SECTION 2 : DESIGN OVERVIEW -
FIBRE OPTIC CABLES
SOUTH YOLOTEN GAS FIELD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
DESIGN OVERVIEW DOCUMENT
FOR
FIBRE OPTIC CABLES
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SECTION 2 : DESIGN OVERVIEW -
FIBRE OPTIC CABLES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................. 3
2.1 OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................... 4
2.2.1 Flame Retardant Cables ..................................................................................................... 5
2.2.2 Fire Resistant Cables .......................................................................................................... 6
2.3 OPTICAL PROPERTIES ...................................................................................................... 6
2.4 FIBER GEOMETRY ............................................................................................................. 7
2.5 CABLE CONSTRUCTION .................................................................................................... 7
2.5.1 Core Configurations ............................................................................................................ 7
2.5.2 Core Construction ............................................................................................................... 7
2.5.3 Central Member .................................................................................................................. 7
2.5.4 Buffer Tubes and Filler Rods ............................................................................................... 8
2.5.5 Optical Fibers ...................................................................................................................... 8
2.5.6 Super-absorbent Polymer Materials..................................................................................... 8
2.5.7 Inner Sheath ....................................................................................................................... 9
2.5.8 Strength Yarns .................................................................................................................... 9
2.5.9 Outer Sheath ...................................................................................................................... 9
2.5.10 Sheath Markings ................................................................................................................. 9
2.6 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES .............................................................................................. 9
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SECTION 2 : DESIGN OVERVIEW -
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2 INTRODUCTION
2.1 OVERVIEW
Reliable and secure communication is of prime importance in day to day life, and fiber cables are a
vital backbone to communication networks globally. Keeping that in mind the Fibre Optic Cables
(FOC) network is designed in such a way to provide the seamless and uninterrupted operation of the
fibre based services.
The South Yoloten Project FOC network is based upon Single Mode (SM) fibre optic cables
complying to the latest international standards like ITU-T. The FOC is based upon ITU-T G.652 fibre
which is a ultralow loss fibre giving maximum performance in any kind of installations. Multimode
Fibre cable has also been provided for only one link for Instrumentation between CCR & Fire Station.
The cables are circular in cross section and free from pinholes, joints, repairs and other defects.
Materials used in the construction of the cable shall not affect the physical or optical properties of the
fibers and are compatible with each other.
Fig. - Flame Retardant Cable
The fiber and stranded loose tubes are color coded in accordance with TIA/EIA-598-B, "Optical Fiber
Cable Colour Coding.” The fibers are colored with ultraviolet (UV) curable inks.
Buffer tubes are manufactured to a standard 2.4 mm (nominal) in size, regardless of fiber count, to
reduce the number of required installation and termination tools. Buffer tubes containing fibers are
color coded with distinct and recognizable colors in accordance with TIA/EIA-598-B.
An outer jacket of polyethylene is provided for all cables (including indoor cables) and contain carbon
black to provide ultraviolet light protection and inhibit the growth of fungus. Outer sheath is resistant
to oil, petrochemicals and its derivatives and flame retardant. Cable jacket is marked with the
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SECTION 2 : DESIGN OVERVIEW -
FIBRE OPTIC CABLES
manufacturer’s name, month and year of manufacture, sequential meter or foot markings, fiber
count, and fiber type.
All fiber optic with any portion of the cable run installed underground or outdoors (including cable in
cable tray) is armored. Fiber optic cables with cable runs located wholly within a building are not
required to be armored and are protected by installation in cable tray or conduit.
With the exception of the overall armor for armored cables, all elements of the cable construction are
electrically non-conductive.
The actual length of cable are within -0/+10% of stated length unless otherwise specified.
2.2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The no. of fibre cores in cables vary depending upon application. The following four types of FOC
are provided.
1. 6 Fibre Fibre Optic Cables
2. 12 Fibre Fibre Optic Cables
3. 24 Fibre Fibre Optic Cables
4. 48 Fibre Fibre Optic Cables
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Advanced loose tube optical fibre cables with SZ stranded core with outstanding optical and
geometrical properties have been provided. Cables are resistant to oil, petrochemicals and its
derivatives and are fully water-blocked.
Cable can be direct buried, pulled or blown through ducts or placed in outdoor cable trays. The cable
are armoured by a corrugated steel tape.
Primary two types of FOC cables have been deployed in the network.
1. Fire Resistant Cables
2. Fire Retardant Cables
2.2.1 Flame Retardant Cables
Most of the FOC comes under this category. These cables are as per standards IEC-60332.
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2.2.2 Fire Resistant Cables
These cables are provided for the essential services like PAGA, Emergency Shutdown, etc. These
cables have an extra layer of a mica tape which resists to a fire of specified degree for specified no.
of minutes. These cables are as per standards IEC-60331-25.
2.3 OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Parameter Requirement
Attenuation variation with wavelength (1285-1330 nm) < 0.1 dB/km
Attenuation at water peak 2.1 dB/km
Attenuation with bending (100 turns on a 75 mm diameter 0.1 dB at 1550 nm
mandrel)
Attenuation coefficient at 1310 nm 0.38 dB/km
Attenuation coefficient at 1550 nm 0.25 dB/km
Optical point discontinuities at 1310 and 1550 nm < 0.1 dB
Chromatic dispersion between 1285 and 1330 nm 3.5 ps/nm.km
Chromatic dispersion at 1550 nm 18 ps/nm.km
Cable cut off wavelength 1260 nm
PMD Coefficient 0.5 ps/km
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2.4 FIBER GEOMETRY
Parameter Requirement
Fiber Type G.652
Mode field diameter at 1310 nm 9.3 0.5 m
Mode field concentricity error 1.0 m
Cladding diameter 125 2 m
Cladding non-circularity 2%
Coating diameter 245 10 m
Proof test 1% strain (equivalent to 0.7 GN/m2)
2.5 CABLE CONSTRUCTION
2.5.1 Core Configurations
Fiber Count Tube Configuration
6 Six 1-fiber tubes
12 Six 2-fiber tubes
24 Six 3-fiber tubes
48 Six 4-fiber tubes
2.5.2 Core Construction
The central fiber optic unit consists of a SZ stranded core of loose buffer tubes around a 2.5mm
GRP anti-buckling and strength member.
2.5.3 Central Member
A 2.5 mm GRP rod is placed in the centre of the optical cable core. It shall serve a dual function,
acting as both a tensile strength element and as an anti-buckling member.
The central member is free of imperfections that degrade its performance and is stiff enough to
prevent the cable from kinking at its minimum bend radius.
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2.5.4 Buffer Tubes and Filler Rods
The cable is of stranded loose buffer construction where fibers are contained in a series of 2.4 mm
tubes (6 or more). The fibers shall have enough free space inside the tube to provide the required
level of mechanical and environmental performance.
The inside of the tubes is filled with a gel to prevent moisture ingress. The buffer tube-filling
compound is non-toxic. It is free from foreign matter, chemically and mechanically compatible with
all cable components, non-nutritive to fungus, non-hygroscopic, and electrically non-conductive.
Each buffer tube in the finished cable is distinguishable from the others by means of colour coding
with TIA/EIA-598-B, "Optical Fiber Cable Colour Coding.”
2.5.5 Optical Fibers
All optical fibers shall meet the requirements set forth in ITU-T Recommendation G.652 and the
detail specifications below.
Each optical fiber is protected with a dual layer acrylate coating. The inner layer is optimized for
adhesion to the cladding glass, strip ability and temperature performance while the outer coating is a
harder material optimized for abrasion performance. The coating is easily strippable with
commercially available fiber strippers.
Optical fibers shall have a high level of splice compatibility with optical fibers from other
manufacturers. No fiber splices are allowed in any continuous length of cable.
Each fiber in a tube is distinguishable from other fibers in the same tube by means of color coding
ink discernible throughout the design life of the cable. The fiber color sequence is color coded with
distinct and recognizable colors in accordance with TIA/EIA-598-B.
2.5.6 Super-absorbent Polymer Materials
Cables are water blocked with water blocking tape/binder. The water blocking tape materials
produce a water blocking gel in the presence of water that actively seek out and fill the free space
between the core components. The water blocking tape is safe, easy to remove and require no
special handling or solvents.
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2.5.7 Inner Sheath
The sheath is made of a high molecular weight linear PE meeting the requirements of the project
hazardous area classification. The inner sheath thickness should be nominally 1.0 mm or to meet
the required cable mechanical and environmental performance characteristics.
2.5.8 Strength Yarns
The strength yarns for FO Cable are aramid yarns.
2.5.9 Outer Sheath
The sheath is made of a high molecular weight linear PE. The nominal outer sheath thickness is 1.8
mm. The average thickness of any cross section is not less than 90% of the specified thickness.
The minimum spot thickness is not less than 80% of the specified thickness. Outer sheath is
resistant to oil, petrochemicals and its derivatives and flame retardant.
2.5.10 Sheath Markings
The outer sheath is marked with the following:
• The manufacturer name.
• The year of manufacture (for example: “Year 2011”).
• The fiber count (for example: “24 F”).
• Meter marks at a one meter interval with arrowhead indicating upward direction of meter
markings.
2.6 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Parameter Requirements
Maximum pulling tension (MPT) 3500N
Minimum bend radius, no load 10 times the cable outside diameter
Minimum bend radius at maximum pulling 15 times the cable outside diameter
tension
Compressive Load 5000N/10 cm
Impact Load 25 N-m
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