Would You Swing Across a Lava Pit Using Only a Fiber Cable?

No? I would…if it were with one of our Skinny-Trunk multi-fiber assemblies. Fiber optic cabling is built to withstand excessive pulling force, yet fiber optic assemblies are reportedly broken all the time. How and why is this?

Kevlar is the revolutionary material that is used in bullet proof vests for military and law enforcement officials. This same material also helps save data every day! It is an unsung hero throughout many a cable install, where delicate fibers are pulled for hundreds of feet. You can learn more about Kevlar in this blog post.

So how do fiber cables break?

The weakest point is at the connector, and/or at the “breakout” or “furcation” point as shown below. This is where a large group of fibers is broken out into multiple connections.

While Kevlar can withstand a high amount of pulling force, an assembly as a whole is only as strong as its weakest point! That is why it is critical to manufacture the furcation points and terminations to withstand as much pulling force as possible. (I would never recommend testing the strength out, as you could be risking catastrophic failure.) So back to my analogy of using a trunk as rope to swing across a pit of hot lava. I would NOT hang by the connectors!

What to Consider When Purchasing Fiber Optic Assemblies

At CABLExpress we set the highest standards in both these areas. We use a variety of pull tests and production methods to ensure our customers have the peace of mind while pulling our fiber trunks under floor or overhead. We also provide a pull that can withstand a maximum of 150 pounds of pull force! When looking at fiber optic trunks, make sure you ask for documentation on pulling force for furcation points and connectors.