Examples of microduct optical fibre cables and microducts Figures A.1, A.2 and A.3 provide examples of different microduct optical fibre cables and microducts.
5 Microduct optical fibre cable
5.1 Tests applicable
The tests that are applicable for mechanical and environmental performance are given in
Table 2.
5.2 Tensile performance
a) Family requirements
Under short-term tensile load the fibre strain shall not exceed 60 % of the fibre proof strain. After removal of load, there shall be no change in attenuation. Other criteria may be agreed between customer and supplier.
Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the sheath or
to the cable elements.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E1
Length under tension: Not less than 50 m. Shorter lengths may be used by agreement between customer and supplier, taking into account the measurement accuracy and end effects
Fibre length: Finished cable length
Tensile load on cable: 1 × W
Diameter of test pulleys: Not less than the minimum loaded bending diameter specified for the microduct optical fibre cable
5.3 Crush
a) Family requirements
After removal of the short-term load, there shall be no change in attenuation. Under visual examination, there shall be no damage to the microduct cable. The imprint of the plate or mandrel on the microduct cable is not considered mechanical damage.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E3A
Load (plate/plate): 500 N
Duration of load: 1 min
5.4 Impact
a) Family requirements Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the sheath or to the cable elements. The imprint of the striking surface on the sheath is not considered mechanical damage. The residual increase in attenuation shall be <0,1 dB at 1 550 nm.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E4
Number of impacts: One in 3 different places spaced not less than 500 mm apart
Striking surface radius: 300 mm
Impact energy: 1 J
5.5 Repeated bending
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the sheath and to the cable elements.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E6
Bending diameter: 40 × d
Load: Adequate to assure uniform contact with the mandrel
Number of cycles: 25
5.6 Torsion
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the sheath or to the cable elements.
There shall be no change in attenuation after the test.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E7
Length under test: 2 m
5.7 Kink
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination, without magnification, there shall be no damage to the cable.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E10
Minimum diameter: 40 × d
5.8 Bend
a) Family requirements
There shall be no change in attenuation after the test when measured at room temperature. If required, the change in attenuation when tested at –30 °C shall be ≤0,1 dB for singlemode fibre and <=0,4 dB for multimode fibre.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E11A
Diameter of mandrel: 40 × d
Number of turns/helix: 4
Number of cycles: 3
5.9 Temperature cycling
a) Family requirements
Attenuation measurements shall be taken during the last cycle.
For TA1 to TB1 there shall be no change in attenuation as defined in IEC 60794-1-1.
For TA1 to TA2 and TB1 to TB2, the change in attenuation coefficient shall be:
– ≤0,15 dB/km for single-mode fibre and shall be reversible to measurement uncertainty when measured in the 1 550 nm region.
– ≤0,3 dB/km for multimode fibre and shall be reversible to measurement uncertainty when measured in the 1 300 nm region.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-22, Method F1
Sample length under test: Finished microduct cable, length of at least 1 000 m.
High temperature, TB2: +60 °C to +70 °C, depending on customer requirements.
High temperature, TB1: +30 °C to +60 °C depending on customer requirements.
Low temperature, TA1: –15 °C.
Low temperature, TA2: TA1 to –30 °C or –40 °C depending on customer
requirements.
NOTE: Other temperature values corresponding to specific climate conditions can be agreed between supplier and customer.
Number of cycles: 2
5.10 Water penetration
a) Family requirements
The cable shall not propagate water longitudinally according to requirements of IEC 60794-1-2, Method F5B.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-22, Method F5B
5.11 Ageing
a) Family requirements: according to 11.5 of IEC 60794-1-22:2012, Method F9
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-22, Method F9
5.12 Ribbon strippability
a) Family requirements
At least 25 mm of the ribbon matrix and the fibres’ protective coatings shall be removable with commercially available stripping tools with no fibre breakage. Any remaining coating residue shall be readily removable using isopropyl alcohol wipes.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E5B
5.13 Fibre ribbon separability
a) Family requirements
Maximum tear force 4,4 N
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-22, Method G5
6 Microduct
6.1 Tests applicable
Tests shall be selected from Table 3, in accordance with the relevant product specification. If the microduct is only to be used in a protected microduct, some tests may not be relevant.
6.2 Tensile performance
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage after the test and the microduct shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E).
b) Test conditions
Method: Generally IEC 60794-1-21, Method E1
NOTE Use of IEC 60811-501 is under consideration.
Microduct length under tension: >1 m
Tensile load on microduct: 1 × W
Duration of load: 10 min
6.3 Crush
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination, without magnification, there shall be no damage to the microduct. After the recovery time, the microduct shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E) and there shall be no splitting or permanent damage. The imprint of the plate is not considered as mechanical damage.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E3A
Sample length: 250 mm
Load (plate/plate): 500 N
Duration time: 1 min
Recovery time: 1 h
6.4 Impact
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the microducts. The microduct shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E) and there shall be no splitting or permanent damage. The imprint of the striking surface on the microduct is not considered mechanical damage.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E4
Striking surface radius: 300 mm
Impact energy: 1 J
Recovery time: 1 h
Number of impacts: One in 3 different places spread not less than 500 mm apart
6.5 Repeated bending
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the microducts. The microduct shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E) and there shall be no splitting or permanent damage.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E6
Bending diameter: 40 × OD
Load: Adequate to assure uniform contact with the mandrel
Number of cycles: 25
6.6 Torsion
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the microducts. The microduct shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E) and there shall be no splitting or permanent damage.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-2, Method E7
Maximum gauge length: 2 m
6.7 Kink
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination, without magnification, there shall be no damage to the microducts after the test and shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E). The microduct shall attain the required minimum diameter without kinking.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E10
Minimum diameter: 20 × OD
6.8 Bend
a) Family requirements
The outer and inner diameter of the microducts shall show, under visual examination without magnification, no damage and after the test and shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E).
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E11B
Diameter of mandrel: 40 × OD
Number of cycles: 3
6.9 Microduct route verification test
a) Family requirements
Objects of the required size can be passed through the microduct.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E23
6.10 Microduct pressure withstand
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination, without magnification, there shall be no damage to the microducts.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-22, Method F13
All microducts shall resist an air pressure of at least 2,5 × the installation pressure at a
temperature of 20 °C for a period of 0,5 h.
All microducts shall resist a proof test pressure of at least 1,3 × the installation pressure at
a temperature of 40 °C for a period of 24 h.
6.11 Ageing
a) Family requirements
Tests to be performed after the aging period should be agreed between the customer and supplier and may include dimensions, inner clearance test, shrinkage, changes to surface finish, pressurization or installation test of the microduct cable.
b) Test conditions
Method: Under consideration
Ageing condition: Under consideration (+60 °C for 3 months; 7 days at
70 °C; 7 days at 85 °C)
7 Protected microduct(s)
7.1 Tests applicable
Tests shall be selected from Table 4, in accordance with the relevant product specification.
7.2 Tensile performance
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination, without magnification, there shall be no damage after the test and the test shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E).
b) Test conditions
Method: Generally to IEC 60794-1-21, Method E1
NOTE Use of IEC 60811-501 is under consideration.
Microduct length under tension: >1 m
Tensile load on microduct: 1 × W
Duration of load: 10 min
7.3 Crush
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination, without magnification, the microduct shall show no damage. After the recovery time the microduct shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E) and there shall be no splitting or permanent damage. The imprint of the plate is not considered as mechanical damage.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E3A
Sample length: 250 mm
Load: 1 kN (duct); 2 kN (buried)
Duration time: 1 min
Recovery time: 1 h
7.4 Impact
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the microducts. The microduct shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E) and there shall be no splitting or permanent damage. The imprint of the striking surface on the microduct is not considered as mechanical damage.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E4
Striking surface radius: 300 mm
Impact energy: 3 J (duct); 15 J (buried)
Recovery time: 1 h
Number of impacts: One in 3 different places spread not less than 500 mm
apart
7.5 Repeated bending
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the microducts. The microduct shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E) and there shall be no splitting or permanent damage.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E6
Bending diameter: 40 × OD’
Load: Adequate to assure uniform contact with the mandrel
Number of cycles: 25
7.6 Kink
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination, without magnification, there shall be no damage to the microducts after the test and shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E). The microduct shall attain the required minimum diameter without kinking.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E10
Minimum diameter: 20 × OD’
7.7 Bend
a) Family requirements
The outer and inner diameter of the microducts shall show, under visual examination without magnification, no damage and after the test and shall pass the inner clearance test (Annex E).
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E11B
Diameter of mandrel: 40 × OD’
Number of cycles: 3
7.8 Microduct route verification test
a) Family requirements
Objects of the required size can be passed through the microduct.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E23
7.9 Microduct pressure withstand
a) Family requirements
Under visual examination, without magnification, there shall be no damage to the
microducts.
b) Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-22, Method F13
All microducts shall resist an air pressure of at least 2,5 × the installation pressure at a
temperature of 20 °C for a period of 0,5 h.
All microducts shall resist a proof test pressure of at least 1,3 × the installation pressure at
a temperature of 40 °C for a period of 24 h.
7.10 Ageing
a) Family requirements
Under consideration.
Tests to be performed after the aging period should be agreed between the customer and supplier and can include dimensions, inner clearance test, shrinkage, changes to surface finish, pressurization or installation test of the microduct cable.
b) Test conditions
Method: Under consideration
Ageing condition: Under consideration (+60 °C for 3 months; 7 days at 70 °C; 7 days at 85 °C)
Examples of testing Equipment
Tensile Tester According to IEC 60794-1-21 Method E1
This measuring method applies to optical fiber cables which are tested at a particular tensile strength to examine the behavior of the attenuation and/or the fiber elongation strain as a function of the load on a cable which may occur during installation. This method is intended to be nondestructive (the tension applied shall be within the operational values).
· According to IEC 60794-1-21 Method E1
· Load capacity: 100 kN
· Accuracy class: ±0.5%
· Measuring range: 0.4%-100%
· Loading speed: 0.2~250 mm/min
· Deformation measuring accuracy: ±0.5%
· Displacement measuring accuracy: ±0.3%
· Elongation measurement
· gauge length: 1000mm
· Measuring resolution is better than 10μm
· Accuracy is better than ±0.5%.
· Crosshead travel: 800
· Report in MS EXCEL
· Data communication port is USB
Crush Tester as per IEC-60794-1-21 Method E3
AHP’s Optical Fiber Cable Crush Testing Machine complies with employs an IEC-60794-1-2 Method E3to perform Crush test on optical cables.
Cable is laid under compression and then the attenuation of fiber optics is measured.
It employs servo-controlled system to apply compressive force on the cable in constant speed and maintains the compression force in specified period.
· Force capacity: 10KN
· Travel: 200mm
· Loading speed : up to 250mm/min
· Accuracy class: ±0.5%
· Computer is up to the customer
· Reporting in MS EXCEL
Optical Fiber Impact Tester According to IEC-60794-1-21 Method E4
Optical Fiber Cable Impact Testing Machine is used to determine the ability of optical fiber cable withstand impact in compliance with IEC-60794-1-2-E4.
· Maximum drop height: 1000mm
· Impact cycles: 1-9999 cycles
· Test Frequency: 10 cycles/min
· Hammer diameter: 20mm
· Striking surface curvature: 300mm
· Mass of striker: 0.45kg
· Mass of weights: 5 pcs of 0.5kg
Repeated Bending Tester According to IEC-60794-1-21 Method E6
Optical Fiber Cable Repeated Bending Testing Machine is used to determine the ability of a fiber optic cable to withstand repeated bending.
· Touch screen 7”
· Bending Angle: 90 degrees
· Bending cycles: up to 9999
· Bending radius: 75,200,300mm
· Frequency of loading: 10-30 cycles/min
· Mass of weights: 1-10kg
· Safety cover included
Torsion Tester According to IEC-60794-1-21 Method E7
Optical Fiber Cable Torsion Testing Machine is used to determine the ability of optical fiber cable to withstand mechanical twisting.
· Touch screen 7”
· Max distance between grips: 1000mm
· Torsion angle: 90, 180, 360 degrees
· Twisting cycles: up to 9999
· Frequency of loading: 50-30 cycles per minute
· Mass of weights: 1-10kg
Kink Tester According to IEC 60794-1-21 Method E10
Optical Fiber Cable Kink Testing Machine is used to determine the loop diameter at the onset of the kinking of an optical fiber cable in accordance with IEC-60794-1-2-E10.
· Pulling head stroke: 50-500 mm
· Pulling speed: 0 – 100 mm/s
· Transparent cover: 1000 x 700 mm
· Display: 7inch touch screen
· Save test results to internal memory