CHAPTER - 9

SPECIFICATIONS OF OPTIC FIBRE

9.1 This is revision of the specification originally adopted in 1991 and revised in May, 1996. It is issued under the serial No1RS:TC-55 (Oct 96). 1. SCOPE

1. 1 This specification covers the requirements of optical, mechanical characteristics and of test and inspection for monomode underground armoured optical fibre cable for use on Indian Railway Telecommunication network at 1300 rim band. 5. 5.1 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS CHARACTERISTICS OF FIBRE

5.1.1 Monomode fibre shall be as per ITU-T Rec.G.652(03/93) unless otherwise specified. 5.1.2 Cut-off wavelength Cut off wave-length for 2 meter fibre section shall be between 1120mm to 1280nm for matched clad fibre and less than 1350 rim for depressed clad fiber. 5.1.3 Attenuation < 0.25 dB/Km 5.1.4 Core (Mode Field) Nominal diameter Nominal Cladding Diameter Cladding Non-circularity Concentricity : 9 um + 10% for depressed clad fibre. : 10 um + 10% for matched clad fibre. : 125 um + 2 um <2% : : 1 um (Max) : (a) At 1235/1330 nm band < 0,4 Db/Km : (b) At 1550nm

5. 1. 5 Primary coating + 15 any reaction with 5.1.6 Chromatic dispersion :

Material UV curable acrylate, Diameter 250 micron. It should not have

cladding or cable material. Max. 5.3 ps/nm. km from 1271 to 13 60 rim with

value not exceeding 3.5ps/nm.kin in 1285 to 1339 window. It shall be Max.20 ps/nm. km at 1550 nm. The zerodispersion slope shall be 0.093 ps/nm 2km (max). 5.1.7 5.1.8 Proof test for minimum : <1% strain level Duration of proof test : > 1 sec, Change in attenuation: 1 dB Min. measured at 1550nm when fibre is coiled with 100 turns on 30mm radius mandrel. CABLE CONSTRUCTION GENERAL LOOSE TUBE CABLE: (Ref. Fig. 1)

5.2 5.2.1 a.

Primary coated fibres shall be covered by a secondary coating loose tube made of nylon polybutylene tetrephthalate/polypropylene/polycarbonate material of diameter 25min (max). Construction details of 8/ 18/24 fibre shall be as under: No. of loose Total tubes (i) 8 Fibre 8 OR 4 (ii) 18 Fibre 18 OR (* LAST TUBE WILL CONTAIN) TWO FIBRES 9 (111) 24 FIBRE 24 18 6 4 2 8 5 4F x 4 2F x 1 is 2 2 in each tube 4 No. of fibres

Number of dummy/filler tubes shall be provided depending upon the circularity requirement of cable. The space between the primary coated fibres and the secondary coating tube shall be filled with a suitable water blocking thixotropic jelly compound which shall be compatible with primary and secondary coating materials. The secondary coating loose tubes shall be stranded around strength member in an appropriate manner to form the cable core.

b.

SLOTTED CORE CABLE (Ref fig. 2)

Two or four primary double acrylate coated fibres in a loose tube made of Nylon/polybutylene/tetraphthalate/polypropylene/polycarbonate material shall be placed in the slots of polyethylene/polypropylene/polycarbonate spacer. No. of slots and no. of fibres in each slot for various construction will be as per details given in cl.5.2.1(a). It is then filled with suitable thixotropic jelly compound. Adequate measures shall be taken to protect the fibres in case the fibres are laid directly in the slots. 5.2.2 In both types, the cable core shall be wrapped with suitable material which does not adhere to secondary fibre coating. The cable core shall not have any metallic component and shall have splice free optical fibre. 5.2.3 CABLE STRENGTH MEMBER

A solid non-metallic member/members (FRP) or other suitable non-metallic design shall be provided at the center of the core of the cable for strength and flexibility. The construction of the central strength member shall be such as to meet mechanical strength criterion given in para 5.3.1 of this specification. 5.2.4 CABLE CORE COVERING - MOISTURE BARRIER

The cable core shall be covered with a continuous layer of a non-hygroscoplc dielectric material applied longitudinally or hellically with an overlap. The cable core shall be filled with suitable water blocking jelly compound compatible to fibre. Further to achieve additional tensile strength aramide yarn can be provided between the core covering and inner PE sheath. 5.2.5 INNER PE SHEATH

Over the core covering a PE sheath of HDPE, free pinholes, Joints, mended places or other defects, and which is made of sheath of a tough, weather resistant and high molecular weight polyethylene compound shall be provided. The thickness of the sheath shall be 1.5mm(minimum). 5.2.6 ARMOURING OF CABLE

Over the inner PE sheath, armouring and outer sheath to the following construction shall be provided to make the cable rodent and termite proof 5.2.6.1 The thickness os stainless steel alloy shall not be less than 0.125mm. The steel tape shall be both sides coated with a copolymer of thickness 0.05mm (min.) so as to bond the armouring to the outer jacket and make a unitary construction. 5.2.6.2 Stainless steel armouring corrugated transversely for lateral strength and bending flexibility to be applied longitudinally with an overlap of 10% (minimum) over the inner PE sheath. The corrugation over the entire length of the tape used in the cable shall be uniform. Suitable glue/adhesive should be provided in between overlap portion of cable armouring for bonding to avoid ingressing of moisture. The details of specification of compound' used should be submitted by the manufacturers. The height of corrugation shall be 0.6mm (min) & the pitch of corrugated tape shall be 2.5mm(max).

5.2.6.3 (a) The corrugated armouring of stainless steel shall offer excellent corrosive and shall be AISI Alloy 304 or AISI - 305, (b) The chemical composition and mechanical properties of steel shall be as specified in table 1 and table 2 of ASTM: A 167-92b for type 304 or 305 respectively. 5.2.6.4 Over corrugated steel armouring outer jacket of RDPE of thickness 1 8nim. (minimum), shall be provided, 5.2.6.5 The outer jacket of RDPE shall be such as to preserve the sheath from attack by termites. Manufacturer will submit the details of doping material used. 5.2.6.6 SPARK TEST (IEC 794- 1 -F3) The overall outer jacket shall withstand spark test voltages of 10KV AC rms or 12 KVDC at the time of extrusion. There shall be no spark over. 5.2.7 MARKING ON CABLE

On the outer jacket there shall be indelible length marking at an interval not exceeding 1 meter. The outer jacket shall be in black colour and marking shall be in white colour. Sequential length and identification marking will be done by hot melt printing process by pressing white tape causing indentation of the outer jacket. The accuracy of the sequential markings shall be within + 0.5% of the actual measured length. The sequential length markings shall not rub off during normal installation. The marking on the cable shall be as given below. Manufacturer/Company's trade mark, I.R. marking, telephone mark, laser symbol, type of cable, no. of fibres, type of fibres, month, year, of manufacture and drum no." 5 2.8 OVERALL DIAMETER

The overall diameter of the cable shall be 20mm (max).

5.2.9

THE FIBRE & UNIT IDENTIFICATION

5.2.9.1 Fibres shall be coloured with readily distinguishable durable colours. In case of four fibres in a tube/slot the order of coloured fibres shall be Blue, Orange, Green and Natural. In case of two fibres in a tube/slot, first fibre shall be of Blue colour and the second fibre shall be of natural colour. 5.2.9.2 In loose tube construction, tubes shall be placed in circular format. One tube shall be blue in colour to indicate the tube No. 1 and the tube adjacent to tube No. 1 shall be orange in colour to indicate the tube No.2 counting shall be from blue to orange. Rest of the tubes shall be of natural colour. For 5 tube construction in 18 fibre last tube will contain 2 fibre. In case of slotted core cable, first two consecutive crests shall be coloured in Blue. Fourth crest shall be coloured in orange. The remaining crests shall be of natural colour. The counting shall be from blue to orange. INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED BY SUPPLIER WITH THE OFFER

The supplier shall supply the following information along with his offer: Dimensional drawing of cross section of various sizes of cables offered indicating the constituents of the cable and their dimensions. Type of fibre design i.e., matched clad or depressed clad. 11.3 11.4 11.5 12. Fibre/unit identification scheme as per clause 5.2.9. Complete test results. Copies of "manufacturers specification" for raw materials used in the cable construction and not specifically covered by the specifications. INFORMATION 10 BE FURNISHED BY THE PURCHASER

The purchaser shall spec4 the following: 12.1 Cable construction - loose tube or slotted core with no. of fibres in each tube/slot (C1.5.2.). a. b. c. 12.2 No.of fibre required in the cable. No.of loose tube or slots. No.of fibre in each tube, Length of cable drum.

13.

COMPARASION OF SPECIFICATIOS OF OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES

13.1 Comparison of Specifications of optical fibre cables at per RDSO SPECIFICATION no. TC-55 and that used in C.Rly and S.E.Rly as per tender document for global tender. (Ref. page no 10. Part v , notice no 86 IRE / 141 / 4) S.No 1. CHARACTERISTICS Mode RDSO SPECIFICATION NO. TC - 55-1996 Monomode REGG.652) SPECIFICATION OF CABLES USED IN C.RLY & S.E.RLY (CCITT Monomode mm (CCITT REC G.652)

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Wavelength Nominal (mode field diameter) Nominal cladding diameter. Primary coating Secondary coating Attenuation

1300 rim + 5 9 to 10nm 125 micron + 2.5% Material UV curable acryl ate diameter 250 +.1.5 micron 0 .5db /km or less measured at worst wave length from 1285mn to113330 rim and 0.35 db/km at 1550 nm. For 2mtr fibre section and 1280 nm shall be between 1120mn

1300 + 5 nm 9nm to 10nm

Dia 250 nm approximately Dia 2.0 approximately. Less than 0. 5 db/km at1300nm band measured at worst wave length within permissible variation 1120 to 1280 nm less than 6% less than 2%

8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Cut-off wavelength Mode field non circularity Cladding non Mode field concentricity Total dispersion

1.0 or less preferably 0.5 error micron Max 3.5 ps/nm/km km and max 20 ps/nm at 1550 nm. (chromatic only)

less than 7.0 ps nm/km).

CHAPTER-10

SAFETY ASPECTS TO BE FOLLOWED WHILE WORKING ON OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES

9. 1. Installation and maintenance of fibre optic communication system involves possibility of eye injuries. The sources of radiation which can be considered harmless then their output must not exceed the following limit (at eye level) WAVE LENGTH(nm) 750 850 900 1050- 1400 1400 AVERAGE POWER (uw) 150 240 300 600 800

The eye can be subjected to continuous radiation at values lower than the lowest ones above. 9.2. Single mode fibre Optic power -1mw (odbm Wavelength -1300 nm) Numerical aperture - 0.1, 13,max. eye aperture = 7nm. At a distance of 35min all energy penetrates the eye. Intensity decreases proportional to the square of distance Maximum power allowed at 1300nin is 60Ouw (0,6mw) 2 So 1mw /0.6mw =X /35 X=45mm=4.5cm Safety margin sussested 15 cm i.e safe viewing distance

9.3. Use of microscope if we are using microscope for enlargement then suitable infrared filters should be used. As output density radiation grows in proportion to enlargement, these radiations are in infra red region. 9.4. Chemical Adequate first aid provisions should be made available. One chemical which should be particularly mentioned is METYYLENE CHLORIDE - which is used for removing acrylate based primary coating of optical fibres. Metylene chloride, when heated turns into poisoneous gas (phosgene). We use it in spray form or jellied form for removing coating. Use protective coats, rubber gloves, face masks etc.. 9.5. Fibre Fragments Optical fibre is thin and hard in certain circumstances a small piece can penetrate into the skin and cause a local infection. When handling fibres all left over pieces should be carefully removed for disposal. Fibre inside body cannot be distinguished by X-ray and so their location and removal is difficult. Keep a pair of tweezers and magnifying glass. A small glass fibre piece is more dangerous than an iron filing if enters the body.