scope:

This Network Rail standard specifies the:

a) principles and practices for jointing and terminating optical fibre cables; and

b) optical fibre test methods and values of permissible optical loss.

The requirements of this standard only apply to cables containing optical fibres generally to ITU-T Recommendations G.652 and G.657.

This standard applies to people undertaking jointing, terminating and acceptance testing of optical fibre cables on Network Rail Controlled Infrastructure.

In addition to this Standard the following self-assessing fibre test result spreadsheets are provided to record fibre test results in accordance with the requirements of this Standard:

• NR/L3/TEL/30162 A - Optical Fibre Insertion Loss for 24 and 48 Loose Tube Fibres

• NR/L3/TEL/30162 B - Optical Fibre Pigtail Loss for 24 and 48 Loose Tube Fibres

• NR/L3/TEL/30162 C - Optical Fibre Splice Loss for 24 and 48 Loose Tube Fibres

• NR/L3/TEL/30162 D - Optical Fibre Insertion Loss for Ribbon Fibres

• NR/L3/TEL/30162 E - Optical Fibre Splice Loss for Ribbon Fibres

Purpose

This standard sets out the specific requirements and parameters for jointing, terminating and site acceptance testing of optical fibre cables that comprise, or connect to, Network Rail's optical fibre infrastructure.

Compliance with these requirements will maximise the performance of Network Rail's optical fibre infrastructure and control the risk of its failure to support services.