TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Table 1 - Coefficient Of dynamic and static friction

The general test methods outlined in the newest Bellcore specification: "Generic Requirements For Cable Placing Lubricants", technical reference TR-NWT-002811, issue # 1, November 1993, as well as the defined minimum acceptable values and desired values were used to test and compare Techlube FO and the most often used competitor.  The results of the testing are outlined below. Fibre optic cable and innerduct, due to their small size and light weight, have specific and demanding friction reduction requirements. Long pulls of many miles at maximum pulling tensions of 600 lbs. are common. The results below show Techlube FO has the superior friction reducing properties necessary for this special cable pulling environment.

Friction Types

Bellcore Spec. TR-NWT-002811 Min and Desired Values

Values for Techlube FO

Values for most common water

polymer fibre optic lubricant

“Dynamic”,

Sliding

Acceptable Minimum Value: 0.20

Acceptable Desired Value: 0.10

0.068

0.112

“Static”,

Starting out.

Acceptable Minimum Value: N/A

Acceptable Desired Value: N/A

0.093

0.173

Table 2 – Telco equipment and component compatibility

The specifications and guidelines for compatibility of cable placing lubricants with outside plant telephone materials per ASTM D-1693 test method using Union Carbide DYNK DFD 6005 NT material is well documented in the following Bellcore Technical Reference: “Generic Requirements for Cable Placing Lubricants”, Technical Reference TR-NWT-002811, Issue 1, November 1993.  Techlube FO and the most commonly used fibre optic cable water/polymer lubricant were tested in accordance with this new and demanding specification. Both lubricant products passed the basic compatibility tests.  As innerducts and fibre optic cable are often placed in conduits that contain existing older cable and as many conduit systems contain water, a variation of the above testing that duplicated this situation was carried out.  The second test, again using Union Carbide DYNK material, exactly duplicated the first, except a 10% solution of Techlube FO and the most commonly used fibre optic water/polymer lubricant were diluted with 90% water.  Test results are listed as Pass / Fail.  Actual test results are available upon request.  Procedure ASTM D-1693.

Cable Jacket Materials  Innerduct, DYNK Material

Techlube FO full strength

Water/polymer lube full strength

Techlube FO (10% solution)

Water/polymer lube (10% solution)

Low density polyethylene

Pass

Pass

Pass

Not tested

Linear low density polyethylene

Pass

Pass

Pass

Not tested

Cross link polyethylene

Pass

Pass

Pass

Not tested

Union Carbide DYNK mat.

Pass

Pass

Pass

Fail

Table 3 – Lubricant coating and adherence factor

This is a measurement of how a lubricant coats and adheres to a cable jacket or innerduct surface.  Due to the light  eight of fibre optic cables and innerducts, it is desirable to have as thick and even coating of lubricant on the surface as long as possible.  Uneven lubricant coatings with little surface thickness can lead to a dramatic increase of pulling tension over the long run.  In order to test the coating and adherence factor of Techlube FO in relation to the commonly used water/polymer fibre optic cable lubricant, a 12” section of fibre optic cable was weighed dry. It was then immersed into the lubricants and suspended horizontally for 5 minutes and reweighed and checked by eye for even and total coating. The results were repeated with innerduct. The results of the testing listed below show that Techlube FO has superior coating and adherence characteristics.

Grams per surface area after test

Techlube FO

Most common water/polymer lubricant

Remaining on fibre optic cable

4.88g

4.11g

Remaining on innerduct

16.95g

12.54g

Table 4 – Lubricant needed to install cable

Techlube FO and WFO are stringy pour-able liquids with an average viscosity of around 2,100 CPS (Brookfield RVT Viscometer, spindle #5 at 50 rpm, 300 ml).  To obtain maximum friction reduction during a communications cable pull, lubricant should be present at all cable/conduit points of interface.  To achieve maximum friction reduction between cable and conduit interface, lubricant should be spread evenly throughout the conduit system.  The amount of lubricant required for most innerduct or fibre optic cable pulls is small (pulling 6.35mm fibre optic cable into 25.4mm polyethylene innerduct for a distance of 305 metres requires only 5.68 litres of Techlube FO (see formula outlined below).  Because it is a pour-able liquid with a low viscosity, Techlube FO and WFO can easily be moved through the long conduit runs associated with innerduct fibre optic pulls by pushing, spreading or blowing.

Lubricant Needed to Install Cable:

Any attempt to quantify exactly the amount of lubricant that is needed on any individual installation will fall short of being accurate.  In general, experience has revealed that some valid assumptions can be made. Formulas are presented below that have been found to be acceptable for most installations. However, there are field conditions which may require more lubricant than the formulas provide.  Knowledge of specific local conditions and experience have proven to be the best judge in these cases.

For plastic conduit (PVC, ABS, Polyethylene) use the following:

Q = 0.008 x L x D

For multiple concrete, clay tile, fibre cement, fibre filled and wood conduit use the following:

Q = 0.012 x L x D

Where Q = Amount of Techlube FO (WFO) needed in litres

Where L = The total length of pull in metres

Where D = The inside diameter of the individual conduit in centimetres