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Description / Abstract:
These requirements cover single and multiple optical-fiber
cables for control, signaling, and communications as described in
Article 770 and other applicable parts of the National Electrical
Code (NEC). Cables complying with these requirements are:
Type OFNP – Plenum – A nonconductive cable for use in ducts,
plenums, and other spaces used for environmental air. A
nonconductive cable contains no metallic members and no other
electrically conductive materials.
Type OFCP – Plenum – A conductive cable for use in ducts,
plenums, and other spaces used for environmental air. A conductive
cable contains non-current-carrying conductive members such as
metal strength members and metallic vapor barriers.
Type OFNR – Riser – A nonconductive cable for vertical use in
shafts or from floor to floor.
Type OFCR – Riser – A conductive cable for vertical use in
shafts or from floor to floor.
Type OFN and OFNG – General Purpose – Nonconductive cables for
general purpose use.
Type OFC and OFCG – General Purpose – Conductive cables for
general purpose use.
Smoke and fire considerations are as follows for the cables
covered in these requirements:
a) TYPE OFNP and OFCP CABLES – Cables that are intended for
installation in accordance with Section 770.154 (A) of the National
Electrical Code (ANSI/NFPA 70) in a duct, plenum, or other space
used to transport environmental air without the cable being
enclosed in a raceway in that space are tested for smoke and flame
characteristics in accordance with the National Fire Protection
Association Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of
Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces, ANSI/NFPA 262. A
cable that complies exhibits a maximum flame-propagation distance
that is not greater than 5 ft, 0 in or 152 cm, a peak optical
density of smoke produced of 0.50 or less (32 percent light
transmission), and an average optical density of smoke produced of
0.15 or less.
b) TYPE OFNR and OFCR CABLES – Cables that are intended for use
in vertical runs in a shaft, or that penetrate more than one floor,
in accordance with Section 770.154 (B) of the National Electrical
Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, are tested for flame-propagation
characteristics in accordance with the Test for Flame Propagation
Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables Installed Vertically
in Shafts, UL 1666. A cable that complies has a flame-propagation
height less than 12 ft, 0 in or 366 cm and temperatures are 850.0°F
(454.4°C) or less at a height of 12 ft, 0 in or 366 cm.
c) TYPE OFN, OFNG, OFC, and OFCG CABLES – Type OFN and OFC
cables are intended for installation in accordance with Section
770.154 (C) or (D) of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70,
comply with a 70,000 Btu/h (20.5 kW) vertical-tray flame test. The
cable manufacturer chooses one of the following tests:
The UL test described in 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 of these requirements.
These paragraphs apply the test described as the UL Flame Exposure
(smoke measurements are not applicable) in the Standard for
Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for
Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables, UL 1685, to cable that is
surface marked or designated by a marker tape as ²OFN² or
²OFC².
The FT4/IEEE 1202 test as described in 9.3.1 of these
requirements, which applies the test method described as the
FT4/IEEE 1202 Type of Flame Exposure (smoke measurements are not
applicable) in the Standard for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and
Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables, UL
1685. This test differs from the UL tests in loading (more cables
are used, with small cables bundled, and the spacing between cables
or bundles is limited), burner angle, and failure criterion.
Type OFCG and OFNG cables are to comply with the FT4/IEEE 1202
test.
Cables covered in these requirements are not required by the NEC
to be used in raceway. These cables are capable of use without the
physical protection of raceway but may be pulled into conduit or
installed in other raceway.
The overall jacket on a cable that has ²sun res² or ²sunlight
resistant² in a surface marking or on a marker tape complies with a
720-h sunlight-resistance test.
These requirements do not cover cables that contain
current-carrying conductors. Requirements for cables that contain
electrical and optical fiber members are found in the applicable
standard for the electrical cable.
These requirements do not cover the optical performance of the
cable.