TAIHAN

FIBEROPTICS

Introduction to TFO OPGW
August 11, 2014
OPGW

OPtical fiber composite overhead Ground Wire
• Protects TL from lightning at the top
• Enables power utilities to own long haul optical communication network

TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS FIBER
Complete line‐up of smf glasses
Types:  Single‐mode
Categories:  Zero Water Peak fibers (G.652)
Non‐Zero Dispersion Shifted (G.655)
Bending Loss Insensitive (G.657)
Ribbon type
Low Loss (<0.18dB@1550nm)
Next generation (G.656)

Premise Access Metro Backbone

<5km 5‐30km 10‐50km 50‐300km

Single Mode Fiber

Zero Water Peak Fiber

Bending Loss  Non‐Zero Dispersion Shifted Fiber
Insensitive 
Fiber Low Loss Fiber

TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
Fiber performance
Characteristics equivalent to competitors’
Zero Water Peak Fiber (G.652.D)
Taihan Fujikura Corning OFS
Items Unit FutureGuide SMF‐28e
Anywave AllWave
Attenuation at 1310 nm dB/km ≤ 0.334 0.327 ≤ 0.35 0.33 ~ 0.35 ≤ 0.34
Attenuation at 1383 nm dB/km ≤ 0.31 0.281 ≤ 0.31 0.31 ~ 0.35 ≤ 0.31
Attenuation at 1550 nm dB/km ≤ 0.194 0.187 ≤ 0.21 0.19 ~ 0.20 ≤ 0.21
Attenuation at 1625 nm dB/km ≤ 0.22 0.202 ≤ 0.23 0.20 ~ 0.23 ≤ 0.24
MFD at 1310 nm µm 9.2 ± 0.4 9.15 9.2 ± 0.4 9.2 ± 0.4 9.2 ± 0.4
MFD at 1550 nm µm 10.4 ± 0.5 10.3 10.4 ± 0.8 10.4 ± 0.5 10.4 ± 0.5
Dispersion value at 1550 nm ps/nm.km ≤ 18.0 16.67 ≤ 18 ≤ 18.0 ≤ 18.0
Zero dispersion slope ps/(nm2.km) ≤ 0.090 0.086 ≤ 0.092 ≤ 0.089 ≤ 0.090
PMD link design value ps/√km < 0.1 0.05 ≤ 0.08 ≤ 0.06 < 0.06
PMD individual value ps/√km < 0.15 0.03 ≤ 0.1 ≤ 0.2 < 0.1
Cladding diameter µm 125 ± 0.7 125.1 125 ± 0.7 125 ± 0.7 125 ± 0.7
Core‐clad concentricity µm ≤ 0.5 0.11 ≤ 0.8 ≤ 0.5 ≤ 0.5
Cladding non‐circularity % ≤ 0.7 0.22 ≤ 1.0 ≤ 0.7 ≤ 1
Coating‐cladding concentricity µm ≤ 12 4.02 ≤ 12.5 ≤ 12 ≤ 12
Tensile proof test kpsi ≥ 120 125 ≥ 120 ≥ 100 ≥ 100

TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
Fiber splicing compatibility
Splicing loss comparison with Corning SMF
Zero Water Peak Fiber (G.652.D)
MFD ∆MFD Bi‐Directional
Trial Manufacturer
(µm) (µm) Splicing Loss (dB)
Taihan (VAD) 9.00
1 .00 .016
Corning (OVD) 9.00
Taihan 9.30
2 .00 .013
Corning  9.30
Taihan 9.15
3 .15 .033
Corning  9.00
Taihan 9.30
4 .30 .054
Corning  9.00
Taihan 9.00
5 .30 .048
Corning  9.30
Corning  9.30
6 .30 .050
Corning  9.00
Taihan 9.30
7 .30 .049
Taihan 9.00
TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
Manufacturing OPGW at TFO

• Coloring
• Loose tubing
• Stranding
1. Coloring

Pay‐off (pulling) Coloring & UV dry Take‐up

Coloring together with tensile testing
• Fiber identification by color
• Coloring in accordance with TIA‐598
• Proof/tension test: 120 kpsi >> 100 kpsi
TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
2. Loose tubing process

SUS pulling Fiber pulling Forming Welding Capstan/Driving

SUS tube

TFO’s stainless steel tubing skills
• More than 25 years of experience since 1987
• Technician/operators average experience over 10 years
• Strict fiber length management (optimized excess fiber length in tube)
• Uniform tension on every fiber in tube
TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
3. Stranding process

Tube pulling Stranding Preforming Capstan/Driving OPGW

Stranding
• Managing preform ratio (2 x amplitude/OD) is the key. (confidential rule 
of thumb). This can be achieved only by deep experience of controlling
 the  pulling tension of ACS wire & Alloy
 the stranding pitch
TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
Constructions of TFO OPGW

Non‐metallic Stainless Steel AL‐covered

Loose Tube Loose Tube Stranding Stainless Steel Tube

“AlumaCore” “HexaCore” “CentraCore”

OPGW

Selection of OPGW constructions

• High tensile strength/Long span capability
• Up to 288 fibers
SSLT 
• Recommended for the users requiring
stranding
‐ High tensile strength &
‐ High short circuit current capacity

• Flexibility
• Easy break out
Non‐
• Up to 288 fibers
metallic
• Recommended for the users requiring
‐ Medium mechanical and electrical grades

• Excellent crush resistance
• Up to 48 fibers
SS/AL tube • Recommended for the users requiring
‐ Medium mechanical and electrical grades
‐ Smaller cable diameter
Example
Two TFO constructions approved by Northeast Utilities
Items Al covered tube SSLT stranding

Fiber Fiber
Jelly  Jelly 
Construction Yarn Yarn
SUS  SUS 
AL tube Alloy
ACS ACS

Cable diameter 0.453 inch 0.646 inch

Weight 0.31 lb/ft 0.42 lb/ft
Short circuit 35kA2.s 190kA2.s
UTS 15832 lbs 18000 lbs

AL covered tube vs. SSLT stranding type
• AL covered tube: Small diameter / Light weight
• SSLT stranding: High level Tensile strength and short circuit current
TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
 Case Study I

Northeast Utility:
TFO proposed enhanced specification
over NU’s existing requirements
(1) Fiber upgrade
Upgraded fiber without increase in cost, as a fiber maker
Optical Characteristics
Items Unit Requirements Proposed

Attenuation at 1310 nm dB/km ≤ 0.35 ≤ 0.35 ≤ 0.345

G.652D Attenuation at 1550 nm dB/km ≤ 0.25 ≤ 0.25 ≤ 0.195

SMF‐28e
MFD at 1310nm µm 9.3± 0.5
(Largest)
Attenuation at 1310 nm dB/km ≤ 0.40 ≤ 0.40 ≤ 0.36

G.655C Attenuation at 1550 nm dB/km ≤ 0.25 ≤ 0.25 ≤ 0.22

OFS/Leaf
MFD at 1550 nm µm 8.4± 0.6 9.6± 0.6
(Largest)
Cladding diameter µm 125 ± 1.0 125 ± 1.0

Cladding non‐circularity % ≤ 1.0 ≤ 1.0

Coating diameter µm Nom. 250 Nom. 250

TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
(2) Cable upgrade
Enhanced mechanical and electrical properties of cable
without increase in OD
Mechanical & Electrical Characteristics
Items Unit Requirements Proposed

Rated Breaking strength lbs 18000 18000 19855

Fault current rating kA2.s 100 100 190

Cable diameter inch 0.646 0.646

Sag & Tension Characteristics
Items Unit Requirements
60F Initial sag ft 6.7
60F Final sag ft 7.5
NESC Heavy

TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
(3) Increased long‐term reliability
Decreased maximum tension w/r/t UTS (44% to 40%*)
Utility requirements (18,000lbs)
Initial Final
Items
Sag Tension Sag Tension
60F, No Ice, No wind 6.70 ft 1,960 lbs 7.50 ft 1,751 lbs
7,943 lbs
32F, 1.25” Ice, No wind 13.28 ft 13.28 ft 7,943 lbs
(44%)
60F, No Ice, 16 psf 8.91 ft 3,364 lbs 9.44 ft 3,177 lbs
‐20F, No Ice, No wind 3.92 ft 3,351 lbs 4.46 ft 2,943 lbs
NESC Heavy 9.09 ft 5,366 lbs 9.37 ft 5,204 lbs

TFO Proposal (19,855lbs)
Initial Final
Items
Sag Tension Sag Tension
60F, No Ice, No wind 6.70 ft 1960 lbs 7.50 ft 1,751lbs
7,943 lbs
32F, 1.25” Ice, No wind 13.28 ft 13.28 ft 7,943 lbs
(40%)
60F, No Ice, 16 psf 8.91 ft 3,364 lbs 9.44 ft 3,177 lbs
‐20F, No Ice, No wind 3.92 ft 3,351 lbs 4.46 ft 2,943 lbs
NESC Heavy 9.09 ft 5,366 lbs 9.37 ft 5,204 lbs

*Manufacturer’s recommendation to ensure long‐term reliability TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS

 Case Study II

Supplied OPGW with spec equivalent to 
AFL products responding to
user’s specific request
Identical construction, identical performance
Black Hills Energy, S. Dakota, 2013
Items AFL DNO 4748 (CC‐55/443) TFO130431A

Fiber Fiber
Jelly  Jelly 
Yarn Yarn
Construction SUS  SUS 
AL tube AL tube
ACS ACS

Cable diameter 0.443 inch 0.443 inch

Weight 1542 lb/mile 1542 lb/mile

Short circuit 37kA2.s 37kA2.s

UTS 15,919 lbs 15,919 lbs

TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
Other examples

Customer Requested AFL spec TFO Spec Construction

DNO‐5484 130461A/24C

Idaho power

DNO‐4382 130462A/48C

DNO‐7053 130291A/48C

Tri‐State

DNO‐7054 130292A/48C

TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
Comparison OPGW with AFL
Our specification is equivalent with AFL
Customer Requested AFL spec TFO Spec Construction

Glassland
Alumcore/AC‐88/659 1301021A/72C
Switchyard

GSC (WAPA) DNO‐9138 130101A/48C

Pacific Corp DNO‐9139 130661A/48

Umatilla Electric  DNO‐8696 1301371A/48

TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
 Case Study III

Manitoba Hydro’s 930 mile TL project:
• TFO technically qualified
• Open specification
• Multiple operating conditions
• Extreme climate condition
• Complex logistics
Operating condition requirements (PLS‐CAD)
UTS not specified in RFQ, leaving it to mfr’s suggestions

Design condition Requirements Proposed

Operating temperature
Minimum ‐50℃ (-58F)
Maximum 60℃ (140F)
Ruling span 488m (1,601’)

Ice thickness & wind pressure 33mm (1.3”) & 318 Pa

Resulting maximum tension ≤ 70% of UTS 68% of UTS

Minimum catenary value at ‐10℃ ≥ 1,580m (5,184’) 1,827m (5,994’)

Minimum catenary value at 30℃ ≥ 1,460m (4,790’) 1,675m (5,495’)

Short circuit current capacity 120 kA2.s 120 kA2.s

TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
TFO’s proposal of cable construction (SSLT)
CHARACTERISTICS OF CABLE VALUE/DESCRIPTION
Stainless steel  Number of fibers in tube 48 (G.652D low loss < .195dB/km)
loose tube Number / Nom. Diameter 1 ea / 4.0mm
Material AL covered stainless steel loose tube
Central layer
Number / Nom. Diameter 1ea / 5.8mm
Material Aluminum clad steel wire
Inner layer Number / Nom. Diameter 10ea / 2.5mm
Direction of outer layer Left hand “S”
Material Aluminum clad steel wire Aluminum alloy
Outer layer Number / Nom. Diameter 8ea/2.5mm 8ea / 2.5mm
Direction of outer layer Right hand “Z”
Overall diameter (mm) Nom. 15.8 (0.622”)
Cable weight (Nom. kg/km) Nom. 738 (.4959 lb/ft)
(*) Ultimate tensile strength (kN) 107.2 (24,116 lbs)
(**) Modulus of elasticity (Nom. kN/mm2) 117
(**) Coefficient of linear expansion (Nom. 10‐6/oC) 15.0
(*) Short circuit current capacity (kA2.s)
120
(Initial 20oC, Maximum 200oC)
TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS
 THANK YOU

22 Paris Ave Suite 107, Rockleigh, NJ 07648 | 201.784.1117 | usa@taihan.com