Q. Can you add fibers to an already populated Microduct?

A. New fiber can not be added to an already populated Microduct. To provide for increased capacity, additional empty Microduct should be planned for and pulled during the initial installation. New fiber can quickly and easily be installed in this empty Microduct at a later date. Alternatively, existing fiber can be blown out of a populated Microduct and new fiber can be blown in. This method permits an economical way to upgrade fiber type, as well as to increase fiber quantity.

Q. Can you recover and re-use the fiber blown out of a Microduct?

A. Currently there is not an approved method that effectively removes and re-spools fibers that are being blown out of a Microduct without damaging them so that they can be re-used.

Q. Can you install both multimode and singlemode fiber into the same Microduct?

A. While it is possible to mix multimode and singlemode in a single Microduct or to mix various types of multimode fiber in a single Microduct, it is recommended that singular fiber types be blown into individual Microducts in order to eliminate confusion and errors. All fibers are color coded in accordance with TIA/EIA-598-A.

Q. Can you blow from an 8mm Microduct to a 5mm Microduct, or from a 5mm Microduct to an 8 mm Microduct?

A. It is strongly recommended that all home runs of Microduct utilize the same size Microduct. Junctions between two different sized Microducts create changes in the airflow pattern and can severely impact the efficiency of the blowing process, greatly reducing maximum blowing distances. It is possible to use different size Microduct for different portions of a network, as so long as each home run contains Microduct of the same size.

Q. How are individual Microducts identified within a Multiduct cable?

A. Each individual Microduct, within a Multiduct cable, is printed with a unique number (both numerically and in words) at regular intervals.

Q. Is it necessary to use nitrogen to blow the fibers?

A. Blolite blown optical fiber technology (BOFT) has been designed to work utilizing standard air compressors at safe, low pressures. It is not necessary to introduce nitrogen into the Microducts during installation, though doing so will not adversely affect the installation. The Blolite installation equipment includes an Air Conditioning Unit (ACU), complete with filtration and air-drying units. This ACU sufficiently removes all unwanted air particles as well as reduces the moisture content from the air provided by a standard air compressor.

Q. Is the Outside Plant (OSP) Multiduct cable suitable for direct buried installations?

A. Blolite OSP Mulitduct cable was designed for outdoor dry duct applications. The Mulitduct cable jacket does however contain an aluminum moisture barrier as protection against the diffusion of water through the cable jacket.

Q. Is conduit required for indoor installations?

A. Multiduct cable and Microduct are available with either UL plenum or riser rated performance. It is therefore unnecessary to install conduit specifically to house the Blolite blown optical fiber network of Multiduct/Microduct. In addition, because Multiduct/Microduct contains no fibers while it is being pulled in, installation is typically quicker and easier than the combined installation of conduit and conventional fiber optic cables.

Q. Is it necessary to do anything to protect empty Microduct both during transportation, installation and long-term use?

A. Yes, all Microduct should be sealed with temporary duct end caps at all times in order to protect empty Microduct from incurring dirt and water damage while in transit, on the job site or during installation. Once installed, all empty Microduct should be sealed using a Blolite straight connector and connector plug assembly. This will ensure that empty Microduct will remain in good condition until needed in the future.

Q. Who is the manufacturer of the optical fiber used in the Blolite blown optical fiber technology (BOFT) system?

A. The fiber used with the Blolite system is manufactured by Corning®, Inc. An additional outer coating is then added to the Corning fiber, bringing the fiber diameter up to 500 microns. The fiber now has a slightly irregular surface, like that of fine sandpaper, which allows the fibers to be picked up and blown through the Microduct using the compressed air.

Q. Are special connectors required for Blolite fiber?

A. Blolite fibers can be connectorized with any industry standard connector designed to accommodate 500 micron fiber. Connectors designed to accommodate 900 micron fiber can be easily adapted to fit Blolite fiber with the addition of protective furcation tubing.

Q. What are the maximum blowing distances for Blolite?

A. It is recommended that blowing distances do not exceed the distances shown in the chart below:

Q. What technical specifications does the Blolite system meet?

A. There is no industry standard specification that specifically address blown optical fiber systems at this time except in the military. The Blolite Microduct and Multiduct cable meets the following specifications:

Indoor non-plenum Microduct: NEC cable type OFNG and OFNR passes UL1666Riser flame test per NEC 770-51 (B) and 770-53 (B)

Indoor plenum Microduct: NEC cable type OFNP passes UL910 (NFPA 262) flame and smoke test per NEC 770-51 (A) and 770-53 (A)

Microduct and Multiduct: M85045/25