Field Terminated Vs. Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies: What’s the Difference?

Copper cable was the most preferred cable choice for setting up the network infrastructure. They were cheaper to produce, and the protective outer covering allowed them to be run through tight ducts or buried underground. Yet, they were not a viable option for long-distance communication or wide area networks. Fiber optics not only have higher bandwidth capability but could also be used for long-distance communication. While the cost was higher than copper cables, the performance was unmatched. Gradually, with the introduction of multimode fiber optic cables and by buying in bulk, copper cables were replaced by fiber optic cables in interdepartmental networks.

A business or a facility can enjoy superior data transmission and have a network that is uninterrupted by electronics or wireless signal interference. The only challenge a company faces is during the network installation. Owing to the brittle nature of the glass core in a pre-terminated fiber, planning the layout, passing the cables through ducts, terminating the cable ends, and testing the network needs to be carried out with extra care. The type of fiber termination you use, factory or field terminated, determines both signal clarity and speed of installation.

Suppose you are on the fence while choosing between Field Terminated Vs. Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies, this article will surely help you make the right decision.

What are Field Terminated Fiber Optic Assemblies?

By definition, field termination is when the cable is cut to suitable lengths, and the terminals are terminated at the time of the installation. This kind of termination happens in real-time at the site of installation. This type of termination is preferred when the installation site conditions are unknown, and it is not possible to get the right measurement beforehand. Next, the cable is unfurled from the spool, pulled across the ducts or underground conduit. Later, the connectors are attached on both ends before connecting to a patch panel. This requires specialized tools, and unless terminated correctly, the cable is going to perform poorly.

Advantages

• Accurate cable lengths:
  Instead of cutting the cable as per the length, the field terminated cables are cut after pulling, and then the connectors are terminated. So they have the perfect length from the patch panel to the receiver.

• Easy to Pull:
  Since the connectors are only added after laying the cable, it is comparatively easier to implement the pulling mechanism. You don’t risk breaking the connectors while pulling the cable, and you can test the cable before terminating.

• Very little upfront preparation:
  You don’t need any upfront planning when conducting field termination. You need the cable spool and appropriate connectors.

• Extra material available:
  Since the cable is not terminated at predetermined lengths, any mistakes can be recovered in terms of additional cable material.

Disadvantages

• Increased installation costs:
  For field termination, you need specialized tools and workforce. There are increased steps to follow, and you need more than one field technician for laying the cable and termination.

• Slower Installations:
  There are additional steps involved when going for field terminations. You need to terminate the connectors, and an extra measure of testing the connections is involved. Multiply by the number of cables to install, and you take up a considerable time.

• Need a clean environment:
  Dust and dirt can play havoc on the cable performance, especially at the cable ends. So, you need to ensure the place is clean when terminating the connectors.

• Too much wastage possible:
  Depending on the technician’s skill level, you may end up with botched-up terminations that require you to redo them. This is time-consuming, and extra material is used up.

• Any hidden costs:
  Compared to pre-terminated fiber where you pay for the cables and only need to install them, field termination may have hidden costs in terms of extra manpower and material wastage.

What are Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Cables?

The pre-terminated fiber optic cables are those which are terminated at the factory before dispatch. Since it is shipped based on your measurements, you can be assured that termination would be ‘A-Grade’, and each cable is tested beforehand. These cables assure high data speed and reliability is top-notch.

Advantages

• Factory grade precision:
  Each cable shipped from the factory is edge polished, and the connectors are tested for signal loss.

• Less wastage:
  Since the terminations are performed in the factory, there is a significant decrease in the wastages. The cables are packaged to ensure the connectors remain protected.

• Minimum insertion loss:
  When terminated at the factory, the glass is cleaved in the right way. It is polished, and the epoxy has enough time to set and cure. So the connectors are free of material defects, smudges, or contamination.

• Multiple cables in a trunk cable:
  With pre-terminated fiber, you can have multiple cables included in a trunk cable. This way, you can have multiple connections without occupying a comparatively larger space.

Disadvantages

• Takes time:
  Preparing your cables as per specification takes time, and it affects the shipping time.

• Zero chance of mistake:
  When placing the order, you need to provide the correct measurements. Any error would render the cable useless.

• Complete redo over.
  If any of the cable breaks during installation, you need to place an order again.

• Loops and twists can occur during shipping. It is lethal for cable quality as twists can shear the glass core and change its optical index.

Which Should You Go For?

With pre-terminated fiber optic cable, you get premium quality and reliable data transfer. With a single trunk cable, you can have multiple cables running simultaneously without worrying about interference. However, you cannot run them through tight ducts or overhead conduits. So pre-terminated cables are ideal for data centers, network junction rooms, and server rooms.

On the other hand, pre-terminated cables are ideal for places where data reliability and high data speed are crucial. This means it is applicable to financial institutions, healthcare, and transportation organizations. Therefore, the cable choice is crucial depending on the location, environment, or application.

Wrapping Up

Choosing the right cable type is important. Not only does the network quality depend on it, but the overhead and operational costs too also rely on it. While measurements need to be precise in the case of pre-terminated cables, the benefits outweigh the cons. By purchasing from a trusted network cable supplier, you can be assured of the quality of the pre-terminated fiber optic cable assemblies.