mdrabble Posted June 1, 2022 Posted June 1, 2022 I've slowly been replacing OM1 fibres with OM3 fibres on areas which have been easy to replace where they have from gone from Cab to Core, the last set I replaced before COVID. I have a situation where I have a fibre run where main set of fibres have been run from Cab A (Core) to Cab B. From there cables have been run from Cab B to Cab C and from Cab B to Cab D, where they have been patched back to Cab A (Core) I am looking to replace OM1 fibres with OM3/4 and I'm in a quandary - do I run the new fibres like the current fibre runs, or do I do a run from Cab A (Core) to each Cab? I'm inclined to do a run from Cab A (Core) to each individual Cab as in the current Fibre config, if anything happens to the run between A and B, then all the other Cabs are affected. Does this makes sense and a sensible approach? Hope that all makes sense.
snagrat Posted June 1, 2022 Posted June 1, 2022 Makes perfect sense to do as you describe. Just be careful on length though, you have 400m on OM4 to get 10GB 1
the_quick Posted June 1, 2022 Posted June 1, 2022 Absolutely, good practice would dictate all cabs should go directly to the core. If you are able, do it 1
mdrabble Posted June 1, 2022 Author Posted June 1, 2022 Next question is do I go pre-terminated or buy a roll of fibre and find someone to terminate them….. Looks like I’m going to be sick at 300mb as the UniFi 10gb modules I have/use are only rated up to 300mb. Not the end of the world as I think the longest run will be approx 150m
dmj Posted June 2, 2022 Posted June 2, 2022 The only 'problem' with pre-term is that you need to drill bigger holes, and make sure your measurements are accurate. Other than that it's the way to go IMO. 1
RobFuller Posted June 2, 2022 Posted June 2, 2022 We took the plunge and purchased a fusion splicer from FibreFox as we are in the process of upgrading our whole site and every cab to be 10Gb enabled. This includes redundant links to our two core switches within separate buildings, each also has its own fibre internet connection for redundancy. Given the amount we had to run it has paid itself back many times over already and an excellent skill for the team. We are even running hands on demo in computer science class. It has caused alot of interest and more fun that crimping RJ45 plugs for the students. Drums of 24core OM4 just sits next to boxes of cat6, costs are now negligible as we run and splice ourselves. Next run we have is between our two core switches in a newly laid duct.
Aprice Posted June 2, 2022 Posted June 2, 2022 I suppose ideally all straight back to the core, although taking diverse routes give some advantage. If you have two cabs close together you could run a fibre between giving you another route back to the core.
mdrabble Posted June 5, 2022 Author Posted June 5, 2022 We took the plunge and purchased a fusion splicer from FibreFox as we are in the process of upgrading our whole site and every cab to be 10Gb enabled. This includes redundant links to our two core switches within separate buildings, each also has its own fibre internet connection for redundancy. Given the amount we had to run it has paid itself back many times over already and an excellent skill for the team. We are even running hands on demo in computer science class. It has caused alot of interest and more fun that crimping RJ45 plugs for the students. Drums of 24core OM4 just sits next to boxes of cat6, costs are now negligible as we run and splice ourselves. Next run we have is between our two core switches in a newly laid duct. Where do you get your rolls of fibre from?
RobFuller Posted June 5, 2022 Posted June 5, 2022 (edited) Local company to us, we have an account. Got all our fibre equipment from them. https://www.fibrefox.co.uk/bulk-fibre-cable/7231-loose-tube-internal-external-fibre-cable.html#/203-cores-24_cores/103-fibre_size-om4_50_125 Edited June 5, 2022 by RobFuller
Boredguy Posted June 6, 2022 Posted June 6, 2022 When I last ordered some drums of fibre back in 2014, I got them from Comm-Express. It was cost per metre ordered, so reasonably cost effective.
mdrabble Posted June 23, 2022 Author Posted June 23, 2022 We took the plunge and purchased a fusion splicer from FibreFox as we are in the process of upgrading our whole site and every cab to be 10Gb enabled. This includes redundant links to our two core switches within separate buildings, each also has its own fibre internet connection for redundancy. Given the amount we had to run it has paid itself back many times over already and an excellent skill for the team. We are even running hands on demo in computer science class. It has caused alot of interest and more fun that crimping RJ45 plugs for the students. Drums of 24core OM4 just sits next to boxes of cat6, costs are now negligible as we run and splice ourselves. Next run we have is between our two core switches in a newly laid duct. @RobFuller which fusion splicer did you purchase? Cheers Mark
PotNoodleTech Posted June 23, 2022 Posted June 23, 2022 Yes best practice is for each cab's fiber to run back to the core. I am quite surprised (impressed) to hear schools buying fusion slicers - I would have thought you'd have to do a lot of runs to actually pay that back compared to having a contractor come in and splice which is what I do here. Would be happy to learn more of the maths behind that decision!
mdrabble Posted June 23, 2022 Author Posted June 23, 2022 Another quick question...... Loose Tube or Tight Buffered?
mdrabble Posted June 23, 2022 Author Posted June 23, 2022 (edited) Yes best practice is for each cab's fiber to run back to the core. I am quite surprised (impressed) to hear schools buying fusion slicers - I would have thought you'd have to do a lot of runs to actually pay that back compared to having a contractor come in and splice which is what I do here. Would be happy to learn more of the maths behind that decision! Have approx. 15 x OM1 fibre runs to replace (either 4 core or 8 core depending on cabinet) - so termination costs would probably be higher than the cost of the fusion splicer. Working on the basis of approx £20 per splice for an external company to terminate fibre runs. (costings from from https://candorelectrical.co.uk/fibre/#:~:text=The%20cost%20of%20a%20Fibre,would%20be%20from%20%C2%A3250. - not done any real in-depth costing for external companies. 7 x 4 core fibre runs - 56 splices = £1,120 8 x 8 core fibre runs - 128 splices = £2,560 Total = £3,680 Cost of Mini 3S Splicer - £2,060 (ex VAT) Eventually I would be looking to run redundant fibres to all cabinets, so the cost would be even higher to get an external company in to terminate the fibre runs. I have used pre-terminated fibres in the past, but due to not know the OM1 runs or lengths it makes more sense to run a length of fibre and then cut to size and terminate. The benefit of having a fusion splicer also means we can terminate when we need to and not wait for availability of external companies. Hope that all makes sense. :-) @PotNoodleTech - how much do you pay for terminations? Edited June 23, 2022 by mdrabble
PotNoodleTech Posted June 23, 2022 Posted June 23, 2022 (edited) Yes could get it done for approx 20 per splice too but I'd still have to factor in the cost for me to do the whole job including running the cable in the first place which makes the contractor option a bit of a no brainer with not having to buy the splicer and other associated bits including fluke certification. Sadly if I'm spending hours/days splicing cables then I am not doing the rest of my job. I went to a school 20 miles away that had its own cabler employed - all ethernet and fibre all done in house. Very impressive. Edited June 23, 2022 by PotNoodleTech 1
mdrabble Posted June 23, 2022 Author Posted June 23, 2022 Yes could get it done for approx 20 per splice too but I'd still have to factor in the cost for me to do the whole job including running the cable in the first place which makes the contractor option a bit of a no brainer with not having to buy the splicer and other associated bits including fluke certification. Sadly if I'm spending hours/days splicing cables then I am not doing the rest of my job. I went to a school 20 miles away that had its own cabler employed - all ethernet and fibre all done in house. Very impressive. Can see you point with having to factor in time for running cables etc - hadn't factored that part in, plus the fibre certification reports.
bigstan48 Posted June 25, 2022 Posted June 25, 2022 I may have to opt and install fibre myself as I've been having difficulty obtaining quotes for fibre installation. Contacted over 10 companies, 3 came on site to do a survey and only one has provided a quote. I am not allowed to purchase with only one quote [emoji36] What equipment would I need to install fibre? I would go for OM4 cabling.
Aprice Posted June 25, 2022 Posted June 25, 2022 You would probably want a fusion splicer & cleaving tool, although you might be able to hire them. Have you tried contacting Eurocoms? We work with them often for fibre / structured cabling.
snagrat Posted June 25, 2022 Posted June 25, 2022 I may have to opt and install fibre myself as I've been having difficulty obtaining quotes for fibre installation. Contacted over 10 companies, 3 came on site to do a survey and only one has provided a quote. I am not allowed to purchase with only one quote [emoji36] What equipment would I need to install fibre? I would go for OM4 cabling. What location?
RobFuller Posted June 27, 2022 Posted June 27, 2022 @RobFuller which fusion splicer did you purchase? Cheers Mark https://www.fibrefox.co.uk/fusion-splicers/99045-mini-3s-splicer-5056045701582.html
RobFuller Posted June 27, 2022 Posted June 27, 2022 Ilford Essex Give these guys a shout (Essex based) - https://cablers.co.uk/ 1
RobFuller Posted June 27, 2022 Posted June 27, 2022 Can see you point with having to factor in time for running cables etc - hadn't factored that part in, plus the fibre certification reports. I have a decent sized team who can handle the cabling and terminating tasks within our workload, also keeps the justification for budget on staffing rather than contractors. Means when not cabling other projects can be done in-house. It all depends on how your team is structured if this works for you as if you don't have the time available contractors will likely be the only way to go. 2
TJ-Diggers Posted June 27, 2022 Posted June 27, 2022 You can also rent fibre splicers from Connectix cabling. 1
k-strider Posted July 1, 2022 Posted July 1, 2022 In another thread some one posted this link, I dont know that the DfE have effectivley let us know about it but it sets standards for cabling in schools https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-digital-and-technology-standards-in-schools-and-colleges/network-cabling-standards-for-schools-and-colleges
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