The Future of Fiber Routing
A standardized cable management strategy is essential for maintaining high fiber performance across a network. It streamlines adds, moves, and changes (AMCs), ensuring efficiency and reliability. Traditional routing options, such as split tube and slotted duct, present trade-offs between cost, protection, and usability. While split tube offers affordability, it poses installation difficulties and minimal fiber protection. Slotted duct provides more protection but is rigid, hard to access, and costly to maintain—making it labor-intensive and potentially damaging during upgrades.
Flexible, protective, and cost-effective cable routing
A next-generation fiber routing solution redefines cable management by merging the best features of existing systems. It combines the flexibility of split tube with superior access over slotted duct, while providing significantly enhanced protection against pinching and bending. Designed to simplify installation and customization, this system allows users to cut sections as needed based on the application, reducing material waste and costs.
This solution excels in both form and function. Its lightweight, durable construction protects cables as they’re guided from wire baskets to equipment, especially in dynamic environments like data centers. Unlike traditional systems that often require adapters and hybrid installations, this new method offers an all-in-one routing approach that removes the need for transitional hardware—boosting speed, reducing cost, and improving safety.
A complete raceway system
A comprehensive fiber raceway system is built for scalability and ease of use. It supports growing bandwidth demands while reducing the cost of ownership. The ideal system will include a full line of troughs, elbows, tees, off-ramps, and articulating links—all designed to quickly snap together without specialized tools or cutting.
Ideal for facilities of all sizes, this raceway solution should be engineered to support high-density environments with configurations such as a 4×24-inch system. This robust setup essentially doubles the capacity of traditional 4×12-inch systems, making it especially useful for managing patch cords over high-density distribution frames.
Fast, modular expansion options
Similar to the building toys we played with as kids, an express line of components contributes to both speed of use and simplicity of design. Snap-on modules will eliminate the need for cutting or notching existing raceways. For example, a T-intersection module can be used to create clean intersections without fiber disruption, while an “off-ramp” enables smooth exits from the trough, maintaining a consistent 30 mm cable bend radius.
One system on the market utilizes a patented ratcheting bracket system, making installation fast and secure. Flexibility of this system is further enhanced with universal compatibility—these components can attach not only to the raceway system of the same manufacturer but also to raceways from other major manufacturers simply by using compatible adapters.
Solutions for tight spaces
For complex routing in tight areas, look for a modular link system which offers a highly maneuverable solution. These snap-together links articulate in multiple directions, making 90-degree turns easy using as few as four links. This system is ideal for negotiating horizontal and vertical paths where traditional routing hardware would be too bulky or inflexible.
Custom-configured engineering support
Finally, it must be recognized that no two network environments are the same. Custom configuration services will provide customers with a fully tailored overhead layout complete with to-scale drawings and a detailed materials inventory.
Conclusion: The smart choice for evolving networks
Whether expanding a high-density data center or upgrading existing fiber infrastructure, modern cable management systems offer unmatched adaptability, protection, and ease of installation. From modular design to tailored engineering support, these solutions are built to future-proof your network while keeping costs and complexity low.
Joe Sayakumane is Product Manager for the Amphenol Broadband Solutions extensive line of fiber optic products, including the company’s line of industry-leading WaveTrax® and FlexTrax ® cable management products.
Read more from the Broadband Library Fall 2025 issue here.