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Table Of Contents

Cable Preparation Best Practices for

Fiber Optic Indoor/Outdoor

Stranded Loose Tube Cable

BEST PRACTICES

FS083

For Technical Support: www.panduit.com/resources/install_maintain.asp

Page 1 of 14

Table of Contents

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

2.0 Preparation Notes – Tools and Materials ....................................................................... 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

Summary of content (14 pages)

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Cable Preparation Best Practices for Fiber Optic Indoor/Outdoor Stranded Loose Tube Cable © Panduit Corp. 2014 BEST PRACTICES FS083 Table of Contents 1.0 General Information ........................................................................................................ 3 2.0 Preparation Notes – Tools and Materials ....................................................................... 3 3.0 End Access Cable Sheath Removal Procedures............................................................
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© Panduit Corp. 2014 BEST PRACTICES FS083 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.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2014 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 company practices and/or vendor specifications may be in place concerning cable access and how it relates to a specific product or application.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2014 3.0 END ACCESS CABLE SHEATH REMOVAL PROCEDURES This procedure is intended for cable end 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. Ringing the outer sheath with a sheath knife Typical indoor/outdoor stranded loose tube cable 3.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2014 Grasp and wrap the ripcord around the needle nose pliers and pull back to the first ring-cut. Remove the split sheath from the cable by holding the cable straight and 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 Remove split cable sheath For Technical Support: www.panduit.com/resources/install_maintain.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2014 3.2 Cable Core Preparation Once the outer sheath has been removed, the cable core is exposed. The cable core consists of color-coded buffer tubes stranded around a dielectric central strength member. The buffer tubes are secured by binder strings. Water absorbent tape or yarn encloses the buffer tubes and the central strength member. Layers of flame barrier tape and fiberglass outer strength members complete the assembly.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2014 The central member may be covered with 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 with a sheath knife at the required distance from the end of the strength member. Do not cut into the underlying dielectric member. Using needle nose pliers, pull on the coating to separate it from the central member.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2014 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 reversal point is the location at which the helical twist of the buffer tubes change direction.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2014 4.2 Sheath Removal Procedures Place tape markers 40 inches (100 cm) apart from each other on the cable section 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.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2014 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 sheaths from the cable by holding the exposed cable end straight and pulling on the sheath. Discard the sheath. Note: Leave the ripcord intact; it will be used again for additional sheath removal. Pull back the ripcord to the outside ring cut The cable core is now exposed.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2014 4.3 Locating the Reversal Point Once the outer sheath has been removed the cable core is exposed. The cable core consists of color-coded buffer tubes stranded around a dielectric central strength member. The buffer tubes are secured by binder strings. Water absorbent tape or yarn encloses the buffer tubes and the central strength member. Layers of flame barrier tape and fiberglass outer strength members complete the assembly.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2014 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 ends to the proper length for the type of closure being used. The central member may be covered with a plastic coating.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2014 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 record this data for future reference. All other 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.
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© Panduit Corp. 2014 5.0 BEST PRACTICES FS083 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. Cutting the optical fibers (midspan access) Using the primary coating stripping tool, remove the 250 µm diameter coating from the fiber.