The Telecommunications Industry Association has published a new standard: Sectional Specification (Adopted ICEA S-110-717-2003) Standard for Optical Fiber Drop Cable, TIA-472F000.
This standard covers optical fiber communications cables intended for use in outdoor and indoor/outdoor optical fiber drop applications. Materials, construction and performance requirements are included in this document, together with applicable test procedures.
Products covered by TIA-472F000 are intended for operation under conditions normally encountered in the last portion of all-optical networks. This space exists from the network access point (NAP) or other hardware serving that purpose, ending at or inside the subscriber premises. These products convey communications signals (voice, video and data) between the communications network and subscriber premises. Products covered by this standard may be factory-terminated with connectors or other telecommunications hardware as appropriate.
For the purposes of this document, user premises are defined as residential properties and small- to medium-sized businesses located in facilities that can be served by an optical cable having 12 or fewer fibers, with typical distances less than or equal to 100m (300 feet) in length. Most applications will require only cables with four or fewer fibers. Products covered by this standard are not intended for use in the extended distance applications, which are typically characterized by higher fiber count cables and which specify more stringent design and performance requirements. The suitability of products covered by this document in applications other than those for which they are intended should be as agreed upon between manufacturer and user.
TIA-472F000 was created by TIA FO-4.2 Subcommittee on Optical Fibers and Cables and released in February.
The TIA is based in Arlington, VA. For more information visit www.tiaonline.org.
