TAMPA, Fla. -- Custom Cable Industries announced that it has successfully completed GR-326 certification for SC ultra physical contact (UPC) singlemode fiber optic connector assemblies, with certification given for the latest issue # 4, dated February 2010.
The certification enhances Custom Cable’s U.S. fiber assembly manufacturing capabilities that include simplex/duplex jumpers and distribution fiber trunks utilizing bend insensitive (BIF) singlemode fiber and OM1 through OM4 laser optimized (10-Gigabit) multimode fiber. Such assemblies are used in central office, data center, outside plant (MDU/RT) and customer premise (CPE) applications.
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The current GR-326 CORE standards update, compared with the September 1999 issue 3, is aimed at increasing the overall reliability of products for the demands of today’s bandwidth-intensive network infrastructure. Most significantly, optical performance is measured at additional wavelengths including 1490nm and 1625nm in order to certify performance at the limits of current fiber optic networks. As network technology, capacity and density increase, it is essential to comply with the latest optical connectivity certification requirements to maximize investment and ensure long term reliability.
“Not many U.S. manufacturers of fiber optic assemblies can claim the product will perform as well in 20 years as it did the day it was assembled. The GR-326 CORE requirements have been designed to certify fiber optic connectivity suppliers in this regard,” says Gregg Stewart, Custom Cable general manager. “As a value-added assembler, we are extremely pleased to receive this significant certification.”
To receive the certification, Custom Cable successfully completed all Service Life and Reliability requirements. Service Life testing consists of a concise sequence of mechanical tests that simulate the stresses that fiber optic connector assemblies may be subjected to while in service within a telecommunications plant. Reliability testing establishes long-term reliability of the fiber optic connectors via rigorous environmental conditions designed to simulate the entire life of a product in all types of conditions.
“Compliance with the reliability portion of GR-326 is quite difficult to achieve due to extensive environmental aging,” says Stewart. “We continue to invest in our internal environmental testing capabilities to ensure that all our products meet rigorous reliability standards. This is a valued requirement for fiber optic networks.”