Cut Sheet

BEST PRACTICES

FS080

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

Page 5 of 6

4.0 Installation Procedure for Dielectric and Armored Outside Plant Ribbon Central

Loose Tube and Outside Plant Bundled Central Loose Tube Cable

4.1 Select the proper size grip for the cable on which the grips are to be installed. Measure the outside

diameter (OD) of the cable and select the appropriate grip size for that diameter as specified by the

pulling grip manufacturer.

4.2 Since outside plant ribbon central loose tube and outside plant bundled central loose tube cable

do not have yarn strength members or a central strength member, there is no need to prepare the

end of the cable. Simply cleaning the cable jacket to ensure the absence of slippery waxes or gels

is the only preparation necessary.

4.3 Once the jacket is cleaned and the outside diameter is checked, place the entire length (24 inches

minimum) of the proper size mesh grip over the jacket. Placing this length of grip over the jacket

will completely couple the pulling load (600 lbs. max.) to the two strength member rods located

beneath the jacket.

5.0 Installation Procedure for Dielectric and Armored Outside Plant Ribbon Stranded

Loose Tube Cable

5.1 Because outside plant ribbon stranded loose tube cable has a relatively large diameter, a grip

sized to fit over the cable jacket will not likely fit into the subduct. Thus, the following procedure

has been developed for fitting the grip over the central strength member (CSM).

5.2 Strip approximately 2 to 3 feet of cable jacket from the end of the cable to expose the cable core

(dependent upon length of grip being used). Use care when ring cutting the sheath to avoid

damaging or cutting the outside strength member yarns (OSM). Remove the jacket and unwind

the OSM yarns.

5.3 Unwrap and discard any water swellable tapes. Cut the buffer tube binders, unwrap, and

remove back to beginning of the sheath. Cut the buffer tubes approximately 1 inch from the

beginning of the sheath and discard them.

5.4 Remove any water swellable tapes or yarns from the CSM. Starting at the end of the sheath,

evenly spiral wrap the OSM yarns around the CSM. Again starting at the end of the sheath,

evenly spiral wrap 1 layer of friction tape over the CSM/OSM to the end of the CSM. Ideally, the

tape should form a smooth wrap and cone up to the jacket sheath to reduce the chance of the

cable end snagging during installation.

5.5 Choose the appropriate sized grip. For 432 and 864 fiber count, use a 0.33-inch to 0.50-inch

sized grip. For 1152 fiber count, use a 0.64-inch to 0.87-inch sized grip. There may be slight

variation in sizes among grip manufacturers.

5.6 Slide the grip over the friction tape and down to the end of the jacket.

Figure 3: Completed setup on outside plant ribbon central loose tube or outside

plant bundled central loose tube cable with grip applied over cable