Over the years, more and more people have become experienced in working with optical fiber, particularly in the central office (CO) environment. One bit of knowledge obtained quickly through experience is the importance of fiber cable management and how it can dramatically affect the operational costs of a network. ADC has a wealth of experience in the areas of cable management and slack storage systems that are time-tested and continually improved – but it all begins with pure awareness. | Cable Management and Slack Storage Cable Management and Slack Storage Taking Up the Slack in Cable Management Over the years more and more people have become experienced in working with optical fiber particularly in the central office CO environment. One bit of knowledge obtained quickly through experience is the importance of fiber cable management and how it can dramatically affect the operational costs of a network. ADC has a wealth of experience in the areas of cable management and slack storage systems that are time-tested and continually improved - but it all begins with pure awareness. Storing excess fiber cable is an often overlooked area within the fiber-to-the-premise FTTP network s outside plant OSP architecture yet it is critical when it comes to preventing cable management problems. For example excess patch cord fiber is usually necessary for reconfiguring a fiber circuit but the slack must be managed to prevent damage. At the same time all fibers should remain as accessible as possible during day-to-day operations of the network. Accessibility and the amount of time required to reconfigure a network will be optimized in a system that maintains a continuous non-coiled or twisted routing of the fibers. The successful slack storage system provides flexible storage capacities permanent bend radius protection and easy access to individual fibers. It will also mitigate many potential problems that non-managed systems could face over time. Keys to Unlocking Fiber Management Good fiber cable management can be broken down into a few key principles. The first principle is to develop clear routing paths that are obvious to any technician at a glance. In other words routing the fiber correctly should be intuitive and easily accomplished. Next fiber cable should be physically protected to prevent damage as a result of technicians working on other parts of the cabinet or cable management device. Measures should be taken to avoid damaging pulling stretching crushing
