Macro Bending Effect in Optical Fiber Composite Low Voltage Cable

Abstract

Smart Grid distribution network comprised of power supply cable as well as two way communication between the customer and grid. This two way communication is carried out by Optical fiber composite low voltage cable (OPLC). In the installation of OPLC cable, the most important factor to be taken care of is the attenuation loss occur in optical unit. In attenuation loss, macro bending is one of the major contributors. Therefore it is necessary to minimize the macro bending loss in signal attenuation while installing the OPLC cable. In this paper, we have studied the macro bending effect in optical fiber unit of optical fiber composite low voltage cable that occurs in handling and installation process of the cable. In the paper, simulation is being done by using COMSOL to measure the attenuation loss in bending the cable at the suggested radius. The experiment is carried out to analyze and investigate the attenuation loss at different bending radius and number of turns. The critical radius and suggested radius for installation have been proposed to keep the attenuation loss below 0.15 dB.