Considerations for Utilities Deploying Fiber Optic Communication Solutions

Fiber optic communication solutions could be just what the doctor ordered for utilities looking to upgrade and enhance their transmission & distribution infrastructure.

The rise of always-on internet connectivity has increased energy demand and introduced cyber-vulnerabilities.  Plus, thanks in part to the proliferation of social media, customers have higher expectations than ever regarding the speed with which outage restoration should be finished. All of this speaks to the need to upgrade the electricity infrastructure, which first requires utilities to upgrade their communication capabilities.

Questions for Deploying Fiber Optic Communication Solutions

Fiber optic communication solutions represent the best option for utilities looking to bolster their ability to remotely collect data, and monitor, coordinate and troubleshoot equipment and devices, all of which are necessary for providing energy in the 21^st Century.

Fiber optic systems provide maximum capacity, which means they offer the best way to reliably transmit larger datasets over farther distances compared to other types of systems.  That said, fiber optics are never a plug and play implementation, and as such, according to this excellent article from PowerGRID, require thoughtful consideration to the following 8 questions:

1. How will power be delivered to the fiber optic transceiver? (External transformers can be used, but integrated power sources are preferred.)
2. How will the fiber optic communication solution be connected to the systems and devices within the company?
3. How far will the transceiver need to transmit data?
4. Will the transceivers be single-mode or multi-mode? (Single-mode is better for longer distances.)
5. What optical transmission wavelengths are needed? (Options = 850, 1300 or 1550 nanometers.)
6. Does the transceiver transmit at the same speed as the equipment? (If not, this has technical implications.)
7. Have the requirements been thoroughly vetted prior to handing off to the Procurement department?
8. Has consideration been given to hiring an integration consultant to facilitate the implementation?

Well, there you have it!  I believe that fiber optic communication solutions are something that utilities everywhere should be investigating, and following the tips in this post can only help to optimize the process.