Fiber Optic (FOC) Cable Installation, Termination and Identification

This article is about Fiber Optic (FOC) Cable Installation, Termination and Identification of Inter and Intra building Outside Plant (OSP) Telecom Distribution System as per International Codes and standards.

Fiber Optic (FOC) Cable Installation, Termination and Identification

FOC installation

Verify and ensure the cable sheath is marked with number of fibers (cable size), cable manufacturer, type of fiber (single mode or multi mode) and despersion specification.
Verify that the On-reel acceptance tests has been performed on the cable to confirm the manufacturer’s tests before the placing operation begins.
Verify and insure that all fiber optic cables installed as wiring within buildings shall be air core, Optical Fiber Non conductive Plenum (OFNP) or Optical Fiber Non conductive Riser (OFNR) type with or without non metallic moisture barrier and shall be listed as being suitable for the purpose, listed as being resistant to spread of fire in accordance with the NEC article 770 Section 770-51, installed in accordance with Section 770-52, and marked in accordance with Table 770-50.
Verify that the metallic members of fiber optic cables, which enter buildings, is grounded within 15 meters of the point of entry.
Verify that all cables are visually inspected before, during and after installation for physical damage to the cable in accordance with inspection procedures. All damaged sections shall be repaired or replaced as directed by representative.
“Observe the following minimum bending radius limitations when handling optical fiber cables:
1. Under tension–Twenty times the cable diameter.
2. Not under tension–Ten times the cable diameter.”

FOC Termination and Identification

“Before beginning the splicing operation verify that:
1. The cable is secure in an optical fiber splice organizer.
2. All metallic members of the cable is bonded and grounded.
3. To prevent fiber damage, handle buffer tubes and fibers carefully, when bending and placing in the organizer.”
“When splicing the fibers, verify the followings:
-The splicer is following the manufacturer’s instruction for the splicing equipment being used.
-The splicer is using an approved buffer stripper,
– The fiber coating stripper used shall be approved for the specific size fiber being stripped.”

Verify that a non metallic splice organizers is used for organizing fibers at splice points. Installation shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. See SAES-T-633, Communications Splice Closures.
Verify that dispose of bare fiber is being properly handeled by using the sticky side of a piece of tape to pick up and discard any loose ends in a container. Scrap pieces of fiber shall be cleaned up from the work site and properly discarded before leaving a work site.
To minimize damage to the bare fiber, avoid excessive wiping (more than five times). Before cleaving, wipe the fiber twice with a new tissue dampened with 90% grade alcohol to remove any coating debris from the stripped fiber.
Verify that only approved cleaving tool is being used to cleave the fiber. Hhand scribes should not be used for cleaving and if required, wipe the fiber after cleaving to remove dirt or grease. Avoid excessive wiping.
Verify and ensure that the fiber optic cable is properly identified using applicable fiber cable designation symbols as specified in SAES-T-018.