atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring Running fiber-optic cable in existing pipes.

Innerduct --- yes --- but they might make it smaller but I've never seen any smaller that 1 1/4 OD. With the Telco standard 4" definitely place an innerduct to protect the fiber, especially when you are also pulling in copper.

Another old time trick for pulling fiber ---

For a lubricant use corn starch. Not any other, just corn starch. Use this only in dry conduits. And only corn starch, no other types.

You see, if you were to look at corn starch under a microscope you would see tiny little balls. Think mini ball bearings --- rolls real good, makes pulling easy.

Why dry conduits? Add water and you have corn pudding! Think what happens when it dries out --- corn glue.

KLD

You'll want to use a robust type of construction, such as loose tube, for the fiber cable. Do not even try to pull tight-buffer through it.

A riser-rated loose tube cable (unless you are passing through a plenum). This will give you the added strength to pull it through, as well as the physical robustness to withstand the next guy coming in after you and pulling a 100pr voice feed through the conduit.

If you are very worried about it you could install an interlocking armored fiber cable. You can drive a truck over that without incurring any damage.

like KLD Said -

Always pull fiber by the kevlar - not by the jacket!

google "woven innerduct"

I have to say that KLD is very much on track here, if it were myself there I would pull everything out and then pull a PIG through the different sections of pipe, the reason I mention this is if it is not what KLD suggested I would be looking for a broken pipe none the less as has been suggested use only the kevlar to pull on as that is what is is in there for and also if you did not know all ready you can test the fibre that you are working on with a device called a LAB Splice these allow you to shoot the fiber with a light meter, it is a very simple splice kit that has index matching gell inside of it, in this apllication the idea would be to get a couple of terminated pig tails of fiber along with the Lab Splice and you can then test all the strands in just a few minutes, oh and always do use a swivle when pulling inside pipe......HTH