How to Pull a Fiber Optic Cable
Properly installing fiber optic cable is essential to successfully connecting utilities such as telephone, cable and high-speed Internet service. The installation process itself is known as pulling. Pulling fiber optic cable requires great concentration and sleight of hand. However, you can pull your own fiber optic cable if you prepare before pulling. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Clear a lane or route through which you would like to run your fiber optic cable. Dig a trench for your cable if you plan to run it underground or through a solid material.
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Create a conduit. You can run your fiber optic cable through tubing. Make sure the conduit is at least 40 percent wider in diameter than the cable you intend to run. Creating a conduit is not necessary, but it is recommended, particularly if you are trying to run your fiber optic cable through a solid material.
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Run your pulling fixture along the route you would like your fiber optic cable to run. Thread your pulling fixture through the conduit if you are using one.
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Tie the pulling fixture to the strength member on your fiber optic cable. The strength member is a fiber or tendril from the middle of your fiber optic cable that is designed for use in the pulling process.
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Carefully and gently draw your pulling fixture through the conduit or along the desired route. Be careful not to twist, bend or create tension on your fiber optic cable.
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Leave additional cable at both ends of the route. This may prove helpful in the event that you need to repair portions of your fiber optic cable in the future.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a pulling lubricant in the conduit, but be sure to use one that is compatible with the type of fiber optic cable you are using and where you plan to install it.
Visit the "Fiber Optics Tutorial" link in the Resources section to consider different types of fiber optic cable, conduit and pulling fixtures.
