The Manor House BUNTINGFORD Hertfordshire SG9 9AB United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1763 273039 Fax: +44 (0) 1763 273255 e-mail: jane@fiasec.demon.co.uk Press information Fibreoptic Industry Association to define how to specify and measure fusion splice performance in fibre optic networks in security applications Released 16 January 2004 The security industry is heavily reliant on optical fibre as the preferred carrier for video, voice and data signals associated with CCTV based security systems. The high bandwidth capabilities of fibre, its stability and low signal attenuation are important user benefits. Fibre's exceptional capabilities mean that performance specification and verification has become a fine art. Too fine, in fact. There are definite signs, says the FIA, that some specifiers are demanding such impossibly low levels of signal attenuation in fusion splices that they are tying themselves and their suppliers up into knots. To provide a commercially neutral framework that will benefit both specifiers and installers, the FIA, a non-profit organisation committed to raising standards throughout the fibre optic industry, is developing a new Technical Support Document to address the increasing problem of over-specification of splice losses. To be launched at a seminar in May 2004, the TSD will establish the most appropriate way in which to specify and verify the performance of optical fibre fusion splices; it will also define reasonable and commercially acceptable limits for the splices under specific conditions. Over-specification can arise from a number of causes. Specifiers may be influenced by the claims of fusion splicing equipment manufacturers, who rightly provide favourable, best case specifications for their machines; no account may be taken of the tolerances of the optical fibres that are seen in the field or clients fail to recognise the range of, and differences between, optical fibres that may be encountered and their influence on the performance of splices made between them. IEC 60793-2-50 specifies five different single mode optical fibres between which fusion splicing will result in modified performance when compared with splicing between singlemode optical fibres of the same type. Unfortunately, unrealistic demands for splice loss performance, flawed in terms of what is specified and/or how it is specified, are often included in specifications. The impact of specifying overly ambitious or incorrectly defined splice loss requirements must concern both the client and the installer. The installer may be faced with a considerable degree of rework that can have dramatic commercial consequences, while the client may be faced with considerable project delays, the resolution of which will add further costs. *** Ends: body copy 364 words *** Notes to Editors. For further information: FIA contact: Jane Morrison Fibreoptic Industry Association The Manor House Buntingford SG9 9AB tel: 01763 273039 fax: 01763 273255 jane@fiasec.demon.co.uk www.fibreoptic.org.uk Agency contact: Nigel May Parkfield Communications Limited Parkfield House Damerham SP6 3HQ tel: 01725 518321 fax: 01725 518378 nigel.may@parkfield.co.uk www.parkfield.co.uk The Fibreoptic Industry Association represents more than 80% of UK companies involved in the manufacture or installation of fibre optic components and systems for voice and data communications. The Association provides advice to end-users, runs training and qualification services for its members, contributes to the development of national and international standards and generally represents the interests of the fibre industry. Its web site, www.fibreoptic.org.uk provides a free online reference service to all visitors.