1. General

This specification covers the design requirements and performance standards for the supply of optical fiber cables as described below.  The features described in this document are intended to provide information on the performance of the optical cable and aid in handling and installation.  Please refer to the separate fiber specification for details regarding the optical fiber.

1.1 Cable Description

The Loose Tube optical cables contain 2-216 optical fibers.  The color-coded fibers are housed in multiple color-coded plastic buffer tubes, which are stranded around a dielectric central strength member.  Water blocking compound, filling the interstices within the core, provides protection against water ingress. Aramid yarns, which provide additional tensile strength, are applied.  The cable sheath is composed of a smooth inneresheath medium (MDPE) or high density polyethylene jacket (HDPE) and additional outer-sheath MDPE or HDPE jacket.  Highly visible ripcords are placed under each jacket layer for quick sheath entry.

1.2 Quality

To meet ISO 9000 standards.

1.3 Reliability

Both initial and periodic qualification testing are performed to assure the cable's performance and durability in the field environment.

To meet industry standards organizations such as Bell Communications Research (Bellcore), Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), Insulated Cable Engineers Association (ICEA), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Rural Utilities Service (RUS), and The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

2. Cable Design

The Loose Tube optical cables utilize Reverse Oscillating Lay (ROL), also known as “SZ” of the buffer for quick and easy midspan entry.  The loose tube cables come with three different sheath constructions designed for various outside plant applications and installation techniques.  

 

Armor Cut-away

36-Fiber

48-Fiber

72-Fiber

96-Fiber

120-Fiber

144-Fiber

216-Fiber

ADSS

Core Cut-away

Core Cut-away

Core Cut-away

Core Cut-away

Core Cut-away

Core Cut-away

Core Cut-away

.

Armor Cut-away

ADSS

 

2.1 All-Dielectric Self Support

The All-dielectric Self Support  Loose Tube cable has a dual  inner and outer jacket.  The   non-metallic design makes this cable ideal for aerial applications.

APPLICABLE SHEATH TYPES
SHEATH TYPE	PART No.
All-Dielectric Self Support	FS-XXX*ASFnn-T

XXX	Denotes Fiber Count
*	Denotes Fiber Type
nn	Denotes Attenuation Values

2.2 Fiber Types

The following fiber types are available in this cable design.  Please refer to the appropriate fiber specification document for details on fiber design and performance.

APPLICABLE FIBER TYPES (*) Fiber Type Specification Designation Multi mode fiber 50/125 µm G.651 B Multi mode fiber 62.5/125 µm TIA-492AAA C Single mode Fiber G.652 S Non-Zero Dispersion Shifted (NZDS) G.655 H

APPLICABLE ATTENUATION VALUES (nn) Fiber Type Description Designation Single mode 0.35/0.25 db/km  1310/1550nm S1 0.40/0.30 db/km 1310/1550nm S2 Non-Zero Dispersion Shifted (NZDS) S3 Custom (Please specify values) S4 Multi mode 62.5/125um, 3.50/1.00 db/km 160/500 Mhz*km, 850/1300nm M1 62.5/125um, 3.50/1.00 db/km 220/500 Mhz*km, 850/1300nm M2 2.5/125um, 3.50/1.00 db/km 350/500 Mhz*km, 850/1300nm M3 62.5/125um, 3.50/1.00 db/km 500/500 Mhz*km, 850/1300nm M4 50/125um, 3.00/1.00 db/km 500/500 Mhz*km, 850/1300nm M5 50/125um, 3.00/1.00 db/km 400/400 Mhz*km, 850/1300nm M6

2.3 Optical Fiber Color Code

The UV acrylate coated fibers are color coded with highly distinguishable, vibrant colors according to the following table.  All colors meet Munsell standards as specified in TIA-359 and TIA-598.

FIBER COLOR CODE FIBER No. COLOR 01 Blue 02 Orange 03 Green 04 Brown 05 Slate 06 White 07 Red 08 Black 09 Yellow 10 Violet 11 Rose 12 Aqua

BUFFER TUBE COLORS TUBE No. COLOR 01 Blue 02 Orange 03 Green 04 Brown 05 Slate 06 White 07 Red 08 Black 09 Yellow 10 Violet 11 Rose 12 Aqua 13 Blue-Black Dash 14 Orange - Black Dash 15 Green - Black Dash 16 Brown - Black Dash 17 Slate - Black Dash 18 White - Black Dash

2.4 Buffer Tubes

Fibers are housed in groups of 6 or 12 within gel-filled buffer tubes.  The tubes, manufactured with industry standard polybutelene terathylate (PBT), are colored for easy identification according to the scheme shown above.  Water blocking gel fills each tube to prevent migration of water through the tube.  Industry standard tools and practices can be used to enter the buffer tubes.

BUFFER TUBE DIMENSIONS
FIBER PER TUBE	TUBE DIAMETER
06	2.3 to 2.5 mm (0.09 to 0.10 in.)
12	3.0 mm (0.12 in.)
2.8mm (0.11 in.) [nominal]  for all buffer tubes

The buffer tubes are stranded around the Central Strength Member utilizing Reverse Oscillating Lay (ROL), also known as “SZ”.  SZ or ROL stranding wraps the tubes in one direction for several turns, then in the other direction, and so forth.  This technique provides transition points that lend to easy midspan access of a single buffer tube.  The number of tubes used depends on the total number of fibers within the cable.  Blank fillers are used as necessary to maintain a circular cable structure.

 

BUFFER TUBE STRANDING
TOTAL FIBERS IN CABLE	FIBERS PER TUBE	No. OF TUBES & FILLERS
002 - 036	06	06
037 - 060	12	05
061 - 072	12	06
073 - 096	12	08
097 - 120	12	10
121 - 144	12	12
145 - 216	12	18