Panduit FSGR906Y, FSMP948Y Installation Manual

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BEST PRACTICES

FS083

Cable Preparation Best Practices for

Fiber Optic Indoor/Outdoor

Stranded Loose Tube Cable

1.0 General Information ........................................................................................................ 3

2.0 Preparation Notes – Tools and Material s ....................................................................... 3

3.0 End Access Cable Sheath Removal Procedures ............................................................ 4

3.1 Sheath Removal ............................................................................................................. 4

3.2 Cable Core Preparation .................................................................................................. 6

3.3 Buffer Tube Preparation ................................................................................................. 7

4.0 Mid-Span Access Cable Sheath Removal Procedures ................................................... 8

4.1 Location of Mid-Span at Buffer Tube Reversal Point ...................................................... 8

4.2 Sheath Removal Procedures .......................................................................................... 9

4.3 Locating the Reversal Point .......................................................................................... 11

4.4 Cable Core Preparation ................................................................................................ 12

4.5 Buffer Tube Preparation ............................................................................................... 13

5.0 Fiber Preparation .......................................................................................................... 14

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DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITIES

The practices contained herein are designed as a guide for use by persons having technical skill at their own discretion and risk. The recommended practices are based on average conditions. Panduit does not guarantee any favorable results or assume any liability in connection with this document.

In addition, the materials and hardware referenced herein appear as examples, but in no way reflect the only tools and materials available to perform these installations.

Local, State, Federal and Industry Codes and Regulations, as well as manufacturers requirements, must be consulted before proceeding with any project. Panduit makes no representations of, nor assumes any responsibility for, the accuracy or completeness of this document. Panduit disclaims any liability arising from any information contained herein or for the absence of same.

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Tools and Materials

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

This best practices document is a step-bystep guide for end and midspan access of loose tube optical cable, including sheath removal, core preparation, and fiber preparation. Local com pany practices and/or vendor specifications may be in place concerning cable acces s a nd ho w it r e lat es to a specific product or application. Modifications that do not exceed th e cable's optical and mechanical performance specifications m ay be made to acc ommodate local company practices and specifications. These modifications should be made at the discretion of local company users.

Step-by-step illustrations have been provided for your reference and orientation as you follow the procedures.

2.0 PREPARATION NOTES

Gather the tools and m aterials to be used f or the job and make s ure they are approved b y your company for use in the field and are in good working order.

Record for future reference the cable identification markings, which consist of sheath number, footage, and cable description codes printed on the cable outer sheath.

1. Eye and Hand Protection

2. Clean Cotton Cloths

3. Approved Cable Cutters

4. Needle Nose Pliers

5. Scissors/Snips

6. Sheath Knife

7. Buffer Tube Removal Tool

8. Primary Coating Stripping Tool

9. Buffer Tube Slitter

10.Tape Measure

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Typical indoor/outdoor stranded loose tube cable

Removing the cable end sheath section

3.0 END ACCESS CABLE SHEATH REMOVAL PROCEDURES

This procedure is intended for cable end access of optical cabl e with loose tube dry core construction. This design utilizes a single polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheath applied directly over the cable core.

Ringing the outer sheath with a sheath knife

3.1 Sheath Removal The length of the cable sheath to be

removed will depend on local company practices and termination e quipment. If not otherwise specified, s ix (6) feet (2 meters) should be sufficient. Mark this distance from the end of the cable on the outer sheath. With the sheath knife, “ring” the circumference of the sheath at this mark.

Ring the outer sheath, with the sheath knife, four (4) to six (6) inches from the cable end. Use cauti on to avoid cutting the ripcord and outer s trength members under the cable sheath.

Gently flex the cable at the ring cut to separate the sheath.

Remove and discard the cabl e end sheath section to expose the ripcord and cable core.

Flexing the cable at the ring cut

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Remove split cable sheath

Grasp and wrap the ripcord around the needle nose pliers a nd pull back to the first ring-cut.

Remove the split she ath from the cable by holding the cable straig ht a nd pulling on the sheath. Discard the sheath.

The cable core is now exposed.

Grasp and pull ripcord with needle nose pliers

Pull back ripcord to the first ring cut

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Cutting the central strength member to proper length

Separating buffer tubes from the central strength

3.2 Cable Core Preparation Once the outer sheath has been r emoved,

the cable core is exp osed. The cable core consists of color-coded buffer tubes stranded around a dielectric central strength member. The buffer tubes are secured by binder strings . W ater absorbent tape or yarn enclos es the buffer tubes a nd the central strength member. Layers of flame barrier tape and fiberglass outer strength members complete the assembly.

Cut the ripcord now that the pr oper length of tubes are exposed. Unwrap and cut the outer strength m embers according to local company practices and c ompatible with the termination closure being us ed.

Unwrap and cut the flame barrier tape and water absorbent tape. Remove the binder strings from around the buffer tubes. Discard these materials.

Separate the color-coded buffer tubes from the central strength mem ber. Starting from the end of the ex posed cable cor e, unwrap the tubes one at a time. Rem ove any water absorbing tapes or yarns from around the central member. Using approved cutters cut the central strength member to the proper length for the t ype of closure being used.

Unwrap and cut outer strength members

Unwrap and cut the flame barrier tape and water absorbent tape

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member

with cable cutters

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Cutting the spacer tubes

Scoring the buffer tubes with a buffer tube removal tool

Wiping excess thixotropic gel from exposed fibers with a

The central member m ay be covered w ith a plastic coating. This coating may be removed, if necessary, for a proper fit in the closure securing mechanism. To remove the coating, ring it wit h a s h eath knife at the required distance from the end of the strength member. Do not cut into the underlying dielectric m ember. Using need le nose pliers, pull on the coatin g to separate it from the central member. It may be necessary to make a longitudi nal cut in the coating from the ring cut to the end to facilitate the removal process.

If the cable contains spacer tubes, separate and cut them near the cable ring cut. (Spacer tubes are solid round elements that do not contain fibers.)

The cable core for high fiber count cables (greater than 144 fibers) may contain two layers of buffer tubes. Remove any additional water absorbent tapes/yarns and binders from between the buffer tube layers. Separate the inner layer of buffer tubes from the centr al strength member in the same manner as the outer layer.

3.3 Buffer Tube Preparation

Following the core preparation, check the blade setting on the buffer tube removal tool by "ringing" a small section near the end of the tube.

A proper depth setting will sc ore the buffer tube, which when gently flexed, will break at this point, thus allowing safe and easy access to the coated fibers.

Measure the length of the tube to be removed and mark each tube. Ring the tube in 1-2 ft sections and remove them until the desired amount of fiber is available.

Gently wipe the excess thixotropic gel from the exposed fiber with a soft cotton cloth. Repeat for the remaining tubes.

Proceed to section 5.0 Fiber Preparation.

clean cloth

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4.0 MID-SPAN ACCESS CABLE

SHEATH REMOVAL PROCEDURES

This procedure is intended for cable midspan access of optical cable with loose tube dry core construction. This design utilizes a single polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheath applied directly over the cable core.

4.1 Location of Midspan at Buffer Tube Reversal Point

A buffer tube revers al point is the location at which the helical t wist of the b uffer tubes change direction. Centering the mid-span at this point allows the buffer tubes to be easily and safely unwound.

By accessing a 40-inch (100 cm ) section of the cable core, a reversal point can be found on nearly all loose tube cable products. Once this revers al point is found, the cable can be measured and marked from this point for the proper amount of cable core to be accessed.

High fiber count cables (greater than 144 fibers) may be constr ucted with two layers of buffer tubes. Rem oval of the outer layer of tubes will expose the inner layer. Prepare and handle the inner layer in the same manner as the outer. Additional lengths of sheath ma y need to be removed to center a reversal po int for the inner la yer of buffer tubes.

Where mid-span access points are known before cable installation, slack loops may be left to facilitate cable entry. Slack loop lengths of 96 inches (244 cm) should be sufficient in most cases for proper routing and storage of the buffer tubes within the closure.

Buffer tube reversal point

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Cutting the ripcord

Removing the sheath section

4.2 Sheath Removal Procedures Place tape markers 40 inches (100 cm)

apart from each ot her on the cable sec tion to be accessed. With the sheath knife, “ring” the circumference of the sheath at both marks.

In the center of the 40 inch (100 cm) section, measure and mark off a 3-5 inch (8-13 cm) span of the outer sheath. Ring the cable with the sheath knife at each mark.

With the sheath knife, gently shave or cut away a small channel of outer s heath along the 3-5 inch (8-13 cm) section from one ring cut to the other . Care must be tak en to not damage the underlying buffer tubes. The section can now be separate d from the cable core and discarded.

With the outer sheath remove d, the ripcord and cable core are exposed.

Cut the ripcord in the cent er of the ex posed section.

Ringing the outer sheath with a sheath knife

Shaving a small channel in the sheath with a sheath knife

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Grasp and wrap the ripcord around the needle nose pliers and pull back to the outside ring cut. Do this in both directions.

Remove the split she aths f rom the cable b y holding the exposed cab le end straight and pulling on the sheath. Discard the sheath.

Note: Leave the ripcord intact; it will be used again for additional sheath removal.

The cable core is now exposed.

Pull back the ripcord to the outside ring cut

Removing the split cable sheath

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Cable core reversal point

4.3 Locating the Reversal Point Once the outer sheath has been removed

Cut the outer strength members at the center of the section and secure them away from the core.

Unwrap, cut, and disc ard the flame barrier tape and water absorbent tape. Leave the binder strings intact at this time.

Locate the buffer tube reversal point by scanning the exposed cab le c ore. Onc e the reversal is found the location of the midspan length can be determined. Refer to manufacturer’s closure documentation for specific lengths of cable to be accessed. For most applications, an 80 inch ( 200 cm) section of exposed cable core should be sufficient. Measure off half of the recommended distance or 40 inches (100 cm) in each direction from the reversal point and mark the cable. By orienting the reversal point at the center of midspan of the cable, the buff er tubes can be prop erly unwound. Remove the sections of cable sheath between these marks. Refer back t o section 4.2 for sheath removal procedures.

Cut the outer strength members

Unwrap and cut the flame barrier tape and water absorbent tape

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Cutting the spacer tubes

Completed core preparation

4.4 Cable Core Preparation Cut, unwrap, and discard the buffer tube

binder strings.

Starting at the center buffer tube reversal point, separate the color-coded buffer tubes one at a time from the central strength member. Remove any water absorbing tapes from around the central member.

Using approved cutters cut the central strength member at both e nds to the pr op er length for the type of closure being used.

The central member m ay be covered w ith a plastic coating. This coating may be removed, if necessary, for a proper fit in the closure securing mechanism. To remove the coating, ring it wit h a s h eath knife at the required distance from the end of the strength member. Do not cut into the underlying dielectric strength member. Using needle nose pliers, pull on the coating to separate it from the central member. It may be necessary to make a longitudinal cut in the coat ing from the ring cut to the end to facilitate the removal process.

If the cable contains spacer tubes, separate and cut them near the cable ring cut. (Spacer tubes are solid round elements that do not contain fibers.)

The cable core for high fiber count cables (greater than 144 fibers) may contain two layers of buffer tubes. Remove any additional water absorb ent tapes/yarns an d binders from between the buffer tube layers. Separate the inner layer of buffer tubes from the central mem ber in the same manner.

It may be necessary to remove m ore of the cable sheath to properly access the reversal point for the inner layer. Refer back to the appropriate section for sheath removal procedures for the type of cable being accessed.

Cut the ripcord now that the pr oper length of tubes are exposed.

Separating the buffer tubes from the central strength member

Cutting the central strength member to the proper length with cable cutters

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Wiping excess thixotropic gel from the fibers

Cut and remove the slit buffer tube

4.5 Buffer Tube Preparation Determine how many fibers are to be

accessed and from which tube(s) they will come. Mark the tube(s) and rec or d this data f or future reference. All ot her tubes are to be left intact. Optical fibers are ready to be accessed.

Before attempting to access the fibers, check the blade setting on the buffer tube slitting tool to be used by testing it on a section of scrap tube. Commercially available buffer tube slitters have been successfully used on loose tube optical cable. A proper depth setting for slitting will cut a small channel in the wall of the tube without touching the underlying fibers.

Measure and mark the buffer tubes at the length to be removed. After checking the blade depth, use the tube s litting tool to car efully cut the buffer tube in between the two marks.

With the buffer tube now slit, but still intact, final removal can take place.

Peel the small slit s ect ion o f the tube away and cut at both ends. Rem ove the fibers from the remaining split section of the tube.

Cut the remaining section of the tube at both ends and remove.

Repeat this procedure for each tube to be accessed.

The optical fibers are now exposed and accessible for term ination. Extreme care must be taken after this point when handling the cable.

Gently wipe the excess thix otropic gel f rom the exposed fibers with a soft dry cloth.

Proceed to section 5.0 Fiber Preparation.

Slitting the buffer tube

Opening the slit buffer tube and exposing the optical fibers

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5.0 FIBER PREPARATION

For midspan access, use scissors to cut the fibers to be terminated at the appropriate length. This is generally the midpoint of the exposed fibers.

The optical fibers are coated with an acrylate finish known as the primary coating and a final colored coating.

Using the primary coating stripping tool, remove the 250 µm diam eter coating from the fiber. Follow with a single wipe of an alcohol-dampened cloth to remove any residual debris.

Refer to local splicing and termination guidelines.

Cutting the optical fibers (midspan access)

Stripping the primary coating from the fibers with stripping tool

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E-mail:

Phone:

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Panduit FSGR906Y, FSMP948Y Installation Manual

Table of Contents

3.2 Cable Core Preparation Once the outer sheath has been r emoved,

3.3 Buffer Tube Preparation