American Tech Supply has created this "How to Install Fiber Optic Cable, How To Install A Fiber Optic Cable Between Buildings, How To Install Fiber Optic Cable In Your Home, How To Add To Extend Your CAT 5e Networkand How To Add To Extend Your CAT 5e Network more than 300 feet as a courtesy to our customers and visitors to our website. While we provide 175,000 products from fiber optic able to data center equipment to residential Smart Home Systems- and all have one thing in common- to make your life easier through providing products to imrove the world's communication. Below we will explain to you in layman terms how to install fiber optic cable. In this section we will aid you in determining what equipment you will need to install fiber optic cable as well as the cost and part numbers in installing your fiber optic cable.

American Tech Supply can assist not only commercial installation of fiber optic cable - but we can also assist developers (FTTH- more info) in planning a revenue generating program for the lifetime of the development by installing not only finer optic cable- but the entire infrastructure of cable to each and every home in their development. In this section American Tech Supply will assist you the homeowner to install your own fiber optic cable so you may extend your ethernet and computer service further than 300 feet - to another remote building. We get quite a few requests each week on how to extend computer networks or ethernet signals more than the industry standard of 90 meters. To assist the homeowner or home based businessman , boat owner, rural property owner, resort operator, etc.how to extend the ethernet signal- we created this simple -layman's terminology to explain in black and white how anyone can install a fiber optic cable themselves and save a lot of money.

American Tech Supply will also discuss with you the benefits and or drawbacks of installing fiber optic cable overhead- via an aerial method or underground. Any fiber optic cable that you decide to use should be rugged and or UV resistant- depending how you plan on installing your fiber optic cable. Whether you buy from us or not- remember that any fiber optic cable that you may buy from us or anyone else must be an 'indoor -outdoor " rated fiber optic cable.This means that if you are going from outside your home or office and into your home or office (see picture below) that you should always use the indoor outdoor rated type of fiber optic cable.

Installing Indoor Outdoor Fiber Optic Cable into a home- Picture illustrates drilling a hole to enter the house with the fiber optic cable

We have included below a simple Q&A's - questions and answers along with examples on how to install your fiber optic cable and CAT 5e aerial cable, CAT 5e underground cable, and extend your CAT 5e and CAT 5E cable and ethernet network when wireless will not work. We will also explain that one should not extend the signal more than the EIA-TIA 568 A-B specifications and standards allow the extension of an ethernet signal for a maximum of 90 meters or 290 feet. There are exceptions where the local provider of services will 'guarantee' the signal traveling more than 290 feet- including Wideband that has equipment designed to carry an ethernet signal more than 600 feet. We do not however recommend your trying to go more that 290 feet unless you have the proper equipment and professional guidance. We will make this so simple for you that you will be playing soccer with your children before you know it!

All our cables carry a 15 year Warranty

NOW WE GET TO WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD - THE INSTALLATION OF A Building A To Building B- Length 1000 Feet -FIBER OPTIC ABLE THAT WILL TIE IN YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM. WHETHER YOU NEED TO EXTEND YOUR NETWORK IN A COMMERCIAL AREA OR A RESIDENTIAL AREA- THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS ARE REQUIRED.

(1) FIRST STEP Attach your computer network to a fiber optic media converter - You would need to get a patch cable first to tie in your computer's router to the fiber optic media converter. Plug the patch cord into your router and into one end of the fiber optic media converter. Please visit our CAT 5E and CAT 6 Patch Cords Page: we have lengths from 1 foot to over 200 feet. In some applications if the run is short enough- you may want to run our pre- assembled outdoor rated CAT 5E cable from your computer network to your remote computer. Please find below our pricing and engineering specifications on outdoor rated CAT 5E cable.

STEP 1

Attach a patch cable between your router and the fiber optic media convertger- we carry all lenghts of CAT 5e and CAT 6 Patch cords-at MUCH LOWER prices that Circuit City, Best Buy or any of the major chains. More Info - we will assist you in getting the right part numbers- we need to know the LENGTH or distance between your equipment.

STEP 2 GETTING THE RIGHT FIBER OPTIC MEDIA CONVERTER

Fiber Optic Media Converters-More Info on media converters - we will assist you in getting the right part numbers-we need to fist determine the total length of the fiber optic cable run, the speed, and then we have to determine if the fiber cable will be singlemode or multimode and then the fiber optic connectors you will be using. We will find a cost effective solution for your network.

(3) STEP THREE -Connect Your Router via a CAT 5E or CAT 6 Patch Cord Into Your Fiber Optic Media Converter

Your CAT 5e or CAT 6 Patch Cords will plug directly into your fiber optic media converter

STEP 4 - Installing Your Fiber Optic Cable

Installing your Fiber Optic Cable Via Aerial means or direct bury underground or in conduit. We provide pre-cut lengths that are tested- ruggedized and ready to install into your fiber optic media converters . Our fiber optic assemblies or fiber optic patch cords are made into pre-determined lengths with the fiber optic connectors already placed and terminated on the ends of the cable along with a 'pulling eye'. The pulling eye enable you to pull the fiber optic cable several hundred - and thousand feet without damaging your cable- REMEMBER- NEVER PULL ON THE ENDS OF THE CABLE WHILE HOLDING ONTO THE CONNECTORS!!

We recommend using HDPE innerduct- high density polyethylene duct to place your CAT 5e -CAT 6 or Fiber Optic Cable into for additional protection which we can supply you in rolls. Unlike PVC that you buy at Home Depot or Lowes- our innerduct comes in a roll with pull rope for easy pulling of your cable. Also many areas have rodents that can mack a lunch out of your cable- so we always receommend using innerduct for your cable installation needs.

Fiber Optic Assembly-fiber optic assemblies- Please visit the link to the left to see the various stock lengths we carry. ATS can make multimode or simglemo fiber optic assemblies complete with a pulling eye in 1-2 days. LEt us do the work for you. You will not have to mess with connectors, test equipment, etc-we do it all.These fiber optic assemblies (again these cable can be several kilometers in length) are placed between the two fiber optic media converters-this could be from 50 feet to several kilometers- NEVER PULL THE CABLE WHILE HOLDING ONTO THE CONNECTORS!!

Always use a Fiber Optic Pulling Eye to pull your fiber optic assembly in the conduit or innerduct. The pulling eye is designed to take the stress off the cable while pulling the fiber optic cable -More Info we supply you the fiber assembly complete with the pulling eye protective attachment that you cut off after you have the fiber cable installed.

Additional How To Install Fiber Optic Cable Installation Tips!

Never leave fiber optic cable or data cable lying on the ground-it's pretty obvious isn't it?

On Aerial Fiber Optic Cable Installs: If you are installing fiber optic cable via aerial means- between building and amongst other cable types- ALWAYS LABEL your fiber cable- so you know which one is carrying the signal.

Never Pull your fiber cable on an offset- or angle! This may damage the fiber cable- connectors-or both

STEP 5- Getting Your Fiber Optic Cable Inside Your House Or Business

When installing into another house or going through a wall- always make sure there is no power cable or electrical cable in the way. Always make sure that the hole is big enough for the fiber optic cable to fit through the hole. Always secure the fiber optic cable on BOTH SIDEs of the entry and exit way.

(6) STEP SIX - Plugging In Your Fiber Optic Cable and Connetor to Your Fiber Optic Media Converter

LAST STEP- Plug in Your Fiber Optic Assembly into the other fiber optic media converter - and then plug a CAT 5e or CAT 6 patch cord or cable between the fiber optic media converter and the computer and your are done! You have just saved yourself thousand dollars of installation costs! Call us at (866) 342-3721 for assistance.

Additional Links and TIPS On Fiber Optic Cable and Installing Fiber Optic Cable

HANDLING FIBER OPTIC CABLE

REDUCING LOSS BY PROPERHANDLING
Like all cable, fiber optic cable must be handled properly to minimize any installation-induced signal losses (the attenuation, or deterioration, of the light signal during transmission). Of course some losses are intrinsic, or out of the installer'scontrol; these include effects from internal absorption,scattering, fiber core variations, and microbends. But extrinsic losses related to workmanship can and should be controlled; these include connections, splices, end finishes, microbends and macrobends.Installing fiber optic cables can usually be done with a minimal amount of effort if certain basic guidelines are followed.

PULLING FIBER LONG DISTANCES
When pulling fiber over long distances or lots of bends, use the Center Pulling technique:
1. Pull longest section into assigned duct. For long pulls, use a mid-point to evenly distribute the pulling lengthand tension.
2. From mid point, pull cable into conduit from shipping reel.
3. Remove remainder of cable from shipping reel by hand, and carefully lay into figure-eight loops one upon another.
4. Hand-feed the end of the cable into the conduit and continue pulling. Communication is necessary to assure that no damage occurs to the fiber.

For extremely long pulls, the cable can be removed at a manhole further down the installation route. Figure-eight or zigzag the cable while the pulling equipment is moved to the next manhole site.

Remember, optical cables are lightweight and very flexible, but take care not to exceed their flexibility by physical abuse of the cable.

Following these guidelines should help to make thecable installation uneventful and successful.

Below find different fiber cable types

Simplex and Zip Cord: Simplex cables are one fiber, tight-buffered (coated with a 900 micron buffer over the primary buffer coating) with Kevlar (aramid fiber) strength members and jacketed for indoor use. The jacket is usually 3mm (1/8 in.) diameter. Zipcord is simply two of these joined with a thin web. It's used mostly for patch cord and backplane applications, but zipcord can also be used for desktop connections.

Distribution Cables: They contain several tight-buffered fibers bundled under the same jacket with Kevlar strength members and sometimes fiberglass rod reinforcement to stiffen the cable and prevent kinking. These cables are small in size, and used for short, dry conduit runs, riser and plenum applications. The fibers are double buffered and can be directly terminated, but because their fibers are not individually reinforced, these cables need to be broken out with a "breakout box" or terminated inside a patch panel or junction box.

Breakout Cables: They are made of several simplex cables bundled together. This is a strong, rugged design, but is larger and more expensive than the distribution cables. It is suitable for conduit runs, riser and plenum applications. Because each fiber is individually reinforced, this design allows for quick termination to connectors and does not require patch panels or boxes. Breakout cable can be more economic where fiber count isn't too large and distances too long, because is requires so much less labor to terminate.

Loose Tube Cables: These cables are composed of several fibers together inside a small plastic tube, which are in turn wound around a central strength member and jacketed, providing a small, high fiber count cable. This type of cable is ideal for outside plant trunking applications, as it can be made with the loose tubes filled with gel or water absorbent powder to prevent harm to the fibers from water. It can be used in conduits, strung overhead or buried directly into the ground. Since the fibers have only a thin buffer coating, they must be carefully handled and protected to prevent damage.

Ribbon Cable: This cable offers the highest packing density, since all the fibers are laid out in rows, typically of 12 fibers, and laid on top of each other. This way 144 fibers only has a cross section of about 1/4 inch or 6 mm! Some cable designs use a "slotted core" with up to 6 of these 144 fiber ribbon assemblies for 864 fibers in one cable! Since it's outside plant cable, it's gel-filled for water blocking.

Armored Cable: Cable installed by direct burial in areas where rodents are a problem usually have metal armoring between two jackets to prevent rodent penetration. This means the cable is conductive, so it must be grounded properly.

Aerial Cable: Aerial cables are for outside installation on poles. They can be lashed to a messenger or another cable (common in CATV) or have metal or aramid strength members to make them self supporting.

Even more types are available: every manufacturer has it's own favorites, so it's a good idea to get literature from as many cable makers as possible. And check out the little guys; often they can save you a bundle by making special cable just for you, even in relative small quantities.

In the diagrams below please find below pictures indicating the PC tower or File Server ethernet signal being converted and extended via fiber optic cable. Click On The Pictures Below For Specific Information On How To Use Your Outdoor CAT 5E Cable Using The Aerial Method Or the Underground Method.

To RUN YOUR ETHERNET SIGNAL MORE THAN 300 FEET WITHOUT WIRELESS- By USING FIBER OPTIC CABLE Here Are Some Simple Steps and Recommendations- If you run into problems- feel free to call us at (866) 342-3721 for FREE engineering assistance

To Extend Your Computer Signal More Than 300 Feet Using Fiber Optic Cable- (How To Install A Fiber optic Cable)

(1) Diagram (1)In this diagram below you see two networks-the GRAYLINE indicating a LAN that ties in any commuter system using CAT 5e or CAT 6 ethernet UTP copper cable to a media converter and or a switch and the RED LINE or LINK Below indicating up to a 2 kilometer link using fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable in this diagram shows using singlemode fiber optic cable. In many situations one can use multimode cable that is rated as an 'indoor- outdoor' fiber optic cable as well- instead of a singlmode cable. The other important components in designing your system in knowing the length of your cable runs- and always include a minimum of 10% additional cable for "overage" or miscalculation. You would hate to have a 1000 foot custom fiber optic cable made - only to find out you needed 1025 feet! You also need to let us know what type of fiber optic CONNECTORS you ned that will connect the FIBER OPTIC MEDIA CONVERTER to the FIBER CABLE. Typically most people use SC or ST, LC being used mostly for commercial applications which use Cisco routers or other higher end switches and routers.

(2) Diagram (2) In this diagram you clearly see the PC on the left- it could be your office , home or any locations. The PC is plugged into your ethernet switch or router (or sometimes both).Then there is an ethernet CAT 5e patch cord or CAT 6 patch cable tying the ethernet switch to the fiber optic media converter.The signal goes into the fiber optic media converter- GETS CONVERTED into digital light pulses which go through the other end of the fiber cable into your other media converter. The fiber optic media converter can be from 10Mbps-100- 1000 or a multi use media converter with several speeds. The YELLOW LINE indicates a fiber optic cable which can be mulitmode or singlemode- and this distance can be from 100 meters to 80 kilometers. You also need to let us know what type of fiber optic CONNECTORS you ned that will connect the FIBER OPTIC MEDIA CONVERTER to the FIBER CABLE. Typically most people use SC or ST, LC being used mostly for commercial applications which use Cisco routers or other higher end switches and routers.

We can supply you with all part numbers and have everything pre-configured and pre- assembled from the patch cords to the fiber optic cable to the media converters- ALL WE NEED TO DO IS ASK YOU A FEW questions: You need to tell us is what lengths you need, the speeds, and the throughput. We will design at NO COST to you a solution the SAME DAY and typically ship the SAME DAY the product to you-provided you do not require customization in your network. A typical network would be something like this:

Due to severe fluctuations in the cost of oil, copper and raw goods- please call us first to get latest pricing on all CAT 5e and CAT 6 Patch Cords and patch cable copper cables

There are several ways to extend your Ethernet signal via fiber optic able from your home or office computer ETHERNET signal to another location. Whether you have a home office in the suburbs or out in the country-or want to extend your ethernet signal to a remote building such as a garage-or another remote building our outdoor rated CAT 5e cable is specifically designed for this purpose. You can purchase our outdoor CAT 5e direct bury cable or our outdoor rated shielded and outdoor aerial cable in pre-cut lengths which is already terminated and tested. All you have to do is plug it in and your system will be up. All our outdoor rated cables are guaranteed to work for lengths up to 290 feet. Per EIA/TIA specifications, all ethernet based equipment is manufacturer to work up to 90 meters. There are instances where you may want to extend the signal.In this case you may want to consider using fiber optic cable to extend your signal .

We Now Offer Outdoor Cat 5e Patch Cords-Cut Custom To Your Needs Please See Our Outdoor CAT 5e Cable Specifications-SPECS- Our Outdoor Rated CAT 5e patch cords and Outdoor Patch Cables are pre-cut to a specific length- then terminated on both ends - tested and shipped the same day

There are several ways to extend your home or office computer ETHERNET signal to another location. Whether you have a home office in the suburbs or out in the country-or want to extend your ethernet signal to a remote building such as a garage-or another remote building our outdoor rated CAT 5e cable is specifically designed for this purpose. You can purchase our outdoor CAT 5e direct bury cable or our outdoor rated shielded and outdoor aerial cable in pre-cut lengths which is already terminated and tested. All you have to do is plug it in and your system will be up. All our outdoor rated cables are guaranteed to work for lengths up to 290 feet. Per EIA/TIA specifications, all ethernet based equipment is manufactured to work up to 90 meters. There are instances where you may want to extend the signal.In this case you may want to consider using fiber optic cable to extend your signal .Please click here for more information.HOW TO EXTEND YOUR ETHERNET SIGNAL USING FIBER OPTIC CABLE

Outdoor rated CAT 5e patch cords-outdoor rated patch cables- outdoor CAT 6 patch cords are used to extend the ethernet (your computer signal) outdoors over aerial cables, underground through HDPE or pvc conduit, or direct bury with our direct bury rated CAT 5e cables.

Please See Our Outdoor CAT 5e Cable Specifications SPECS- Our Outdoor Rated CAT 5e patch cords and Outdoor Patch Cables are pre-cut to a specific length- then terminated on both ends - tested and shipped the same day

This all weather Super CAT 5e cable is an outdoor rated CAT 5e cable that can be installed directly in the ground, inside a duct or aerially lashed to a support member. We carry several varieties of outdoor CAT 5e cable from the CMX direct bury for underground uses, the CMXT for UV above ground, aerial and in conditions where a light shielding is required, and the CMXFT CAT 5e outdoor cable for aerial applications. The CMX CAT 5e direct bury cable is fully flooded and has a tough UV and abrasion resistant black polyethylene jacket. The cable is designed to withstand temperatures as low as -70degrees C (Celsius) and as high as 75 degrees C. Data transmission rates are up to 100Ms/second. These cables are the ideal solution for connecting LAN terminal locations outside the main building such as portable classrooms without the need to use expensive optical fiber systems .Optional aluminum or steel shielding systems provide additional protection for EMI and damage caused by rodents. SEE THIS PAGE FOR CONSTRUCTING LAN TO LAN NETWORK IN ANOTHER BUILDING.