Opening and Closing Methods: The design of the protection box takes usability into account and usually has a mechanism that is easy to open and close. For example, some adopt a flip design, fixed by buckles or locks, which is convenient for technicians to quickly perform splicing operations and maintenance.
Capacity
Core Count: The capacity of a fiber optic protection box is usually measured by the number of fiber cores it can accommodate. Common specifications include 1-core, 2-core, 12-core, 24-core, 48-core, and 96-core. For example, the SJ-FTTH-SK-2W fiber optic protection box has a 1-core capacity. Some protection boxes used in scenarios such as computer rooms for centralized fiber management may have higher capacities, such as 24 cores or more, to meet the needs of accessing and managing a large number of fibers.
Adapter Quantity: Adapters are used to connect fibers, and their quantity is related to the capacity and application scenario of the fiber optic protection box. For instance, the OTB-OS-01A fiber optic terminal box can accommodate 1 piece of SC/FC simplex adapter. An 8-port fiber optic terminal box, when using duplex LC adapters, can hold a maximum of 16 fiber cores; for other types (ST, SC, FC), it can hold 8 cores.
Dimensions
Overall Dimensions: The dimensions of fiber optic protection boxes vary depending on their type and capacity. Small indoor fiber optic protection boxes are relatively compact, such as the SJ-FTTH-SK-2W with dimensions of 160 x 47.9 x 16 mm. Some large outdoor fiber optic protection boxes or rack-mounted fiber distribution frames may have larger dimensions. For example, a certain 24-port fiber optic protection box has dimensions of 710 x 320 mm (height * depth).
Installation Space: The internal space needs to be reasonably designed to ensure that fibers can be properly fixed, spliced, and coiled. For example, the FGT patented fiber optic terminal box has sufficient space for cable termination installation, and the splice tray adopts a stacked structure, allowing flexible configuration. The storage radius of optical cables and fibers is greater than 45mm.
Materials
Shell Material: Common shell materials include plastic and metal. Plastic materials such as ABS and PC have the characteristics of light weight, low cost, and corrosion resistance. Metal materials such as stainless steel have higher mechanical strength, good heat dissipation performance, and anti-electromagnetic interference capabilities, making them suitable for harsh environments or occasions with high protection requirements. Some high-end fiber optic protection boxes may use high-strength industrial-standard engineering plastics, which have better anti-aging and anti-ultraviolet properties.
Internal Component Materials: Internal components such as fiber fixing devices and splice trays are usually made of plastic or metal. Plastic components have the advantages of good insulation performance and low cost, while metal components have higher strength and stability. For example, splice trays may be made of plastic and have high-temperature resistance and wear resistance to ensure the safety of fiber splices.
Installation Methods
Wall-mounted: This is a common installation method, suitable for installation on walls or columns. Many indoor and outdoor fiber optic protection boxes support wall-mounted installation, such as the SJ-FTTH-SK-2W fiber optic protection box, which is fixed on the wall with screws.
Rack-mounted: Suitable for installation in standard 19-inch or 23-inch racks, commonly used in data centers, computer rooms, and other places that require centralized management of fibers. This installation method can effectively utilize space and facilitate wiring and maintenance.
Pole-mounted: Some outdoor fiber optic protection boxes can be installed in a pole-mounted manner, fixed on electric poles or other columnar objects, and are suitable for connecting and protecting overhead optical cables.
Embedded: Some fiber optic protection boxes are designed to be embedded and can be embedded in walls or desktop surfaces, providing a neat installation effect, commonly used in indoor places with high decoration requirements.
Protection Level
Dust and Water Resistance Level: It is usually represented by the IP (Ingress Protection) level. For example, IP65 means completely preventing the intrusion of foreign objects, completely preventing dust from entering, and having protection against large waves or water sprays, which is suitable for outdoor and other harsh environments. Fiber optic protection boxes with IP55 level have certain dust and water spray resistance. IP4X means that it can only prevent the intrusion of objects larger than 1.0mm, which is suitable for general indoor environments.
Other Protection Performances: In addition to dust and water resistance, some fiber optic protection boxes also have moisture resistance, corrosion resistance, ultraviolet resistance, explosion-proof and other performances. For example, shells made of anti-aging and anti-ultraviolet materials can be used in outdoor environments for a long time without aging and damage. Fiber optic protection boxes with explosion-proof performance are suitable for some special dangerous environments, such as gas stations, chemical plants, etc.
Fiber Types
Single-mode Fiber: Suitable for long-distance and high-speed data transmission. Its core diameter is usually 9μm, and it has low attenuation at 1310nm and 1550nm wavelengths. If fiber optic protection boxes are used in long-distance communication networks, such as telecom backbones and inter-city communications, they usually need to support single-mode fibers.
Multi-mode Fiber: Suitable for short-distance and local area network environments. Its core diameter is relatively large, with common ones being 50μm and 62.5μm. Multi-mode fibers transmit at 850nm and 1300nm wavelengths, with relatively short transmission distances but low costs. In short-distance communication scenarios such as enterprise local area networks and campus networks, multi-mode fiber protection boxes are widely used.
Fiber Storage and Management
Splice Tray Specifications: Splice trays are used for splicing, branching, and storing fibers. According to the capacity of the fiber optic protection box, a corresponding number of splice trays will be equipped. Splice trays usually have a reversible or pull-out design, facilitating fiber splicing and maintenance. Their capacities also have different specifications, such as each splice tray can hold 6 cores, 12 cores, etc.
Patch Cord Management: A good fiber optic protection box will provide a structure for storing and managing patch cords, such as patch cord slots and winding posts, to avoid patch cord entanglement and facilitate maintenance and management. Reasonable patch cord management can reduce fiber bending and loss and improve the reliability of the fiber network.
Fiber Fixing Devices: They are used to firmly fix optical cables and fibers in the protection box to prevent fibers from loosening or breaking due to external pulling forces. Common fixing devices include card slots, clamps, straps, etc., which can adapt to optical cables and fibers of different diameters.
Sealing Performance
Sealing Materials: Rubber sealing rings, filling glue, and other materials are usually used to achieve sealing. For example, some fiber optic protection boxes use silicone rubber rings for sealing, which have good elasticity and anti-aging performance, and can effectively prevent dust and moisture from entering the box.
Sealing Structure Design: A reasonable sealing structure design is crucial to ensuring sealing performance. For example, some fiber optic protection boxes use integrated seals, which are formed in one time with a mold, so that there is no seam on the joint surface of the product, ensuring sealing performance, and at the same time, it can achieve repeated opening and use.
Operational Convenience
Opening and Closing Methods: The design of the protection box takes usability into account and usually has a mechanism that is easy to open and close. For example, some adopt a flip design, fixed by buckles or locks, which is convenient for technicians to quickly perform splicing operations and maintenance.
Labels and Identification: Some fiber optic protection boxes have a unique design of detachable transparent plastic label strips, which is convenient for identifying and managing fibers. Staff can quickly identify the purpose and direction of different fiber lines.
Environmental Adaptability
Operating Temperature Range: Generally, the operating temperature range of fiber optic protection boxes is between -40°C and +60°C, which can meet the use requirements of most conventional environments. Some fiber optic protection boxes specially designed for extreme environments, such as Aide Tai's flexible fiber terminal boxes, have an operating temperature range of -40°C to +70°C, and can operate stably in extreme environments from Gobi deserts to alpine regions.
Storage Temperature Range: The storage temperature range is usually wider than the operating temperature range, generally between -40°C and +85°C, to ensure that the protection box can be properly stored when not in use.
Humidity Adaptability: Fiber optic protection boxes need to work normally in a certain humidity environment, and the relative humidity is usually required to be less than 85% (+30°C) to prevent condensation or moisture inside, which affects the performance and service life of the fibers.
Optical Performance
Insertion Loss: It refers to the power attenuation of optical signals when passing through the fiber optic protection box. It is usually required that the insertion loss is less than 0.2dB to ensure that the intensity of the optical signal will not be greatly affected during transmission.
Return Loss: It represents the power of the optical signal reflected back to the light source in the fiber optic protection box. Generally, the return loss is required to be greater than 50dB (UPC) or greater than 60dB (APC) to reduce the interference of reflected light on the system.
Mechanical Performance
Compressive Strength: Fiber optic protection boxes need to have a certain compressive strength to withstand external pressure. Especially in outdoor or environments prone to extrusion, the protection box must be able to protect the internal fibers from damage. For example, protection boxes made of metal materials usually have high compressive strength.
Impact Resistance: During transportation, installation, and use, fiber optic protection boxes may be impacted, so they need to have good impact resistance. It is generally achieved by using high-strength shell materials and reasonable structural design.
Tensile Strength: For fiber optic protection boxes that need to fix and protect optical cables, they need to have a certain tensile strength to prevent the optical cables from being pulled out of the protection box. For example, the tensile strength of a certain fiber optic protection box is greater than 50N.
