Can I pull a fiber with LC ends through a 3/4" conduit?

[reader2580]

I was stupid and only ran a 3/4" conduit for the Internet out to my solar inverters. I put in two Ethernet cables originally as I wasn't going to have 120 volt power to power a switch or fiber transceiver. I figured out a way to install a 120 volt circuit since then.

Will a fiber with LC ends fit through a 3/4" conduit? Will the cable be destroyed during the pull? A new larger conduit is not really in the cards as it is 175 feet of conduit and it was a pain to trench the 2" and 3/4" conduit the first time.

 

[bronc076]

It will be tight. On this cable the TX/RX don't easily pop apart but some do and you could stager them and it would pull easier.

 

[bronc076]

I popped this one apart to show you. A small piece of plastic broke off but it will still work fine. Be sure you are not just pulling on the ends.

 

[bronc076]

 

[reader2580]

I know that technically the connectors will fit. The real question is it actually possible to pull through a 3/4” conduit without getting it stuck, or destroying the fiber?

I have worked with fiber where the two sides of the LC connector are separate. If I did like the picture isn’t it likely the fiber would break from exceeding the minimum bend radius?

 

[bronc076]

How many bends in your run and what radius are they? Fiber is actually pretty tough, I'm assuming you have something more robust than the jumper I pictured. Ultimately it depends on the how you attach the fiber to your fishtape or pull string, how carefully you pull it, and if you have someone feeding it in the other end. I could pull it and have it be fine, I've worked with guys who can't roll up an extension cord without ruining it.

i would fist get a decent sized pull string in the run, something like para cord, larger than mason's line. Id tape it to the fiber a few feet from the end and every couple inches all the way up to the connector. Then something around the entire two feet that is low friction but will protect the connector and will not damage the connector when you remove it, like clear packing tape. Then carefully pull it and have someone feed it on the other end.

 

[reader2580]

How many bends in your run and what radius are they? Fiber is actually pretty tough, I'm assuming you have something more robust than the jumper I pictured. Ultimately it depends on the how you attach the fiber to your fishtape or pull string, how carefully you pull it, and if you have someone feeding it in the other end. I could pull it and have it be fine, I've worked with guys who can't roll up an extension cord without ruining it.

I was thinking about using a fiber patch cable just like in that photo. Another option is an armored cable which is similar to MC cable. My worry would be the stiffer armored cable might be harder to pull. A custom armored fiber cable is only like $100.

I recall there are three 90s in the run. I could easily add a pull box at the one end to eliminate a 90 from the initial pull.

 

[PCustoms]

How far is the pull?

I got all paranoid when I did mine, as I was told I needed 2". The tech came to do the initial house install and when I asked what hole to drill, he laughed and held up his pinky.

In the end the flex conduit they ran underground is maybe 1/2", and pretty sure they pulled unterminated fiber through it (the spool was loose in the truck bed and the fiber is the perfect length, so not pre terminated).

 

[reader2580]

The pull is about 175 feet. Unterminated fiber would be an easy pull as the fiber itself is skinny. It is the connectors that what make it more difficult. I don't have the tools or skill to terminate fiber.

 

[KSJeff]

Do you have any ethernet cable left? I'd probably tape it to a ethernet cable and go ahead an pull it. I'd take out the 90 if you can and use cable lube.

 

[larry4406]

I am no expert, but am following along.

I looked into this some time ago and chose to run 1" conduit to my barn for the reasons you have raised.

I had bookmarked the following link as they will make preterminated fiber for you with staggered ends and pulling eyes. Your choice of connectors (I recall reading some are much smaller than others). Pricing seems reasonable to an ignorant person like me. The link says the pulling eye is 3/4" which is the widest portion of the assembly. The 3/4" PVC you have installed supposedly has an internal diameter of 0.824" so in theory the pulling eye would clear...(maybe?)

https://www.lanshack.com/4-Strand-Custom-Multimode-50-micron-10-GiG-IndoorOutdoor-Assembly-P1982

 

[bronc076]

I was thinking about using a fiber patch cable just like in that photo. Another option is an armored cable which is similar to MC cable. My worry would be the stiffer armored cable might be harder to pull. A custom armored fiber cable is only like $100.

I recall there are three 90s in the run. I could easily add a pull box at the one end to eliminate a 90 from the initial pull.

If you have existing ethernet cables may I ask why are you changing to fiber if this is for communication with your Solar gear?

I don't think I'd go with armored, the conduit will protect it and as you pointed out it would be harder to pull. The easier it slides through the conduit the better and this stuff does pull pretty easily, just keeping the ends from getting jammed up is the issue. A lot of care should be given when attaching it to you pull string or fish tape, whatever you use. I would not hook the fiber directly to a rigid metal fish tap as that will put pressure on the connectors going around the 90. Is the conduit currently empty? Like KSJeff said an existing Ethernet cable would make an excellent pull string.

I'd buy a piece of duplex similar to the link below. That stuff is pretty tough, I've seen it in subfloors buried in RF cables and it held up well. A pull box before the 3rd 90 would help. Since you are pulling one I'd go ahead and pull a spare. It's cheap and then if one of the fibers gets damaged you have spares.

https://www.amazon.com/SpeedyFiberT...e-Options/dp/B08B53GYZ7/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bronc076]

I was looking around the internet and saw this.

https://www.showmecables.com/fiber-pulling-eye-kit-simplex-duplex-assemblies?gad_source=1

Not sure if that metal end will fit through your conduit. I'm going to have to pull fiber to my shop when it is finished. I think I'll make my own out of some wire loom that looks like a Chinese finger prison and a fishing swivel.

This stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/100ft-Expandable-Braided-Sleeving-Sleeve/dp/B071ZV6MZ2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have a bunch of that and can put something together in a few minutes I'd imagine.

 

[reader2580]

I am no expert, but am following along.

I looked into this some time ago and chose to run 1" conduit to my barn for the reasons you have raised.

I had bookmarked the following link as they will make preterminated fiber for you with staggered ends and pulling eyes. Your choice of connectors (I recall reading some are much smaller than others). Pricing seems reasonable to an ignorant person like me. The link says the pulling eye is 3/4" which is the widest portion of the assembly. The 3/4" PVC you have installed supposedly has an internal diameter of 0.824" so in theory the pulling eye would clear...(maybe?)

https://www.lanshack.com/4-Strand-Custom-Multimode-50-micron-10-GiG-IndoorOutdoor-Assembly-P1982

Thanks for this. They have a two strand version that is about $150 for the 170 feet I would need. I like that they are made in the USA. I would skip the pulling eye and just use electrical tape to attach a pull tape. Anything 3/4" wide is likely to get caught in the 90 degree elbows.

 

[reader2580]

If you have existing ethernet cables may I ask why are you changing to fiber if this is for communication with your Solar gear?

Risk of damage from a power surge or similar. I wanted to do fiber originally, but I couldn't figure out a way to power a fiber transceiver or switch at the inverters at the time.

 

[bronc076]

I should have looked at Larry's link before I posted, that preterminated cable comes with the pulling basket. Very cool.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

so long as you don't kink the fiber, you should be fine pulling it. there's pulling tension specs for fiber, but the short version of it is it should pull EASILY. 3/4" conduit is rather tight to pull connectors through.

 

[reader2580]

so long as you don't kink the fiber, you should be fine pulling it. there's pulling tension specs for fiber, but the short version of it is it should pull EASILY. 3/4" conduit is rather tight to pull connectors through.

The issue is the connectors. I don’t have a way to polish and terminate fiber. It would be easy without the connectors.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

It will be tight. On this cable the TX/RX don't easily pop apart but some do and you could stager them and it would pull easier.

Gotta be careful with staggering fiber strands as they could get broken when pulling thru the conduit

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The issue is the connectors. I don’t have a way to polish and terminate fiber. It would be easy without the connectors.

Moat companies stopped doing epoxy and polish decades ago.

If you have a stripper clever and cleaning supplies you can use the fast termination connections that require no other tools

 

[u3b3rg33k]

The issue is the connectors. I don’t have a way to polish and terminate fiber. It would be easy without the connectors.

I used to do it as part of my day job. most fiber termination is now a budget cleaver and a quarter turn connector (with fiber and index matching gel inside).

these are way cheaper than the "fancy" cleavers. especially if you're giving them to random independent contractors:

Moat companies stopped doing epoxy and polish decades ago.

If you have a stripper clever and cleaning supplies you can use the fast termination connections that require no other tools

some places spec things like NO SPLICES (or fusion only, which isn't a thing for connectors unless they're pigtails, usually cassettes), and then you have to. I'm slow but I can beat the specs almost every time.

I've got fiber internet now. i forget what tools the techs had but it took them <5 min to splice in my basement.

something like this kit I'm sure (PON FTTH all seems to be APC for the lower reflections)

 

[AP514]

I did a Fiber Install to my garage a few years back. I did not have another 3/4 conduit so I ran fiber with the 120v 3 way from house to garage lighting......here is how I did mine.
https://ipcamtalk.com/threads/my-sy...ic-cable-to-garage-install.50686/#post-484178

I pulled the Clip off just like you. I piggy backed it on the wires I re-pulled to the garage.

 

[reader2580]

I did a Fiber Install to my garage a few years back. I did not have another 3/4 conduit so I ran fiber with the 120v 3 way from house to garage lighting......here is how I did mine.

I am eventually going to run fiber to my detached garage too. I have a 2” conduit to my garage for the electrical so my plan is to pull out the wire and then pull the fiber and wire back in.

I don’t want to pull the 175 feet of wire out of the 2” conduit going to my solar to run fiber with the electric.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I used to do it as part of my day job. most fiber termination is now a budget cleaver and a quarter turn connector (with fiber and index matching gel inside).

these are way cheaper than the "fancy" cleavers. especially if you're giving them to random independent contractors:


some places spec things like NO SPLICES (or fusion only, which isn't a thing for connectors unless they're pigtails, usually cassettes), and then you have to. I'm slow but I can beat the specs almost every time.

I've got fiber internet now. i forget what tools the techs had but it took them <5 min to splice in my basement.

something like this kit I'm sure (PON FTTH all seems to be APC for the lower reflections)

They arent using a splicer. just "fast connect" connectors.

a splicer uses heat to fuse 2 strands together

 

[u3b3rg33k]

They arent using a splicer. just "fast connect" connectors.

a splicer uses heat to fuse 2 strands together

hence mentioning the fusion splicer.

call it what you will occasionally some client will spec solid runs. you can see both on an OTDR. I like the quick ends personally. nothing like NOT needing $20k in tools to connect the internet pipe.

 

[reader2580]

Moat companies stopped doing epoxy and polish decades ago.

If you have a stripper clever and cleaning supplies you can use the fast termination connections that require no other tools

I don't have any of the tools to terminate fiber although there are a lot of fiber tool kits on Amazon for less than $100.

I like the Lanshack pre-terminated assembly that larry4406 posted. It has a heavier jacket plus the connectors are staggered.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

staggered stuff is meant/much more forgiving for assembled pulling, but 3/4" can be snug regardless once you put connectors on your EMT.