Ever wondered what your business relies on the most? It’s none other than the data. It’s not only you but every other business that relies heavily on data and requires faster data access to be able to carry on routine operations.
But the higher data access requires you to have a robust network infrastructure in place which is lacking in most businesses. Otherwise, you might have slow speed which in turn can disrupt your performance.
The key is to identify the common causes of damage to continue your operations. This is where the office cable installation services come to your help. Wondering how?
Get to know straight from the fiber optic installers and identify the common causes of fiber optic cable damage to have a solid network infrastructure.
Fiber Optic Cable Damage Causes You Need To Know
Most businesses have a damaged fiber optic cable which in turn could result in interference and cause disruptions in your routine operations. The key is to identify those causes and fix them.
Take note of the common causes of fiber optic cable damage straight from the network cabling company.
Physical damage
The most obvious damage done to the fiber optic cables is the physical damage. This can occur due to a variety of reasons such as rough handling, construction mishaps, accidental cuts, or heavy equipment rolling all over the cable.
This breaks the fiber optic cable which in turn can become the leading cause of signal loss and network downtime, causing disruptions in business.
Improper installation
You might not know this but the fiber optic cable can also get damaged due to improper installation. When the fiber optic cable components are not handled properly or are installed improperly, this results in breakage.
The network cabling installers recommend handling them properly so that they don’t break. Otherwise, you might experience interference and performance issues.
Overbending
It’s obvious that if you bend the cable too much, it’ll only lead to damage and breakage. The worst is that this leads to a signal loss. The fiber optic cables need to be laid out properly and handled in such a manner that they work right.
Consequently, the key is to make sure you don’t bend the cables too much. Instead, ensure only to bend the cables up to a certain point and not beyond that. This will ensure the data keeps moving as fast as you want.
Loose or damaged connectors
The next common cause of fiber optic cable damage is loose or damaged connectors. The connectors act as a link between the cable and the rest of the network. The problem with these is that they get loose with time and get damaged.
A loose connector can drastically affect a signal and the damaged one can stop working altogether. Make sure the connections are tight and in good condition before you begin with the installation.
Environmental conditions
The fiber optic cables also get damaged due to the environmental conditions. By exposing the fiber optic cables to extreme temperatures and conditions such as snow, rain, or hail, you risk the cable getting damaged.
Using the damaged fiber optic cable will affect its signal quality and might not give you the performance you are expecting.
Moisture or other issues
Most businesses do not know this but fiber optic cables are detrimental to moisture and water. The water and moisture reach the fiber optic cable strands and can make it unfit to be used during the installation.
Not only this, the connectors can also become contaminated with dust, scratches, and moisture damaging it to the extent that it cannot be used.
Inferior quality materials
The mistake that most businesses make is to opt for poor-quality materials thinking it costs them less. Sure, these would cost you less but if seen in the long run, it will turn out to be costly for you.
The inferior quality materials spell future repairs and failures which turn out to be costly. Moreover, these materials do not handle the data speeds well and degrade over time.
The solution? Invest in getting superior components to ensure your network’s reliability and longevity.
Inexperienced fiber optic installers
Choosing an inexperienced or fresher fiber optic installer might seem cost-effective in the short run but it turns out to be super costly in the long run. Inexperienced installers might not know how to handle the fiber optic cables properly which in turn can severely affect the signal.
As a result, always hire an expert network cabling company or experienced fiber optic installers to get the installation done.
Wrapping Up
These are all the common causes that can damage your fiber optic cable and drastically affect your network. The next steps? Find reliable and experienced office cable installation services to get it done the right way.
Fiber Optic Cable Damage: FAQs
What is the most common cause of fiber optic cable damage?
For buried fiber, the most common cause is digging: excavation and boring equipment cutting the cable, which installers call “backhoe fade.” Inside buildings, the Fiber Optic Association says most harm to installed fiber is done during handling by unskilled people, such as cables broken at patch panels, dropped connectors with cracked ferrules, and dirty connectors.
How can you tell if a fiber optic cable is damaged?
Common signs are a link that goes down completely, slow or intermittent connections, and higher-than-expected signal loss on a test. A technician confirms it with a light source and power meter loss test, a visual fault locator (a red laser that glows where light escapes at a break or bad connector), or an OTDR, which shows where along the cable the loss occurs.
How do you find a break in a fiber optic cable?
On short runs, a visual fault locator shines a bright red laser into the fiber, and the light glows visibly at the break or bad connector. On longer runs, an OTDR measures the distance to the fault. OTDR readings are about ±2% accurate, so technicians test from both ends and also walk the cable route, which is often the fastest way to spot physical damage.
Can a damaged fiber optic cable be repaired?
Yes, in most cases. A technician cuts out the damaged section and joins the fibers with a fusion splice, which is the most reliable method. If the cable has spare slack, the two ends can be joined in one splice closure; if not, a new section of cable is spliced in using two splices. Damaged connectors are replaced or re-terminated, and every repair is retested.
What is the minimum bend radius for fiber optic cable?
The Fiber Optic Association’s rule of thumb is 20 times the cable diameter while pulling under tension and 10 times the cable diameter once installed, unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. Bending tighter than this can break fibers or add signal loss that isn’t visible from the outside, and it can void the cable manufacturer’s warranty.
Does electromagnetic interference affect fiber optic cable?
No. Fiber carries light through glass, so it is unaffected by electromagnetic interference from motors, power lines or industrial equipment, which is a major reason businesses choose it over copper. What people call “interference” on fiber is usually signal loss from dirty connectors, tight bends or stressed cable. Armored or conductive fiber cables contain metal, so they still must be bonded and grounded under the National Electrical Code.
Why do dirty fiber optic connectors cause problems?
Dust, skin oil or scratches on a connector’s end face block or scatter the light, raising signal loss, and dirt can also damage the connector it’s plugged into. The Fiber Optic Association calls dirt “the enemy of good fiber optic connections.” Installers should inspect each connector with a fiber microscope, clean it before every connection, and keep dust caps on unused ports.
Can water or moisture damage fiber optic cable?
Yes. Water that gets into unsealed splice closures, connectors or ducts can contaminate connections, and in ducts it can freeze and crush the cable, a failure Corning lists for duct installations. Outdoor and underground runs should use cable rated for wet locations, such as gel-filled or water-blocked designs, along with sealed splice closures and proper drainage.
How long does fiber optic cable last?
Fiber optic cable typically lasts 30 years or more. Corning estimates about 30 years of reliable operation for outside plant cable installed to its recommended practices. Lifespan is shortened by installation stress, bend radius or pulling tension violations, poor splicing, rodents, dig-ups, chemicals, and temperatures or humidity outside the cable’s rating.
Do rodents damage fiber optic cable?
Yes. Rodents such as squirrels, rats and mice chew through cable jackets, and Corning lists them as a lifespan risk for both buried and aerial fiber. Where rodents are a problem, use armored or rodent-resistant cable, or run the fiber inside conduit or innerduct.
Do you need to call 811 before digging near fiber in Texas?
Yes. Texas law requires you to contact Texas 811, by phone or online, at least two business days before any digging, even in your own backyard. The service is free, and utility owners then mark buried lines, including fiber. If you hire a contractor, the contractor is responsible for the 811 request, so ask them for the ticket number.
How can businesses prevent fiber optic cable damage?
Protect the cable plant from the start: run fiber in conduit or innerduct where it is exposed, respect bend radius and pulling tension limits, label and document every run, and use lockable racks and patch panels. Limit moves, adds and changes to trained staff, keep dust caps on connectors, and have every link tested and certified after installation by an experienced installer.
Need fiber optic installation or repair in Dallas-Fort Worth?
Ighty Support installs, splices, tests and repairs fiber optic and structured cabling for offices, warehouses, schools and medical facilities across DFW. Our in-house technicians follow manufacturer bend radius and pulling limits, clean and inspect every connector, and certify each link before handoff, so your network starts clean and stays reliable. We have served DFW businesses since 2011.
Contact Ighty Support for a free cabling assessment:
- Call (24/7): (972) 200-3219
- Email: support@ightysupport.com
- Book online: Schedule a free consultation
- Offices: 1509 W Hebron Pkwy, Suite 120, Carrollton, TX 75010 and 2001 N Lamar St, Suite 270, Dallas, TX 75202
We serve Dallas, Carrollton, Plano, Frisco, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Denton, Southlake and 100+ cities across the Metroplex.
Verified Google Reviews