GYTS Optical Cable Scientific Maintenance: Fault Troubleshooting and Intelligent O&M
A well-established maintenance system can significantly extend the service life of optical cables and ensure network stability.
1. Common Fault Diagnosis and Handling
Increased Optical Attenuation
This is the most common issue, often caused by connector contamination, aging fiber grease, or an excessively small bending radius (micro-bend).
Handling steps:
Use an OTDR to locate the attenuation point.
Clean or re-splice the connector.
nspect and rectify sections with improper bending.
Communication Interruption (Fiber Break)
Usually caused by external mechanical damage such as excavation, vehicle crushing, or rodent bites.
Handling steps:
Precisely locate the break point using an OTDR.
Excavate or climb the pole to access the damaged section.
Cut out the damaged portion and perform re-splicing
Optical Cable Water Ingress
Manifests as abnormal monitoring signals or water inside the joint closure, often due to damage to the sheath or armor layer.
Handling steps:
Locate the point of damage.
Perform local waterproof sealing or replace the entire cable section.
2. Intelligent O&M Technologies
Modern optical cable network maintenance has evolved from “post-failure repair” to “pre-failure warning.”
Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)
The “radar” for maintenance personnel. By regularly testing fiber links and generating attenuation curves, OTDRs compare current data with historical records to detect early signs of link degradation.
Distributed Fiber Sensing Systems (DTS/DAS)
Making optical cables “speak.” These systems use the fiber itself as a sensor to monitor temperature, strain, and vibration along the route in real time. If nearby construction (abnormal vibration) or fire (abnormal temperature) occurs, the system immediately alerts and pinpoints the location, enabling proactive protection. Some operators have reduced fault localization time from hours to minutes after implementing this technology.