Helpful Information on Underground Fibre Optics Installation
   
  Fibre optics technology is increasingly being used for many applications. The technology basically involves the use of an optical transmitter to convert the electrical signals into optical signals that are sent through the optical fibre. This is usually a cable that is routed through underground conduits and buildings, and contains bundles of multiple optical fibres. In between there are multiple kinds of amplifiers, and at the other end there is an optical receiver to convert the signal back into electrical signals. What is transmitted is digital information that is generated by computers, telephone systems and cable television providers.

Outdoor fibre optics cable installations can either be done aerially or underground. With underground installation, the cables can either be buried directly or put inside buried ducts. The direct burial installations are mainly used for long-distance cross-country projects. The cables are usually buried in a trench and the whole process can be done very quickly. This type of installation mainly uses steel armoured outdoor fibre cables.

When fibre optics installation is done using ducts, the cables are pulled through underground ducts that are meant to protect the cables from the harsh environment. With underground duct installation, future expansion is made easier because there will be no need to dig again. This installation method is commonly used for urban areas. Underground duct installation allows for the use of cables without armour which are easier to install. For a successful underground installation process, the right cable laying products have to be used.

The ducts used for underground fibre optics installation are usually made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They are black or grey in colour while the inner-duct is colour orange or yellow. Both the ducts and inner-ducts are corrugated to reduce pulling tensions during installation. This also makes them very flexible so that they can be used for installation of fibre optic cabling in locations where many turns are involved.

Another important cable laying product is the pulling tape that comes already preinstalled inside the fibre ducts and the inner-ducts to help save time during the cable installation process. The ducts and inner-ducts can also be pre-lubricated using special cable-laying lubricants so as to help reduce pulling tensions. Additional fibre optic cables can be pulled through an already existing duct and that is why the duct should be oversized to allow for future installations to be added inside. The inner-duct protects the existing fibre optic cable during the installation of additional cables inside the fibre duct.