Fiber Optic Cables and Installation Standard

Petroleum Development Oman L.L.C.
Document Title: Specification for Fiber Optic Cables and

Installation Standard.
Document ID SP-2148
Document Type Specification
Security Unrestricted
Discipline IM&T
Owner IT CFDH
th
Issue Date 25 March 2013
Version 1.0
Keywords: This document is the property of Petroleum Development Oman, LLC. Neither the whole nor any part
of this document may be disclosed to others or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form by any means (electronic, mechanical, reprographic recording or otherwise) without prior written consent
of the owner.
Version: 1
Petroleum Development Oman LLC Effective: March. 2013
This page was intentionally left blank
Page 2 SP-2148 - Specification for Fiber Optic Cable and Installation Printed 20/08/2014
Standards
The controlled version of this CMF Document resides online in Livelink. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED.
Version: 1
i Document Authorisation
Authorised For Issue March 2013
ii Revision History
The following table lists the four most recent revisions to this document. Details of all revisions prior to
these are held on file by the issuing department.
Version No. Date Author Checked Scope / Remarks
N/A
iii Related Business Processes

Code Business Process
N/A
iv Related Corporate Management Framework (CMF) Documents

The related CMF Documents can be retrieved from the CMF Document Control.
Doc. ID Document Title

ANSI/IEEE Std. 524 IEEE Guide to the Installation of Overhead Transmission Line
Conductors
BS 1990 (Part1), 1984 Specification for Wood Poles for Overhead Lines
CP-117 Project Engineering Code of Practice
EIA-359 Standard Colour for Colour Identification and Coding.
CEPT Regulations
EIA-455 Standard Test Procedures for Fiber Optic Fibers, Cables,
Transducers, Connecting and Terminating Devices
Standards
Version: 1
IEC 65 Safety requirements to mains operated equipment

IEC 79-14 Electrical installations in explosive gas atmospheres (other than
mines)
IEC 529 Environmental protection
IEC 793-1 Generic Specification for Optical Fiber
IEC 794-1 General Specification for Optical Fiber Cables
IEC 794-2 Product Specifications for Optical Fiber Cables
IEC 874 Connector for Optical Fiber and Cables
IEC 1000 series Electromagnetic comparability standards
IEC 1073 Splices for optical fiber and cables
IEC 1218 Fiber optic - Safety guide
ESI 43-20 11kV & 33kV Single Circuit Overhead Lines of Heavy Construction
on Wood Poles.
GU 373 Installation of external fiber optic cable guideline.
HSESM Health Safety and Environmental Protection Standards Manual
K.8 Separation in the soil between Telecommunication cable and earth
system of power facility
K.33 Limits for people safety related to coupling into Telecommunications
system from AC. electric power and AC electrified railway
installations in fault conditions
PR-1666 Project Drawing Procedures
SP-1099 Specification for Electrical Installation Practice
SP-1102 Specification for Design of 33kV Overhead Power Lines
SP-1105 Specification for Coding & Identification of Overhead Line Systems
SP-1106 Specification for Earthing & Bonding
SP-1109 Specification for Earthing & Bonding
SP 1131 Hand over and as-built Documentation
SP 2047 Preparation & Content of Engineering Drawings
Standards
Version: 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i Document Authorisation ................................................................................................... 3
ii Revision History ............................................................................................................... 3
iii Related Business Processes............................................................................................ 3
iv Related Corporate Management Framework (CMF) Documents .................................... 3
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 6
2. Main Requirements .......................................................................................................... 7
3. Definition and abbreviations ............................................................................................. 7
A. PART ONE FOC SPECIFICATIONS INCLUDING ACCESSORIES ............................... 9
1. Quality systems .............................................................................................................. 10
2. Cable construction .......................................................................................................... 10
3. General requirements ..................................................................................................... 12
4. Core Configuration ......................................................................................................... 13
5. Cable performance requirements ................................................................................... 16
6. Design testing ................................................................................................................. 20
7. Routine Tests ................................................................................................................. 21
8. Bidding requirements ..................................................................................................... 22
9. Manufacturers test results ............................................................................................. 22
10. Acceptance Test ............................................................................................................. 22
11. Instalation methology ..................................................................................................... 23
12. Packaging ....................................................................................................................... 23
13. Fiber Optic Cable Accessories ....................................................................................... 24
14. Accessories for ADSS .................................................................................................... 31
B. PART TWO FOC INSTALLATION STANDARDS .......................................................... 34
1. Purpose .......................................................................................................................... 35
2. Priority ............................................................................................................................ 35
3. Access to the site ........................................................................................................... 35
4. Safety regulations ........................................................................................................... 35
5. General guidlines ........................................................................................................... 36
6. Installation methods ....................................................................................................... 36
7. Design ............................................................................................................................ 37
8. Installation ...................................................................................................................... 39
9. Direct buried FOC/HDPE Duct ....................................................................................... 46
10. Installation of FOC above ground along the pipe line .................................................... 51
11. Aerial cable installlation (ADSS)..................................................................................... 51
12. Acceptance tests ............................................................................................................ 62
13. Drawing and documents................................................................................................. 65
14. Appendicies .................................................................................................................... 67
Standards
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1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This document is a guide to the material, design, installation and testing of different types of fiber optic
cables including buried, ducted (blown, pulling) and All Dielectric Self Supporting (ADSS). This
Guideline does not cover the installation of in-building. It supersedes the existing SP 2002, 2004,
1265 and 1266. The new SP2148 becomes the single document for all FOC material and installation
specification.
This specification shall be corresponding with one or more of the referenced SPs and international
standards to complete the COMPANY requirement for installation works. However, it remains the
contractors responsibility to ensure the complete installation of FOC.
The Contractor shall fully comply with all the requirements in these specifications.
This document is divided into two parts. The first part one A is Material specifications and key
accessories, while the second part two B is guide for installation and testing of different types of fiber
optic cables.
1.2 Scope
This document is a PDO generic specification for polyethylene sheathed optical cables. It describes
the construction, performance, acceptance criteria of polyethylene sheathed armoured optical cables
(herein after called PSA), and polyethylene sheathed dielectric optical cables (herein after called PSD)
and All Dielectric Self Supporting (herein after called ADSS).
For PSA cable, applications include pulling/blowing into ducts and direct burial by blowing or by
trench & backfill method. PSA designs should be well protected against attack by rodents & termites
and have excellent crush & impact resistance.
For PSD cable, deployments are limited to duct installation by pulling or blowing.
The ADSS fiber optic cable shall be suitable for installation along the route of the 33kV and 132kV
overhead lines. Where the route of the OHL does not correspond with the desired route of the fiber
optic cable, the cable shall be deployed in underground rout using HDPE ducts.
The cables described herein have a stranded loose buffer tube construction that is designed so that
no net axial fibre strain occurs at maximum pulling tension.
The ADSS Fibre Optic Cable shall be supplied from approved local manufacturer. The manufacturer
shall assure that cables provided to PDO meet the requirements set forth in this specification
The supplier shall be responsible for the insurance of the cable and associated accessories from the
place of manufacture to the location designated by PDO..
1.3 Changes to the Specification

This specification shall not be changed without approval from the Document Authority. Any user of this
specification, who encounters an inaccuracy or ambiguity, is requested to notify the Document
Custodian, using the User Comment Form provided.
1.4 Specification Owner's Responsibility

The owner of this specification is responsible for authorising all proposed deviations or amendments
to the specification and for the initiation of periodic reviews and updates in accordance with Clauses
1.2 and 1.5.
Standards
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1.5 Effective period

The requirements of this specification shall remain in force indefinitely unless superseded by an
authorised revision.
1.6 Review and Improvement

As a minimum, this specification will be reviewed every three years and updated when necessary.
2. Main Requirements
For any project, the Contractor shall consider all the requirements including design, supply,
installations and testing of any FOC in HDPE duct, buried and ADSS. Any deviation to the
specification shall be approved by the IT CFDH.
The entire FOC work shall be conducted by an approved Company Telecommunications contractor.
All requirements of this specification shall apply except where the manufacturers standards are
more stringent, than the latter shall apply. If a standard becomes old and a latest issue of the same
standard is available then the latest issue shall be followed.
Compliance with these specifications for modifications or extension work to existing facilities may
not always be possible; in such cases the Company's written instructions shall be obtained to
indicate whether a deviation is acceptable.
If the Contractor has any concern about the applicable specification for a particular project, the
Contractor shall bring the concern or question to the attention of the Company for clarification or
resolution. The company's decision shall be final and binding.
3. Definition and abbreviations

For the purposes of this document, the following definitions shall apply.
Shall The word 'shall' indicates a requirement.

Should The word 'should' indicates a recommendation.
Company Petroleum Development Oman LLC.
The party with which the Company, has entered into a
Contractor
Contract.
A Company supplying goods, materials or product related
Manufacturer/Supplier
services to be used during the fabrication of a facility.
The Company and/or Contractor, designate using this
User
document.
Standards
Version: 1
For the purposes of this document, the following abbreviations shall apply:
AC Alternating Current
ADSS All Dielectric Self Supporting
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
BS British Standard
CCITT Committee Consultative International Telegraphy and Telephony
Db Decibel
DC Direct Current
DEP Design and Engineering Practice
ERD Engineering Reference Document
FAT Factory Acceptance Test
FOC Fiber Optic Cable
GHz Gigahertz
HDPE High Density polyethylene
HV High Voltage
IEC International Electrotechnical Committee
ISO International Standards Organization
ITU-T International Telecommunications Union Telecommunications
IT-CFDH Information Technology - Corporate Functional Discipline Head
Kbit/s Kilobits per second
LAN Local Area Network
LLDPE Linear low density polyethylene
m (m/s) Meter (Meter per second)
MBL Minimum breaking load
MDPE Medium density polyethylene
OHL Overhead Line
OLTE Optical line Terminating Equipment
OTDR Optical Time Domain Reflectometer
PE Poly ethylene
PMD Polarization Mode Dispersion
PSA Polyethylene Sheathed Armoured Optical Cable
PSD Polyethylene Sheathed Dielectric Optical Cable
SAT Site Acceptance Test
SP PDO Specification Practices
UV Ultra Violet
Standards
Version: 1
A. PART ONE FOC SPECIFICATIONS INCLUDING ACCESSORIES
Standards
Version: 1
1. Quality systems
The factory where the cable manufacturing takes place must be registered to ISO-9001 and have
been registered for a period of at least 2 years.
2. Cable construction
The required cable shall comprise of the following components listed radially from the centre.
- A central strength & anti-buckling member shall be made of GRP.
- Superabsorbent polymer yarns wrapped around the central member (or superabsorbent polymer
binders suitably located elsewhere in the cable structure)
- SZ stranded loose buffer tube containing optical fibres and a thixotropic filling compound.
- Optionally, filler rods may be used in lower fibre count cables to keep the structure round.
- A layer of aramid yarn that is engineered to provide the required level of tensile strength.
- A superabsorbent polymer tape wrapped around the aramid yarn
- One or two ripcords
- A PE inner sheath
- A corrugated steel armour tape (PSA only)
- A PE outer sheath (PSA only)
2.1 Design PSD: Dielectric Cable
FRP Rod
Water Blocking Yarn
Buffer Tubes & Fibers
Dielectric Strength Yarn
Ripcord
Water Blocking Tape
High molecular weight PE sheath
Standards
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2.2 Design PSA: Armoured Cable
FRP Rod
Water Blocking Yarn

Buffer Tubes & Fibers
Dielectric Strength
Yarn
Water Blocking
Tape
Ripcords (2)
Corrugated Steel
Tape
High Molecular Weight PE Sheaths
(2)
2.3 Design ADSS: All Dielectric Self Supporting
FRP Rod
Water Blocking Yarn
Stranded Core
Water blocking Tape

PE Inner Sheath
Ripcords
Torque balanced aramid yarn
MDPE or Track Resistant Outer Sheath
The required cable shall comprise of the following components listed radially from the centre.
- A central strength & anti-buckling member made of 2.5 mm FRP.
- Super-absorbent polymer yarns wrapped around the central member (or super-absorbent
polymer binders suitably located elsewhere in the cable structure)
- SZ stranded loose buffer tube containing optical fibers and a thixotropic filling compound.
- Optionally, filler rods may be used in lower fiber count cables to keep the structure round.
- A super absorbent polymer water blocking tape.
- A ripcord for the PE inner sheath.
- An LLDPE or MDPE inner sheath with printing.
Standards
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- A layer of water blocked aramid yarn that is engineered to provide the required level of tensile
strength for the project span, sag and loading conditions.
- A ripcord for the PE outer sheath.
- An MDPE or track-resistant PE outer sheath (only for 132kV lines)
The cable must be 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
fiber and shall be compatible with each other.
3. General requirements
The cables shall not be leftovers from another project without the written permission of PDO.
The fiber and stranded loose tubes shall be colour coded as specified below to provide easy
identification at either cable end.
3.1 Central Member
3.1.1 PSD and PSA

A GRP rod is placed in the centre of the optical cable core. It must serve dual function; acting as a
tensile strength element and as an anti-buckling member.
The central member must be free of imperfections that degrade its performance and must be stiff
enough to prevent the cable from kinking at its minimum bend radius.
3.1.2 ADSS
A 2.5 mm FRP rod is placed in the centre of the optical cable core. It must serve dual function, acting
as a tensile strength element and as an anti-buckling member.
The central member must be free of imperfections that degrade its performance and must be stiff
enough to prevent the cable from kinking at its minimum bend radius. Ultimate tensile strength of the
cable shall not be less than 42kN.
3.2 Buffer Tubes and Filler Rods

3.2.1 PSD and PSA
The cable must be of stranded loose buffer construction where fibres are contained in a series of tubes
(6 or more). The fibres must have enough free space inside the tube to provide the required level of
mechanical and environmental performance.
The inside of the tubes must be filled with a thixotropic gel to prevent moisture ingress. The buffer tube-
filling compound must be non-toxic and dermatological safe. It must be free from foreign matters,
chemically and mechanically, and be compatible with all cable components, non-nutritive to fungus, non-
hygroscopic, and electrically non-conductive.
For lower fibre counts, filler rods may be placed into any unused positions in the stranded fibre optic core.
The filler material must be made of a material compatible with other core components.
Each buffer tube in the finished cable is distinguishable from the others by means of colour coding as
follows:
Standards
Version: 1
COLOR CODE (PER IEC-304)
Tub Color Tube # Color Fiber # Color Fiber # Color

e#
1 Blue 7 Red 1 Blue 7 Red
2 Orange 8 Black 2 Orange 8 Black
3 Green 9 Yellow 3 Green 9 Yellow
4 Brown 10 Violet 4 Brown 10 Violet
5 Gray 11 Pink 5 Gray 11 Pink
6 White 12 Aqua 6 White 12 Aqua
3.2.2 ADSS
Each buffer tube in the finished cable is distinguishable from the others by means of colour coding
as follows:
Tube number Buffer Tube Colour

1 Blue
2 Orange
3 Green
4 Brown
5 Grey
6 White
4. Core Configuration
4.1.1 PSD and PSA both SM and MM

With a view to standardizing fiber distribution in joint closure trays and for compatibility in branching
out and jointing, the following core configuration is to be provided in the cables:
Fiber Count Tube Configuration # of Fillers

6 One 6-fiber tubes 4
12 Two 6-fiber tubes 3
16 Four 4-fiber tubes 1
36 Six 6-fiber tubes 0
96 Eight 12-fiber tubes 0
Standards
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4.1.2 PSA and PSD MM 50/125
Fiber Count Standard Tube Layup # of Fillers

(Others On Request)
4 One 4-fiber tubes 4
36 Six 6-fiber tubes 0
96 Eight 12-fiber tubes 0
4.1.3 ADSS
Fiber Count Tube Configuration # of Fillers

6 Three 2-fibre tubes 3
24 Four 6-fibre tubes 2
4.2 Fiber Optical specification

All optical fibres must meet the requirements set forth in ITU-T Recommendation G.652D and the
detailed specifications below.
Each optical fibre must be protected with a dual layer acrylate coating. The inner layer shall be
optimised for adhesion to the cladding glass, strippability and temperature performance while the
outer coating shall be a harder material optimised for abrasion performance. The coating must be
easily strippable with commercially available fibre strippers such as Miller Strippers.
Each cable must have traceability of the optical fibre back to the original fibre ID number and test
parameters as provided by the fibre manufacturer.
Optical fibres from different manufacturers cannot be mixed in the same cable or in any order, unless
otherwise specified and approved by PDO.
Optical fibres shall have a high level of splice compatibility with optical fibres from other
manufacturers.
No fibre splices are allowed in any continuous length of cable.
Each fibre in a tube must be distinguishable from other fibres in the same tube by means of colour
coding ink discernible throughout the design life of the cable. Required fibre colour sequence is as
indicated in section 5.2
Standards
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4.3 Core Construction

The central fibre optic unit consists of a SZ stranded core of loose buffer tubes around a GRP anti-
buckling and strength member.
4.4 Super-absorbent Polymer Materials

Cables must be water blocked with superabsorbent polymer water blocking yarns, tapes and/or
binders. Superabsorbent coatings on cable elements are not acceptable. The superabsorbent
polymer materials produce a water blocking gel in the presence of water that actively seek out and
fill the free space between the core components. This method is preferred because the cable is
lighter in weight, does not require the use of specialised and costly cable cleaners and because of
the improved productivity of PDO splicing personnel.
The superabsorbent polymer materials must be safe, easy to remove and requires no special
handling or solvents.
4.5 Inner Sheath

4.5.1 PSD and PSA
The sheath must be made of a high molecular weight linear PE meeting the requirements of
ASTM-1248, type III, Class C, Category 5, Grade J3. The inner sheath thickness should be
nominally 1.2 mm or to meet the required cable mechanical and environmental performance
characteristics.
4.5.2 ADSS
The sheath must be made of Telecommunications grade LLDPE or MDPE. The inner sheath
thickness should be nominally 1.0 mm or otherwise to meet the required cable mechanical and
environmental performance characteristics.
4.6 Strength Yarns

4.6.1 PSD and PSA
The strength yarns for PSA and PSD cables shall be aramid yarns.
4.6.2 ADSS
The strength yarns for ADSS cables shall be water blocked aramid yarns.
4.7 Outer Sheath

4.7.1 PSD and PSA
The sheath must be made of a high molecular weight linear PE meeting the requirements of
ASTM-1248, type III, Class C, Category 5, Grade J3. The nominal outer sheath thickness shall be
1.5 mm. The average thickness of any cross section shall not be less than 90% of the specified
thickness. The minimum spot thickness shall not be less than 80% of the specified thickness.
4.7.2 ADSS
The sheath must be made of MDPE or track resistant polyethylene depending on the electrical
potential at the ADSS attachment point. 33KV system cables shall use MDPE sheathed cables and
132KV system shall use track resistant sheathed (Outer sheath) cables. For MDPE, the nominal
outer sheath thickness shall be 1.8 mm. For track resistant polyethylene, the sheath thickness
should be engineered to meet project requirements.
The track resistant sheath shall be tested in accordance with BS5604 and IEC587 and the cable
supplier must provide evidence of compliance.
Standards
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The average thickness of any cross-section shall not be less than 90% of the specified thickness.
The minimum spot thickness shall not be less than 80% of the specified thickness.
4.8 Sheath Markings

4.8.1 PSD and PSA
The outer sheath shall be marked with the following:
- The words Petroleum Development Oman Fibre Optic Cable.
- The manufacturer name.
- The year of manufacture (for example: Year 2012).
- The fibre count (for example: 24 f).
- Meter marks at a one meter interval with arrowhead indicating upward direction of meter
markings.
4.8.2 ADSS
The inner sheath shall be marked with the following:
Companys Name: PDO
Type of fiber Optic Cable and the fiber count: (for example: ADSS 33KV or 132KV - 24 f)
The manufacturers name:
The year of manufacture:
Meter marks at a one-meter interval with arrowhead indicating upward direction of meter markings.
5. Cable performance requirements
5.1 Mechanical Characteristics

5.1.1 PSD and PSA SM 9/125
Parameter Requirements
Maximum pulling tension (MPT) 3500N for PSA
2700N for PSD
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 for PSA
2500N/10 cm for PSD
Impact Load 25Nm for PSA
15 Nm for PSD
5.1.2 PSD and PSA MM 50/125
PARAMETER SPECIFICATION
Maximum Pulling Tension (MPT) 2700N
Operating Temperature -40 to +70C
Crush Resistance 2500 N/10cm
Standards
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Impact Resistance 12N/m

Minimum Bend Radius at MPT 15 times cable diameter
Minimum Bend Radius at zero tension 10 times cable diameter
Longitudinal Water Blocking (L-Test) 1 meter water head, 1 meter cable
length24 hours
Cable Design Lifetime 40 years
Packing Lengths 6 or 8 km
Drum Size (typical) 1.4 to 1.5 meter diameter
5.1.3 ADSS
Parameter Requirement
Maximum Loading Tension (Stringing 15kN for 33 kV systems

Tension + Wind Load + Ice Load)
20kN for 132 kV systems with track
resistant outer sheath.
Minimum bending radius, no load (zero
10 times the cable outside diameter
tension)
Minimum bend radius at maximum pulling 20 times the cable outside diameter
tension
42kN for 33 KV systems
Ultimate Tensile Strength
60 KN for 132 KV systems
Compression Strength (IEC-794-1) 3000 N/10 cm
Impact Strength (IEC-794-1) 15 N-m
13 Gpa for 33 KV systems
Modulus of Elasticity
17 Gpa for 132 KVsystems
-6 o
1.1x 10 / C for 33 KV systems
-6 o
Thermal Expansion 1.05 x 10 / C for 132KV systems
15 mm for 33 KV systems
16 mm for 132 KV systems
Since ADSS cable fittings are
dependent on cable diameter, any
deviation from specified diameter
Overall cable diameter
should be highlighted and approval
shall be obtained from the Company
prior to manufacturing.
PDO will require ADSS cables in

Standard lengths custom length to ensure spans are
matched and joints are avoided.
Standards
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5.2 Optical Performance of Cable for G.652D 9/125 Single Mode fiber
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 0.1dB at 1550 nm
mandrel)
Attenuation coefficient at 1310 nm 0.38 dB/km
Optical point discontinuities at 1310 and 1550 nm < 0.1 dB
Chromatic dispersion between 1285 and 1330 nm 3.5 ps/nmkm
Chromatic dispersion at 1550 nm 18 ps/nmkm
Cable cut-off wavelength 1260 nm
PMD Coefficient 0.5 ps/km
5.3 Optical Performance of Cable for with 62.5/125 GI Multimode fiber
Optical point discontinuities at 1310 and 1550 nm < 0.1 dB
Bandwidth Distance Product at 850 nm 160 MHzkm
Bandwidth Distance Product at 1300 nm 500 MHzkm
5.3.1 PSD MM 50/125
PARAMETER (nm) G.652D

Attenuation Coefficient Cable aaverage (dB/km) 1310 0.35
Attenuation Coefficient , Cable average (dB/km) 1550 0.22
3
Polarization Mode Dispersion (Individual fiber) ps/km - 0.2
Chromatic Dispersion (ps/nmkm) 1285- 3.0
1330
Chromatic Dispersion (ps/nmkm) 1550 17.5
Mode Field Diameter (m) 1310 9.3 0.4
Standards
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Cable Cutoff Wavelength (nm) -- 1260

Coating Diameter (m) -- 250 15
5.3.2 PSA MM 50/125
PARAMETER (nm) 50/125 GI Multimode

Attenuation Coefficient (dB/km) 850 2.7
Attenuation Coefficient (dB/km) 1300 0.8
Coating Diameter (m) -- 245 10
Core Diameter (m) -- 50.0 3
Numerical Aperture -- 0.200 0.015
Bandwidth Distance Product (MHzkm) 850 400
Bandwidth Distance Product (MHzkm) 1300 400
5.4 Environmental Performance of Cable

5.4.1 PSD and PSA
Operating Temperature -20 to +70 C
Allowable change in attenuation at temperature extremes 0.05 dB/km
Installation Temperature -20 to +55 C
Storage Temperature -20 to +70 C
5.4.2 ADSS
2
Wind pressure (velocity) at everyday conditions 39N/m (@ 2.8 m/s)
2
Max wind pressure (velocity), q 709N/m (@ 34 m/s)
Max wind gust, v 34 m/s
Operating Temperature 0 to +70 C
Allowable change in attenuation at temperature 0.05 dB/km
extremes
Installation Temperature 0 to +55 C
Storage Temperature 0 to +70 C
Standards
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5.5 Geometry and Performance Requirements for G.652D SM fiber
Fibre Type G.652D Compliant Single mode fibre made
from VAD (Vapour-phase Axial Deposition)
performs.
Mode field diameter at 1310 nm 9.3 0.5 m
(Petermann II definition)
Mode field concentricity error 1.0 m
Cladding diameter 125 2 m
Cladding non-circularity 2%
Coating diameter 245 10 m
2
Proof test 1% strain (equivalent to 0.7 GN/m )
5.6 Geometry and Performance Requirements for 62.5/125 GI MM fiber
Core diameter 62.5 3 m
Numerical aperture 0.275 0.015
Cladding diameter 125 2 m
Cladding non-circularity 2%
Coating diameter 245 10 m
2
Proof test 1% strain (equivalent to 0.7 GN/m )
6. Design testing
The cable supplier must provide test reports for the IEC-794-1 series of cable tests noted below. The
tests must have been performed on an identical or similar construction to the one being offered and with
equal or higher fibre count. In the absence of pre-existing test reports, the cable supplier must perform
the tests on an actual length of cable manufactured for PDO orders and submit the type test reports to
PDO for approval.
6.1 Water Penetration

A sample of cable must be tested for water penetration to IEC-794-1-F5 with a 1m head of pressure
for a period of 24 hours. The water pressure shall be applied to the cut end of the cable in an L-test
configuration.
6.2 Crush Resistance

The test shall be performed per IEC-794-1-E3 according to the compressive load requirements
shown above.
After release of the compressive load, an increase in optical attenuation greater than 0.1 dB at
1550nm shall constitute a failure.
Standards
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6.3 Impact
The test shall be performed per IEC-794-1-E4 according to the impact load requirements shown
above.
After impact, a permanent or temporary increase in optical attenuation value greater than 0.1 dB at
1550nm shall constitute a failure.
6.4 Bending
The cable must be subjected to a bending radius of 12 times the diameter of the cable for 4
complete turns according to IEC-794-1-E11, test method E11A.
During or after bending, a permanent or temporary increase in optical attenuation value greater
than 0.1 dB at 1550nm shall constitute failure.
6.5 Stress-Strain
The test must be carried out in accordance with IEC-794-1-E1 to determine the tensile
characteristics of the cable under load and to verify the fibre strain margin within the cable.
The maximum change in the optical attenuation at the cables rated maximum working tension shall
be no greater than 0.1 dB at 1550nm.
6.6 Thermal Cycling

The cable shall be tested to determine the temperature dependence of attenuation. The test shall
be performed according to IEC-794-1-F1.
The optical fibres shall maintain mechanical and optical integrity when exposed to operational
temperature extremes of minus 40C to plus 70C. Attenuation increase shall be less than
0.1dB/km for 1550nm.
6.7 Torsion
The cable must be subjected to 10 twists of 180C on a 1 meter cable sample, according to IEC-
794-1-E7. A permanent or temporary increase in optical attenuation value greater than 0.1 dB at
1550nm and 0.1dB at 850nm shall constitute failure.
7. Routine Tests
The following routine tests must be performed on all individual lengths of PSD and PSA cable:
Test Name Requirements

Cable Geometry Sheath thickness, cable construction, colour coding.
Optical Attenuation OTDR test at 850, 1300, 1310 and 1550 nm.
Optical Length Length in meters as measured with an OTDR
PDO has the right to call for schedules of all measurements carried out and check the test results.
Summary of certified test data shall be provided upon request.
Standards
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8. Bidding requirements
8.1 Design Lifetime

The cable manufacturer shall clearly state the design lifetime of their cable which is 40 years.
8.2 Compliance Statement

The supplier must provide a detailed compliance statement against the requirements of this
specification.
The following categories must be used in the compliance statement:
- Compliant
- Non-Compliant
- Not Applicable
All Non-compliant items must be clearly identified and explained in detail. No other categories are
allowable and the use of other responses may disqualify the offer.
8.3 Cable Design

The supplier must provide a detailed design of the cable proposed for PDO projects. Must be as per
the following details:
- Maximum Pulling Tension (MPT)
- Cable Outside Diameter
- Cable Mass
- Minimum bend radius at MPT
- Minimum bend radius at no load
9. Manufacturers test results

Factory tests shall demonstrate that the cable under supply is in accordance with the reference
codes, standards and the prescriptions mentioned in this specification. Tests and checks shall be
carried out according to stated codes and the Manufacturer's standard procedures. Final factory
testing of cables shall be carried out on each cable length prior to shipment; this shall include
attenuation measurements on all cable lengths and standard mechanical, physical and visual tests
for each separate production run including a minimum of 10% of the lengths. Type tests, such as, but
not limited to, tensile performance, crush resistance, repeated bending, cable bend do not form part
of standard routine measurements. Manufacturer shall supply certified summaries of the test made.
The Company may call for schedules of any or all measurements carried out. All test results shall be
submitted to the Company.
9.1 Inspection
During manufacture, the Company or its appointed delegate might visit the Manufacturer's shop to
verify that the cable meet the construction rules, drawings and specifications. This shall be paid by
the Company (PDO). The supplier shall inform the Company for the specified dates.
Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for all the cables must be conducted at the presence of PDO witness
or PDO representative. The supplier shall inform PDO well in advance (not less than 4 weeks) the
date required for FAT.
10. Acceptance Test

The supplier shall perform tests on the fibre optic cable at 1310nm and 1550 nm at the Company
delivery yard at his own expense. The delivery location shall be either at the Company interior
fields for projects or at the Company storage areas. The tests shall be as acceptance criteria for
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the Company to ensure free drum handling damages on the cable. If the tests showed any
damages on the FOC by having:
- More attenuation (optical loss) than what it specified in this document,
- Macrobends,
- Microbends, or/and
- Non-continuity in the FOC.
Then the supplier shall take full responsibility for replacing the whole affected cable drum(s) at his
own expense.
The tests shall be conducted for both850, 1300, 1310 and 1550 nm using;
- Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR).
- Light/laser source and power meter.
The output of the tests will be:
- OTDR curves and the loss details for each core.
- Attenuation (optical power loss) for each core.
In addition to the optical characteristics, the physical characteristics of the cable will be included in
the acceptance test, such as any abnormalities in construction, bulges or kinks etc.
All tests shall be conducted under the witness of the Company representative. The contractor shall
take full responsibility in case of non compliance or abnormalities found, it will be rejected PDO.
11. Instalation methology

The cable supplier must provide PDO with a detailed installation manual. It must provide vital
information with regard to safety, tensioning, equipment, sheave sizes, etc.
It is preferred that the installation manual be provided in an electronic form, preferably Acrobat.
12. Packaging
The cable shall be shipped on a wooden non-returnable reel. The cables shall be supplied on
standard drums of 2 km, 4 km and 5km as specified by PDO at time or order placement.
Length tolerance is + 5% only. The length shall not be less than the specified quantity.
The reel containing the cable shall be packaged in a robust fashion so as to minimise the risk of
damage during handling and ocean shipping. When requested by PDO, the cable shall be
prepared for air shipment.
The reel shall be visibly marked to indicate the proper direction of rotation.
The inside ends (ISE) and outside ends (OSE) of the cable shall be sealed with a heat shrinkable
end cap. The ends shall be firmly fixed to the reel to prevent transit and handling damage.
The reel shall have a drum that is large enough to prevent damage to the cable and maintain an
optimal bending configuration for long term storage.
The drum shall have the following minimum information on a robust marking plate:
- Petroleum Development Oman LLC
- Name of manufacturer
- Cable type, i.e. PSD or PSA.
- Fibre count
- Fibre type
- Project name and number
- PDO purchase order number
- Cable length in meters
- Manufacturers unique cable ID #
- Month and year of cable manufacture
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- Gross shipping weight in kg
12.1 Deviation drum lengths

The drum length may deviate by a maximum of 100m of the nominal drum length. A Maximum
of 10% of the drums to be supplied may have a shorter length. The minimum drum length shall
be not less than 400m.
The packing and forwarding instructions shall be as per requirements of ERD-06-01.
13. Fiber Optic Cable Accessories

This specification is intended to define the minimum requirements for the supply of fiber optic
termination units and other accessories necessary to terminate the fiber optic cable at each end of
the cable installation.
The following is the mostly used materials for FOC work and its specifications. However, it remains
the Contractor responsibility to identify and procure all the required materials for the complete FOC
installation work.
13.1 Fiber optic splice closure

FOC splice closure shall provide a joint closure incorporating optical fiber storage, organization,
securing and protection of splices while being re-enterable and accepting multiple cable entries.
The closure shall be of the unfilled type and shall provide a rugged and waterproof housing for optical
fiber splices and withstand the environmental and desert conditions. It shall be capable of re-entry
without the use of special tools and shall house a minimum of twice the number of splices.
13.1.1 Features
The Optical Fiber Joint Kit shall have the following features:
- Re-enterable
- No special tools required
- Cassette Type. Each cassette shall allow entering two types from both sides.
- Accommodate a maximum of 3 splice cassettes.
- Designed for straight and multiple branch splices on cut or uncut cable.
- Strain relief offering superior cable retention.
- Central strength member retainer.
- Integral fiber management.
- Dust and water proof.
- Each joint shall be capable of being marked with a unique identification number.
13.2 Fiber Optic Termination Patch Panels and Patch Cords

The patch panel shall have a fiber capacity equal to the total number of fibers (connected and
spares) for all cables to be connected. Patch panels shall be designed for rack mounting on a
standard equipment cabinet.
Termination panels shall have Factory connecterised pigtails and splice tray. The termination patch
panel shall be equipped with a suitable means for routing and securing of cables and shall provide a
suitable means of protection for the mounted fiber connectors to prevent damage to fiber and
connectors during all regular operation and maintenance functions. All cables shall be provided with
strain relief. Bend diameters on cable fibers and jumpers must be greater than four (4) inches at all
times to ensure optical and mechanical integrity of the optical fiber.
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The followings are specifications that shall be included:

- Tray in the front to hold patch cords.
- The front of the patch panel shall be covered to avoid unnecessary access during
maintenance.
- A mechanism/facility shall exist to access pigtail connectors in a secured way for cleaning
purposes in future without the need of removing the adaptor panel plate.
- The termination panel vendor shall provide all the patch panel accessories including Splice
tray, loose tube management, Secure Cable entry to the patch panel, pigtails and adaptors,
etc. These items shall not be provided from a separate vendor other than the termination panel
vendor.
- The FO patch panel shall have half transparent dust cap and allow red light through it for visual
inspection.
In general, the Contractor shall supply fully loaded patch panels with all the above
features, as minimum.
The approved vendors for material can be found in PDO AVME list (AVME C.4.6)
13.2.1 Fiber Optic Pigtail, Patch cords and Patch Panel

The contractor shall supply the required quantities of pig tails, patch cords and patch panels. E-
2000 type connectors (LSH) and terminations shall be utilized. The preferred product can be
found in AVME list. However, the contractor may supply any product identical after obtaining the
Companys approval.
13.2.2 Outdoor Fiber Optic Patch Panel

The fiber optic cable, once terminated in the pigtails, shall ultimately be terminated in a fiber optic
patch panel.
This panel shall be large enough to accommodate twice the number of fiber (specified) connectors
type E-2000 to enable the input and output fibers to be easily identified. It shall be 19" rack
mounted.
Features
- Support both fusion and mechanical splicing

- Support single mode fiber terminations
- Hinged and recessed front access panel
- Mounts into standard EIA 19" rack
- Storage facility for excess patch cords
- Strain relief at cable entry point
- Guide tube from external cable to splice tray
- Side and rear cable entry
- Withstand high temperatures
The preferred product can be found in PDO AVME list (AVME C.4.6)
13.3 Optical Connectors

Connectors shall have a maximum allowable connection loss of 0.3 dB per mated pair, as
measured per EA.-455-34. No index-matching gel is to be used, dry interfaces only. Single mode
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connectors shall be capable of field installation on 9/125 micron fiber with 900 micron buffers
(OD).
Each connector shall be of the industry standard E-2000 or ST2 type compatible, designed for single
mode or multimode tolerances, respectively, and shall meet or exceed the applicable provisions of
EA.-455-5, 455-2A, and 455-34, and shall be capable of 100 repeated mating with a maximum loss
increase of 0.1 dB. Connectors shall incorporate a key-way design and shall have a zirconia ceramic
ferrule. Connector bodies and couplings shall be made of corrosion-resistant and oxidation-resistant
materials, such as nickel plated zinc, designed to operate in humid environments without degradation
of surface finishes.
13.4 HDPE duct used for FOC Pressure Blowing Methodology

The HDPE duct shall consist of two concentric layers, the outer layer being HDPE, co-extruded with
an inner layer of solid permanent lubricant over spirally ribbed inside surface, to reduce the Internal
Co-efficient of Friction (ICF) for increasing the Cable Blowing performance. The lubricant shall be of
a solid layer of uniform thickness so formulated to provide a permanent, low friction boundary layer
between the inner surface of the duct and O.F. cable.
Alternatively, The HDPE duct shall have low friction boundary layer between the inner surface of the
duct and O.F. cable.
The HDPE duct shall be supplied in a continuous length of 1000 m in coil form, suitably packed for
shipping and handling purposes. Wooden drums shall be used covered with wooden planks in case
importing outside Oman.
The approved vendors for material can be found in PDO AVME list (AVME C.4.9).
13.4.1 Standards
HDPE Ducts shall conform to the following standards and the technical specifications:
IS: 4984 Specifications for HDPE Pipes

IS: 2530 Method for tests for polyethylene molding
materials and compounds.
IS : 14151 (Part 1) Polyethylene pipes for sprinkler irrigation
system
IS : 9938 Recommended colour for PVC insulation for LF
wires and cables.
TEC Specs no. G/CDS- HDPE Ducts for use as duct for optical fiber
08/01/Dec.99 cable
IS : 7328 HDPE material for molding and extrusion
ASTM D 1693 Test method for environmental stress cracking

of ethylene plastics.
IS 12235 (Para9) Method of tests for unplasticized PVC pipe for
portable water supplies, impact strength at zero
degrees centigrade.
ASTM D 1505 Test method for density
ASTMD 3895 Method for Oxidation Induction Test
13.4.2 Material
The raw material used for HDPE ducts shall meet the following requirements:
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- The raw materials used in the ducts shall be made of pure raw materials. Additives or recycled
materials shall neither be used nor added. The duct surface layers shall not have any spots.
- The raw material used for extrusion shall be dried to bring the moisture content to less than
0.1%.
- Suitable UV stabilizers shall be used for manufacture of the duct to protect against UV
degradation, when stored in open for a minimum period of 12 months.
- The raw material used in the manufacture of the duct shall be such that the service life of the
duct and all its accessories can be expected to be more than 50 years.
- The ducts shall be rolled on wooden drums so as not to conduct heat that can have effect on
ducts considering the weather in Gulf countries. The drums should be covered with wooden
planks to avoid ducts from direct sunlight and severe weather conditions.
Outer Layer: The base HDPE resin used for the outer layer of the HDPE duct shall conform to
any designation of IS-7328 or to any equivalent standard meeting the following requirements,
when tested as per IS-2530. However, the manufacturers shall furnish the designation for the
HDPE resin as per IS 7328 as applicable.
- Density : 0.940 to 0.958 g/cc at 27 C
- Melt Flow Rate (MFR) : 0.2 to 1.1 g/10 minutes at 190C & 5 Kg load
Inner Layer: The inner lubrication material shall be of friction reducing, polymeric material, which
shall be integral with HDPE layer. The lubricant materials shall have no toxic or dramatic hazards
for safe handling. In the finished HDPE duct, the co-extruded inner layer of solid permanent
lubricant shall be integral part with HDPE and shall be white in colour and clearly visible in cross-
section of duct. The inner layer of solid permanent lubricant shall be continuous all through and
shall not come out during storage, usage and throughout the life of the duct.
13.4.3 HDPE Requirements

The ducts shall be of different colour and for further identification, contrast striping shall be
provided. These stripes shall be co-extruded during the duct manufacturing. The material of the
stripes shall be same as that of base compound for the duct.
Dimensions of ducts: The dimensions of the HDPE ducts with spirally ribbed inside construction
shall be as below:
Outside diameter : 50mm +0.6 mm/-0.0mm
- Wall thickness : 3.0mm 0.4mm
- No. of ribs : 80/32
- Rib Height : 0.2 - 0.5 mm/0.3 to 0.9mm
Tensile Strength and Elongation: The samples removed from the HDPE ducts when tested as per
IS-14151 (Part-I) shall meet the following requirements:
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Tensile Strength : Min. 20 N/mm
- Elongation :Min. 350%
13.4.4 HDPE tests

13.4.4.1 Reversion Test
This test shall be carried out as per IS-4984. For this purpose, a duct length of 200 mm shall be
placed horizontally in an air-oven or a suitable liquid bath on a support at 110 + 2 C for 60
minutes so that the dimensional changes in duct section are not impeded. After cooling to room
temperature, the dimensional change of the duct section shall be measured in the longitudinal
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direction and the deviation from the initial length shall be calculated and stated in percentage. The
dimensions shall not change by more than 3 per cent in the longitudinal direction.
13.4.4.2 Environmental Stress Crack Resistance

The specimen cut from the HDPE ducts shall meet the environmental stress cracking as described
in ASTM D-1693, when tested with 10% Igepal (CO 630) solution at 50 + 1 C for 1000 hours. There
shall be no failure.
13.4.4.3 Impact Strength

The test has to be carried as per IS-12235 (Part 9). A sample duct 150 mm in length shall be
placed on a heavy rigid block whose faces are at an angle of 120. A striker with a hemispherical
nose of 13 mm radius and loaded to a total weight of 10 kg shall be allowed to fall freely in a
suitable vertical guides through a height of 1.5m before striking the duct. The line of fall of the
striker shall coincide with the diameter of the duct. The ducts shall not crack or split.
13.4.4.4 Crush Resistance

Samples of the duct of 150 mm + 2 mm in length shall be subjected to a dead load of not less than
50 kg for one minute and shall be allowed to recover for 5 minutes. The deflection with load on and
after recovery period shall not exceed 10% and 2% respectively.
13.4.4.5 Mandrel Test

A 150 mm long mandrel of diameter 3 mm less than the internal diameter of the duct shall be
passed through a 5 meter length of duct, freely throughout the length, when the duct is bent to a
radius of 5 meters.
13.4.4.6 Ovality Test

Ovality is the difference between maximum outside diameter and the minimum outside diameter at
the same cross-section of the duct, at 300 mm away from the end. The Ovality for 50/44 mm shall
not exceed 1.0 mm before winding up.
13.4.4.7 Coil Set

The HDPE duct shall unroll off the drums without snaking or waving having zero coils set. Thus the
duct shall lay straight into the trench without re-coiling. For this purpose, when a minimum length of
50 meters duct is taken from the coil and laid on the ground, it shall be straight without any bends or
kinks and without deformation, except 5 meters from each end.
13.4.4.8 Oxidation Induction Test

The induction time in oxygen when tested with a copper pan as per method in Annexure-I of TEC
Specs G/CDS-08/01.DEC.99 shall not be less than 30 minutes.
13.4.4.9 Hydraulic Characteristics

The duct shall be tested for internal pressure creep rupture test as per IS-4984. For this purpose, a
sample length of 10 times the outside diameter of the duct shall be taken. At the end of the test, the
sample shall not show signs of localized swelling or leakage and shall not burst during the test
duration. The test showing failure within a distance equivalent to the length of end cap from the end
shall be disregarded and the test repeated. The test temperatures and the duration of the test shall
be as follows:
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Test Duration (Hrs.) Induced Stress

Test Test Temp C
(Min. holding time) (Mps)
Type Test 80 165 3.5
Acceptance Test 80 48 3.8
13.4.4.10 Internal Co-efficient of Friction

The Internal Co-efficient of Friction when tested as per the method in Annexure-2 of TEC Specs
G/CDS-08/01.DEC.99 shall not exceed 0.08, when tested with respect to Nylon Jacketed
unarmored fiber optic cable.
13.4.4.11 Identification Markings

The duct shall be prominently marked with indelible ink, with the following information at intervals
every meter to enable identification of the pipe. The size of ink markings shall be distinct, clearly
and easily visible.
- Manufacturers name (Also can be in abbreviated form)
- Petroleum Development Oman LLC
- Name of the duct with size
- Specific serial number of the duct
- Date of manufacture
- Sequential length marking at every meter with Arrow mark in ascending order.
13.4.5 HDPE Duct Accessories

The following Accessories are required for jointing the ducts and shall be supplied along with the
ducts. The manufacturers shall provide complete design details, procedure for method of
installation and type/grade of the material used for the accessories. Some of the accessories are:
- Plastic Coupler: The coupler shall be of push-fit type having Push-Lock mechanism, which
enables them to be installed on ducts without pre-dismantling. It is used for joining two ducts.
The design of this shall be simple, easy to install and shall provide air tight and water tight
2
leak proof joint between the two ducts. It shall withstand the air pressure test of 15Kg/cm for
a minimum period of 2 hours without any leakage.
- End Plug: For sealing the ends of empty ducts, prior to installation of O.F. cable and shall be
fitted immediately after laying of duct, to prevent the entry of any dirt, water, moisture,
insects/rodents etc into ducts.
- Cable Sealing Plug: Used to seal the ends of ducts perfectly, after the cable is installed in the
duct, to prevent the entry of dirt, water, moisture, insects/rodents etc into ducts.
- End Cap: These caps, made of hard rubber/plastics, shall be fitted on each end of duct coil
after manufacturing. These shall avoid ingress of dust, mud, rain water etc. into ducts, during
transit and storage.
13.5 HDPE duct for FOC Pulling Methodology

HDPE duct shall be manufactured/produced as per CEN prEN12201-2:2000 or equivalent ISO
standard. The material shall be HDPE/PE 100 (Design Stress 8.0 MPa).
The outer diameter of HDP duct shall be 2.5 x Inner diameter of FOC. The HDPE duct shall
withstand a minimum pressure of 13Bar.
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13.6 Duct and Conduit Sealing System

All the ducts shall have a sealing system to protect the plant investment from water, corrosive
chemicals, fire, smoke, noxious gases, rodents, mud and debris. The Contractor shall supply all the
plugs and accessories from the approved vendor or equivalent, subject o the Company approval.
13.6.1 Blank duct plug

The blank duct plug is used to seal unoccupied or empty ducts, sub-ducts or conduits. Pull rope
slack is secure to the plug and the duct is protected. It shall have the following features:
- Corrosion and rodent proof. No metallic parts.
- Water, air and gas tight seals.
- Attachments to secure pull rope in conduit.
- No hazardous toxic compounds or messy foams should be used.
- Injection molded chemical resistant gasket.
- Tested sealing capacity to minimum of 10 PSI.
- Removable and reusable.
13.6.2 Simplex duct plug

Its a seal around a single cable in conduit. It is also used to seal around conduits in core-drilled
walls. A clear raceway around cable provides easy repair or upgrade. It shall have the following
features:
- Corrosion and rodent proof. No metallic parts.
- Water, air and gas tight seals.
- Split design allows installation around in-place cables. Also it allows retrofitting and removal.
- No hazardous toxic compounds or messy foams should be used.
- Gasket that provides soft buffer to protect cable sheath should withstands vibrations of heavy
loaded trucks or seismic movements.
- Tested sealing capacity to minimum of 10 PSI.
- Bushing sleeves available to suit a wide range of cables.
- Removable and reusable.
13.6.3 Triplex and Quadrex duct plugs

It is a seal around cables and support up to four cables installed after cable splicing. It provides a
soft buffer around cable sheaths to reduce damage caused by cable movement. It shall have the
same features as Simplex duct plugs. It shall also have stainless steel nuts, washers and fasteners.
13.7 Duct or Conduit Seals

The Duct Sealing Kit prevents water and gas from entering a manhole through a cable duct. The
Contractor shall supply 3M Scotchcast 4416 kit or equivalent, subject to the Company approval.
13.8 Pull Rope

Low friction, polyethylene jacketed polypropylene rope with 1800 psi tensile strength.
Provide Vikamatic "Fiber Glide" or equal.
13.9 Pigtail Cable Specifications

Optical characteristics shall comply with the optical fiber performance specifications.
- Buffer material: Thermoplastic
- Buffer O.D.: 900 um
- Strength Member: Kevlar
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- Jacket Material: PVC

- Jacket O.D.: 3.0 mm
- Temperature Range: -20 to + 70 C
13.10 Warning and Protective Tape

For separate/dedicated route, the warning tape shall be in the format of mesh net type and have a
conductor/wire for FOC tracing and width of 300mm. The warning nets shall be continuously
imprinted with the following text:
"Petroleum Development Oman L.L.C. - FIBRE OPTIC CABLE - IF DAMAGED PLEASE CALL
24677200" Printed in English and Arabic text
For pipeline route, the same above specifications shall apply but without the conductor/wire.
The protective tape shall have a minimum width of 200 mm, thickness of 2 mm, have orange
protective polyethylene jacket resistant to alkalies, acids, and other destructive elements and
continuously imprinted on one side with the same text as the warning tape.
The approved make of both warning and protective tapes can be found in PDO AVME list (C4.6)
13.11 Manholes
The manhole shall be/have the followings:
- Ultima (GRP, Glass Reinforced Plastic) chamber 915 x 445 x 750mm.
- C/w base, cable management. Two ducts for in & out (sponge entry system).
- Ductile iron covers with a galvanised steel frame for MAF and cement covers for interior sites.
The covers shall be tested to the European standard EN124 B125.
- All covers to be locked and sand proof (i.e. sand cannot enter the chamber when closed).
- Locking should be of at least Allen key secure and sand proof. Lifting keys shall be provided
also. One lifting key among 10 manholes shall be provided.
- Base material shall have a VICAT SOFTENING RATE of 84C and drain hole.
- Internal Cable furniture
- FOC joint holder.
The Contractor shall supply C4 Industries make or equivalent specification. The Contractor shall
also provide FOC holder, internal cable holders, FOC joint enclosure and any other installation
required within the manhole.
13.12 Cable Markers

The markers shall be made from Aluminum with width of 100mm, height of 30mm and thickness
of 1mm. The text shall be engraved on the Aluminum marker. The text shall provide details of the
FOC type, the route, manhole number, start and end locations.
14. Accessories for ADSS

There are a number of cable installation accessories, which are required to properly secure the
aerial cable. Below is a brief description of the major accessories:
14.1 Clamping Assembly

There are two main clamping assemblies used to secure the ADSS cable at joint locations,
changes in cable direction or at cable terminations. This keeps the cable under the required
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tension while preserving the desired sag. They are specially designed to provide the required
holding strength while minimizing any compressive stresses that may be transferred to the optical
fiber element within the cable.
14.2 Termination assembly

Termination assemblies (also called dead end assembly) shall be manufactured such that the
necessary holding strengths on the cable are provided. It shall not degrade in UV light.
The components of termination assemblies are:
- Structural reinforcing rods
- Dead end components
- Clevis thimbles
- Extension links
- Pole attachment component
The structural reinforcing rods are helically formed rods, which are wrapped onto the cable to
distribute load and to provide a suitable surface for the dead end component to lock into. The dead
end component is then passed through the clevis thimble and wrapped over the structural
reinforcing rods.
The extension link plate or chain shall be positioned between the dead end and the pole to allow an
acceptable cable bending radius.
The dead ends may be reapplied three times during the installation, if adjustments are necessary.
Do not reuse them after the initial installation is complete. Care shall be taken not to damage the
fiber during the dead end termination. Most fiber failing occurs during dead-end termination.
The location of the structural reinforcing rods with respect to cable sag/tension must be identified.
Once the position has been determined, assemble the extension link, clevis thimble and dead end
to the pole attachment. Apply tension to the cable at the pole.
14.3 Suspension assembly

The suspension assembly is used to secure to the pole where there is little or no bending or change
in direction of the cable at the pole. The cable bend at the pole should be within +/- 10 degrees from
the centre axis on either side of the pole i.e. within deviation of 20 degrees.
The assembly should support the cable without stressing the optical elements within the cable.
The body and top of the unit shall be made of high strength dielectric material having a non-abrasive
surface. The cushion inserts shall protect the ADSS Cable against damage due to wind induced
motion.
The dielectric support is to be such that it can be used as a stringing traveller during the cable
installation process and it shall be installed by drilling into the top of the pole.
14.4 Other accessories

14.4.1 Abrasion Protections
Contractor shall install cable abrasion protectors to protect the cable jacket from abrasion against
structures, trees or other cables.
LDPE shall be used in manufacturing the abrasion protector. It shall be used at joint locations and
change in direction of the ADSS cable.
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14.4.2 Down lead cushions

Down lead cushions shall be provided at ADSS cable termination or where the cable is taken to
the underground trench, to hold the cable to the pole. It shall be made of weather resistant
urethane and shall secure the cable minimizing compressive clamping forces.
It shall consist of a base unit and a top and shall be able to accommodate two cables. It shall be
supplied with all mounting and fixing accessories necessary to install it onto the wooden pole.
14.4.3 Vibration damper

Aeolian vibration can occur in areas prone to low speed laminar wind flows. This vibration must
be controlled because its presence is a threat to the long-term integrity of the ADSS cable fittings.
Vibration dampers shall be provided for all cable spans of 100m and above. Vibration dampers
shall be manufactured from rigid impact polyvinyl chloride, possessing excellent chemical and
strength property and shall retain good physical characteristics in extreme temperature. Material
shall not deteriorate in function or appearance due to effects of severe weather conditions.
14.4.4 Pole attachment

The pole attachment is normally secured via bolt passed through a hole drilled in the pole. The
position and orientation of the cable clamp must be determined depending upon the incoming and
outgoing cable angle prior to the drilling.
The height and the configuration of pole structure depend upon the current carrying capacity and
voltage level of the overhead line. Detailed drawings of pole structures used for 33kV and 132kV
overhead lines with single/twin ELM conductors are listed in SP-1102 and SP-1114A & SP-1114B.
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B. PART TWO FOC INSTALLATION STANDARDS
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1. Purpose
A guide to the design, installation and testing of different types of fiber optic cables including
buried, ducted (blown, pulling) and installation along the electrical OHL (ADSS). This Guideline
does not cover the installation of in-building.
Installation of fiber optic cables shall be governed by, but not limited to the provisions specified,
and shall be undertaken to high standards of workmanship and in a safe manner. However, it
remains the contractor responsibility to ensure the complete installation of FOC.
The Contractor shall fully comply with all the requirements in these specifications.
2. Priority
Standards shall take the following priority (in order of highest to lowest):
- The project technical specification
- This document (SP 2148)
- Other PDO documents (including ERDs, codes of practice, standards, specifications,
procedures and guidelines)
- DEPs
- Other Shell Standards
- International Standards
- Industry Standards
3. Access to the site

The Company shall provide facilities for:
- Such right of access along the route of the line as the Company agrees is necessary to
enable the Contractor to proceed with installation.
- The right to transport material from adjacent road on to each continuous length of the route at
agreed points of access.
The Contractor shall obtain route approvals from all the concerned local authorities (where
required) and from the Company.
The Contractor shall regularly liaise with the Company Public Relations Department at all times
throughout the construction to ensure minimal disruption of the local population.
4. Safety regulations
Safety is the most important aspect of a fiber optic cable installation and highest priority shall be
assigned to the safety issues. These safety recommendations are meant to supplement, not to
replace, relevant local & national laws, company-specific safety practices and other codes and
regulations. Some of the key points are:
- Fire and safety regulations & laws limit the use of polyethylene-sheathed cables for indoor
applications. Local fire codes must be consulted before deployment of cables.
- To prevent eye damage, never look into the end of an optical fiber unless a power meter is
used to verify that no optical signal is present.
- All local government and end user regulations must be followed at all times.
- Testing for explosive gases and proper ventilation of underground facilities is vital.
- Capable ventilation equipment must be used according to local regulations & practices prior to
installation of OFO cables in underground facilities.
- A running ground must be used whenever there is the possibility that a voltage may be
somehow applied to the cable.
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- The use of compressors for cable blowing requires careful attention be paid to the
safety instruction for the compressor and all compressed air fittings.
- Although ADSS cable has a fully dielectric construction, the cable can become
conductive because of contaminants or moisture on or in the cable. It is recommended
to connect to the earth the installed ADSS cable and all ADSS cable fittings before the
cable system is touched.
- If the surface of the cable is wet, the ground clamp must be within 2 meters of either
side of the point to be touched. This applies to installation, splicing, terminating, testing
and maintenance of the cable system.
- ADSS cable should not be installed in wet weather.
- Running earth should be used where needed to eliminate the risk of electrical hazards.
- When positioning the cable near high voltage power lines, Contractor shall produce a
high intensity plot. This is used to try and position the cable at locations of minimum
field intensity.
- Clearances and separations between the line conductors and the Fiber Optic cable
shall be referred to Standards SP 1114A & SP 1114B.
- The attachment point of the ADSS cable must be carefully considered during the design
stage. The attachment point must be selected so that the electrical stresses on the
cable do not support destructive electrical surface activity and must also ensure that
there is no clashing between the ADSS cable and the phase conductors, earth wires or
other suspended cables.
- The structure installation of ADSS cable on an overhead line shall be according to SP
1114A & SP 1114B. The installation will affect the loading and load balancing conditions
on the structures. Careful engineering consideration must be given to this incremental
loading and any remedial work that might be needed (such as reinforcement of the
structures, adding guy wires, etc.).
5. General guidlines
Care must be taken when handling and installing ADSS FOC. The primary points to be
aware of are:
- Never stand on the cable or allow vehicle to drive over it.
- Cable drums shall be rolled only in the direction indicated by the arrow on the drum.
- Drums shall not be laid flat for installation or storage.
- When lifting the cable drum by crane or other lifting device, a spreader bar must be
used above the drum to avoid inward pressure on the top of the drum flanges.
- Do not allow the cable to be kinked.
- Care must be taken during all phases of handling and installation to ensure that the
minimum bending radius is not exceeded.
- The ends of the cable should be sealed with heat resistance sleeve to prevent moisture
ingress.
- Do not use gasoline as a cable cleaner. Use Polywater optical cable cleaner or other
effective orange oil based cleaner.
Sufficient skilled personnel shall be made available for supervision and technical advice.
6. Installation methods
The cable supplier must provide PDO with a detailed installation manual. It must provide
vital information with regard to safety, tensioning, equipment, sheave sizes, etc.
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It is preferred that the installation manual be provided in an electronic form, preferably Acrobat.
7. Design
In the design stage, the following shall is mandatory:
- Optical power loss budget shall be calculated for any FOC link.
- A pre-survey of the route shall be conducted for all types of installations.
- Problem areas shall be identified & fixed and an installation plan should be clearly defined
prior to the start of the installation.
In addition, the Contractor shall submit the followings:
- Catalogue Data: Catalogue data on conduit system, manholes, conduit fittings, conduit plugs,
pull rope, identification tape, and warning signs.
- Detailed bill of materials.
- Drawings indicating the routes, total layout and locations of all manholes.
- Catalogue data on all testing devices proposed for use plus certifications of accuracy,
calibration, and traceability to standards of the National Institute for Standards and Testing.
- In case of pressure blowing, detailed methodology of blowing FOC.
- In case of HDPE duct installation, detailed installation methodology of the duct.
- In case of cable pulling, pulling calculations for all conduit runs.
- In case of cable puling, a cable pulling and splicing work plan shall be submitted a minimum
of 45 days prior to the planned initiation of cable pulling. The pulling plan and pull tension
calculations may be prepared by using a software program such as Pull-Planner 2000 by
American Polywater Corporation, or equivalent. The cable pulling and splicing work plan
must be approved, a minimum of 15 days prior to pulling cable. Work plan shall include the
following:
a. Pull tension calculations
b. Calculated amount of lubrication required
c. Detailed description of pull operation methods for all conduit runs
d. Tools and equipment to be used for cable installation and testing
e. Physical location of equipment setup and type
f. Exact location of splice points
g. Safety and manual assist cable pulling operations
h. Detailed schedule for pulling and testing cables
- The name and qualifications of the supervisory personnel that will be directly responsible for
the installation of the cable and/or conduit system.
7.1 Optical Power Loss Budget

The optical Power Budget presents the optical budget calculations. The link calculations (OLTE -
-9
OLTE) shall be designed to give a bit error rate of better than 1 x 10 , based on the average
expected joint loss. Table 1 shows the parameters to be included for calculating the required
System margin.
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System Margin dB
Equipment Degradation (ageing of Laser lifetime (Ref. 3
CCITT 956)
Design Noise 1
Operation Margin (Safety Margin) 1.5
Future Splice Margin (The system shall allow at least 10 0.1 per splice
additional joints)
Table 1 Required System Margin
The fiber optic link shall accommodate up to additional 10 joints (5 repairs) without
exceeding the error performance.
Table 2 shows the recommended parameters to be included for calculating the link losses.
Link Losses dB
Cable loss (G.652) 0.4 dB/km
Splice loss (G.652) 0.1
Connector Loss 0.5
FDF loss (Connector loss + Jumper loss) 0.75
Table 2 Recommended link losses parameters
The received optical signal shall not exceed the OLTE upper receive threshold. Optical
attenuates may be required on short sections to accomplish this.
7.2 Route survey

The Contractor shall make a physical survey of the project site for the purpose of
establishing the exact cable routing, termination points, jointing locations and cutting lengths
prior to the commencement of any work or committing any materials. Normally the
Company carries out preliminary survey and issues preliminary line route drawings with the
tender. However, the Contractor shall conduct the detailed survey and confirm the line route
with reference to preliminary route drawings and shall follow the route shown in the
drawings. If a change in route is required for any practical reason, prior approval should be
obtained from the Company.
Contractor shall check and verify fiber optic cable route and prepare the installation plan
prior to the start of the installation. The location of cable joint shall be so chosen that the
cable on each drum is effectively utilised.
The contractor shall ensure that clearances are maintained from the fiber optic cable to any
part of the line or surroundings.
All graded roads, including well access roads, shall be taken as public roads within the
terms of ERD-09-03.
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8. Installation
8.1 General
The Contractor shall determine a suitable cable installation method to ensure that all cable
installation requirements shall be met. All work shall be carried out in accordance and consistent
with the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship in the communication industry with regard
to the electrical and mechanical integrity of the connections; the finished appearance of the
installation; as well as the accuracy and completeness of the documentation.
The following guidelines and procedures shall be followed in any FOC installation:
- The Contractor shall comply with the cable manufacturer's recommended installation
procedures at all times.
- Remove wood battens just prior to installation. For pre-installation tests, use the 3 meter
inside end (routed through the flange).
- For long term storage of reels, it is advisable not to expose the reel to direct sunlight or
excessive levels of moisture.
- General precautions shall be taken before starting the cable laying. Cable shall be normally
pulled out by hand. When using a winch, tension shall be monitored by tension meter, and
the work be performed accordingly
- The cable shall be carefully inspected for jacket defects as it is removed from the reel. If
defects are noticed, the pulling operation shall be terminated immediately and the Company
Site Representative shall be notified.
- The ends of the cable should be sealed with heat resistance sleeve to prevent moisture
ingress.
- The cable shall be tested at site before starting the laying of the cable and the test results
recorded in the approved test sheet format.
- Fiber optic cable of each drum shall be installed in continuous lengths without intermediate
splices throughout the project. Cable installation personnel shall be familiar with the
manufacturer's recommended procedures including, but not limited to the following:
- Proper attachment to the cable strength elements for pulling during installation.
- Cable tensile limitations and tension monitoring procedures.
- Cable bending radius limitations.
- Cable twisting limitations.
- Under no conditions shall the FOC be left exposed or unattended.
- At termination points, such as at cabinets or end equipment/system, a five (5) meter loop
shall be provided wherever space permits. The fiber optic cable shall be coiled and secured
with cable ties. The Contractor shall ensure that the minimum bending radius of the fiber
optic cable is not compromised when preparing this stored cable slack.
- Repairs: Repair of cable jacket shall not be permitted. Jacket damage shall require removal
and re-installation of a new cable run at the Contractors expense.
- PTW procedures shall be followed for any FOC installation.
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8.2 Reels
Fiber optic cables are normally supplied on wooden reels. These reels must be handled
properly to assure optimum control of the cable. Prior to installation, the installation crew
must inspect the condition of the reel. If there is any evidence of reel damage, the damage
must be repaired prior to installation to avoid damage or over-tensioning of the cable. Pay
special attention to ensure there are no protruding nails or other sharp objects that can
damage the cable sheath during loading/unloading. Reels must be supported on a straight
& sturdy axle through the central (arbor) hole. Back tension pressure must NOT be applied
to the drum flange. Do not lay reels on their side during installation or storage.
8.3 Figure Eighting of Fiber Optic Cable

The objective is to install the cable with the minimum number of joints. If there is an
obstructions along the route e.g. road, Wadis, etc., where it will be necessary to pass
under the obstruction, it shall be passed without cutting the cable, i.e. without installing a
joint. Cuts can be allowed for long crossings only and where the crossing is at the middle
of the cable length, provided that provision for the associated joints is accounted for in the
power budget design.
The procedure to be followed is as follows:
- It shall be necessary to bring the cable drum up to this obstruction; the remaining cable
on the drum is taken off the drum and coiled on the ground in a large figure eight
formation. When the cable is coiled onto the ground, care must be taken to ensure that
that ground is free of sharp rocks or obstacles which could damage to cable. It is
preferred that the ground is level and area of 20m by 10m is available.
- The end of the cable is then taken off the drum and directed under the obstruction. At
the other side, it is to be re-coiled onto the cable drum that has been relocated to the
other side of the obstruction. Whether the cable is re-rolled or is manually handled into
the trench stretching away on the far side of the obstruction is determined by the length
of the remaining cable.
- Distances up to 750 meters would be handled by walking the cable away for the
obstruction until the joint location is reached. Sufficient Manpower to be allocated so
that the cable does not touch the ground or is dragged along the ground. Surplus cable
is then moved along this chain of men to the joint location, and the cable is then laid into
the trench. Cable length in excess of 750 meters would normally be re-coiled onto the
drum prior to being dispensed into the trench.
8.4 Cable Hauling

Where cable is to be hauled into a pipe, the Telecom contractor shall insert a mechanical
fuse between the cable and the hauling rope. The mechanical fuse is designed to break
before the permitted cable tensile load is reached. A suitable cable swivel will also be used
to prevent twisting of the cable.
The recommended mechanical fuse should breakdown at a rate less than the cable tensile
force breakdown rate. This will allow cable to be mechanically hauled a distance in excess
of 1,000 meters (with no bends) without running the risk of damaging the cable.
Hauling preparation and practices are as follow:
- With the draw wire, pull the hauling rope through the pipe.
- Attach the mandrel to the hauling rope with a draw wire on the negative end. This is in
case the hauling rope breaks, and allows the mandrel to be retrieved via the draw wire.
- Secure the hauling grip to the cable.
- Connect the mechanical fuse to the hauling grip.
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- Connect the hauling swivel to the mechanical fuse.

- Connect the hauling rope to the hauling swivel.
All connections are to be with a D shackle.

Before hauling the cable, check all connections to make sure they are secured. The tension
applied to the cable must be consistent throughout the haul to enable an easy passage and avoid
any breakage. Avoid Jerking the cable while hauling.
8.5 Cable Laying

The cable shall be laid under a specified pulling tension, pulling speed and bending radius. The
cable should be kept under uniform tension and should not be laid with jerks or stopped suddenly.
Maximum pulling speed in general should be 15m per minute and depending on the
recommendations of the cable manufacturer.
The bending radius while installation shall not be less than 20 times the diameter of the cable.
Paying out of the cable requires an appropriate area of space for the drum moving and the
selection of the side has to be made carefully. While laying the cable care must be taken of each
of the following items:
- Direction of the cable laying.
- Bending radius of the cable.
- Non-twisting of the cable.
8.6 Moving of Drums

When unloading a drum from the truck, the drum shall not be dropped on the ground directly,
which may cause any impact on the cable. The drum shall be unloaded carefully using a fork lift or
crane. The approved drum allocation schedule shall be followed.
When moving the cable to the payout location (called the cable pay out site) during the
installation, the drum shall be rotated in a direction, which is indicated by an arrow mark on the
sideboards of the drum.
During moving or when leaving the drum the drum shall not be stacked flat and stopper shall be
placed properly.
8.7 Communications
Communications between installation personnel is vital to assure proper cable handling.
Installation, splicing & testing crews must be equipped with radios, mobile phones, talk sets, order
wires or other communication devices during the entire installation period to avoid accidental over-
tensioning or other cable damage.
8.8 Maximum Pulling Tension (MPT)

All fiber Optic cables have a rated maximum. The MPT is clearly shown on cable specification
sheet issued by the Manufacturer. During installation, the tension applied to the cable MUST be
monitored with a calibrated load cell or tensiometer (dynamometer). Once the cable tension
reaches 90% of MPT, the installation must stop to troubleshoot the cause. All measures possible
must be taken to assure the pulling tension does not exceed the MPT rating of the cable,
otherwise damage to the cable performance may result.
8.9 Minimum Bending Radius (MBR)

Most fiber optic cables have the following minimum bend radius. Specific MBR is shown on cable
specification sheet.
- MBR = 20 times the cable diameter at maximum pulling tension
- MBR = 10 times the cable diameter at no tension
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It is vital to maintain the minimum bend radius of the cable at all times to avoid catastrophic
damage to the cable components including the optical fibers.
8.10 Clearances between conduits and other structures
8.10.1 Separation from non-Electrical Installations/Structures

For non-Electrical structures or installation, a minimum separation between FOC and the
structure shall be 300 mm, while running parallel. While crossing the structure, the
minimum separation shall be 200 mm. The structure can be a pipe (metal or non metal) for
gas, oil, water, sewage or other non- Electrical installation.
8.10.2 Separation from Electrical Installations/Structures

8.10.2.1 Parallel Runs
When installing a buried optical fiber cable near existing HV infrastructure, maintain a 3
meters separation between the fiber optic cable and poles, stays and existing HV electrical
cables.
Where cable is being installed in the same trench with other electrical cables, the minimum
separation is given as follow:
- Minimum separation from electrical cables is 750mm (LV), 1000mm (11kV) and
1500mm (33kV). Refer to drawing STD-4-0104-001.
- However, non-metallic cables can be treated as Under Ground pipes as shown in that
drawing, i.e. a minimum 300mm separation from HV or LV cables.
- Note the requirements for vertical tiles between HV cables and the fiber optic cable.
8.10.2.2 Crossings
Maintain a minimum of 300mm separation between fiber optic and electrical cables. Install
fiber optic cable within a PVC pipe at least 3m each side of the crossing, and install
protective tiles between the power cable and the fiber optic cable at least 1m each side of
the crossing.
8.11 Splicing
In order to provide the optimum performance and reliability, any splicing of fiber optic cable
shall be by fusion splice only, no mechanical splices are permitted.
The following procedure shall be followed:
- The splicing shall be conducted by trained, authorized persons only.
- All fusion splicing equipment shall be in good working order, properly calibrated, and
meeting all industry standards and safety regulations. Cable preparation, closure
installation and splicing shall be accomplished in accordance with accepted and
approved industry standards.
- Following are important considerations for low-loss, reliable fusion splices.
a. Maintain cleanliness and temperature/humidity/dust control of the splicing area
b. Use a quality fusion splicer and maintain it according to the manufacturer
recommendations.
c. Use a quality, well-maintained cleaver that is capable of consistent, low angle
cleaves.
d. To maintain the strength of the optical fiber, the coating strippers must be able to
remove the primary and secondary coatings without scratching or damaging the
cladding glass.
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e. Set the fusion splicer arc settings according to local temperature, humidity and altitude
conditions.
f. Perform an arc test periodically to verify splicer performance.
- Splices shall be made in manholes and shall use re-enterable splice closures.
- The average splice loss shall be 0.1 dB or less per splice. The average splice loss is defined
as the summation of the loss as measured in both directions using an optical time domain
Reflectometer (OTDR) through the fusion splice, divided by two. No individual splice loss
measured in a single direction shall exceed 0.15 dB.
- Upon completion of the splicing operation, all waste material shall be deposited in suitable
containers, removed from the job site, and disposed of in an environmentally acceptable
manner.
- All unused couplings shall have protective dust covers. All panels shall be furnished with front
removable door or cover, Factory-terminated, tight-buffered, agamid-reinforced fiber optic
jumper assemblies or interconnect cables, standard 3.0 mm O.D, shall connect the optical
cable terminations to the patch panel couplings.
8.12 Fan-Out Termination for Loose Tube Cables

Individual fibers within the loose tube cable require handling protection inside the termination
cabinets. Fan-out kits shall be installed in the patch panel enclosures to transition the loose tube
fibers to ruggedized tight-buffered fiber pigtail cables. Fan-out tubes or furcation kits shall not be
used. Optical fusion splices shall connect the loose tube fibers to the tight-buffered pigtail cables.
The optical splice loss shall comply with the specifications for optical splices. Splice protection
sleeves shall be employed on all splices to protect the splices. A wall-mountable splice centre
shall house the splices and serve to fully protect excess lengths of loose tube fibers from
exposure.
8.13 Manholes
The manhole shall be provided for the followings:
- Any FOC joint shall be housed inside the manhole.
- Manhole shall be installed at the entry/exit point of any station or site.
- Manhole shall be installed at both ends of road, wadi and Falaj crossings.
- At every change of route direction for > 30 degrees.
The following guidelines and procedures shall be followed for FOC Installation at Manholes:
- Excavate site to the depth required. Allow 150mm all around the wall for backfill and 150mm
for the base.
- Form a base (min 150 mm thick) with concrete and shall be compacted properly. The
Contractor shall neither use compacted stone nor lean dry mix concrete for the base. Check
depth with tape, allow for cover and frame. Arrange for sump and cable anchors if required.
Where anchor required, floor to be reinforced with steel mesh.
- Place the box in the excavation with frame fitted. Using a screed, level the top of the box with
the surrounds. Adjust the depth by packing material under the walls.
- Mark the position for duct entries.
- Remove box from the excavation. Cut duct entries with holesaw. If duct already in situ, see
separate instructions for method to form 'drop over' or 'build around' box.
- Replace box. Place length of duct section through cut-out holes and extending to outside of
excavation. The duct should extend inside the box by 25-50mm.
- Form a floor using mortar. Fall to sump if fitted.
- Backfill with, Type 1 stone [mixed size road stone] or lean mix, compacting frequently up to
the top of the frame. The choice of backfill material will not affect the performance of the box
and should be consistent with the preferred compaction method and local conditions. Where
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the excavation is less than 0.5m from the road, lean mix backfill is recommended. [Lean Mix -
use 1 cement: 10 aggregate/sand].
- Place frame and cover in position. Form a mortar haunch around the frame 100mm
wide by 75mm deep. Ensure the grouting lugs on the frame are properly bedded in the
concrete collar. The mortar can be placed under the frame to adjust the finish level.
- Manholes installed in soil areas shall be installed so that the top of the cover is at least
100 mm above the final grade level of the restored surface to prevent accumulation of
dirt, silt and debris on the top of the hand-hole cover.
- Manholes conduit entries shall be sealed with duct plugs to prevent the intrusion of
water and debris into the manholes.
- The pulling of the cable shall be hand assisted at each Manhole or hand hole. The
cable shall not be crushed, kinked or forced around a sharp corner. Sufficient slack
shall be left at each end of the cable to allow proper cable termination.
- The cable shall be looped in all manholes as noted on the plans to provide
approximately five (5) meter of extra cable in the manhole. The fiber optic cable shall
be coiled and secured with cable ties in the manhole. The Contractor shall ensure that
the minimum bending radius of the fiber optic cable is not compromised when
preparing this stored cable slack.
- For FOC Joint, cable length of ten (10) meter shall be left coiled on each side of the
joint in the manhole for future maintenance requirements.
- The cable shall be marked and labeled at each manhole and at all entry and end
points of the fiber optic cables.
- When all cables at each manhole are securely racked, unused conduits and void areas
around conduit containing cables shall be sealed.
- The area around the manhole shall be compacted.
- Upon final acceptance of the conduit/duct system all manholes shall be free of debris
and water, and be ready for cable installation.
Refer to Drawings GEN-6-2016-001 and GEN-6-2016-002 for the method and
specifications for installation of manhole on the pipeline route.
8.14 Fiber Optic Termination

Termination panels shall have Factory connecterised pigtails and splice tray. The
termination shall be done by fusion splicing the pigtails and bare fibers from the FOC. The
loose fiber shall be organised and secured well in the splice tray.
The Contractor shall not terminate FOC using field connectorisation by installing
connectors on the bare fiber directly. This method is suitable for rapid deployment only and
is not acceptable.
All connectors shall be field-install able and perfectly matched to the cable used. The
connectors shall provide tight fitting termination to the cladding and buffer coating. Epoxy
based or hot melt adhesives shall be used to bond the fiber and buffer to the connector
ferrule and body prior to polishing the end face. No dry-termination or quick crimp
connectors are allowed.
The contractor shall supply the required quantities of pig tails, patch cords and patch
panels. The fiber optic cable shall terminate inside a communications cabinet on a
termination patch panel.
All single mode fiber sub-cables or cores within the cable shall be terminated with E-2000
compatible connectors. All Multimode fiber sub-cables or cores within the cable shall be
terminated with either E2000 or LC depending on the environment and application. For all
outdoor and PDO interior locations and applications, E2000 connectors shall be used for
multimode cables. For Mina Al Fahal office environment, LC connectors shall be used for
multimode cables.
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8.15 Crossings
The cable shall not be cut at crossings. Cuts shall only be allowed for long crossings and subject
to the Company approval. In case the crossing is at the middle of the cable length, a cut shall be
made prior the crossing. This shall also be subject to the Company approval and accounted for in
the power budget design.
8.15.1 Road Crossings
In case of road crossing, the depth of the trench shall be 1000mm. The specifications shall be
the same as shown in GEN-6-2016-004.
At crossings the cable shall be protected by HDPE duct and Steel conduit. The Contractor shall
supply and install 100 mm diameter G.I. Class C steel pipe for the road crossings. The pipe shall
extend at least 3 meters on either side of the road. The Contactor shall install the HDPE duct
inside the GI steel pipe with 5 m extension from both sides.
The HDPE duct/conduit shall be of corrugated construction with a plain internal wall of LDPE
(low-density polyethylene) and an external corrugated wall of HDPE (High Density Polyethylene).
External colour shall be blue. Manufacturing shall be according to STD. EN50086-1 and EN
50086-2-4. Conduit shall withstand 450N with maximum deflection of 5% of internal diameter and
750N with maximum deflection of 15%.
Conduit shall withstand impact test specified in EN 50086-2-4- sect. 10.3. Suitable jointing tubes
with indented rings, which mate with external corrugations, shall be utilised for all joints. Joints
shall provide a watertight seal.
During construction the ends of the conduit shall be closed to prevent foreign objects.
Upon completion the ends shall be sealed to prevent ingress of water and sand using a plug.
Sealing shall be achieved without use of glues, sealing compounds or foams. After its
installation, the conduit shall be cleaned on the inside from any kind of material (earth, stones,
etc.). A puling rope shall be provided in the conduit for future use.
At Tarmac road crossing a spare GI and HDPE duct/conduit shall be installed adjacent to the
cable conduit. Pull wire and ends sealing shall be provided.
8.15.2 Wadi Crossing
The Contractor shall comply with and follow the FOC installation standard at Wadi crossing
shown in GEN 6 2016 003 and GEN 6 2016 003 for FOC along pipeline and FOC dedicated
route respectively.
8.16 Route Markers

Cable route markers will be installed at the completion of the cable installation and generally after
the cable trench has been back filled and compacted. To enable the use of machines to
complete this backfilling operation, temporary off-set pegs will be placed in the ground with a
recorded measurement to the cable. This measurement will then be used to establish the cable
route marker; 1 meter from the cable after the machines has finished their activities.
The cable markers shall be installed in accordance with the followings criteria:
- Along FOC independent route, at every 100m.
- Along pipeline/flow line route, at every 1km or 500m on the same marker post of pipeline/flow
line.
- At every change in direction.
- At both ends of every conduit.
- At each joint or/and manhole.
- At both ends of road, wadi and Falaj crossings.
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The distance to the cable is to be recorded on each marker, together with the cable depth
at each point.
Installation shall include the route markers, plates, posts and all the necessary materials
required for installation.
Refer to GEN-6-2016-005, GEN-6-2016-006, GEN-6-2016-007, GEN-6-2016-008, GEN-
6-2016-011 and GEN-6-2016-009.
9. Direct buried FOC/HDPE Duct

Prior to starting the cable/duct installation, the joint space must be available at the
approximate location where the cable would end. Once the exact location for the splice is
known, the excavation for the splice and trench to the splice must be carried out. If the
cable laying is carried out by more than one spread then the meeting points of spreads
shall coincide with a splice point. The distance from the edge of the joint to the centre of
the pipeline is nominally 3 meters.
Normal soil trench shall be excavated up to 750mm deep. The trench shall be filled with
clean and soft sand up to 150mm from the bottom of the trench with the surface leveled
(flattened). FOC shall be lowered on top of this sand bed and positioned at the centre of
the trench. The cable shall be laid with a sinusoidal slack to avoid stress on the cable while
backfilling. Clean and soft sand shall be filled up to 300mm from the bottom of the trench.
A yellow colour protective tape of no less than 200mm wide x 2mm thick shall be lowered
on top of the above. The tape shall have warning message printed on top. The print shall
be permanent and shall be resistant to erasure due to scratches. For all projects a sample
of the protective tape shall be submitted to PDO with full text message for approval prior to
procurement.
The trench shall be backfilled up to 500mm from the bottom of the trench with excavated
material (with no stones larger than 4mmx4mmx4mm size). A mesh filter shall be used to
remove big stones and sharp materials from the excavated material prior to backfilling. A
warning tape shall be lowered in to the trench on top of the backfilling. The trench shall be
backfilled with remaining excavated material with big and sharp stones removed up to the
normal ground level. The Contractor shall inform PDO regarding backfilling schedule to
enable quality verification/inspection of cable installation and backfilling for different layers.
The specifications and details are shown in drawing Drawings GEN-6-2016-002.
In case of rock soil the trench dimensions and backfilling procedures are same as normal
soil. Contractor shall provide necessary backfilling materials as mentioned in the normal
soil conditions since the excavated rock soil cannot be used for backfilling.
The cable/duct drum shall be installed on the cable carrier (trailer). This cable carrier shall
move along the trench line with the cable being manually spooled off the drum. The drum
shall be turned by hand and the cable laid without any tension, directly into the trench. At
no stage is the cable to be pulled off the drum. As the cable is lowered into the trench, the
axis of the cable shall appear as a gentle sinusoid. The maximum amplitude of this
sinusoid is nominally 300 mm. This excess length is to allow for some soil movement over
time and would be in the order of about 3% additional cable.
If the cable laying is carried out by more than one spread then the meeting points of
spreads shall coincide with a splice point. A reel ending machine shall be used to reduce
possibility of cable kinking during unwinding.
The cable/duct shall not be over-stressed during the unwinding and laying process. In
cases where the cable or duct is drawn off the cable reel a swivel joint and mechanical
"fuse" of the correct capacity shall be used to avoid exceeding the designed maximum
pulling force for the cable.
The cable shall be laid near the trench and subsequently lowered to the bed by hand. The
axis of the laid cable shall appear as a sinusoidal line in respect to the horizontal plane in
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order to avoid damages due to ground settling after backfilling, Wherever the cable laying
is interrupted the cable shall be protected by suitable means.
For plowing, the equipment in use must be capable of maintaining even & consistent cable
tension and radii above the minimum bend radius of the cable. Particular importance should be
paid to the plow itself.
For direct burial of cables in difficult soil, a pre-rip (in the same direction as the installation) is
required to improve plowing conditions. Vibratory plowing is the preferred method to static
plowing because of its lower drawbar force.
Figure-8s shall be used for back feed pulling or other situation where removal of the cable from
the drum is needed. The size of the figure-8 should be marked with cones or other suitable
devices. The figure-8 shall be at least 5 meters long with each loop at least 2 meter minimum
diameter.
9.1 Along the Pipeline / Flow line

The FOC/duct shall be laid in the same trench as the pipeline. The FOC/duct shall be located in
two o'clock in two or eleven o'clock position on the other side of the service road, with a minimum
spacing of 300mm from the pipe. Since the cable laid in the same trench with the pipeline, the
laying of the cable shall match with the laying of the pipeline. The trench shall be backfilled with
soft sand and compacted till the depth where the FOC has to be laid. Refer to the detailed
specifications in drawing GEN-6-2016-001.
9.2 FOC Pressure Blowing Methodology in a HDPE duct

The cable laying consists in using a mechanical feeder to push a FOC into a HDPE duct, through
which flows a powerful air-stream, generated by a compressor. This high speed airflow exerts a
drag on the entire surface of the cable, assisting its progression. The cable is therefore not pulled
but pushed and carried in the air. It moves easily along inside the duct, following any undulations
or change in direction, even if these are abrupt and/or frequent. As no tractive force is exerted at
the front end of the cable, it is not subjected to the stress usually encountered with conventional
methodize, like pulling with a shuttle or rope. After installation, the cable rests on the bottom of
the duct.
This is also called Cable Jet method. It provides the lowest friction, lowest tension method of
installing optical cables into sealed duct system.
Figure 1 High Air Speed Blowing
Figure 1 shows the high air speed blowing (HASB) method. In this method, the conduit is
wide-open, and high air volume (300-600 cfm) blows through it. This "wind" pushes on the
cable and advances it forward at whatever speed the pusher will support. There is no
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pulling force on the front end of the cable, only a mechanical pushing force at the back and
an air drag force distributed along its length.
The following are general steps required for the installation:
- The HDPE duct shall be in the range of 1075 m 1500 m drums.
- Dielectric and seamless Accessories shall be used for jointing HDPE ducts. The
jointing accessories shall withstand the pressure required to blow the cable.
- Suitable jointing tubes with indented rings, which mate with external corrugations,
shall be utilised for all joints. Joints shall provide a watertight seal.
- During construction the ends of the conduit shall be closed to prevent foreign
objects.
- Upon completion the ends shall be sealed to prevent ingress of water and sand
using a plug.
- The Telecom contractor shall provide the sealing and it shall be achieved without
use of glues, sealing compounds or foams.
- After its installation, the conduit shall be cleaned on the inside from any kind of
material (earth, stones, etc.).
- Air blowing test shall be conducted to confirm the intact of the joints and no air leaks
exist.
- The HDPE duct shall be provided in a 1000m per drum. The contractor shall advise
for any preferable change subject to PDO approval.
- After duct installation, integrity testing shall be conducted to ensure proper duct
installation.
- Using one blowing machine (Cable Jet), Up to 1500 or 2000m can be blown,
depending on quality and characteristics of the cable, ambient temperature and
profile of the trench.
The above are only general guideline. The contractor shall develop their own procedures
and submit to the Company for approval.
9.2.1 Keys in Air-Assisted Installation

To get the best performance in blown installations, there are several important factors to
control. First is the flexibility of the cable. A cable that is too flexible cannot be pushed
properly without bunching up. While stiffer cables are easy to push, they consume more
force bending and unbending through conduit bends.
Choosing the proper cable is important for optimal blowing. Although most fiber cables can
be blown, some cables are designed specifically for blowing. Consult your cable
manufacturer for recommendations.
Type of duct is another significant factor in optimised blowing. Smooth wall and longitudinal
ribbed HDPE conduits are preferable. Specifications for ducts are provided in 4.2 HDPE
duct used for Pressure Blowing FOC Methodology.
9.2.2 General Field Procedures

The following are some general field practices:
- Ensure that the duct system is properly installed with pressure tight splices. This shall
be tested by sealing one end of the duct and pressurizing the duct using a sealed
blowing machine. The duct shall not lose air pressure at any significant rate. Sand and
projectiles can be blown from the duct, and poor quality duct splices can fly apart.
- For HASB, end cap the front end of the cable so that it does not hang up in the duct.
Be sure that you have air seals to fit the OD of the cable you are installing.
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- Clean, dry, and prove the duct. If it was not done previously, blow through a hard mandrel to
establish that the duct is not crushed. Then blow a tight fitting foam carrier through the duct
at high pressure. The foam should travel through at approximately 100 ft/sec in a clean duct.
If excess water or dirt comes from the duct, repeat the process. If necessary, dry the duct
with dry airflow.
- For high air speed machines (no missile), inject the recommended amount of lubricant and
spread it by blowing through another foam carrier. For piston type machines, majority of the
lubricant are injected in front of the missile with some placed behind it.
- Hook the blowing machine to the duct. For HASP machines, hand pushes a hundred feet or
so of cable into the duct. Close and seal the cable and air chamber on the blowing machine.
Follow the machine manufacturers instructions for all operations.
- Check all pneumatic and hydraulic hook-ups. Slowly turn up the air and watch it go.
- An after-cooler shall be sued for all pressure blowing (Cable Jet) installation, particularly
when the cable is to be installed in high ambient temperatures (such as in Oman and the
Middle East). The use of an un-cooled compressed air source can cause a dramatic increase
in the coefficient of friction between the duct and the cable sheath.
9.3 FOC Pulling Methodology in Existing Ducts

In this case, fiber optic cable is required to be extended into an existing service area. The original
investment in ducts/conduit has been made and space is present but the duct is occupied by one
or two existing cables.
For existing duct systems, the use of a sub-duct/inner-duct system is mandatory. Sub-duct or
inner duct shall be first installed in the existing ducts/conduits. Then the FOC shall be pulled in
the newly installed sub-duct. Use of inner-duct provides additional physical protection for the
cable as well as optimal use of main duct space and an individual low friction path for each cable.
The duct shall be placed so that it is straight. Waviness of the duct causes an undesired increase
in cable tension. Ducted Single sheath dielectric FOC shall be used for this application.
Usually, the duct space shall be kept 60% free. If the space is not available to install sub-duct or
inner duct in the existing ducts then the step out is to use armored dual sheath FOC and install it
directly in the existing ducts, i.e. without the sub-duct. However, the Contractor shall obtain the
Company approval for this step out.
After completing the cable installation, all the ducts and sub-ducts shall be sealed using duct
sealing kit, specified in Part one A.
The following are general guidelines for pulling FOC;
- All ducts shall be inspected prior to cable installation. Damaged sections should be repaired
and blockages cleared prior to removal
- To reduce the possibility of damage to the outer jacket of the fiber optic cable, protective
measures shall be used when the cable is installed. The requirements herein shall be
followed, but does not limit the installation to only those identified.
- The cable shall be carefully inspected for jacket defects as it is removed from the reel. A
cable feeder guide shall be used between the cable reel and the face of the duct and conduit
to protect the cable and guide it off the reel and into the duct.
- Precautions shall be taken during installation to prevent the cable from being kinked, crushed
or twisted. Crushed or kinked cable resulted during the installation phase shall be replaced
by the Contractor with new cable having the same specifications. A pulling eye shall be
attached to the cable end and be used to pull the cable through the duct and conduit system.
As the cable is pulled off the reel and into the cable feeder guide, it shall be lubricated with
water- based type and approved by the cable manufacturer. Lubricant shall be applied at a
rate to provide a continuous 10-mil coating, as recommended by the manufacturer.
- For duct pulling installations, a properly sized wire grip & swivel must be used for all cable
pulling operations. A wire grip is designed to temporarily attach between a cable & pulling
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rope. The Contractor shall supply Kellems grips manufactured by Hubbell

(www.hubbell.com) or equivalent subject to the Company approval. A swivel is a device that
will spin to relieve torsional stresses that might build up in the cable or pulling rope during
installation. The swivel can be a separate piece or it can be integrated with the wire grip.
- Dynamometers or break away pulling swings shall be used to ensure the pulling line
tension does not exceed the installation tension values specified by the cable
manufacturer. The mechanical stress placed upon the cable during installation shall
not be such that the cable is twisted and stretched. Maximum allowable cable strain
during installation shall be less than 0.75 %.
- Lubrication: As the cable is pulled into the conduit system, it shall be sufficiently
lubricated with a lubricant that shall be water-based type, specifically designed for
optical cables and approved by the cable manufacturer.
- To accommodate long continuous installation lengths, bi-directional "centre pull"
techniques for pulling of the fiber optic cable is acceptable and shall be implemented
as follows:
a. From the midpoint, pull the fiber optic cable into the conduit from the shipping reel
in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
b. When this portion of the pull is complete, the remainder of the cable must be
removed from the reel to make the inside end available for pulling in the opposite
direction.
c. This is accomplished by hand pulling the cable from the reel and laying into large
"figure eight" loops on the ground.
d. The purpose of the figure eight pattern is to avoid cable tangling and kinking.
e. The loops shall be laid carefully one upon the other (to prevent subsequent
tangling) and shall be in a protected area.
f. The inside reel end of the cable is then available for installation.
g. In some cases, it may be necessary to set up a winch at an intermediate cable
vault.
h. The required length of cable shall be pulled to that point, and brought out of the
cable vault and coiled into a figure eight.
i. The figure eight is then turned over to gain access to the free cable end. This can
then be reinserted into the duct system for installation into the next section.
- When power equipment is used to install fiber optic cables, the pulling speed shall not
exceed 30 meters per minute. The pulling tension, bending radius and twist limitation
for fiber optic cable shall not be exceeded under any circumstances.
- Large diameter wheels, pulling sheaves, and cable guides shall be used to maintain
the appropriate bending radius. Tension monitoring shall be accomplished using
commercial dynamometers or load cell instruments.
- The pulling eye/sheath termination hardware on the fiber optic cables shall not be
pulled over any sheave blocks.
- All pulls shall be documented by a graph which is annotated with the following
information:
a. Reel number
b. Station from and station to
c. Date and time
d. Explanations of abnormalities in readings or interruptions
e. Sign-off by Contractor and Construction Site Supervisor.
- After FOC installation, all the ducts and conduits shall be sealed properly by plugs for
protection from water, corrosive chemicals, fire, smoke, noxious gases, rodents, mud
and debris.
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- Other protective measures not specified herein may be taken during installation if it will
ensure protection of the cable.
10. Installation of FOC above ground along the pipe line
10.1 Recommendation on cable type

- It is recommended using a double sheath Single steel tape armored cable suited for
deployment parallel to the flow lines along the surface. The cable construction and outer
sheathing should be designed to withstand the harsh desert ambient conditions.
- The cables should be secured inside the GI Trunking, to avoid direct exposure of the cables
to the external environment.
10.2 Recommendations applicable to FOC along the pipe lines

Installation of Fiber Optic Cables in GI Trunk with concrete sleepers along the proposed flow
lines is as follows;
- A dedicated route for FOC is envisaged using concrete block (Refer DWG No: GEN-6-1309-
001) at this stage for the complete length, parallel to the flow lines sleepers.
- The basic structure contains 50x50mm GI Trunking (hot dip galvanized iron perforated
cable tray) with cover, which is being laid on concrete blocks. The concrete blocks are
placed parallel to the flow line at every 3 meters and GI trunking will be placed on the block.
(Refer DWG No: PDO-GEN-6-1309-002).
- At every road crossings the proposed FOC should be laid through 100 mm GI steel pipe
and inserted inside with 50 mm HDPE pipe.
- The Fiber Optic Cables is being laid inside the GI Trunking to avoid exposure of the cable
from the external environment. A neoprene rubber sheet is placed inside the trunking to
avoid the direct contact of FOC with the metal.
- The termination shall be carried out at each end to complete the installation of Fiber Optic
Cables along the surface line.
10.3 Design of Concrete Block

In the design bill of quantities we have considered 300x300x500 mm concrete block (Refer DWG
No: PDO-GEN-6-1309-002) for the FOC route. The block is being reinforced with a steel of size 8
mm and concrete grading for concrete blocks shall be C 35. A hole of size about 25 mm will be
provided for loading and handling of Concrete blocks.
11. Aerial cable installlation (ADSS)
11.1 Cable installation accessories

There are a number of cable installation accessories, which are required to properly secure the
aerial cable. Below is a brief description of the major accessories:
11.1.1 Clamping Assembly

There are two main clamping assemblies used to secure the ADSS cable at joint locations,
changes in cable direction or at cable terminations. This keeps the cable under the required
tension while preserving the desired sag. They are specially designed to provide the required
holding strength while minimising any compressive stresses that may be transferred to the
optical fiber element within the cable.
11.1.2 Termination assembly

Termination assemblies (also called dead end assembly) shall be manufactured such that the
necessary holding strengths on the cable are provided. It shall not degrade in UV light.
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The components of termination assemblies are:

- Structural reinforcing rods
- Dead end components
- Clevis thimbles
- Extension links
- Pole attachment component
The structural reinforcing rods are helically formed rods, which are wrapped onto the cable
to distribute load and to provide a suitable surface for the dead end component to lock into.
The dead end component is then passed through the clevis thimble and wrapped over the
structural reinforcing rods.
The extension link plate or chain shall be positioned between the dead end and the pole to
allow an acceptable cable bending radius.
The dead ends may be reapplied three times during the installation, if adjustments are
necessary. Do not reuse them after the initial installation is complete. Care shall be taken
not to damage the fiber during the dead end termination. Most fiber failing occurs during
dead-end termination.
The location of the structural reinforcing rods with respect to cable sag/tension must be
identified. Once the position has been determined, assemble the extension link, clevis
thimble and dead end to the pole attachment. Apply tension to the cable at the pole.
11.1.3 Suspension assembly

The suspension assembly is used to secure to the pole where there is little or no bending
or change in direction of the cable at the pole. The cable bend at the pole should be within
+/- 10 degrees from the centre axis on either side of the pole i.e. within a total deviation of
20 degrees.
The assembly should support the cable without stressing the optical elements within the
cable.
The body and top of the unit shall be made of high strength dielectric material having a non-
abrasive surface. The cushion inserts shall protect the ADSS Cable against damage due to
wind induced motion.
The dielectric support is to be such that it can be used as a stringing traveller during the
cable installation process and it shall be installed by drilling into the top of the pole.
11.2 Other installations accessories

11.2.1 Abrasion Protections
Contractor shall install cable abrasion protectors to protect the cable jacket from abrasion
against structures, trees or other cables.
LDPE shall be used in manufacturing the abrasion protector. It shall be used at joint
locations and change in direction of the ADSS cable.
11.2.2 Down lead cushions

Down lead cushions shall be provided at ADSS cable termination or where the cable is
taken to the underground trench, to hold the cable to the pole. It shall be made of weather
resistant urethane and shall secure the cable minimising compressive clamping forces.
It shall consist of a base unit and a top and shall be able to accommodate two cables. It
shall be supplied with all mounting and fixing accessories necessary to install it onto the
wooden pole.
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11.2.3 Vibration damper

Aeolian vibration can occur in areas prone to low speed laminar wind flows. This vibration must
be controlled because its presence is a threat to the long-term integrity of the ADSS cable
fittings.
Vibration dampers shall be provided for all cable spans of 100m and above. Vibration dampers
shall be manufactured from rigid impact polyvinyl chloride, possessing excellent chemical
strength property and shall retain good physical characteristics in extreme temperature. Material
shall not deteriorate in function or appearance due to effects of severe weather conditions.
11.2.4 Pole attachment

The pole attachment is normally secured via bolt passed through a hole drilled in the pole. The
position and orientation of the cable clamp must be determined depending upon the incoming
and outgoing cable angle prior to the drilling.
The height and the configuration of pole structure depend upon the current carrying capacity and
voltage level of the overhead line. Detailed drawings of pole structures used for 33kV and 132kV
overhead lines with single/twin ELM conductors are listed in SP-1102 and SP-1114A & SP-
1114B.
11.2.5 Other materials

Other materials required for FOC installation, jointing and termination including joint closures,
Fiber Optic Termination Patch Panels, optical connectors, patch cords, pig tails, etc, shall be
referred to part one A above.
11.3 Supports for Fiber optic cable

The ADSS FOC shall be properly supported at poles. They are specially designed to provide the
required holding strength while minimizing any compressive stresses that may be transferred to
the optical fiber element within the cable. Type of supports required at different kinds of poles is
explained below:
11.3.1 Support at Intermediate poles

The ADSS cable shall be supported along the route at a stringing angle of approximately 10 and
no greater than 20. It is not a point where the cable changes direction or one where a fiber optic
joint is installed. No specific additional support is required at these locations.
On a normal pole the cable shall be supported by a dielectric support or suspension unit which
firmly yet gently supports the ADSS cable. It shall be designed for spans of less than 160m with
25.4mm or less OD cable and for moderate vertical and slip load requirements.
The mounting detail of the dielectric support on intermediate pole shall be as per the drawings
referred in SP 1102, SP 1114A & SP-1114B.
11.3.2 Support at Section poles

The ADSS cable shall be supported along the route at a stringing angle of approximately 10 and
no greater than 20. It is not a point where the cable changes direction or one where a fiber optic
joint is installed. No specific additional support is required at these locations.
On a normal pole the cable shall be supported by a dielectric support or suspension unit which
firmly yet gently supports the ADSS Cable. It shall be designed for spans of less than 140m with
25.4mm or less OD cable and for moderate vertical and slip load requirements .
The mounting detail of the dielectric support on SECTION pole shall be as per the drawings
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11.3.3 Support at Angle Poles

At pole where the ADSS cable changes direction and at points where the fiber optic cable
is taken off the pole for jointing or terminating a more robust support device will be
required. In this case a medium tension dead-end shall be used. It shall have a structural
reinforcing rod which will transfer axial tensile forces and distribute radial compressive
forces into the dead-end component ensuring a maximum holding strength without
causing cable jacket damage or fiber attenuation.
It shall have a holding strength of over 1000x the stringing tension load and over 2000x
the working load.
The mounting detail of the terminal assembly on angle poles shall be as per the drawings
11.3.4 Support at Poles for Jointing

At the pole where the ADSS FOC is taken off the pole for jointing or terminating a more
robust support device will be required. In this case a medium tension dead-end will be
used. It shall have a structural reinforcing rod which will transfer axial tensile forces and
distribute radial compressive forces into the dead-end component ensuring a maximum
holding strength without causing cable jacket damage or fiber attenuation.
The cable is taken off the poles for jointing and held by a down lead cushion. No less than
8m of cable shall be coiled beneath the joint to allow the jointing process to be carried out
in a controlled environment. This spare cable is to be coiled below the joint and held by
rigid clamps, (tie wraps or other temporary holding devices are not accepted.)
The mounting detail of cable jointing on any type of pole shall be as per STD-4-1638-004.
11.4 Installation Work Guidelines

11.4.1 Torsional Considerations
Torsion during installation can damage the ADSS cable. It is essential to use a swivel
during tension stringing of ADSS cable. A typical setup is shown below.
The wire mesh-pulling grip is to be used only for pulling of the ADSS cable. It is not
meant to be used to sag the cable or hold it for long periods of time under high tension.
Pulleys used during installation must be set up properly to avoid torsion damage.
Practical experience has shown that a simple support rope used to hold the pulley at an
appropriate angle to the pole or tower will serve to reduce the amount of torsion in the
cable. An example of the correct pulley setup is shown below.
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When a pull begins, it is essential to check for rotation of the ADSS cable by using a flag or other
visual means as shown in the following sketch.
Observe the indication as the cable is pulled, especially as it is pulled through line angle
changes. If there is a continuous twist in the cable, then the pull should be halted immediately
and the tension on the cable reduced. Efforts should then be made to reposition the pulley and
eliminate the source of the torsion.
11.4.2 Tension Considerations

It is important to control the unwinding of the ADSS cable to prevent over-running. The best
method is to apply a small back tensioning force to the support shaft of the ADSS cable payoff.
Applying the back tension force to the reel itself is not recommended. The back tension applied
should be adjusted as the amount of cable on the reel changes.
11.4.3 Communications
Communications between installation personnel is vital to ensure proper handling of the ADSS
cable. Installation, splicing & testing crews must be equipped with radios, mobile phones, talk
sets, order wires or other communication devices during the entire installation period to avoid
accidental over-tensioning or other cable damage.
11.5 ADSS cable installation equipment

For all types of installation, the equipment in use must be capable of installing the cable without
exceeding the maximum pulling tension or minimum bend radius.
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11.5.1 Cable drum Payoff Stand

The cable payoff stand must be supported on a straight & sturdy axle through the central
(arbor) hole. The payoff stand or payoff trailer must be located on firm & level ground.
The payoff equipment must include a suitable back-tensioning device. Back tension
pressure must not be applied to the drum flange.
The payoff stand must be designed for use with the Tensioner employed on the project.
11.5.2 Tensioner
Standard cable drums are not designed to withstand the force developed by braking
during high tension stringing operations. Therefore, direct tension stringing from the
cable drum at cable installation stringing tensions should not be attempted. The cable
may be pulled directly from the drum stand only when employing slack stringing methods
that allow minimal tension to be applied directly to the reel of the cable.
11.5.3 Pulling Machines

Either bull wheel or reel type pulling machines can be used successfully to install ADSS
cable. Bull wheel pullers with semicircular grooves are preferred for pulling the cable.
The grooves should have a depth equal or greater than 50% more than the cable OD.
0 0
The grooves should have a flare angle of 5 to 15 from the vertical centerline reference.
The minimum radius at the bottom of the groove should be at least 35 times the cable
outside diameter. Tandem bull wheels should be aligned with the offset approximately
one-half the groove spacing. The material and finish of the grooves (should not mar the
surface of the cable) with elastomer lining is highly preferred.
11.5.3.1 Pulling Recommendations

The pulling and braking system should be co-ordinate to prevent rapid increase or
decrease in tension. All parts of the pulling system should be controllable to maintain a
constant and even pulling tension. Both the puller and the tensioner must be equipped
with a tension indicator and a fail-safe device to prevent over tensioning.
The puller and tensioner should be selected to provide an adequate stringing tension
considering the mass and length of the cable to be installed. Retarding of the tensioner
bull wheels is advisable to maintain constant holdback tension at various pulling speeds.
A positive fail-safe braking system is required for pullers and tensioners so that tension is
maintained when pulling is stopped.
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11.5.3.2 Positioning of tensioner and puller

The positioning of the payoff stand and tensioner relative to the first structure and the
positioning of the puller relative to the last structure shall be per the following requirement. The
following ratio should be observed:
- Distance from tensioner to the first structure = minimum of 4 times the height of the pulley
on the first structure.
- Distance from puller to the last structure = minimum of 4 times the height of the pulley on
the last structure.
ANSI/IEEE-524 has formulae for calculation of structural loads based on this practice.
Temporary guy wire supports may be necessary in some cases. Always be sure that the payoff
and tensioner are in a straight line with respect to the first two structures, otherwise damaging
twist can occur to the ADSS cable.
11.5.3.3 Pulling rate

A conservative approach to pulling is recommended to reduce the risk of cable damage. Rates
of 2-3 km per hour are suitable. An important point is the smoothness of the pull and it is
absolutely vital to avoid cable jerking at all times. With thorough pre-planning, stoppages will
be unnecessary.
A good thumb-rule is to keep the pulling tension to 0.5 of the initial sagging tension. When
circumstances require a higher tension, the installers must give consideration to the fact that
the tension at the pulling end will exceed the tension at the tensioner by a large margin.
11.5.4 Pulleys
Pulley Groove Diameter for Tension Stringing:
Condition Pulley Diameter Recommendations

Mid span 30 cm
Line angle change of > 25 25 times cable OD
First tower in pull section 25 times cable OD
Last tower in pull section 25 times cable OD
Sheave diameters that are larger than those specified are acceptable, and offer some
advantages by reducing the load applied to the cable.
Pulley Parameters for Tension Stringing:
Parameter Recommendation
Radius of pulley groove At least 55% greater than the cable OD
Depth of pulley groove At least 25% greater than the cable OD
Pulley groove flare 15 to 20 from vertical
Pulley material Heat treated aluminum or aluminum alloy
Safe working load 2 times maximum loading tension of ADSS cable
Groove lining Elastomer, neoprene or urethane lining (unlined
pulleys are not recommended!)
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The pulley must be maintained properly, including lubrication according to the

recommendations of the pulley manufacturer. The pulley should rotate freely and the
cable release should work well. The liner should be in good condition with no tears, or
exposed areas.
Pulleys must be grounded whenever ADSS cable is installed under live line conditions.
In addition, a running ground must be used on the first and last pulleys in a pull span.
11.5.5 Uplift and Hold down Blocks

Whenever the possibility of uplift is present, uplift rollers or hold down blocks must be
used. The uplift and hold down blocks must follow the size recommendations for pulleys
as indicated in clause 5.5.4. A cable breakaway feature is recommended.
11.5.6 Running Grounds

For safety reasons, it is vital to use a running ground system when installing ADSS cable
under live line conditions. The running ground system must maintain continuous and
intimate contact with the moving cable and should do so without imparting excessive
tension on the cable. The running ground must be adjustable and be properly sized for
the cable diameter.
Running ground systems must be located prior to the first tower in the pull section.
Careful attention must be paid to the adjustment of the running ground tension.
11.5.7 Chain Hoist

The chain hoist may be used to sag each installation span. The hoist must be capable of
handling at least twice the maximum loading tension of the cable.
Be sure that the chain hoist is properly maintained including lubrication according to the
chain hoist manufacturer.
11.5.8 Tensiometer
Tensiometers (also called dynamometer) must be used to measure the tension in each
installation span. The tensiometer should be accurate and must be rated no more than
20% above the maximum installation load of the ADSS cable.
When a high degree of measurement accuracy is required, two tensiometers can be
used in series. If there is significant difference between the two, then investigations must
be made to determine if accurate measurements are possible. If the measurements are
similar, then the average of the two readings can be used.
11.5.9 Wire Mesh Grips

Wire mesh grip shall be used to fix the ADSS cable to the pulling line. The grip should
be a high-quality double or triple weave grip and be properly selected for the cable size
and diameter.
The load rating must be at least 2 times the maximum load that will be applied to the
cable during installation.
The grip must have a swivel link to reduce cable twist during pulling.
Do not use wire grips to tension the cable during sagging and do not use the grip to hold
the cable under tension. Grips can be banded or un-banded and shall be applied per the
manufacturers instructions.
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11.5.10 Come along Grip

Come-along grip must be used to temporarily grip the cable during sagging. This grip can be a
Dead-end specified for the cable but the Dead-end cannot be used more than 3 times.
11.6 Drum Handling

To set up the cable on the cable trailer, it is important to ensure that a few basic points are
followed.
- The correct drum is selected for the cable route to be installed.
- The cable drum shall be loaded on to the cable trailer making sure that the cable will be
fed off the top of the drum.
- Protective battens around cable drum should only be removed just prior to cable
installation to reduce the chance of accidental damage to the cable during loading and
transporting to the installation location.
- Discarded battens shall be removed from the work site. Leaving the battens near the work
area could result in the cable entangling with them and being damaged.
With the cable drum positioned beside the first pole, sufficient excess cable must be run off the
drum for jointing purposes. If this is at a terminal pole, then sufficient cable length shall be run
off the drum required to enter the equipment room.
11.7 Cable stringing procedure

Prior to starting the cable installation the Contractor shall inspect the cable at site as specified
in clause 7.1. Contractor shall prepare the pulling plan and fill in the checklist (Appendix-B) and
obtain prior approval from the Company representative to start the cable installations.
11.7.1 Drive off method

The drive off method involves having the drum support mounted directly on a suitable vehicle
or on a trailer towed behind a vehicle. In either situation the vehicle is slowly driven along and
the cable gently feeds off the drum behind and is manually lifted up onto the pole. This method
is suitable where the pole route is close to a roadway or the vehicles are able to gain access
along the route.
Step # Recommendation
1 Mount the cable drum on a trailer or truck equipped with a drum carrier. Be
sure that the cable drum is mounted so that the cable pays off from the top of
the drum for trailers and from the bottom to the quadrant for line trucks.
2 Set the brake to minimum. The brake should apply tension to the arbor shaft,
not to the reel or cable.
3 Determine the correct attachment point for dead ends and suspensions and
pre-install the necessary attachment hardware, if desired.
4 Place pulleys at each point along the route. Position the pulleys just above or
just below the desired attachment point. The pulleys must be sized properly.
5 Dead-end terminate the cable at the first structure.
6 Drive the truck along the route and pay off the cable under minimum possible
tension. Adjust the tension periodically to compensate for the reduced weight of
the reel.
7 When moving past a structure, stop the vehicle and place the cable in the
Standards
Version: 1
pulley. Alternatively, the cable can be laid on the ground for a number of
structures then the cable is lifted into the pulleys.
8 Repeat steps 6 & 7 until the last structure*
9 Go to the first tensioning point from the start point and tension the cable.
10 Install dead ends and suspensions according to the instructions provided by the
fitting manufacturer.
* Alternatively, the cable can be tensioned & sagged at the first tensioning point.
Ensure good communication between the vehicle driver and the person positioned near
the cable reel. Where traffic control is needed a flagman must also be able to
communicate with the other installation personnel.
11.7.2 Haul through Method

Haul through or tension-stringing method is used when there are enough obstructions
along the route to make the drive off method impracticable.
Step # Recommendation
Place the cable reel on a suitable reel payoff stand or reel payoff
trailer. The cable must be supported by the arbor holes and an
1
effective back tensioning device must be present and in good working
order.
Place the tensioner in-line between the payoff stand and the first
2 structure. Feed the cable through the tensioner in the precise
manner recommended by the installation equipment manufacturer.
Determine the correct attachment point for dead ends and
3 suspensions and pre-install the necessary attachment hardware, if
desired.
Place pulleys at each point along the route. Position the pulleys just
4 above or just below the desired attachment point. The pulleys must
be sized properly.
5 Run a small pilot line through the pulleys at each support structure
Use the pilot line to pull the installation rope through the pulleys
6
starting at the planned pulling point.
Attach the ADSS cable to the wire pulling grip and the swivel link.
7
The swivel link must be used for all ADSS cable installations.
Use the puller and tensioner to pull the cable through the pulleys
according to the pull plan. Good communication between the
personnel at the puller and tensioner is absolutely vital to the success
of tension stringing. In addition, positioning of personnel at key points
8 such as road crossings, obstacles, crossing power lines, bodies of
water, pipeline crossings, etc is strongly recommended.
The puller and tensioner MUST be operated according to the
equipment manufacturer. The ADSS cable must be kept under
minimum load to complete the pull.
Once the cable is installed, each tensioning span can be sagged and
9 the support hardware installed. All hardware must be installed
according to the hardware manufacturers instructions.
Standards
Version: 1
11.7.3 Sagging and Tensioning of Fiber Optic Cable

Tensioning the fiber optic cable to provide the correct sag is a delicate process. The aim is to
tension the FOC so that the correct sag profile is obtained. Care shall be taken to limit the
stress on the cable on the values recommended by the manufacturer.
When beginning the sagging operation, the first step is to remove excess slack out of all
spans. The cable is worked dead-end to dead-end segment back to the starting point (cable
drum end).
Based on the sag /tension chart from the cable manufacturer, the sagging process shall be
carried out. Under no circumstances shall the sagging of cables be attempted on a windy day.
If the sagging is performed on a particular hot or cold day, then adjustment need to be made
for the ambient temperature.
When required by the Company prior to issue of a Certificate of Acceptance, the Contractor
shall be responsible for checking that the relative sag of the cable is within the specified
tolerance. Such checks shall be conducted at selected points along the route, as requested
by the Company.
Clearances between line conductors and ground shall be checked during erection and before
handing over the line.
The Contractor shall provide suitable dynamometers, sighting boards and levels or other
approved apparatus necessary for the proper checking of the Works. When required by the
Company dynamometers shall be tested and if necessary re-calibrated at the Contractor's
expense. Sag adjustment should be done through sighting boards and sighting levels and
sag should be adjusted and measured at mid-span, to the satisfaction of the Company.
During progress of the Work, the contractor shall record particulars of sagging of cable on
each section of the route. These schedules shall show section pole numbers, individual span
lengths, equivalent span, design and erection sags, together with mean actual, as well as both
temperature and dates of stringing and checking. At the end of the Contract these schedules
shall be handed over to the Company as part of the As-Built Documentation.
11.8 Road Crossings

For road crossings, SP 1102, SP 1114A & SP-1114B shall be followed to install the ADSS
cable. The materials used for installation and supporting shall be suitable for mounting on the
road crossing structures, as recommended by the manufacturer.
11.9 Underground Cable Installation

The ADSS cable shall be installed in HDPE duct whenever it is taken off the OHL poles. The
pipe shall extend to 4m up the pole to form a protective cover for the FOC. The pipe shall
have a co-extruded solid polymer lining to provide a permanent lubricated pathway for easy
installation and replacement or upgrade in the future should it become necessary. External
colour of the pipe shall be blue.
Pipe joints shall be provided with watertight seal. During construction the ends of the conduit
shall be closed to prevent ingress of foreign objects. Upon completion, the pipe ends shall be
sealed to prevent ingress of water and sand using a plug.
Sealing shall be achieved without use of glues, sealing compounds or foams. Proper sealing
materials shall be used. After its installation, the pipe shall be cleaned on the inside from
any kind of material (earth, stones, etc.). A pulling rope shall be provided in the conduit
for pulling the cables for future use.
HDPE duct used for ADSS cable shall meet the requirement specified in SP-2148 part
one A.
Standards
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Wherever possible the route shall follow the route of the HV cables. The fiber optic
cables shall be laid in a dedicated trench. The spacing between HV cable trench and
FOC trench shall be minimum of 1200mm.
The HDPE duct shall be no less than 3 times the diameter of the cable to be installed (it
may be assumed that a 50mm duct will be sufficient for a 15mm diameter FOC). The
HDPE pipe shall extend into the Control Rooms/buildings at each location and shall
terminate the FOC on the patch panel. Joints in the HDPE pipe shall be seamless so as
to allow the installation of the cable.
The cable joints, relevant cable rings and other underground works shall be protected
by a manhole. Suitable jointing tubes with indented rings, which mate with the external
corrugations, shall be utilized for all joints.
12. Acceptance tests

The Contractor shall perform pre-installation and post-installation FOC tests. The
Company Site Representative shall be notified a minimum of 10 days in advance so
that these tests are witnessed. All test equipment shall be traceable to LIST standards.
The Contractor shall carry out all the Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) required to prove
that the FOC is free from damage, installed according to the Company specifications
and requirements and functioning properly. The contractor shall provide a detailed
Integration acceptance test document with the following information as a minimum for
approval by the Company before the scheduled test. The Company at its own discretion
shall ask the contractor to include (or waive) any tests to ensure proper functionality of
the network;
- Test Plan
- Schedule
- Procedures
- Equipment setup diagrams
- Result Sheets
As a minimum requirement, the Contractor shall conduct the following tests for all the
routes and it shall be carried out in the following phases:
12.1 Pre-installation Tests

Prior to removal of each cable from the delivery reel, all optical fibers within the cables
shall be tested by the Contractor using an OTDR. The OTDR tests shall consist of end-
to-end length and fiber attenuation (dB/km) measurements to ensure proper
performance of the fiber optic cable. The tests shall be performed from both ends of
each fiber to ensure complete fiber continuity within the cable structure. The data
generated in the site acceptance tests is an excellent baseline for comparison to post-
installation test data.
Pre-installation, "on-reel" test results shall be compared with the manufacturer's test
report delivered with the cable. Gross dissimilarities shall be noted and remedied
between the contractor and manufacturer. In all cases, all fibers must meet the optical
attenuation specifications prior to cable installation.
The Contractor shall document each test and submit the report to the Company for
review. Documentation shall consist of both hard copy and electronic soft copy in CD-
ROM complete with all application software. Cable shall not be installed until the
Company has reviewed the test report.
Standards
Version: 1
12.2 Post-Installation Tests

After FOC has been installed the following tests shall be performed:
- A recording OTDR shall be used to test for end-to-end continuity and attenuation of each
optical fiber. The OTDR shall be equipped with a 1310 nm and 1550 nm light source for
the single mode fiber (SMF). The OTDR shall be equipped with an 850 nm and 1300 nm
light source for the multimode fiber (SMF). The OTDR shall have an X-Y plotter to
provide a hard copy record of each trace of each fiber. The OTDR shall be equipped with
sufficient internal masking to allow the entire cable section to be tested. This may be
achieved by using an optical fiber pigtail of 30 feet or more to display the required cable
section.
- The OTDR shall be calibrated for the correct index of refraction to provide proper length
measurement for the known length of reference fiber.
- A transmission test shall be performed with the use of a 1310 and 1550 nm stabilized
light sources and 1310 nm/1550 nm power meters for SMF. This test shall be conducted
in both directions on each fiber of each cable. For MMF, 850nm and 1300nm equipment
shall be sued to conduct the test.
- Where high TDM bit rates (>= 2.5 GBPS) are required at initial startup or for future
expansion, a test of PMD (polarization mode dispersion) is necessary before and after
cable installation.
- Microscopic inspection of all connectors (tails or patch cords).
- Upon completion of the previous tests all FOC coils shall be secured with ends capped
to prevent of dirt and water.
The contractor shall include necessary tests for final acceptance of the FOC.
Contractor shall include checklist to demonstrate installation of FOC equipment/ network and
all components as a part of the SAT document.
The contractor shall indicate the group refractive index of the fiber core and an estimated
group refractive index of the cable.
Sample sheet for recording the measurements results of the above tests are provided in
Appendix C and D.
12.3 Acceptance Criteria

12.3.1 SM Fiber Optic Cable
For all the OTDR tests, the contractor shall submit OTDR traces, event tables indicating any
losses on the route. If the cable is found to have any microbends or macrobends then the
Company has the right to instruct the contractor to replace and re-install the damaged portion
at contractor own expense.
The results on the total loss of the cable shall be including the followings:
- Fiber loss provided by the factory dB/km.
- Measured fiber loss (insertion loss) in the field.
- Splice losses
The OTDR trace results shall demonstrate the following pass criteria at both directions at
1310nm and 1550nm wavelength:
- No Point Losses along the end to end cable stretch.
- No Micro or Macro bends.
- Average Optical Loss per Km on all the fibers shall be within the test results
achieved during drum test prior to installation.
- One Way Splice Loss AB and BA shall be less than 0.15 dB at each of the
splices.
Standards
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- Average Splice Loss ((AB) + (BA))/2 shall be less than 0.1 dB at each of the
splices. No other anomalies/defects developed in the Optic Fiber due to installation.
- Final Insertion loss testing from both directions at both 1310nm and 1550nm wave
length. Total end to end AB, BA and ((AB) + (BA))/2 shall be less than the
calculated Loss based on the total Fiber Length, Splices including terminations,
Connector / adaptor losses at the termination points.
Telecoms Contractor shall measure the loss of the Patch cords used for testing by
connecting the optical source and the level Meter in a back-to-back fashion prior to
conducting the test to get accurate results.
The following theoretical calculations shall be used as a guide to determine the
acceptable measurable actual loss on the fiber optic cable:
- For 1550 nm using insertion loss measurement, the total FOC loss shall be 0.25
dB/km Y km + Splice loses (0.1 dB no. of splices) + 0.2 dB (Termination losses
at both ends) + 1 dB (2 connector losses, each connector loss is 0.5 dB).
- For 1310 nm using insertion loss measurement, the total FOC loss shall be 0.38
dB/km Y km + Splice loses (0.1 dB no. of splices) + 0.2 dB (Termination losses
at both ends) + 1 dB (2 connector losses, each connector loss is 0.5 dB)
For example, the insertion loss measurement results for 69 km route shall be the
following:
- For 1550 nm, The total FOC loss shall be:
(0.25 dB/km 69 km)+ (0.1 dB 9) + 0.2 dB + 1dB = 10.85 dB. Hence the total loss
of the route shall be not more than 10.85 dB.
- For 1310 nm, The total FOC loss shall be:
(0.38 dB/km 35 km)+ (0.1 dB 9) + 0.2 dB + 1dB = 15.4 dB. Hence the total loss
of the route shall be not more than 15.4 dB.
The Contractor shall replace any fiber optic cable in which any fiber (core) does not
meet with the above criteria, for both OTDR and Insertion loss, at contractor own
expense.
In addition, although the total measurable actual loss on the FOC found to be less than
the calculated one, the contractor will not be free from the responsibility of microbends
and macrobends. The contractor shall repair the damage caused by the macrobends
and microbends even though the measurable loss is less than the calculated loss, as
mentioned in this section.
12.3.2 MM Fiber Optic Cable

The same above acceptance criteria, as for SM FOC, shall be applicable but at
wavelength of 850nm and 1300nm. The losses will be different than the SM and shall
be as follow:
- Attenuation coefficient at 850 nm: 3.0 dB/km
- Attenuation coefficient at 1300 nm: 0.7 dB/km
12.4 HDPE Duct Integrity Test used for Blowing Methodology

After laying the Duct network, HDPE ducts shall be tested for proper laying, crush,
deformity and pressure testing. The Contractor shall remove the obstruction/deformity
of any kind before handing over of the Duct network to the Company. The following
tests shall to be carried out on the laid HDPE conduit:
Standards
Version: 1
12.4.1 Duct Cleaning (Sponge Test)

Compressed air should be blown through the duct in order to remove any dirt and water that
has accumulated inside the duct with the help of suitable capacity Air Compressor. A short
blast of air about 2-3 bar shall be blown through the duct for about 2 minutes. Sponge will be
blown through the duct to thoroughly clean the duct from inside.
12.4.2 Crush and Deformity Test

This test is required to check the integrity of the duct. During installation, while backfilling
process there is a possibility of flattening, twisting or kinking of the duct. This is also possible if
the duct has not been uncoiled properly and is laid improperly.
- Place the wooden shuttle in the duct. Note: wooden shuttle should be 80% of inner
diameter of the duct and 150 mm in length.
- Connect the Compressor pipe fitting to the duct.
- Place the flexible wire grip to the downstream end of the duct.
- Connect the air hose supply to the compressor and the equipment.
- Open the discharge valve of the compressor and blow the shuttle through the duct. Note:
The shuttle will pass through at a very high speed and must be trapped in flexible wire grip
to avoid accident and injury.
12.4.3 Radio Shuttle test

In case wooden shuttle gets stuck inside duct then Calibration is done by a simple gadget,
which consists of a sender a small transmitter (Radio Shuttle), which is blown through the
ducts by a Compressed air. Radio Shuttle gets stuck at the same point where the wooden
shuttle is stack. With the help of the detector, radio shuttle is detected and obstruction
(kink/deformation) is removed until the whole duct section is clear for blowing.
12.4.4 Pressure Testing

This test is carried out to detect leakage in duct. Seal one end of the duct with end coupler
and then through end Coupler with valve. Feed the compressed air into the duct, raise the
pressure up to 5 Bar and then observe for 30 minutes. Pressure drop to a maximum of 0.5
Bar is permissible.
13. Drawing and documents

The documents are an integral part of the equipment required to maintain and restore a fiber
optic system. The following information shall be included in the documentation package.
13.1 Test Results

Hard and electronic copy of test documentation shall be submitted to the Company. The
documentation shall include the trace plot, index, dB/km loss, cable length, date and time of
test, wavelength, pulse width, the test site, cable ID, fiber number and type, and operators
initials. The Contractor shall compare the pre-installation test results to the post-installation
results. If a deviation of greater than one dB occurs, the Company shall be notified in writing
by the Contractor.
13.2 Required OTDR Trace Information

All traces shall display the entire length of cable under test, highlighting any localized loss
discontinuities (installation-induced losses and/or connector losses). The trace shall
display fiber length (in km), fiber loss (dB), and average fiber attenuation (in dB/km) as
measured between two markers placed as near to the opposite ends of the fiber under
test as is possible while still allowing an accurate reading.
Standards
Version: 1
If connectors exist in the cable under test, then two traces shall be recorded. One trace
shall record the fiber loss (dB) and average attenuation (dB/km) of the entire cable
segment under test, including connectors. The second trace shall display a magnified
view of the connector regions, revealing the connector losses (dB). All connector losses
shall be measured using the 5-point splice loss measurement technique.
The OTDR trace shall also include the following information:

- The date and time of the test
- The cable ID number
- The cable segment ID number
- The fiber color or sub-cable number
- Launch point connector number
- The optical wavelength used for the test
- The refractive index setting of the OTDR
- The pulse width setting of the OTDR
- The averaging interval of the test
13.3 Key Map

The key map is a geographical map showing the system route in relation to roads and
highways. Its purpose is to provide quick access to key areas of the system, such as
field splice points and major road crossings. Sheath meter marks should be indicated
on the map for splice points, road crossings, wadi crossings, etc. It shall also provide
horizontal and vertical alignment of FOC.
13.4 Composite Schematic

The composite schematic is a straight line schematic identifying the construction
sequence of cable reels by reel number, meter markings to major construction points
such as splice points, and major road crossings. The cable reel section length and a
cumulative cable length should be marked at each of these points. Also, the cable and
fiber type and count shall be identified for each reel selection.
13.5 Circuit Diagram

The circuit diagram is a schematic that identifies the actual fiber circuits, system
number, and working and protect fibers, fiber/buffer colours, priority sequence during
restoration and other pertinent information such as transposed fiber.
13.6 Manufacturer provided documentation

The manufacturer provided documentation should include the cable data sheets of each
cable reel, documentation provided on the fiber, results of calculations of the field
strength levels relative to different structure types. The original copy should be
maintained and handed over to the Company representative for record.
13.7 As-Built Documentation

The as-built drawings and documents shall identify the actual apparatus units at each
structure and other information such as the structure type and dimensions, cumulative
distance to each termination point from the structure, any grounding or bonding detail,
etc. These drawings and documents are typically the construction detail sheets that
have been corrected to reflect any changes during construction.
Standards
Version: 1
In accordance with SP-1131, as-Built drawings shall utilise the contract drawings as the basis
for the final status of the installation. Also shall records all deviation, deletions and additions
with respect to the original scope and
14. Appendicies
APPENDIX A- LIST OF SOME APPLICABLE STANDARD DRAWINGS
Drawing no. Description MESC no.

STD 4 1638 001 Fiber Optic Cable Dielectric Support Assembly
for Intermediate and section pole.
STD 4 1638 002 Fiber Optic Cable assembly- Mounting support
details.
STD 4 1638 003 Fiber Optic Cable Terminal assembly for Angle
pole.
STD 4 1638 004 Fiber Optic Cable Termination assembly for
Cable jointing.
STD 4 1638 005 Fiber Optic Cable Termination assembly for
terminal pole.
STD 4 1638 006 Fiber Optic Cable -Mounting support details.
STD 4 1638 007 Eyebolt and eye nut assembly.
STD 4 1638 008 Fiber Optic Cable - Mounting support details.
STD 4 1638 009 Fiber Optic Cable Dielectric Suspension
Assembly for Intermediate and section pole.
STD 4 1638 010 Fiber Optic Cable - Mounting support details
STD 4 1638 011 ADSS Suspension assembly details
Standards
Version: 1
APPENDIX B- ADSS CABLE PRE-CONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST

Right of Way Yes No
Has the right-of-way been secured for the cable route?
Is the right-of-way clear, and permits obtained for installation?
Is enough room available at start and end of pull (4:1 lead / height ratio)?
Poles
Are all poles structurally sound and can accept the cable tensions?
Clearances
Will all clearances meet NESC code (line/line, electrical stress, ground)?
Installation Equipment
Is equipment available to load cable onto trailer or payout?
Is the cable drum trailer/cable payout shaft appropriate for the reel arbor
hole?
Is the cable drum trailer/cable payout large enough for the cable?
Does the cable drum trailer/cable payout have a brake?
Are all bucket trucks (if used) in working order?
Is equipment available to drill holes into poles for hardware?
Is a chain hoist available?
Are all pulleys/sheaves greater than 12" in diameter (dead end pulleys 20")?
Is a method available to pull the rope/cable?
Is a dynamometer available and accurate?
Is equipment available to provide cable back tension control?
Tools
Are the following tools available?
Temporary Tensioning Grip
Formed Wire Installation Tools (FIT)
Cable
Has the cable undergone a satisfactory incoming inspection by OTDR?
Pull Rope/Cable Grip

If a pull rope is to be used, can it support the expected installation tensions?
Is a double-clevis swivel available?
Is an appropriate cable grip available to attach to the pull rope?
Standards
Version: 1
Hardware
Is all hardware available and inspected?
Dead Ends
Tangents
Suspensions
Tower Guide Clamps
Splice Boxes
Vibration Dampers
Bolts, Nuts, Washers
Crew Training
Has crew training been performed
Standards
Version: 1
APPENDIX C- Site Test ODF-ODF - Attenuation Measurement
Cable Section: Length: Date:

1310
Reference value A-B: nm:
Instrument (Sr. no.):
(dBm)
1550 nm
Reference value A-B: 1310 nm

Measured by:
(dBm) 1550 nm
Document No. Site A: Site B:
Measured Value A-B Measured Value

Wavelengt B-A
Fiber (- dBmx100) Attenuatio (- dBmx100)
h Attenuation
no A-B n B-A
nm (dB)
1 2 3 (dB) 1 2 3
1310
1
1550
10
11
Standards
Version: 1
APPENDIX D- TEST REPORT FORMAT FOR SPLICE LOSS
Cable Section: Splice Box: Date:
Instrument (Srl No.): Measured by: Document No.
Cable type before splice (from A) Cable type after splice (from A)
Length A - Splice Box: Length B- splice Box:
1310 nm 1550 nm
Fibre Measured value Splice atten. Measured value Splice atten.
Site A Site B
No. from (dBx100) Average from (dBx100) Average
A B (dB) A B (dB)
10
11
12
Standards
Version: 1
APPENDIX E - SP USER-COMMENT FORM
SP User-Comment Form
If you find something that is incorrect, ambiguous or could be improved in this document,
write your comments and suggestions and send to Document Control Section (DCS). They
will review and then send to CFDH. In case there is requirement for inquiry DCS or CFDH
will get in touch with you.
SP Details Title Issue Date:
Number:
Page number: Heading Number: Figure Number:
Comments:
Suggestions:
Users personal details
Name: Ref. Ind: Signature: Date:

Phone:
Document Control Section Actions
Comment Number: Dates CFDH

Recd: To CFDH: Ref. Ind:
CFDH Actions
Recd Date: Decision: Inits: Ref. Date:
Reject:
Ind:
Accept, revise at next issue:
Accept, issue temporary
amendment
Comments:
Originator Date: Inits: Document Date: Inits:

Advised: Control Section
Advised:
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Document Title: Specification for Fiber Optic Cables and

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iii Related Business Processes

iv Related Corporate Management Framework (CMF) Documents

Doc. ID Document Title

IEC 65 Safety requirements to mains operated equipment

1.3 Changes to the Specification

1.4 Specification Owner's Responsibility

1.5 Effective period

1.6 Review and Improvement

3. Definition and abbreviations

Shall The word 'shall' indicates a requirement.

A. PART ONE FOC SPECIFICATIONS INCLUDING ACCESSORIES

2.1 Design PSD: Dielectric Cable

Dielectric Strength Yarn

2.2 Design PSA: Armoured Cable

Water Blocking Yarn

2.3 Design ADSS: All Dielectric Self Supporting

Water blocking Tape

3.1 Central Member

3.1.1 PSD and PSA

3.2 Buffer Tubes and Filler Rods

COLOR CODE (PER IEC-304)

Tub Color Tube # Color Fiber # Color Fiber # Color

Tube number Buffer Tube Colour

4.1.1 PSD and PSA both SM and MM

Fiber Count Tube Configuration # of Fillers

4.1.2 PSA and PSD MM 50/125

Fiber Count Standard Tube Layup # of Fillers

Fiber Count Tube Configuration # of Fillers

4.2 Fiber Optical specification

4.3 Core Construction

4.4 Super-absorbent Polymer Materials

4.5 Inner Sheath

4.6 Strength Yarns

4.7 Outer Sheath

4.8 Sheath Markings

5. Cable performance requirements

5.1 Mechanical Characteristics

5.1.2 PSD and PSA MM 50/125

Impact Resistance 12N/m

Maximum Loading Tension (Stringing 15kN for 33 kV systems

PDO will require ADSS cables in

5.3 Optical Performance of Cable for with 62.5/125 GI Multimode fiber

5.3.1 PSD MM 50/125

PARAMETER (nm) G.652D

Cable Cutoff Wavelength (nm) -- 1260

5.3.2 PSA MM 50/125

PARAMETER (nm) 50/125 GI Multimode

5.4 Environmental Performance of Cable

5.5 Geometry and Performance Requirements for G.652D SM fiber

5.6 Geometry and Performance Requirements for 62.5/125 GI MM fiber

6.1 Water Penetration

6.2 Crush Resistance

6.6 Thermal Cycling

Test Name Requirements

8.1 Design Lifetime

8.2 Compliance Statement

8.3 Cable Design

9. Manufacturers test results

10. Acceptance Test

11. Instalation methology