Fiber Optic Cable Reels & Management

What is a fiber optic cable reel?

A cable reel is a round drum-shaped object that works similar to spool and carries various types of electrical wires. A fiber reel is designed to carry fiber optic cables, in particular.

Cable reels are made of wood, plywood, plastic, and steel. In the case of a fiber optic storage reel, steel is the ideal material, as fiber installations usually happen outdoors or offshore. Even if it is more expensive than wooden drums, it is cost efficient in the sense that it is durable, lightweight, and can be loaded with a different range of cables and wires.

From the lightest wires to the heaviest cables, a steel drum/reel can handle the load. This is why it is also considered as a multi-purpose reel.

Fiber Optic Storage Reel Specifications

Which of the fiber optic reels should you choose?

The answer lies on the length of the fiber cable that a fiber reel can carry. This can be calculated based on the traverse, barrel diameter, and flange diameter of a fiber optic cable reel.

For example, a barrel with the following specifications:

Traverse: 15" diameter

Barrel Diameter: 9.29" diameter

Flange Diameter: 19"

• Can hold 8,274,741 meters of fiber with a diameter 80µ.
• Can hold 20,687 meters of fiber with a diameter of 1.6 mm.
• Can hold 21 meters of fiber with a diameter of 50 mm.

Take note that the numbers above refer to the maximum possible length of a fiber that can be loaded to a fiber optic reel if perfectly wound and flushed to the outside edge of the flange. If the fiber cables are recessed from the outside spool flange to prevent the cable from slipping off the spool, the capacity will vary.

Remember that the actual capacity of a fiber optic reel may be slightly different for real applications than mathematically possible. Leave room for adjustments.

Once you've picked the right fiber reel based on the length of a fiber cable, consider other features that matter.

Design profile

How quick and easy is it to uncoil and recoil the cable on to the reel? Even with a swivel crank, fiber cable deployment can encounter snags if the cable reel isn't well-designed. If a spool comes with adjustable braking, so much better.

Configuration

Small and medium fiber reel often comes with an integrated handle for easy carry and storage of small diameter cables. Large fiber reels must come with a crank handle for easy deployment control of fiber cables.

Construction

What is the fiber optic storage reel made of? Some are made of steel while others are made of speciality rubber. Some come with a lockable door and a hole in the core, while some have an open design for self-tooling.

Some come with integrated stands and handle for hands-off deployment, while some have a swivel crank for an easy rewind of fiber cables. In other cases, cable reels have both integrated stands and crank handles.