Product Spotlight - FTTx Drop Cables

What is a ‘toneable’ fiber drop cable assembly?

Toneable drop cable is a type of fiber optic cable that is specifically designed to allow for the use of tone generators and tracers for identifying and troubleshooting individual fibers within the cable. A tone generator is a device that sends a low-frequency audio signal, or “tone,” down a fiber optic cable.

 

This tone can then be detected by a tone tracer, which is a handheld device that can locate the exact location of the tone along the length of the cable. This allows network engineers to quickly and easily identify individual fibers within a cable, which can be useful when troubleshooting and maintaining a network.

 

The main difference between toneable drop cable and other types of fiber optic cable is that toneable cable has a copper conductor within the cable jacket. This conductor is used to transmit the tone generator’s signal along the length of the cable and allows the use of tone tracing.

 

Other types of fiber optic cable do not have this copper conductor, and therefore cannot be used with tone generators and tracers. This means that identifying individual fibers within the cable can be more difficult and time-consuming, requiring the use of other methods such as visual inspection or continuity testing.

 

Toneable drop cable is particularly useful in situations where a large number of fibers are running in close proximity to each other, such as in a multi-fiber cable or a fiber distribution hub. In these cases, the ability to quickly and easily identify individual fibers can save a lot of time and effort in troubleshooting and maintenance.

 

More facts about toneable & non-toneable fiber optic drop cable:

 

  • Drop cable allows for the final link in a fiber optic network to be made at the subscriber’s location, rather than at a central office or other location, this results in faster and more reliable communication speeds

 

  • Drop cable is small and flexible, making it easy to install and handle. It can be easily routed through tight spaces and around obstacles, making it well-suited for use in residential and business environments

 

  • Drop cables can be easily terminated with connectors on one end and spliced to the main fiber optic distribution cable on the other end, reducing the complexity of installation

 

  • Drop cables are immune to electromagnetic interference, this means that the signal sent over them will not be affected by external sources of electromagnetic radiation such as radio frequencies or microwaves

 

  • Drop cables can also help to reduce costs associated with network maintenance, because fiber optic cables are more durable and have a longer lifespan than copper cables, they require less frequent replacement and repair

FTTx Drop Cable Assemblies

FTTx Drop Cable HLC® Assemblies – Benefits & Applications

Photo of Toneable Drop Cable with Optitap Style Connector

KEY BENEFITS

  • Exclusive HLC Termination Process
  • Used Prysmian ResiLink or ezDROP Cable with BendBright or BendBright-XS Glass
  • Fiber Counts (2-12)
  • Available in Industry-Standard (SCAPC, SC, LC) and Hardened OSP Connectors
  • Designed to comply with GR-326 and GR-3120
  • Coil or Spool Packaging
  • Pre-installed Pulling Eyes available
  • Toneable & Non-toneable Options Available

APPLICATIONS

  • Fiber Broadband Network Expansion / Rural Broadband Networks
  • Pre-Terminated FTTx drops / MDU Deployments
  • Aerial Lashed
  • Duct, Direct Buried
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About Megladon

A global industry leader in fiber optics and your premier partner for fiber optic connectivity, Megladon has spent over a decade developing fiber optic technology and perfecting the HLC interconnect. Our patented technology and process results in a reference grade interconnect that is reliable, rugged, repeatable and provides maximum performance. With millions of our products deployed worldwide, our fiber optic technology has been proven time and again to solve many of the problems encountered in network deployment and maintenance. We have also been able to use HLC as the foundation piece to develop unique and passive fiber optic solutions for our customers.