing technology: Fiber optic cold splicer is used to connect two fiber pigtails. Its main internal component is a precise V-groove. After the two fiber pigtails are plucked, the cold splicer is used to connect the two fiber pigtails. It is simpler and faster to operate, and saves time than using a fusion splicer. On the surface, cold splicing is simpler and faster to operate, and saves time than using a fusion splicer. However, cold splicing technology is mainly used for emergency applications after the optical cable communication is interrupted.

Cold splicing technology has obvious defects:

1. Cold splicing loss is large. Due to the use of physical splicing, the two optical fibers are completely connected by the V-groove and matching fluid. Such loss is significantly greater than the hot-melt connection point. In FTTX projects, although the loss requirements for the line are not as strict as those for the trunk line, the large loss point is a potential failure point.
2. Short service life and high maintenance cost. In cold splicing technology, matching fluid plays an important role. According to the statistics of operator customers, the service life of imported matching fluid is generally about 3 years, while the service life of domestic matching fluid is only 1.5 to 2 years. This increases the maintenance cost. Moreover, the cost of a cold splice is generally around 30 to 50 yuan (it can be disassembled and reused, but the accuracy of reuse after disassembly is greatly reduced. Therefore, the cold splice is nominally reusable, but in reality it is only used once during the construction process), and the actual use and maintenance costs are high.

Hot melt technology

1. Low splicing loss. The two optical fibers are spliced using hot melt technology according to the trunk line standard, which greatly reduces the splicing loss.
2. Long service life and low maintenance cost. Since the hot melt standard is based on the trunk line construction requirements, the life of the general splice point is not much different from that of ordinary optical cables, and there is no problem with the life of a single point.
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