Fibre optic reels

How it is built

Fibre reels look like other wooden reels but with a bigger drum for the flange size, to keep the fibre above its minimum bend radius. Many have a starter slot or a small inner compartment where the cable's inside end is protected.

Maker programs

Corning runs a reel return and recycling program for its own reels, with full-truckload minimums by reel size, and asks for all cable to be removed before pickup. CommScope runs wood reel recycling for its outdoor cable customers with truckload minimums and asks for its reels to be marked and photographed. AFL's program, through Sonoco EcoReel, takes nailed wood reels only, in full truckloads, with conditions on flange size and damage.

Where the rest go

Fibre reels from makers without programs, or below a program's truckload minimum, can be bought when sound or recycled when worn. Broadband builds funded through Connect Illinois, which is supported by federal BEAD funds, will keep fibre reels coming through the region.

Why fibre reels need extra care

Optical fibre is unforgiving about bending. Every fibre cable has a minimum bend radius, often expressed as a multiple of the cable's diameter, and winding it on a drum that is too small can damage the glass. Fibre reels therefore have larger drums than copper reels of the same flange, and the inner end of the cable is often brought out through a slot so it can be tested without unwinding.

That big drum also changes reuse. A fibre reel holds less copper cable than a copper reel of the same flange, but it is ideal for rewinding fibre or other cable with large bend radii. Buyers rewinding fibre should check the drum diameter against their cable's data sheet.

Large broadband builds produce fibre reels in waves: a construction season of placing cable, then a pile of empties at the contractor's yard. That is the moment to sort maker-program reels from the rest.

Spotting one in a yard

A wooden or plywood reel whose drum looks large for its flange, often with a maker's label for fibre cable and sometimes a small compartment or slot on the flange where the cable's inner end was kept. Outside-plant fibre reels are often nailed wood from 36 to 72 inches.

Getting a maker pickup

• Check the maker's current program page and minimums.
• Remove all cable and packaging from the reels.
• Gather them in one place with tags readable.
• Photograph them if the program asks for photos.

Who uses them in Chicagoland

Broadband builders working through Connect Illinois grants, telecom contractors, data-centre fibre crews in Elk Grove Village and utilities running fibre alongside power.

Checking a fibre reel for reuse

Look at the drum diameter first, then the flanges and staves as for any wooden reel. Make sure the starter slot or compartment is intact if you plan to wind fibre again, and that no cable ends, pulling eyes or end caps are left behind. Program reels also need their tags readable.

Sizes you will see

Indoor fibre and drop cable come on small plywood reels, often under 24 inches. Outside-plant cable for broadband and backbone builds comes on nailed wooden reels from 36 to 72 inches, sometimes larger for very long or high-count cable. Each maker's program lists the sizes it accepts and how many make a truckload.

1. 1. Buyback Sound one-way reels, paid for.
2. 2. Maker take-back Returnable reels, routed home.
3. 3. Recycling Past reuse, broken down.
4. 4. Resupply Checked reels to new owners.

Questions

Does Corning take back fibre reels?

Corning runs a reel return and recycling program for its own reels, with truckload minimums by reel size, and requires all cable removed first. Check its current terms.

Why do fibre reels have big drums?

Fibre can't bend tightly without damage, so the drum keeps it above its minimum bend radius.

Does CommScope take back wooden reels?

CommScope runs wood reel recycling for its outdoor cable customers, for its own marked reels, with truckload minimums. Check its current terms.

Does AFL take back fibre reels?

AFL's program through Sonoco EcoReel takes nailed wood reels in full truckloads, with conditions on flange size and damage. Plywood reels are excluded.

What if I have fewer reels than a maker's minimum?

Hold them until there are enough, give them to the distributor, or, if the maker releases them, sell or recycle them with us.

Reel words on this page

Flange

The round side discs that hold the cable in. Flange diameter, edge to edge, is the size a reel is known by.

Drum (barrel)

The cylinder between the flanges that the cable winds around.

Traverse

The inside width between the flanges: how wide a layer of cable can be.

Arbor hole

The centre hole a spindle, shaft or payoff bar passes through.

Drive hole

A smaller hole off-centre in the flange that a drive pin uses to turn the reel.

Lagging / staves

The boards nailed around the drum, and the protective boards sometimes nailed across the flanges over finished cable.

Nailed vs bolted

Nailed reels are held together with nails and built for one trip; bolted reels have through-bolts and steel plates for many.

Returnable reel

A reel its maker expects back, usually stencilled or tagged to say so.

One-way reel

A reel nobody is collecting. Once empty, it belongs to whoever holds it.

Reel tag

The label or plate carrying the maker, the reel number and sometimes the return terms.

Payoff

The stand or trailer a reel turns on while cable is pulled off it.