1G multi-mode optical module
Plugs into switch ports to reach up to 550 meters over multi-mode fiber.
550 m
Charleston network cabling
Fiber optic cable installation for businesses and properties
Connect separate buildings and long warehouses with a tested fiber backbone by CloudCentric in Mount Pleasant.
Beyond copper limits
Copper stops at 100 meters
Linking a second building or reaching across a large warehouse requires fiber or a wireless bridge. Fiber cable joins your locations and isolates them from ground loops.
- 1
Optical modules set distance
Placed in a switch at each end, an optical module dictates distance, sending data up to 20 kilometers depending on your chosen hardware type.
- 2
Fiber carries only data
Glass strands cannot carry electricity. Devices at your far end get power from a switch in that building or a separate power feed.
- 3
Patch cables complete connections
Short duplex patch cables connect your wall panel to network switches in each closet, using multi-mode or single-mode fiber to match your module.
Fiber connects across your property
Standard copper handles standard offices, but joining separated structures or spanning long distances requires a fiber link. See where a backbone belongs on your site.
Choose a property type
Office parks and medical campuses connect multiple buildings to a central network using underground fiber.
- Connecting separate office buildings
- Isolating buildings from ground loops
- Joining a building's far closet
Warehouses too long for one closet run fiber to a far switch that powers distant devices.
- Reaching far warehouse ends
- Joining multiple network closets
- Powering distant warehouse cameras
Educational campuses and church grounds link separate sanctuaries, classrooms and offices with a single backbone.
- Joining classroom buildings
- Connecting main church sanctuaries
- Linking separate office structures
Coastal properties join offices, boat barns and port-side cabinets across open yards using fiber.
- Linking boat barns
- Connecting port-side cabinets
- Bridging open boat yards
Multi-family properties connect leasing offices to residential buildings and gatehouses to manage access centrally.
- Connecting leasing offices
- Linking community gatehouses
- Wiring remote amenity centers
Expansive homes connect main houses to a guest house, pool house or barn underground.
- Connecting guest houses
- Linking pool houses
- Wiring remote barns
Distance dictates cable choices
Moving past 100 meters requires multi-mode fiber, single-mode fiber or a wireless bridge. Standard copper handles shorter indoor runs.
Slide distance to see options
CopperCat6 Ethernet1G
Multi-mode fiber1G moduleduplex LC
Multi-mode fiber10G module400 m OM4, 300 m OM3
Single-mode fiber1G moduleone strand
Single-mode fiber25G moduleduplex LC
Single-mode fiber10G CWDM modulepairs of one wavelength
Wireless bridge60 GHzline of sight, 1.7 Gbps
Wireless bridge5 GHz867 Mbps
Bars display datasheet maximums and do not represent distances for any particular building.
Anatomy of an outdoor run
Two buildings require a switch at each end, optical modules to send light, and outdoor-rated cable pulled between them.
Click numbers on your plan
1. First building switch
Main network closet
Network switch
Data originates at your primary network switch in building one. A mid-size 24-port PoE switch has two SFP+ fiber ports.
2. Optical module
Switch module sets reach
Optical module
Placed into switch ports, optical modules dictate link distance. A 1G single-mode module reaches up to 3 kilometers and a 25G one reaches up to 10 kilometers.
3. Outdoor fiber cable
Jacket protects the glass
Outdoor single-mode cable
Glass strands run underground in outdoor-rated jackets equipped with a ripcord and Kevlar yarn for tensile strength.
4. Midpoint pull box
Midpoint pull box
Pull box
Conduit set while the ground is open gives a later cable a path.
5. Building entry
Entering second buildings
Patch cable
Outdoor cables enter second buildings and connect to indoor patch cables, linking outside runs to indoor equipment.
6. Far end switch
Powering distant devices
Far end switch
Fiber provides data only. Second buildings get separate switches to power local cameras and access points.
Drawing shows an example plan of a two-building run, not a real site.
Four steps to finished links
Every fiber run is planned carefully, pulled safely and tested thoroughly before any data crosses your connection.
Tier 1 testing follows ANSI/TIA-568.3 standards for optical loss.
Joining distant boat barns
Marinas often need to link an office to a distant boat barn across a busy lot. You have two ways to bridge gaps depending on ground conditions.
- 1
Trenching versus wireless bridges
Fiber needs an underground conduit path. A 60 GHz wireless bridge requires no trench across busy yards, reaching 500 meters with clear line of sight.
- 2
Far ends need local power
Glass cable brings only data to your boat barn. A PoE switch installed locally powers access points and security cameras.
- 3
Leaving conduit paths open
Planning ahead means laying empty conduit while ground is open, giving a later cable a ready path without digging twice.
Parts of a fiber link
Hardware combinations depend on distance and building layout. Parts below build connections from your main switch to remote closets.
10G multi-mode optical module
Reaches up to 400 meters on OM4 fiber and 300 meters on OM3 fiber.
400 m OM41G single-mode optical module
Uses a simplex LC connector to reach up to 3 kilometers on a single strand.
3 km
25G single-mode optical module
Plugs into high-capacity switch ports and reaches distances up to 10 kilometers.
10 km
10G CWDM single-mode optical module
Reaches up to 20 kilometers and operates in pairs of matching wavelengths.
20 km
OM4 duplex LC patch cable
Connects multi-mode modules to wall panels in lengths from 0.5 to 30 meters.
0.5 to 30 mOS2 duplex LC patch cable
Connects single-mode modules to wall panels in lengths up to 30 meters.
0.5 to 30 mOutdoor single-mode cable
Available in lengths from 30.5 to 91.5 meters with an outdoor-rated jacket, ripcord and Kevlar yarn.
30.5 to 91.5 m
SFP-to-RJ45 adapter
Permits copper devices to use an SFP port at 1G up to 100 meters.
100 m copper
Module test tool
Tests, reprograms and runs diagnostics on optical modules before they enter switches.
Module testingCommon fiber optic questions
- When is fiber needed instead of copper?
Copper network cable stops at 100 meters. Reaching beyond your limit, connecting separate buildings or isolating ground loops requires a fiber backbone or a wireless bridge.
- What is the difference between multi-mode and single-mode?
Multi-mode fiber reaches 550 meters on 1G and 400 meters on OM4 at 10G. Single-mode modules reach farther, spanning 3 kilometers, 10 kilometers and 20 kilometers by module.
- How far can a fiber link go?
Optical modules dictate your maximum distance. A 1G multi-mode module reaches 550 meters, while single-mode modules for CWDM reach up to 20 kilometers.
- Does a far building need its own power?
Yes. Fiber strands carry data only, not electricity. Devices at your far end get power from a local PoE switch or separate power feeds.
- Why choose fiber versus a wireless bridge?
Fiber requires an underground conduit path. A 60 GHz wireless bridge reaches 500 meters with clear line of sight and needs no trench across parking lots.
- How is a fiber link tested?
Installers inspect connectors for dirt and run Tier 1 testing to measure loss, length and polarity. Programmable tools also run diagnostics on optical modules.
Connect your properties today
Call (844) 422-7000 or book a walkthrough to plan a fiber run or wireless bridge for your Charleston business.
CharlestonMount PleasantNorth CharlestonSummervilleBeaufortBlufftonHilton HeadSavannah