atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring Does fiber have an expiration date?

I have a customer that wants to connect two switches in a two story building with a fiber segment. I have some leftover 6 strand inside fiber from a job 10 years ago. Is this still usable or not recommended?

Yes, it is usable. As long as the ends are properly cleaved, you will be fine. That stuff lasts forever unless it has been exposed to physical damage.

Thanks Ed,
I guess I was concerned that if it sat for years on a spool that potentially it might "develop a memory" and tend to want to "curl" in the interduct.

We work on fiber at an Air force Bombing Range that is from the late 60's. Works great. We recently replaced ends on about 4 runs, each one about 3/4 of a mile. Still working great.

No physical damage just maintenance.

So yes it should last a long time.

Cosmo

ictelco.....as long as you didn't let the light out it should still be okay.......

If it was stored properly it should be okay. The twisting comes from not allowing the complete cable to rotate...remember swivels.

Thanks for letting me pull your leg!

:rofl:

Ken....if I duct tape a flashlight at each end of the spool and leave them on till the batteries run out, do you suppose it will recharge the cable?
Nice to be in a group with a sense of humor.
Thanks for the reply. Remember never look at the end of a piece of fiber with the naked eye, there might be a flashlight attached to the other end.

1960's era fiber...that's impressive. I'm curious as to why the ends were changed though? Did the customer require different connectors or was there another reason?

Back then there was a lot of "dark" fiber, the size varied from 50 to 90 microns. The LED and laser technology just wasn't there yet....remember SM fiber is from 8 to 11 microns. Quite a range when you think at it.

Back then it was not unusual for the fiber connectors to use matching gel. It would deteriorate leaving bad levels. And ST connectors were some new fangled contraptions. SC or the other (can't remember the initials) ST that was not spring loaded. Loose connections, vibrating connections, cracked fiber due to over contact pressure....see, you guys just don't know how lucky you are.

Ken, are you thinking of "bicons", A.K.A: Biconic connectors?

Yep, Ed, you do know that is it...the cone and insert made a good connection IF the glass was installed and polished correctly BUT vibration caused problems, even when installed properly. Once you screwed them together like putting the cap on your bottle it was a tight connection. They were used on aircraft. I can tell you some unusual stories about them.

Senior moment! Shame to lose a mind.....