What is a Fiber Optic Pigtail, and What Is It Used For? Written by Ben Hamlitsch, trueFIBER Fiber Technical Specialist, RCDD, FOI A fiber optic pigtail is a type of fiber optic cable with only one end that has a factory-terminated connector and the other end exposed as bare fiber. A fiber optic pigtail is typically used for field termination with a mechanical or fusion splicer. When compared to field-installed rapid termination or epoxy and polish connections, pre-terminated optical pigtails with connectors save time while providing improved performance and reliability. The manner in which fib ..read more

A Discussion About The Benefits Of Using A Fiber Optic Media Converter  Written by Ben Hamlitsch, trueFIBER Fiber Technical Specialist, RCDD, FOI   Have you wondered about the purpose of a fiber optic media converter? Read on, and then dive even deeper as you watch an interview with our very own Fiber Optics Technical Specialist, Ben Hamlitsch. Ben sits down with Chuck Bowser and the “Let’s Talk Cabling" podcast, titled “A Discussion about Fiber Media Converters.” A fiber optic media converter, simply put, converts electrical signals to light signals and vice versa. This means you ca ..read more

Comprehensive Guide to Fiber Optic Safety Written by Ben Hamlitsch, trueFIBER Fiber Technical Specialist, RCDD, FOI   Introduction to Fiber Optic Safety Fiber optic technicians and telecom workers are in charge of installing, maintaining, and fixing fiber optic network systems. This can involve working with lasers, precision equipment, micro-scale glass fragments, heights, tools, and working near or with utility or electrical infrastructure. It is important for fiber optic technicians to follow safety practices to avoid injuries and accidents. Even though this article talks about some of ..read more

The Ultimate Guide to Plenum Rated, Riser Rated, and LZSH Cables: Know the Difference Written by Ben Hamlitsch, trueFIBER Fiber Technical Specialist, RCDD, FOI     When it comes to the low-voltage wiring requirements for an office or data center, it is all too simple to greatly underestimate the challenges involved. A lot of individuals aren't familiar with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), so they think that any cable will do for their purposes. As a result, they neglect to check whether or not their cables genuinely satisfy the standards of the National Electrical C ..read more

#1 Cause of Fiber Optic Cabling Failures Written by Ben Hamlitsch, trueFIBER Fiber Technical Specialist, RCDD, FOI Have you wondered what causes fiber optic systems to fail? In the intricate and fast-paced world of fiber optics, every tiny detail matters. And among those details, there’s one that often gets overlooked yet bears immense significance: the cleanliness of fiber optic connectors and splices.  Wondering why this is a game-changer in the fiber optic universe? Read on, and then dive even deeper as you watch an interview with our very own Fiber Optics Technical Specialist Ben Haml ..read more

  Fiber Optics: The Secret Ingredient to a Blazingly Fast Connected World! Written by Ben Hamlitsch, trueFIBER Fiber Technical Specialist, RCDD, FOI Connecting and powering devices at the network's periphery—from Wi-Fi access points and security cameras to LED lighting and digital displays—has traditionally relied on twisted-pair copper cable as part of the horizontal LAN infrastructure. Fiber optic cabling's importance in today's fast-paced digital world cannot be overstated. It is now the de facto standard for LAN backbone infrastructure and data center connectivity. However, this doesn ..read more

Fiber Optics vs Ethernet: Understanding the Key Differences  Written by Ben Hamlitsch, trueFIBER Fiber Technical Specialist, RCDD, FOI   Fiber optic technology and ethernet technology are two major players in the world of data transmission. Both technologies play an important role in transmitting data and communicating information. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of both fiber optic and ethernet technologies and to compare their differences, advantages, and when to use each of them. Key points to be covered in this article are the definition, compon ..read more

Fiber Optic Internet: The Future of High-Speed Connectivity Written by Ben Hamlitsch, trueFIBER Fiber Technical Specialist, RCDD, FOI    Most of the world and all modern-day companies now consider high-speed internet to be an absolutely necessary component in our daily operations. This necessity has made humans more and more dependent on digital infrastructure. Traditional internet connections based on copper cables are slower and less reliable than those based on fiber optic technology, which is the most recent and advanced kind of internet technology. The goal of this article is to ..read more

5 Benefits to Using Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Cables Written by Ben Hamlitsch, trueFIBER Fiber Technical Specialist, RCDD, FOI While bulk fiber cable, or field terminated fiber, is used in many installations, there are also benefits to using pre-terminated fiber optic cables. It is especially more common to see pre-terminated fiber optic cables used for 40Gb and 100Gb connectivity solutions. But they are also used in 10G and simple point to point installations where the requirement is to connect between two buildings or a main house and a garage, these are all possible reasons to use pre-term ..read more

Fiber Optic Cable: Jacket & Fire Rating - What Are The Differences?  Written by Ben Hamlitsch, trueFIBER Fiber Technical Specialist, RCDD, FOI   The components of a fiber optic cable include the core, cladding, coating, strengthening member, and the outer cable jacket. Fiber optic cable jackets are necessary to protect the core and cladding within the cable from damage due to the fragility of the bare fiber. The cable jacket protects a fiber optic cable from the elements and other hazards, such as mechanical damage and fire, and depending on the rating, little or no chemicals are ..read more