5 factors affecting cabling performance

Chances are good that if you don’t have fibre optic cabling, you’re looking at having it installed. That’s because it’s an excellent conductor of fast data over long distances – much further than copper wires. But there are 5 factors affecting cabling performance that you’ll likely need to contend with. We’ll break down the key cabling considerations in this 2-minute read.

1. The spec of the cabling

Depending on how far and how fast your connection needs to be, there are specific fibre optic cable specs you need to adhere to. Let’s say you had 10 gigs of speed, then the max cable lengths would be 33m for OM1, 82m for OM2, 300m for OM3 and 400m for OM4. Then you need to choose between multimode and singlemode. Singlemode is more expensive but the speeds and distances you can cable are greater.

2. General fibre optic cable quality

You want to install the best cable you can afford for your business requirements. BASEC explains, “The key performance indicators for a data cable are attenuation and crosstalk, therefore in-depth tests have been developed to measure both. The tests determine the interference experienced, which in turn impacts the ability of the cable to transmit data without errors.” When selecting a cable, choose a manufacturer who has been independently scored highly for these core metrics.

3. Existing cabling & electrical bleed

While not an issue if you’re installing fresh, high-grade cabling; electrical bleed is where inferior cables are placed too close together and they react with each other. This causes performance issues and lag. To avoid this, you’ll want an expert partner to help you map existing wiring . You’ll do this to ensure your cabling and equipment is properly deployed and doesn’t adversely affect (and isn’t adversely affected by) legacy installations.

4. Need for future proofing

As we mentioned earlier, you’ll want to install the highest-grade fibre optic cable that meets your budgetary constraints. That’s because the demands on your network are never going to reduce. If anything, you need a future-proofed solution that allows you to quickly scale to add additional connections rapidly. Structured cabling solutions are so popular because they’re massively adaptable and support the latest applications businesses need to remain competitive.

5. Reduction of downtime

Downtime is a huge risk for modern businesses. In fact, the average estimated cost of brownouts is now around $600k. So, it’s important that your connection is always-on. There is a high risk of human error and mistakes being made with multiple, unorganised cabling structures, which can cause workflow disruptions and network downtime. A well-planned cabling system also means easier troubleshooting, so it’s easier to identify and rectify faults quickly. And when you use the highest-quality fibre optic cables available, you’re helping to prevent slowdowns and productivity loss as well.

Not sure what cabling system is right for you? Are you facing additional factors affecting cabling performance in your organisation that we’ve not covered in this article? Talk to our helpful team of connectivity experts today for support with your location.