Fiber Optic Surveillance

[kelvin 0]

I have my own technician to do the wiring and installation on the RG cable. Im thinking to upgrade self knowledge to know how to run fiber optic surveillance. Exp. What I have to be careful during install fiber optic cable, converter and during testing and commissioning. How many type of fiber optic equipment usually apply to surveillance and etc.

 

I have no experience in fiber optic system.

[InNorthernWeTrust 0]

I have my own technician to do the wiring and installation on the RG cable. Im thinking to upgrade self knowledge to know how to run fiber optic surveillance. Exp. What I have to be careful during install fiber optic cable, converter and during testing and commissioning. How many type of fiber optic equipment usually apply to surveillance and etc.

 

I have no experience in fiber optic system.

 

IFS has a product training section on there site. They have one just on fiber video. Scroll down to the bottom and youll find the videos.

 

I honestly don't know how great they are though. My line of work I just need basic knowledge on fiber.

[survtech 0]

InNorthernWeTrust,

 

I, too would be interested in providing training to my techs on fiber; specifically proper termination and connection. I assume that by IFS you mean Internation Fiber Systems? I've been to their website and seen their list of "2007 Fiber Optic and Network Training Seminars".

 

Do you know anyone who has attended their class? Do they teach proper termination, provide the required tools and certify the trainees?

[CollinR 0]

I'm pretty sure the good termination and splicing equipment has some internal QC testing. I mean it's impossible to polish something that small using only you eye.

[kelvin 0]

I'm pretty sure the good termination and splicing equipment has some internal QC testing. I mean it's impossible to polish something that small using only you eye.

 

 

at least somebody could tell us their bad experience and make us to be aware if we got the same situation. just like we comment and give advice on the RG cable to the fresh entrance to cctv business

[kelvin 0]

I did find some info on google, but majority is only tell the theory on fiber optic. I need info on how to do the whole operation from A to Z.... haha... sound greedy rite..... at least one person share the experience and whole bunch of us benefits..... thanks

[survtech 0]

It's not just bad experiences with us; it is no experience. In the past, we have relied on integrators and contractors for the minimal fiber runs we have used.

 

In the future, we will have to utilize fiber much more as we convert to digital. We have determined that any large expansion to our casino will have to be IP-ready. That is the direction CCTV is taking and to continue with an analog-only infrastructure would be foolish.

 

We would like to be able to accomplish this in-house, therefore we need to get training.

[CameraGenius 0]

I know people locally who all they use is fiber for their cameras. They also use all IP cameras, all Bosch. For some reason they ALWAYS get the big contracts

 

But sorry I do not know much about fiber, but I can terminate it and maybe that's all there is to know heh

[InNorthernWeTrust 0]

InNorthernWeTrust,

 

I, too would be interested in providing training to my techs on fiber; specifically proper termination and connection. I assume that by IFS you mean Internation Fiber Systems? I've been to their website and seen their list of "2007 Fiber Optic and Network Training Seminars".

 

Do you know anyone who has attended their class? Do they teach proper termination, provide the required tools and certify the trainees?

 

No I dont know anyone who has definitely taken the classes... I have a customer who does a lot of fiber and i'll see where he has his techs learn.

 

They have the webinars and slide shows on the bottom for the brief intro. I'd contact the local rep for real training. Tell them you'll use their product for Fiber and just have them train you.

 

Northern Video can have a rep contact you as well. Give us a call and your account manager will arrange it.

[mfennell 0]

Not sure on IFS training but we use there media converters. Easy enough to use, just plug the connections in and go. We use the optimax fiber kits and their connectors. Its not like the old days when you would have to cleave and polish, confirm that you have a good straight cleave and then terminate which would take 15-20 minutes. We use there kits and connectors and now have th terminations down to a few minutes each, tops.

 

It feels like I am cheating its so easy, it just takes some practice on the cleaves. Also the kits come with a CD with all the training material you will need. We got it all through Northern Video and West Penn.

 

As for running the fiber, just don't bend it too much 3"-4" radius max (it varies , check with the manufacturer) and don't pull to hard. I can't remember off hand how much pressure you can apply (its been a while since I've had to be in the field).

 

Make the jump into it, its worth it, you can ignore emi on your runs and your can run a much greater distance (tons of other pluses).

[Wachhund 0]

We got three of our techs Fiber Optic cert. through Light Brigade for $1200 each. Fiber is definitely the way to go if you can afford it. An 8 channel converter T/R can go $10k. To set up your company to do simple splicing and polishing is a couple of grand. The difference is amazing on long runs, especially here in N.Y.C. where these old sky scrapers have crappy wiring and a lot of EMI. IFS is a good source and so is FIS (who also do nationwide training)

[kelvin 0]

Its not like the old days when you would have to cleave and polish, confirm that you have a good straight cleave and then terminate which would take 15-20 minutes. We use there kits and connectors and now have th terminations down to a few minutes each, tops.......

 

 

 

Wow... sound interesting. Just like what "Wachhund" said, In my location most of the technician will be send to training and then cert by some organization. Since you have been using optimax fiber kits before. Do you get the same quality and performance as old time which need to clave and polish? What about the costing? will be be the same or lower?

 

As i know fiber optic usually divided into single mode and multi mode then follow by how many pair/s fiber optic(correct me if im wrong). Can your tool kits support?

[mfennell 0]

Its not like the old days when you would have to cleave and polish, confirm that you have a good straight cleave and then terminate which would take 15-20 minutes. We use there kits and connectors and now have th terminations down to a few minutes each, tops.......

 

 

 

Wow... sound interesting. Just like what "Wachhund" said, In my location most of the technician will be send to training and then cert by some organization. Since you have been using optimax fiber kits before. Do you get the same quality and performance as old time which need to clave and polish? What about the costing? will be be the same or lower?

 

As i know fiber optic usually divided into single mode and multi mode then follow by how many pair/s fiber optic(correct me if im wrong). Can your tool kits support?

 

The quality is the same, the biggest difference is the actual connectors cost just a little bit more but you make up for it on the time saved. I've done the old polishing methods (I used to teach certification courses for copper and fiber) and its the same in the end.

 

Typically we run 6 strand indoor/outdoor multimode fiber. The cost difference between 4 and 6 is minimal and two 2 strand is typically used for patch cables, you never know when you will need that extra pair. If you need to get it with more strands you can get it. They have break out kits if you need it.

 

Here is the brochure for the kit

http://www.westpenn-wpw.com/pdfs/optimax.pdf

[acableconnection 0]

The way to go for fiber nowadays, is the prepolished connectors. All you have to do, is strip the fiber, use cleave tool, push it into connector, glue it or crimp it, and your done. as long as your cleave was good.

[jeromephone 6]

We do a lot of fiber for data but have done not for CCTV. We always seem to find some cheaper alternative. Often you can put in an additional server cheaper than you can install the fiber and get the necessary electonics for both ends. We use the Panduit product but we are looking at getting a fusion machine to eliminate the problems with terminations we have tried both the no polish cam locks to the 3 m hotmelts and they all have some disadvantages. On long runs there is certaintly a reason to test the fiber prior to installation. We just had to rip out 600 ft because of multiple failures. If you do get into fiber a good tester in a necessity.

[kelvin 0]

Its not like the old days when you would have to cleave and polish, confirm that you have a good straight cleave and then terminate which would take 15-20 minutes. We use there kits and connectors and now have th terminations down to a few minutes each, tops.......

 

 

 

Wow... sound interesting. Just like what "Wachhund" said, In my location most of the technician will be send to training and then cert by some organization. Since you have been using optimax fiber kits before. Do you get the same quality and performance as old time which need to clave and polish? What about the costing? will be be the same or lower?

 

As i know fiber optic usually divided into single mode and multi mode then follow by how many pair/s fiber optic(correct me if im wrong). Can your tool kits support?

 

The quality is the same, the biggest difference is the actual connectors cost just a little bit more but you make up for it on the time saved. I've done the old polishing methods (I used to teach certification courses for copper and fiber) and its the same in the end.

 

Typically we run 6 strand indoor/outdoor multimode fiber. The cost difference between 4 and 6 is minimal and two 2 strand is typically used for patch cables, you never know when you will need that extra pair. If you need to get it with more strands you can get it. They have break out kits if you need it.

 

Here is the brochure for the kit

http://www.westpenn-wpw.com/pdfs/optimax.pdf

 

 

Im thinking to invest on optimax. Just like jeromephone said, a good tools is important. According to your experience, optimax doesnt give you any failure so far right? besides tools kits, do i require a tester? any good tester with reasonable price recommend?

[adrianliang 0]

you can ask the fiber optic expert in your area to solve the problem

[youngbb 0]

How many fiber cable do you want? for cost i suggest one is OK.

you just need a fiber video converter.

See how many cameras you have, even you can get one video converter with ethernet port/Telephone port. of course it is expensive than ordinery ones.

 

it is easy use and installing. Believe me, one practice is OK

[youngbb 0]

many video converter are made of China nowadays. Just like CCTV surveillances.

 

Try your best guys

[mcs 0]

You will require Fibre termination tool, either Fusion or Splice, bit exxy

 

You can buy a fusion tool which will do the work, just put the two cut ends of fibre in and you have a pigtail...

 

 

Fibre isnt that special, really if your using single mode, ask ur supplier, hell steer you in the right direction for what you need on a case by case basis,

 

Making sure you have the correct modems is important on a network,

 

In Australia we have to do a cabling course to run any type of "network connectable devices" and so learn the basics, Unless you o further courses at TAFE or another training institution, then its all teach urself...

[mcs 0]

Also there is NO issue with "Seperation" as in this country we have to be so far from high voltage (50mm for lv 240vac) and 100 + for higher,

So if you have a difficult job fibre is the go, just watch the bend rating on your fibre and how you treat it, ITS NOT COAX

Edited January 8, 2008 by Guest

[Slim 0]

Personally, unless distance is an issue, I suggest sticking with coax. Cost benefits include the fact that all you need is a roll of RG and a couple of BNC connectors (Any Tech can handle that). And if it happens that somehow you get into trouble and your line gets cut at 3 am, it's nothing a good coupler and more BNCs wont fix. The repair will be faster as well. If it is a distance issue, and depending on how many lines you need to run, a Fiber "Patch" panel might be the route to take as all your "home run" lines can be run into it and then it's just a matter of 2 Fiber to Coax units per camera. (RX & TX) and a couple of fiber patch cables, then coax runs to your camera and switch or DVR end from the converters. (I have used IFS VR1900 Series FM Video Receiver with Bi-directional Data Transmission and and they have been rock solid). I will admit that every situation is different, but all in all, cheaper and simpler is usually better. Running fiber is also a bit more delicate (Tension, radius bends, etc) especially when running "Free air" above ceilings and through walls. There is also the additional costs of the terminations and extra gear you need as well. Don't get me wrong, Fiber has it's place and I've used a fair bit of it. Just decide if you "Need" to use it. As far as wanting to learn how to terminate fiber (Never a bad Idea) but some of the equipment can be pretty pricey. When you boil it down a good pair of coax strippers can save you alot of headaches down the road.