Information on the most widely used ASTM standards within the materials testing industry
Model: UTOF35-BS, IEC 60794-1-21 Method E18A: Bending under tension Test, E18B: Sheave Test
UTOF35-BS Optical Fiber Cable Bending under Tension and Sheave Testing Machine is applicable for testing the ability of optical cables to withstand repeated bending. By applying repeated bending forces, qualified optical cables are required to have no fiber breakage, a change in fiber attenuation within the limits specified in the detailed product standards, no cracking of the cable sheath, and no damage to the cable core components.
1.1, Conform with IEC 60794-1-21 Method E18A: Bending under tension Test;
The purpose of bending under tension test is to determine the ability of an optical fibre cable to withstand bending around rollers or bows during installation, when a specified load is applied.
1.2, Conform with IEC 60794-1-21 Method E18B: Sheave test (primarily for OPGW and OPAC)
The purpose of sheave test is to determine the ability of the optical ground wire (OPGW) or optical attached cable (OPAC) to withstand bending around rollers or bows during installation, when a specified load is applied.
General introduction
UTOF35-BS Optical Fiber Cable Bending under Tension and Sheave Testing Machine is applicable for testing the ability of optical cables to withstand repeated bending. By applying repeated bending forces, qualified optical cables are required to have no fiber breakage, a change in fiber attenuation within the limits specified in the detailed product standards, no cracking of the cable sheath, and no damage to the cable core components.
1.1, Conform with IEC 60794-1-21 Method E18A: Bending under tension Test;
The purpose of bending under tension test is to determine the ability of an optical fibre cable to withstand bending around rollers or bows during installation, when a specified load is applied.
1.2, Conform with IEC 60794-1-21 Method E18B: Sheave test (primarily for OPGW and OPAC)
The purpose of sheave test is to determine the ability of the optical ground wire (OPGW) or optical attached cable (OPAC) to withstand bending around rollers or bows during installation, when a specified load is applied.
| Method E18A: Bending under tension Test | |
| Both ends of the specimen shall be terminated in such a way that the specified load can be applied. The sample shall be marked at points A and B as shown in below. | |
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| Single bend | S Bend |
| Test Procedure: – The cable shall be moved around a cylinder or on a device as specified in the relevant specification, at an angle specified in the relevant specification; as shown in Single bend or other values agreed between the customer and the supplier. – The tension shall be continuously increased to the required value given in the detail specification. – The cable shall be moved from point A to point B Single bend and then returned to point A, with a speed and in a number of cycles as specified in the detail specification. Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the sheath and/or to the cable elements. | |
| Method E18B: Sheave test (primarily for OPGW and OPAC) | |
| The sample shall be taken from one end of a finished cable, without cutting if specified in the detail specification. Both ends of the specimen shall be terminated in such a way that the specified load can be applied. The sample shall be marked at points A and B as shown in Figure below. | |
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| Partial-bend | Partial-bend, multiple pulley |
| Test Procedure: – The cable shall be passed through the cylinders as specified in the detail specification, through an angle as specified in the detail specification as shown in above figure. – The tension shall be continuously increased to the required value given in the detail specification. – There are two alternatives as follows: a) the cable shall be moved from point A to point B (see Figure) and then returned to point A, with a speed and in a number of cycles as specified in the detail specification, or b) the apparatus shall be moved relative to the cable from point A to point B (see Figure) and then returned to point A, with a speed and in a number of cycles as specified in the detail specification. Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the sheath and/or to the cable elements. If specified, any permanent increase in attenuation after the test shall not exceed the value specified in the detail specification. | |
Key Features
The testing machine is mainly used for testing the bending performance of optical cables, including type testing and factory inspection, to determine the cable's ability to withstand bending. The optical cable bending tester is primarily composed of a frame, sliding guide rail, weight hanger, motor reducer, weights, bending mandrel (with bending radii of 100mm, 125mm, 150mm), and an electrical control box.
The principle of the bending tester is to fix both ends of the specimen and apply a pre-tension load. When installing the specimen on the equipment, pay attention to the position of the weight bracket. In the starting state: the left weight bracket is in the raised position, and the right weight bracket is in the lowered position.
The optical cable clamp core should be selected according to the diameter of the optical cable. After placing it into the main body of the optical cable clamp, tighten the clamping handle to secure the cable. If the optical cable is smaller than the clamp core, wrap some cloth or similar material around the cable to ensure it is clamped tightly.
Electrical control instructions: The testing machine is controlled by a PLC and touch screen, with a user-friendly interface, simple operation, and convenient settings. The drive part of this testing machine uses a Delta inverter, which has protection functions such as overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent, and overheating. The "emergency stop switch" on the control panel is used in case of accidents or when an immediate stop is required. Pressing it will activate the stop; to resume, turn it to the right following the arrow direction. The time interval for resuming should be more than 30 seconds.
IEC 60794-1-21 Optical fibre cables - Part 1-21: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods
IEC 60794-1-21 Method E18A: Bending under tension Test;
IEC 60794-1-21 Method E18B: Sheave test (primarily for OPGW and OPAC)
EN 60794-1 Optical fibre cables - Part 1: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures
GB/T 7424.21: Optical fibre cable generic specification - Part 21:Basic optical cable test procedures- Mechanical test methods
Main technical specification
| Bending travel | 1000mm, automatic control of the reciprocating travel |
| Pulley assembly | φ200mm, φ250mm, φ300mm, 4 pieces each, adjustable according to optical cable testing requirements; |
| Weight | Two sets of pre-tension weights, 27.5kg per set. Each set is equipped with a weight bracket (5kg), four 5kg weights, and one 2.5kg weight, adjustable according to optical cable testing requirements; |
| Moving speed | trolley moves at 250–350mm/s |
| Number of bend cycles | 1–9999, freely adjustable |
| Weight | 900kg |
| The number of bend cycles is recorded automatically, and the test stops automatically when the set number is reached. | |
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