VANDESAIL 30M SC/APC Fiber Optic Cable Installation Guide

For a while, I had to deal with a standard patch cable getting chewed by a mouse every so often. I'm happy to say that armored fiber does not get chewed up by rodents.

Reason for Getting Armored Fiber

If you use standard fiber in an attic or other similar location, you're inviting mice, rats, and all other drywall-dwelling rodents and even pets. It is believed that some soy-based cable jackets may even attract pests and that is the reason for the frequent replacements. The flexible steel layer that VANDESAIL built into their cable is much stronger than what is built into standard patch cables and can help prevent rodents from chewing up your cable. I prefer using armored cables for unconditioned spaces.

A 100-foot run is typically the best to go from an ONT in the garage to the central home office.

What You'll Need for This Installation

• The VANDESAIL 30M Armored SC/APC Patch Cable (includes couplers)
• Pull string (always pull a spare line for future upgrades)
• Electrical tape or a pulling mesh grip (to protect the pre-made connector during the pull)
• One-click fiber cleaner pen or 99% isopropyl alcohol with lint-free wipes
• Visual fault locator (VFL) or a simple laser pointer to check continuity

The included bulkheads/couplers are great if you need to connect this to an existing wall plate.

Step-by-Step: Running Your SC Fiber Cable

Let me describe the steps I take to complete a clean installation.

Step 1: This is a pre-terminated 100-foot cable so it can’t be cut to size. Please consider how you will secure loose slack.

Step 2: Loom the slack. If pulling through conduit, reduce the overall diameter of the SC connector by tapering the electrical tape on the SC Connector. For a pull run, secure a pull string tightly to the SC connector housing. Do not secure a pull string to the fragile green SC connector tip.

Step 3: Maintain the cable radius. Though the armored cable protects the cable from crushing, the minimum cable bend radius still has to be maintained. Kinks have to be avoided and loops have to be kept wide, about the diameter of a paint can.

Step 4: Figure 8 the slack. Once the desired length of cable has been extended, the slack cable has to be securely housed. Figure eights over slack cable can be placed in a media enclosure. Do not cut the factory terminated cables and do not remove the terminator connectors to terminate your lines. The connectors have to be dust proof and protect the connectors over a length of run.

Step 5: Clean the connectors. The SC/APC connectors should be cleaned before use to avoid damage. The hooks should be stowed while the connectors are not in use to avoid damage. The outer coverings can be removed before the connectors are installed to avoid damage. The connectors should be installed firmly to avoid damaging the run. The run is protected in a steel sheath. The cost of the run is protected.

Pro Tips I've Picked Up Along the Way

If your equipment uses smaller SFP modules, check your ports—you might need a LC-to-LC patch cord instead of this bulkier SC type. For standard home layouts, 100 feet avoids the headache and hassle of field-terminating bulk fiber. The price difference of armored and non-armored has decreased significantly. I have seen armored cables priced only 50-100% more than standard patch cables at the specialty suppliers at $24.64 for 100 feet. This VANDESAIL cable makes it the easy option. I've never regretted the premium for the added provision of steel armoring, but I have definitely regretted the opposite. Know your connector types before you buy as the SC/APC connector is what most US fiber providers use — AT&T, Cox, Frontier, and Google Fiber all terminate with SC/APC at the customer premises. But if you're looking at LC connectors, which are common on smaller SFP transceivers and media converters, you'd need a LC to LC fiber patch cable single mode duplex instead. The green connector on SC/APC is your visual cue that you got the right type — a blue connector is UPC and uses a different polish and will not mate correctly. Simplex vs duplex fiber is another consideration, as this VANDESAIL cable is SC SIMPLEX – a single fiber.

Final Thoughts

Single strand usage is possible when duplex SFP transceivers are replaced by simplex SFP transceivers. For runs approaching 1000 feet, I have considered bulk options for fiber optic cable. However, for residential installs, the need for bulk fiber cable is mitigated by runs of less than 100 feet. The VANDESAIL SC/APC armored cable has been my go-to for clients extending their fiber up to their homes as I have run fiber up into many homes. The SC/APC cable meets my clients’ internet service providers in the US to utilize lower latency SC/APC fiber connectors. I have tested the VANDESAIL SC/APC armored cable for a run of 100 feet and have received no measured latency in my 5G internet. The run of 100 feet is easy for the careful DIYer. Plan the Ethernet run, pull the ethernet line, and keep the ends of the fiber cable clean, and fiber cable can be easily installed within the hour.