MTNL

CETTM

T818
ITEC - SCAAP Training Programme
Mod Id : TOFCPLT024
Principle of Light Transmission

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

Light Propagation through O.F

CETTM

MTNL

Rarer to Denser medium

- Refracted rays move towards the normal

Denser to Rarer medium
- Refracted rays move away from normal

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

CETTM

Contd..

MTNL

Critical angle:- The angle of incidence in the

denser medium for which the angle of
refraction is 90

When the angle of incidence is greater than
the critical angle, Total Internal Reflection
occurs.

Refractive Index of core is 1.48

Refractive Index of cladding is 1.46

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

Total Internal Reflection

(Note:- n1 is greater than n2)
Angle of
incidence

Angle of
incidence

Critical
angle

Angle of
reflection

n1

n1

n1

n2

n2

n2

Angle of
Refraction

Light is bent away

from the Normal

Light does not

enter second
material

Light is reflected in
the same material

MTNL

CETTM

Refractive Indices of Various Materials

Material
Vacuum
Air
Water
Fused Quartz
Glass
Diamond
Silicon
Gallium Arsenide

TOFCPLT024

Index (n)
1.0
1.0003 (1)
1.33
1.46
1.5
2.0
3.4
3.6

Light velocity (Km/s)

300,000
300,000
225,000
205,000
200,000
150,000
88,000
83,000

Principle of Light Transmission

Total Internal Reflection

MTNL

CETTM

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

Fiber Geometry
CETTM

MTNL

Consists of Core and Cladding

Core and Cladding are made up of same
material

The material used is optically transparent

Silica or borosilicate glass will be the usual
material

The R.I of the core will be slightly higher than
the R.I of the cladding

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

Fiber Geometry contd

CETTM

MTNL

The core and cladding dia in mm

TOFCPLT024

Core (m)

Cladding (m)

125

50

125

62.5

125

100

140

Principle of Light Transmission

Construction of O.F.Cables
CETTM

MTNL

Optical fiber cable needs protection before it

is used.

Cabling means process to package one or
more fibers in an outer protective structure.

Cabling improves the mechanical
characteristics of a fiber without causing a
deterioration of its optical properties.

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

MTNL

CETTM

Important parameters, which need

strengthening and protection, are :

Tensile strength (pull)

Crushing resistance

Protection from excess bending

Abrasion protection

Twist and

Chemical protection.
O.F cables are light, small, flexible, flame
retardant and temperature insensitive besides
being mechanically strong and rugged.
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Principle of Light Transmission

10

Main Components of Optical Fiber Cable

MTNL

CETTM

OF cable is mainly divided into two parts :

- Metallic
- Non-metallic

Metallic frame cables are those which use
metallic component for protection and also
may be metallic conductors. Non metallic
fiber cables use non-metallic protection
material.There is no metal component
involved in the cable.

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Principle of Light Transmission

11

CETTM

TOFCPLT024

Parts of A Fiber Optic Cable

Principle of Light Transmission

MTNL

12

CETTM

Optic Fiber Cable

MTNL

The following components are commonly used in

most of the cables.

Buffer

Strength member

Filler and core wraps

Jacket and moisture barrier

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Principle of Light Transmission

13

CETTM

Fiber

MTNL

Optical Fibers used are either

1. Multi-mode (graded index or GRIN fibers)
2. Single-mode (Step index or SI fibers)

DOT uses Single mode fibers.

Contain core and clad (core diameter is 8 to 10
micrometers. Cladding diameter is approximately 125
micrometers.

Difference is in their Refractive Index.

This is because to achieve Total Internal Reflection.

Single Mode is preferred for Telecommunication
applications due to its larger information capacity, for
larger distances.
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Principle of Light Transmission

14

CETTM

Cable Components

MTNL

Component

Function

Material

Buffer

Protect fiber from

outside stress

Nylon, Mylar
plastic

Central member

Facilitates stranding Steel, Fiber

Temperature stability glass
Anti-Buckling

Primary strength
Member
TOFCPLT024

Tensile strength
Principle of Light Transmission

Aramid yarn,
steel
15

Cable Components

MTNL

CETTM

Component

Function

Material

Cable jacket

Contain and protect

cable core. Abrasion
Resistance

PE, PUR. PVC,

Teflon

Cable filling
Compound

Prevent moisture
Intrusion and
Migration

Water blocking
compound

Armouring

Rodent protection
Crush Resistance

Steel tape

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Principle of Light Transmission

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CETTM

Buffers

MTNL

Fibers are coated with a buffer immediately

after being drawn. This buffer known as
primer.

Primary coating is made of silicon rubber,
Acrylate, or lacquer.

Applied to the cladding by the fiber
manufacturer. This coating serves as
mechanical protection during the subsequent
stages of the cable manufacturing.

Typical diameter of the fiber after primary
coating is 250-350 micrometer.
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Principle of Light Transmission

17

Buffers

CETTM

MTNL

After primary coating fibers are normally

coloured by passing through colouring
machines.

Coloured fibers are passed through the
additional buffers.

Additional buffers are called Secondary
coating.
1. LOOSE BUFFER
2. TIGHT BUFFER
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Principle of Light Transmission

18

CETTM

Loose Buffer

MTNL

To isolate the optical fiber from external forces

it is placed in a buffer tube.

The cable fills these tubes with Jelly like
compound which provides additional
cushioning and prevents the intrusion of
moisture.

The inside diameter of buffer is several times
that of the fiber. One or more fibers lie within
the buffer tube.

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Principle of Light Transmission

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CETTM

Loose Buffer Contd..

MTNL

Protects the fiber from any mechanical forces

acting on the cable.

The fiber can adjust itself within the tube when
the cable is distorted. As the cable expands
and shrinks with change in temperature, it does
not affect the fiber much.

The fiber in the tube is slightly longer than the
tube itself. Thus, the cable itself can easily
expand and contract without stressing the fiber.

The diameter of this tube is 1.2 to 1.9 mm. The
loose buffer is preferred for almost all outdoor
applications
TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

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CETTM

Tight Buffer

MTNL

The tight buffer has a plastic coating directly applied

over the primary coating of the fiber.

This type of construction provides better crush and
impact resistance.

Tight buffer is more flexible and allows tighter turn
ratio.

Tight tube buffers have general application in indoor
cables where temperature variations are mixed and
the ability to make tight turns inside walls is desired.

They do not protect the fiber from stressing or
temperature variations.

Single fiber pigtail cables use tight buffer. They are
used for termination in equipment room.
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Principle of Light Transmission

21

Strength Member

CETTM

MTNL

Function is to add mechanical strength to the

fiber.

Strength Member protects the fiber from the
tensions and strains generated during pulling,
shearing and bending of the cable.

Most common strength members are:
Kevlar
Aramid Yarn
Fiber Glass Reinforced Plastic (FRP)
Glass Reinforced Plastic GRP).

FRP & GRP are used in Multi Mode fibers.

Kevlar is used for individual fibers.
TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

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CETTM

Fillers and Core Wraps

MTNL

Fillers are employed to provide cushioning to the

fibers and to give shape to the cable.

Typical materials are PVC, Polyethylene, low density
cellulose paper, spun bonded polyester.

Cable core is generally filled with a water blocking or
filling compound for preventing moisture intrusion.

Binder tapes are applied to hold the assemblies of
coated fibers and fillers, together.

It also provides a heat barrier to the fiber during the
extrusion process of outer sheath. Usual materials
are polyester, Mylar, cellulose paper, etc.

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

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CETTM

Jacket & Moisture Barrier

MTNL

The jacket or sheath provides protection from the

effects of cut and abrasion, oil, ozone, acids, alkali,
solvents etc.

Materials such as low density polyethylene, high
density polythene, poly urethene, polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), nylon, etc. have been successfully employed
in commercial cables.

The choice of jacket material depends on application
and cost.

In cable containing several layers of jacketing and
protective material, the outer layers are often called
the SHEATH. The inner layer which directly protects
the fibers becomes the jacket.
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Principle of Light Transmission

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CETTM

Optical Fiber Cable Configurations

MTNL

Types of cables
- Loose tube structure
- Slotted core structure

Length of the cable drum is 2 Kms.

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Principle of Light Transmission

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CETTM

Loose tube structure

MTNL

Uses protective loose tube which is made up of

thermo plastic material.

Tubes are stranded helically in continuous or
alternate paths around a central strength
member.

Central strength member is FRP or GRP.

Tubes are filled with materials which have stable
physical characteristics over a wide range of
temperature.

Cable interstices are filled with moisture resistant
filling compound to retard ingress and axial
migration of water.

Cable core is wrapped with a wrapping tape.
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Principle of Light Transmission

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CETTM

Colour code scheme in Seicor cable

Fiber No

Colour code Fiber No

MTNL

Colour code

Blue

Red

Orange

Black

Green

Yellow

Brown

10

Violet

Slate

11

Blue/Black

White

12

Orange/Black

Colour code simplifies fiber identification

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

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CETTM

Optical Fiber Cable Configurations

TOFCPLT024

No of fibers

Fibers in each tube

12

24

48

96

Principle of Light Transmission

MTNL

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CETTM

Slotted core structure

MTNL

Consists of a plastic rod abstracted over a

central strength member assuring good
mechanical and thermal performance of the
structure.

V-grooves or slots are cut in the surface of the
plastic rod.

These grooves or slots may contain one or
more fibers protected only by primary coating.

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

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CETTM

Slotted core structure contd..

MTNL

After insertion of the fiber, the slotted core is

closed by applying plastic or synthetic
covering.

Wherever necessary, slots are filled with a
filling compound having stable physical
characteristics over a wide range of
temperature.

Each slotted core may be used alone with
protective outer jacket, or assembled with
similar cable units before providing outer
protection.
TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

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Optical Fiber Construction

CETTM

MTNL

Secondary Coating
Primary Coating
Cladding
Core

9 m
125m

400 m

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

31

Optical Fiber Construction

MTNL

CETTM

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

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O.F Cable Construction

MTNL

CETTM

Cabling is packing one or more fibres in a

outer protective cover

Cabling protects environmentally and
mechanically

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

33

CETTM

Components of Cable

MTNL

Fibers

Buffers

Fillers

Strength Members

Core wraps

Jacket/Moisture Barrier

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

34

Outer Sheath
CETTM

MTNL

Also known as External Sheath

Nylon sheath of not less than 0.7 mm thick

Orange coloured -- used by communication
units

Green / Black coloured -- used by Railways

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Principle of Light Transmission

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CETTM

Inner Sheath

MTNL

Also known as inner jacket

Black coloured sheath

Not less than 2.0 mm thick

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CETTM

Central Strengthening Member

MTNL

To add mechanical strength to cable so that

pulling tension and tension at bends can be
with stood.

Solid GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) nonmetalic

Outer dia 2.10.15 mm

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Principle of Light Transmission

37

Slotted Core Structure

CETTM

MTNL

Plastic rod extruded over a strength member

with good mechanical and thermal
performance.

V- Grooves or slots cut on the surface of rod.

Each group is containing one/more primary
coated fiber.

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

38

Fillers & Core Wraps

CETTM

MTNL

Provides cushioning and give shape.

Materials- PVC, Polyester, Polyethylene,
Cellulose Paper.

Filled with PJ like compound for Moisture
Barrier.

Binder tapes are wrapped around fillers.

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Principle of Light Transmission

39

Loose Tube Structure

CETTM

MTNL

Fibers (normally coloured) placed loosely

in tubes of thermoplastic

The tubes are helically stranded over a
FRP/GRP central member

Tubes are filled with PJ compound

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Principle of Light Transmission

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Tight Buffered Cable

CETTM

MTNL

Used for indoor purposes

Pigtail cable - single tight buffered fiber
whose one end is free and one end is
connectorised

Free end is for splicing

Patch Cords - Both the ends are
connectorised.

It is equivalent for Jumper

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

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Pigtail cable

MTNL

CETTM

F
D
F
Cable

TOFCPLT024

Fibres

Pigtail

Principle of Light Transmission

Connector

42

Colour Identification Scheme

CETTM

MTNL

Fiber
No.

Colour

Buffer Tube
No.

Colour

Blue

Blue

Orange

Orange

Green

Filler (Natural)

Brown

Filler (Natural)

Slate

Filler (Natural)

White

--

--

Note : Colour codes will be different from Manufacturer to Manufacturer

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MTNL

CETTM

Thank You

TOFCPLT024

Principle of Light Transmission

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