Fiber optic fan-out kits are an indispensable tool in the fiber optic field. They play a vital role in organizing, protecting, and effectively distributing individual fiber optic bundles, ensuring reliable connections in a variety of applications. This blog explores what fiber optic fan-out kits are, providing in-depth knowledge on fiber optic fan-out kit types and best installation practices.
1. What is a Fiber Fan-out Kit?
The fiber fan-out kit is an essential component in fiber optic technology used to organize and manage individual fiber strands within a larger optical cable. It is used to transition loose tube fiber optic cables to tight buffered fiber optic cables. Loose tube cables contain multiple individual fibers that are bundled together inside a buffer tube. Tight buffered cables have each fiber coated in a tight buffer that provides protection and support.
Fan-out assemblies are typically made of plastic or metal. They are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different numbers of fibers. The individual channels in a fan-out assembly are designed to protect the fibers from damage. The channels are also designed to provide a convenient way to manage the fibers during termination. The channels are typically color-coded to match the color of the corresponding fiber.
2. What does a Fiber Fan-out kit Typically Consist of?
· Fan-out assembly: A fan-out assembly is a plastic or metal housing that contains individual channels for each fiber. The fan-out assembly is designed to protect the fibers as they are separated from the loose tube cable and to provide a convenient way to manage the fibers during termination.
· Heat shrink tubing: Heat shrink tubing is used to protect the fan out assembly and the fiber terminations. The heat shrink tubing is applied to the fan-out assembly after the fibers have been inserted and the terminations have been completed.
· Zip ties or other fasteners: Zip ties or other fasteners are used to secure the fan out assembly to the cable and to manage the individual fibers.
3. What Are the Purposes of Fiber Fan-out Kit?
Terminating fiber optic cables: Fan-out kits are essential for terminating fiber optic cables with large fiber counts. They make it easy to separate the individual fibers and route them to their respective connectors.
Splicing fiber optic cables: Fan-out kits can also be used to splice fiber optic cables. By fanning out the fibers, it is easier to align them and create a strong splice.
Testing fiber optic cables: Fan-out kits can also be used to test fiber optic cables. By fanning out the fibers, it is easier to access each fiber individually and perform tests.
4. What Are the Common Types of Fiber Fan-out Kits? And How to Install Fiber Fan-out Kits?
Tubing fan-out kits are used to break out individual fiber optic cables from a single buffer tube. The kit typically includes a length of buffer tubing, a number of pre-cut lengths of heat shrink tubing, and a variety of other accessories, such as cable ties and fiber optic connectors.
To use a tubing fan-out kit, the installer first cuts the buffer tube to the desired length. Then, they strip the outer jacket off the buffer tube and expose the individual fiber optic cables. The installer then threads each fiber optic cable through a heat shrink tube and slides the heat shrink tube over the end of the fiber optic cable. Finally, the installer heats the heat shrink tube to shrink it around the fiber optic cable and create a waterproof seal.
Fiber breakout kits are similar to tubing fan-out kits, but they are designed to break out individual fiber optic cables from a ribbon cable. Ribbon cables are bundles of fiber optic cables that are held together by a thin layer of adhesive.
To use a fiber breakout kit, the installer first cuts the ribbon cable to the desired length. Then, they carefully peel back the adhesive to expose the individual fiber optic cables. The installer then threads each fiber optic cable through a heat shrink tube and slides the heat shrink tube over the end of the fiber optic cable. Finally, the installer heats the heat shrink tube to shrink it around the fiber optic cable and create a waterproof seal.
Loose Tube Fan-Out Kits
Loose tube fan-out kits are specifically designed to break out individual fiber optic cables from a loose tube cable. Loose tube cables are a type of fiber optic cable in which the individual fiber optic cables are surrounded by a gel-filled loose tube.
To use a loose tube fan-out kit, the installer first cuts the loose tube cable to the desired length. Then, they use a fiber optic stripper to strip the outer jacket off the loose tube cable and expose the individual loose tubes. Next, the installer cuts each loose tube to the desired length and strips the outer jacket off each loose tube to expose the individual fiber optic cables. Finally, the installer terminates each individual fiber optic cable with a fiber optic connector.
MPO/MTP Breakout Kits
MPO/MTP breakout kits are used to break out individual fiber optic cables from an MPO/MTP connector. MPO/MTP connectors are multi-fiber connectors that can hold up to 144 fiber optic cables.
To use an MPO/MTP breakout kit, the installer first removes the MPO/MTP connector from the fiber optic cable. Then, they use a fiber optic stripper to strip the outer jacket off the fiber optic cable and expose the individual fiber optic cables. Finally, the installer terminates each individual fiber optic cable with a fiber optic connector.
Conclusion
Fiber fan-out kits are instrumental in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of fiber optic networks. The choice of the right fan-out kit depends on factors like the type of fiber cable, the environment (indoor or outdoor), the need for connectors, and the specific application requirements. HOLIGHT can provide you with various fiber optic fan-out kits. If you need better advice on choosing the right fiber fan-out kit, please contact us at sales@holightoptic.com.
