Optical Fibre Cable Splicing
and Testing Specifications
ICT COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Document Number: COM 20-03
Issue number: 1
Status: Approved
Approver: Nigel Zeinert
Date of approval: 17/11/2020
AusNet Services
Optical Fibre Cable Splicing and Testing Specifications
REVISION HISTORY
Version Date of
Details of Amendment Author Approver
Number Revision
0 RC/UH NZ
Additional Requirements i.e photos of joints and termination
1 27/07/18 RC/UH NZ
panels
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
REVISION HISTORY ............................................................................................................. 2
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 4
1.1 BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 INTENDED AUDIENCE ........................................................................................................... 4
1.4 ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................................... 4
1.5 DEFINITIONS .......................................................................................................................... 4
2 APPLICABLE STANDARDS .......................................................................................... 5
2.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................. 5
3 SPLICING AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS ................................................................ 6
3.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................. 6
3.2 LEAD-IN CABLE CONNECTIONS TO EXISTING OFC BACKBONE ROUTE ..................... 10
3.3 UNTERMINATED OFC INSTALLATIONS ............................................................................ 10
3.4 FIBRE ENCLOSURE PHOTOS............................................................................................. 11
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
1.1.1 The use of optical fibre cable (OFC) for communications purposes is fast becoming a significant
component of strategic communications links. For example, AusNet Services uses OFC links to
Terminal Station and Zone Substations to support equipment monitoring and controlling the
AusNet Services electricity transmission and distribution network. OFC is also used within the
AusNet Services electricity transmission and distribution area by third parties for
communications such as computer based local and wide area networks that support both voice
and data communications
1.2 PURPOSE
1.2.1 The purpose of this document is to specify the requirements for the testing of the OFC – aerial,
underground, and OPGW; and in particular all OFC that are owned by AusNet Services.
1.3 INTENDED AUDIENCE
1.3.1 This document is relevant to all AusNet Services’ OFC and is to be used by:
[Link]. AusNet Services Project Managers;
[Link]. AusNet Services Lead Engineers;
[Link]. Contractor
[Link]. any other personnel engaged by AusNet Services or by the contractors as required for OFC
splicing and testing job.
1.4 ABBREVIATIONS
1.4.1 ADSS : All Dielectric Self Supporting
1.4.2 FTP : Fibre Termination Panel
1.4.3 GIS : Geographical Information System
1.4.4 MMOF : Multi-Mode Optical Fibre
1.4.5 NZDSF : Non-Zero Dispersion-Shifted Fibres
1.4.6 OFC : Optical Fibre Cable
1.4.7 OTDR : Optical Time Domain Reflectometer
1.4.8 OPGW : Optical Ground Wire
1.4.9 SMOF : Single Mode Optical Fibre
1.5 DEFINITIONS
1.5.1 Contractor – Typically a specialist OFC construction company, engaged by AusNet Services or
third party to splice and test OFC backbone network segments and site lead-ins. The
Contractor will be responsible for managing all subcontractors they engaged and as a
consequence be responsible for the quality of work and adherence to the specifications
identified in this document by all project personnel including subcontractors.
1.5.2 Lead Engineer – The Lead Engineer will be responsible for reviewing and approving OFC test
results and documentations. The Lead Engineer will also be responsible for all technical matters
pertaining to the OFC testing.
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1.5.3 Project Manager – AusNet Services Project Manager or representative engaged by AusNet
Services responsible for overall project coordination, which may also include arranging for
quality assurance reviews of Contractor’s performance with respect to ensuring compliance with
this document.
2 APPLICABLE STANDARDS
2.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1.1 The work shall be executed in accordance with the most recent revisions of all applicable
standards, including but not limited to:
[Link]. The Electrical Safety (Installation) Regulations 2009
[Link]. The Electricity Industries “Green Book” (contact AusNet Services for details).
[Link]. Building Regulations
[Link]. Australian Standards
[Link]. Requirements of the Australian Communications and Media Authority
[Link]. Requirements of the EnergySafe Victoria
[Link]. ITU-T G Series International Telecommunications Union series of standards on Fibre
[Link]. All applicable statutory requirements
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3 SPLICING AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS
3.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
3.1.1 End-to-end testing of all fibres in each OFC backbone link shall be conducted.
3.1.2 All fibres, including those to be placed in service and spare fibres, shall be tested in each
AusNet Services lead-in cable.
3.1.3 The maximum acceptable losses applicable to the end-to-end testing of each OFC link are
described below:
[Link]. End to End Splice Loss:
The mean of all bi-directional splice losses along any single fibre in a ‘station to station’ cable
leg (i.e. A end FTP to/from B end FTP) shall not exceed 0.05 dB for SMOF cores when tested at
1330nm, 1550nm and 1625nm; and 0.05 dB for NZDSF cores when tested at 1550nm and
1625nm.
[Link]. Individual Splice Loss:
The bi-directional loss of each individual splice shall not exceed 0.12 dB for SMOF cores when
tested at 1330nm, 1550nm and 1625nm; and 0.12 dB for NZDSF cores when tested at 1550nm
and 1625nm.
Any splice that exceeds this maximum shall be re-spliced. If the splice loss after two re-splice
attempts still exceeds 0.12dB the value shall be recorded and reported to AusNet Services as a
high splice loss while the Contractors are still on site.
[Link]. Grouped Event Splice Loss:
The bi-directional loss of a grouped event (consisting of two or more splices in close proximity to
each other) shall not exceed 0.12 dB for SMOF cores when tested at 1330nm, 1550nm and
1625nm; and 0.12 dB for NZDSF cores when tested at 1550nm and 1625nm.
If the overall loss of the grouped event exceeds this maximum then each splice in the grouped
event shall be tested individually to confirm the cause of the high loss. If an individual splice loss
in a grouped event after two re-splice attempts still exceeds 0.12dB the value shall be recorded
and reported to AusNet Services as a high splice loss while the Contractors are still on site.
[Link]. The maximum optical attenuation per each mated connector shall not exceed 0.50dB.
3.1.4 All OFC tests shall be carried out using:
[Link]. An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) to determine the cable attenuation and point
losses at wavelengths of 1310nm, 1550nm and 1625nm for SMOF cores and 1550nm and
1625nm for NZDSF cores.
[Link]. OTDR settings that are optimised to ensure that ALL events/splices are captured & measured
with the highest possible resolution and accuracy. Where possible, ‘grouped events’ are to be
resolved into their individual splice events.
[Link]. In the event that the overall segment OTDR results cannot distinguish the ‘first out splice’ or
resolve the ‘grouped events’ then localised OTDR trace results that capture & measure only
these ‘first out splice’ and ‘grouped’ events must be submitted.
[Link]. Launch spools of appropriate length (typically 1km to 1.5kms) and characteristics to ensure that
all events are captured and measured, in particular the ‘first out splice’ from FTP locations.
[Link]. The same length launch spool for both ends of the fibre to be tested.
[Link]. Light Source and Light Meter - this equipment will measure the insertion loss and will also
confirm that there are no fibre transpositions.
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[Link]. All test equipment used for splicing and measurements is to have been properly maintained and
calibrated (within the past 18 months). Maintenance history and calibration certificates are to
be supplied to AusNet Services.
3.1.5 The following tests shall be performed at 1330nm, 1550nm and 1625nm for SMOF cores; and
1550nm and 1625nm for NZDSF fibres:
[Link]. Such tests as are required to establish the continuity of the OFC under test.
[Link]. Such tests as are required to confirm the correct position of the optical fibre in the FTP.
[Link]. Bi-directional insertion and return loss testing on all terminated optical fibres.
[Link]. Bi-directional OTDR tests, including unterminated optical fibres in an OFC backbone link (refer
to Section 3.3 for testing of unterminated fires in other OFC installations).
3.1.6 The tester must provide an OTDR testing plan to AusNet Services’ nominated communications
specialist for approval, PRIOR to commencement of OTDR testing. The testing plan must
document the proposed testing parameters on a per segment basis.
3.1.7 Table 7 shows the minimum information required before submission to the AusNet Services’
nominated communications specialist.
TABLE 7: AUSNET SERVICES TESTING PLAN PARAMETERS
OTDR PULSE OTDR
LAUNCH OTDR RANGE
SPAN LENGTH WIDTH RESOLUTION
A END B END SPOOL setting
(km) setting setting
LENGTH (km)
(m) (m)
Site A Site B 20 1000 250 40 10
Site C Site D 60 1000 500 125 20
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3.1.8 A physical inspection shall be performed of all optical fibre termination enclosures and cabling.
3.1.9 The information required to be supplied as part of the test results includes, but is not limited to:
[Link]. Project title;
[Link]. Optical fibre segment (from and to);
[Link]. Tube number and colour;
[Link]. Fibre number and colour;
[Link]. Optical fibre cable route (sheath) length in metres;
[Link]. Optical fibre optical length in metres;
[Link]. Insertion loss;
[Link]. OTDR details including serial number and date of last calibration;
[Link]. Light source details including serial number;
[Link]. Power meter details including serial number and date of last calibration;
[Link]. Operator name at each end of the segment;
[Link]. Test wavelengths;
[Link]. Fibre attenuation coefficient (dB/km);
[Link]. Number of splices in the test fibre including termination splices;
[Link]. Transmitted power, received power and calculated loss from both directions;
[Link]. Calculated two way loss average insertion loss; and
[Link]. Completed cable attenuation in dB/km;
3.1.10 The Contractor shall replace any cable that does not meet the required performance levels at
no charge.
3.1.11 The Contractor must provide documentation of all OTDR event/splice measurements plus the
calculated bi-directional event/splice losses, Attenuation (Insertion Loss) measurements and
Joint locations in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file format.
3.1.12 Table 8, Table 9 and Table 10 show a typical example of the expected documentation layout.
Spreadsheet results must be supported by the provision of the corresponding OTDR trace
results.
TABLE 8: SPLICE LOSS MEASUREMENT / CALCULATION SPREADSHEET
A B DATE JOINT JOINT
END END ID LOCATION
1310 nm 1550 nm
Fibre Fibre Bundle
Splice Loss (dB) Distance (m) Splice Loss (dB) Distance (m)
No. Colour Colour
From 'A' From 'B' Calc. From 'A' From 'B' From 'A' From 'B' Calc. From 'A' From 'B'
1 Blue Blue
2 Orange "
3 Green "
- - "
- - "
N White "
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TABLE 9: ATTENUATION (INSERTION LOSS)
OPTICAL FIBRE SECTION INSERTION LOSS (IL) (dB)
JOB TITLE :
CABLE DESIGNATION/S :
OPTICAL FIBRE SECTION :
OPTICAL LINK LENGTH (OTDR)(L): FILE :
DATE :
END A : AAA OPERATOR END A : LIGHT METER END A :
END B : BBB OPERATOR END B : LIGHT METER END B :
WAVELENGTH 1310 nm WAVELENGTH = 1550 nm
DESCRIPTION CONSTANT VALUE DESCRIPTION CONSTANT VALUE
FIBRE LINK LENGTH MEASURED BY OTDR L FIBRE LINK LENGTH MEASURED BY OTDR L
FIBRE ATTENUATION CO-EFFICIENT [dB/km] F FIBRE ATTENUATION CO-EFFICIENT [dB/km] F
MAXIMUM AVERAGE SPLICE LOSS PER FIBRE S MAXIMUM AVERAGE SPLICE LOSS PER FIBRE S
NUMBER OF SPLICES INCLUDING TERMINATION SPLICES N NUMBER OF SPLICES INCLUDING TERMINATION SPLICES N
NUMBER OF OPTICAL THRU CONNECTORS IN CIRCUIT C NUMBER OF OPTICAL THRU CONNECTORS IN CIRCUIT C
MAXIMUM INSERTION LOSS AT 1310nm IL = ( F * L )+( S * N )+( 0.75 * C )+0.3 = MAXIMUM INSERTION LOSS AT 1550nm IL = ( F * L )+( S * N )+( 0.75 * C )+0.3 =
FIBRE No. LAUNCHED FROM END A LAUNCHED FROM END B IL PASS / FIBRE No. LAUNCHED FROM END A LAUNCHED FROM END B IL PASS /
End A End B REF P RCVD P LOSS REF P RCVD P LOSS (A+B)/2 FAIL End A End B REF P RCVD P LOSS REF P RCVD P LOSS (A+B)/2 FAIL
MINIMUM INSERTION LOSS AT 1310nm (dB) MINIMUM INSERTION LOSS AT 1550nm (dB)
MAXIMUM INSERTION LOSS AT 1310nm (dB) MAXIMUM INSERTION LOSS AT 1550nm (dB)
TABLE 10: JOINT LOCATIONS
OPTICAL FIBRE SECTION JOINT LOCATION SHEET
JOB TITLE :
CABLE DESIGNATION/S :
OPTICAL FIBRE SECTION :
OPTICAL LINK LENGTH (L) (OTDR) : FILE :
DATE :
END A : AAA OPERATOR END A :
END B : BBB OPERATOR END B :
JOINT LOCATION DETAILS
Joint I.D. Joint Address / Location
PT Pigtail / Connector
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
PT Pigtail / Connector
AAAAAA JOINT 1 JOINT 2 JOINT 3 JOINT 4 JOINT 5 BBBBBB
0.000 2.347 5.684 7.914 9.861 12.285 13.596
13.596 11.249 7.912 5.682 3.735 1.311 0.000
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3.1.13 All OTDR trace results are to be provided in either WFM format T5 format, T6 format or SOR
format. NO OTHER FILE FORMATS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
3.1.14 All trace files names MUST conform to the following file-naming convention:
[Link]. [Link].### where
AAAAAA represents the first six letters of the A end site name (or station abbreviation)
Example:
Thomastown Terminal Station, AAAAAA = TTS
Yallourn Relay House C, AAAAAA = YALRHC
Tower 24, AAA = T24
BBBBBB represents the first six letters of the B end site name (or station abbreviation)
Example:
Brunswick Terminal Station, BBBBBB = BTS
Yallourn Relay House A, BBBBBB = YALRHA
Tower 116, BBBBBB = T116
Paaa represents the AAAAAA site Patch Panel number.
Example:
Panel #59, Paaa = P059
Panel #A07, Paaa = PA07
Pbbb represents the BBBBBB site Patch Panel number.
Example:
Panel #58, Pbbb = P058
Panel #C07, Pbbb = PC07
ww represents the wavelength of which the test was conducted at
Example:
13 for wavelength = 1310 nm
15 for wavelength = 1550 nm
16 for wavelength = 1625 nm
### represents the fibre core number in OFC
Example:
Fibre No.1, ### = 001
Fibre No.48, ### = 048
[Link]. Native OTDR file name conventions OR any other file name conventions MUST be converted to
the file name convention specified in Clause [Link] prior to the submission of the trace
results. Traces not submitted in the specified file name convention WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
3.2 LEAD-IN CABLE CONNECTIONS TO EXISTING OFC BACKBONE ROUTE
3.2.1 Where site lead-in cables are teed into existing OFC backbone routes then TEST RESULTS
need ONLY be provided for the fibre splices at these NEW joints (tee points).
3.3 UNTERMINATED OFC INSTALLATIONS
3.3.1 Where the Contractor installs an OFC but does not terminate or through splice the fibre cores to
accessible termination connectors, the Contractor must prove the ‘end to end’ continuity of each
fibre in the installed cable.
3.3.2 The Contractor need ONLY conduct OTDR testing of each fibre on the cable from one end.
3.3.3 The OTDR traces are to be provided to AusNet Services in the approved format.
3.3.4 Unterminated OFCs MUST have their cable ends capped and sealed to ensure no water
ingress.
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3.4 FIBRE ENCLOSURE PHOTOS
3.4.1 Digital photos in JPEG format (minimum of 4MP) of the fibre splice enclosures and termination
panels shall be provided to AusNet Services: The contractor as a minimum shall provide photos
of the following:
[Link]. Fibre Splice Enclosures on towers and/or poles (The filename must be associated to the tower
or pole the enclosure is attached to)
[Link].1. Photo of the splice enclosure used
[Link].2. Photo of the splice enclosure used after splicing. The photo must show the fibre
trays
[Link].3. Photo of the splice enclosure used as attached on the tower/pole.
[Link]. Fibre Splice Enclosures in underground pit (The filename must be associated to the nearest
tower or pole the enclosure is installed or the GPS location)
[Link].1. Photo of the splice enclosure used
[Link].2. Photo of the splice enclosure used after splicing. The photo must show the fibre
trays
[Link].3. Photo of the splice enclosure used as installed inside the pit.
[Link]. Fibre Termination Panel (The filename must be associated to the Terminal Station Abbreviation
and the cubicle number the panel is installed)
[Link].1. Photo of the termination panel used
[Link].2. Photo of the terminal panel used after splicing. The photo must show the fibre
trays.
[Link].3. Photo of the terminal enclosure used as installed inside the cubicle.
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