How an Air Blown Fiber Optic Cable Machine Works

Air-blown fiber optic cable represents an exceptional long-term value for your facility. Air-blown installation can pay for itself in savings the next time you need to update or expand your telecommunications infrastructure. Today’s blog from CKC Data Solutions explains how an air-blown fiber optic cable machine works.

Why is an air-blown fiber optic cable machine a portable device?

When we come to your facility, the air-blown fiber optic cable machine sets up in a few minutes. We unpack the case and set up the machine. You’ll see a large spool of fiber optic cable, which is very thin, connected to a slightly larger tube that’s hollow and clear.

How does an air-blown fiber optic cable machine blow nitrogen?

We affix an air tube behind the hollow tube using a valved, Y-shaped connector. The air tube uses high-pressure nitrogen to blow the fiber optics along the hollow tube. The hollow tube guides the fiber optics to the microducts.

What happens when nitrogen blows through microducts for air-blown fiber optic cable?

Once the air-blown fiber optic cable reaches the microducts in your facility, it can travel up to 200 feet per minute. Microducts are hollow tubes that form a honeycomb-like pattern through your building’s conduits. You might see up to 24 microducts nested together. These microducts are about as big as a standard electrical conduit, meaning they’re very small and need precision tools to install cables correctly. We monitor the air pressure and how the cable travels. If anything is amiss, we’ll stop and take a look. Our team tests existing tubes and conduits to make sure the air-blown fiber optics travel properly through your infrastructure.

How does someone examine meters and monitor air-blown fiber optic cable installations?

Cable guidance systems roll the cable towards the pressurized air. Our meters show the length and velocity of the blown cable as it passes through the machine and your microducts. Digital controls allow us to control the speed and power of the air-blown fiber cables.

Why is air-blown fiber a specialized cable system?

Air-blown fiber optic cables have special coverings and insulation that allow them to travel through the microducts easily. They’re lubricated to reduce friction, because most of the air needs to be behind the cable rather than forming a cushion around it. The technicians at CKC Data Solutions have decades of experience using the highest-quality cabling materials, equipment, and techniques.

Who can install air-blown fiber optic cabling in Springfield, Missouri?

CKC Data Solutions specializes in air-blown fiber optic cables and every kind of telecommunications hardware installation. Contact CKC Data Solutions or call (417) 812-5251 for more information on what we can do for your facility!