Air Blown Fiber, or blown fiber or jetting fiber, is an innovative approach to fiber optic cable installation that uses compressed air to push/list small form factor fiber cable down pre-installed conduits. Not having to hand pull large cables, a fiber blowing machine uses high-pressure air to make the fiber "float" through the Duct with very little resistance. This tactic allows the installation runs to stretch out longer, frequently up to 2,000 meters, with fewer handholes and splice points. With the telco's air blown into the microduct, the fiber can be blown in easily from the air port network, via connection nodes in the street for distribution, and at the home for FTTH installation.
The need for speed: high-speed internet in today's world. In our digital age, we all want a fast, reliable internet connection. Service providers are always on the hunt for new and cost-effective methods to extend fiber into the network. An innovative solution that's gaining momentum is Air Blown Fiber (ABF) - an installation method that's easy to implement and significantly lowers cost, while ensuring network infrastructures are future-proof.
Important Elements of an Air Blown Fiber System
There are several key elements in ensuring a successful Air Blown Fiber solution:
Microduct: Little flexible lanes made of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) for the fiber to travel in.
Air Blown Fiber Cables: Unique fiber optic cables, for air blowing, having reduced friction and high flexibility.
Blowing Machines: Machines which produce the high-pressure air by which the cable is 'blown' through the microduct. Machines may be in portable size or in industrial size according to project demand.
Air Compressors: Supply compressed air (usually 10-15 bar) to eject fibers.
Lubricants: Lowered installation force and wear of the cable/microduct.
Microduct Connectors and Seals: Maintain proper air pressure during installation with air-tight connections between duct segments.
Benefits of Air Blown Fiber
Lower Installation Costs
The overall cost, as microducts are of reduced size and less trenching is required, is lowered. Moreover, there is less labour time involved when compared to pull-installs
Future-Proof Scalability
Operators can add empty microducts now and blow in more fibers later as demand ramps up. This "pay-as-you-grow" approach minimizes the initial capex and enables a flexible network expansion.
Faster Deployment
Not involving heavy equipment and intricate manual pulling methods, air blown fiber installation can expedite deployment to an extremely high level and enable providers to get their services to the market much sooner.
Minimal Environmental Impact
Less trenching and less civil works disturb less of the landscape, with ABF well-suited to urban areas, historic sites, and ecologically sensitive areas.
Enhanced Network Reliability
Because there are fewer splices and joints, air blown fiber systems have fewer potential failure points and can perform better overall in a network.
Uses for Air Blown Fiber
Air blown optical fiber is highly flexible and may be used for:
★ FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) Networks: Rapid deployment for home and apartment connections without lengthy digging.
★ Enterprise and Campus Networks: With a scalable and cost-effective internal fiber infrastructure that is highly accessible.
★ Mobile Network Backhaul: Evolving to cost-effective and flexible backhaul in the era of Mobile Data Surge.
★ FTTA (Fiber to the Antenna): 5G and wireless tower construction for reliability.
★ Data centers: Offering scalable and power-efficient server-to-facility interconnects.
Air Blown Fiber Installation Best Practices
To promote the performance and longevity of your ABF system, apply the following best practice tips:
★ Make Sure to use the Proper Micro-duct Size: Pick the right size of ducts compared to your fiber cable to only have a minimum of friction and maximum of air flow.
★ Use High-End Air Blown Fiber Cables: Dedicated blowing cables will perform many times better than the factory types.
★ Ensure the Air Pressure is calibrated and Proper Air Flow: Over-pressure can hurt lines, and do not forget to always consult the manufacturer's instructions.
★ Watch the Temperature: Do not install the cable in frigid temperatures, as it can cause the cable jacket to become brittle (or even to crack) or condensation to form in ducts.
★ Make Sure That Your Microduct Connections Are Air-Tight: Joints and connections must have no leaks; there should be no pressure loss.
Air Blown Fiber Vs. Traditional Pulling: Which is Best?
Pulling fiber remains a perfectly acceptable practice, especially for short runs and simple installs, removing the risk of damage from extremely rough and uneven pull box channels, but for large-scale or complex fiber installations, air blown fiber installation carries profound benefits. Blowing minimizes cabling stress, accelerates the installation process, and provides greater flexibility for future expansion, all of which are essential for the rapidly changing network environment in modern times.
But in situations where insufficient air pressure can't be maintained (such as very long pulls with lots of bends), old-fashioned pulling could still be the better method.
Manufacturer and Supplier of Air Blown Fiber Solutions
If you're considering an air blown fiber solution or need expert guidance on fiber cable selection, equipment, or installation, contact us today - Spring Optic offers the best solutions. We specialize in the manufacturing and supply of Telecom Manholes, Microduct Connectors, Microduct Closures, Microducts, and Air Blown Micro Fiber Optic Cables.
