I recently purchased a 100-foot pre-terminated single mode fiber optic cable from LANshack. It seemed like a great deal with rugged pull eyes and mesh jacketing already in place. However, when I opened the box, I noticed some concerning sharp bends near the ends of the cable where the mesh heat shrink meets the main cable. Both ends look the same, and I'm worried this might mean the cable is damaged. Given that the cable is set up for pulling, I can't really test its functionality without risking the setup. I included a picture for reference: https://imgur.com/a/FHPebBT. The vendor mentioned that such bends are normal, but I'm still apprehensive. Are these bends a sign that the cable is compromised?
5 Answers
Usually, modern fiber cables are pretty resilient. I wouldn't worry too much about damaging the glass. The jacket helps protect it, and as long as you respect the minimum bending radius for signal integrity, you should be fine. I would still recommend checking with the vendor though, just to be safe!
It's a good idea to reach out to the vendor if you're unsure. They should be able to clarify whether this bend is a problem. That way, if there are any issues later, you'll be covered. Just keep a record of your communication with them too!
It sounds like it should be okay! Newer optical cables can handle tight bends without impacting performance. Just to be safe, I'd suggest testing it out before you deploy it. Better safe than sorry!
Thanks for the reassurance! I’ll try to test it as soon as possible.
While those bends don't look ideal, they probably won't cause any issues. If it works when you install it, I say go for it. Worst case, you’ll check it in production and address any issues then.
I did contact them but haven't received a response yet. I’m hoping they’re just busy since they handle a lot of these assemblies and would’ve caught anything problematic.