In Slatina, at the fiber optic cable factory, the workshop Installation of fiber optic cables in tubes was held - attended by 22 people and representatives of AFOR (Romanian Fiber Optic Association), ANCOM (National Authority for Administration and Regulation in Communications), AFOR members: Prysmian, R&M Romania, Teledatanet, Tele-Grup, NETCITY Telecom, Optikline, telecom operators (Vodafone, RCS&RDS and AKTA) and a representative from the field of installations (Bama Grup).

During the workshop, Prysmian innovations for underground networks were presented, practical field tests were carried out on blowing FO cables through tubes with 3 different machines and in 2 different tubes, and discussions were held on the experiences of installing FO cables through tubes in 3 different networks in Bucharest (Netcity), Cluj (CFO Integrator) and Timișoara (RCS&RDS) or in Telekom.

The PIPE is, by definition, a pipe with an outside diameter between 2 and 16 mm inclusive. For example, for 20 mm we have pupi or tube. When we talk about a tube, 2 dimensions must be specified: the inside diameter and the outside diameter of the tube, for example 8/10 or 8/12.

The Telecom factory in Slatina, with an annual production capacity of over 8 million kilometers of fiber optic cable, is one of the largest of its kind and uses the most advanced industrial technologies and know-how, being able to meet the growing demand for optical cables worldwide, for the implementation of new high-speed telecommunications networks. In 2019, the factory produced mini cables (optical fiber cables for installation in tubes) with a percentage of over 25%. The most manufactured cable was 96 FO, with 200 μm fibers and 4.6 mm diameter.

PRACTICAL WORKSHOP

In Slatina, Prsymian has a 2017 polygon with Gabocom tubing with a length of 1660 m of 8/12 tubing and 1400 m of 10/12 tubing respectively. The practical workshop involved three installations to analyze the behavior of the cables.

First installation

• A 96 FO 200 μm cable with a diameter of 6.2 mm was installed in a 8/12 tube with a length of 1650 m with a Prysmian Plumettaz P 02 blowing machine (year of manufacture 2016).
• Preparation for installation was done by a pressure test with 15 bar for 10 minutes, then a sponge was blown to check the tubing, lubricant was introduced into the tubing and the cleaning sponge and blown in about 2-3 minutes
• Start at 12.46, with 2.8 bar at push and 11 bar pressure in the tubing. It was blown at maximum speed 142-149 m/min
• The blown cable reached 1000 m in 7 minutes with a speed of 140 m/min, 1250 m in 9 minutes with a speed of 80 m/min and 1500 m in 13.45 minutes with a speed of 60 m/min.

Second installation

• A 96 FO cable with an outer diameter of 6.4 mm was installed in 10/12 tubing with a length of 1400 m with a FREMCO Mini-Flow blowing machine brought by Tele-grup and an HPP 6 compressor.
• The blown cable reached 120 m at a speed of 75-88 m/min, 201 m in 2 minutes and 325 m in 3 minutes
• Recovery of the cable at hand took 5 minutes

A treia instalare

• The same cable was installed as in the second installation in the 10/12 tube with a length of 1400 m with the CBS Air Stream blower brought by Teledatanet. The machine operates without air and is electric only, with a consumption of 300 W
• The blown cable reached 130 m in 1.30 minutes, 172 m in 2 minutes, 245 m in 3 minutes and 325 m in 4.21 minutes.
• Recovery of the cable at hand took 5 minutes

The hands-on workshop was followed by a series of discussions on issues encountered in the field in recent years when installing fibre optic cables through tubes such as tube calibration, the temperature of installing fibre optic cables in tubes and the challenges encountered when building infrastructure networks with tubes. Participants came up with suggestions and proposals that can facilitate and add value for operators and installers alike.

This event was a plus for us, with productive conversations forming the basis for continuous improvement of the products we offer.