While fiber optic cables are ideal in sending information with very high speeds, you need to be cautious when handling them. Here are some of the safety measures that you should take:

Eye Damage

Fiber optic cables carry light at very high speeds (800 nm and above). This wavelength is said to be infrared light and you can’t see it with your naked eyes. Although, you can’t see the light with your eyes, it doesn’t mean that the light can’t affect you. Research studies have shown that looking at the cable can result to you having a burned retina.

To avoid damage to the eyes you should always use a visual tracer that will help you when undertaking regular checks. If you have single-mode cables, you should use a visual fault locator (VFL). This tool makes use of red lasers and has enough power to show breaks in the fiber.

You can also use a special filmcard which goes for $10. Using the card you will be able to convert infrared light to visible light thus you will be able to tell whether the fiber optic cable is live or not.

Glass Needles

Fibers used in making the cable are pieces of glass that are brittle and can cause injury when mishandled. The glasses are microscopic thus difficult to see and remove once they get to your body. When installing the optic fiber cable, you need to be cautious that you don’t come into contact with the broken glasses. The best way of going about it is wrapping a tape around your fingers with the sticky side out. Here the tape will catch the fibers as soon as they come out.

Other Hazards

You should be very cautious when installing the fiber optic cable in hazardous or difficult environments such as manholes or on a pole. Since the fiber usually shares facilities with power conductors and gases, you risk encountering high voltages, explosive gases, and energized equipment.

Before you do anything, you need to do your research and fully understand the area. You also need to follow appropriate safety rule and procedures.

Conclusion

These are some of the safety measures that you need to put into consideration when handling fiber optic cables. For ideal results, always ensure that you have your safety kit with you all the time. You should also ensure that you buy the cables from a reputable and reliable store.