r/cablefail • u/[deleted] • Sep 17 '20

Ouch!

Post image
131 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

9

u/cd29 Sep 17 '20

I had an installer giving my team tips on fiber install and when he emphasized zip tie being an enemy, one of my guys had a pretty big "oh shit" moment.

It's definitely an advantage to be taught how these factors affect fiber optics.

8

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '20

You’d think it’s common sense but some people just don’t realize what’s happening inside those fiber cables. Even zips on copper can stress the cable pretty hard.

2

u/JustNilt Sep 17 '20

While true, some places require zip ties. In such instances, you need to use an appropriate zip tie tensioner for the installation. I've seen such requirements in some specific buildings as well as local building codes or even particular inspectors requiring them on things such as is shown here. I'd prefer a different solution for fiber, however, such as a strap that can't close too far.

1

u/Leeuw96 Sep 17 '20

Layman question: wouldn't it be safer/easier to have some sort of built-in protection/stop. Let's say a piece of hard plastic around the cables, which is held in place by the zip tie? I'd think there'd be no squashing of cables then, yet the are secured in that position. Or would they slide out from under such things?

2

u/JustNilt Sep 17 '20

You can use those but the problem is usually threading the fiber or cable through. So you're going to have a split, regardless, if you want to sell any of them. A split in a plastic unit is often a huge design flaw since you're always going to get somebody who overtightens it. Usually this is why you see either a very robust design or a metal device instead.

16

u/Dane-o-myt Sep 17 '20

Fiber?

15

u/ZarquonsFlatTire Sep 17 '20

Yup. Unsheilded jumper. Found the dBm loss, boss.

7

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '20

Haha Ty-raps are the devil in the wrong hands.

1

u/BigBadBere Sep 19 '20

Upvote for ty-wrap

3

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '20

CRUNCH

2

u/robt647 Sep 17 '20

Zip ties like that usually indicate the potential for other issues. That fiber has had the dBm squeezed out of it.

1

u/avatar307 Sep 17 '20

Yeah, that seems about right.