Cable connection box is a key protective equipment in optical fiber communication networks. It has the effect of providing a protective environment for optical fiber fusion or mechanical connection points. It can protect the optical fiber connection points from external environmental factors and mechanical stress, ensure the stable operation of optical fiber communication links, and reduce the network failure rate. In this article today, we will introduce you how to maintain the cable connection box.
When performing daily inspections of the cable connection box, pay attention to the inspection cycle and key inspection items. For cable connection boxes in urban areas, they should be inspected once a month, while in remote areas, they should be inspected quarterly. Harsh environments such as coastal areas and mining areas need to shorten the inspection cycle to once every two weeks, and review within 24 hours after typhoons and heavy rains. The inspection content of the cable connection box includes inspection of appearance and performance. For the appearance, check the shell of the cable connection box for cracks and loose bolts. You can also wipe it with a paper towel to detect whether there is water seepage at the inlet. If it is an overhead cable connection box, you also need to check the corrosion of the hoop, and if it is buried directly, you need to make sure that the ground has not settled. The performance should be tested by an optical time domain reflectometer for fiber loss. If it increases by more than 0.1dB from the initial value, it is necessary to check whether the internal welding is loose.
Occasionally, there will be some failures in the cable joint box that need to be dealt with by us. Then in this article, we will also take three more common failures as an example to introduce you how to solve these common failures. The dampness of the water inlet in the cable joint box is manifested as a sudden increase in signal attenuation. At this time, we must immediately open the box for inspection, first loosen the bolts, remove the welding disc, use dry cotton sheets to absorb moisture, replace all sealing strips, and test the loss after resealing, so that it can basically return to normal. The optical fiber fracture of the cable joint box is mostly due to external force pulling, and the cable needs to be re-stripped and welded. Here, it should be noted that if the breakpoint is close to the joint box, sufficient length needs to be reserved to prevent the fiber from being too short during the second welding. After welding, it is necessary to verify that the breakpoint has been repaired with a time domain reflectometer. Rat and ant damage is also one of the common faults of cable joint box. This kind of failure is more common in low-altitude scenes where it is directly buried or overhead, and it is manifested as damage to the sheath. The anti-rat bite sleeve needs to be replaced during treatment. The outer layer of the cable joint box can be coated with a non-corrosive repellent for the optical fiber, and bait stations are set up around it.
At the same time, the cable joint box also needs to be cleaned regularly. This is also an important measure to extend the life of the cable joint box. The surface of the joint box can be wiped with a dry cloth every six months to remove dust and bird droppings, and the welding disc can be purged with compressed air.
In short, maintaining the cable joint box is of great significance for the stable operation and communication quality of the optical cable communication system. This can ensure the continuity of the communication link, prevent damage to the external environment, and reduce the difficulty of troubleshooting. The most important thing is to extend the service life of the optical cable and reduce long-term operating costs.