This measuring method applies to optical fibre cables, which are tested by temperature cycling in order to determine the stability behaviour of the attenuation of cables submitted to temperature changes. This method can also be used for evaluation of buffer tubes or other elements independent of a cable construction, as defined by a detail specification.
Changes in the attenuation of optical fibre cables, which can occur with changing temperature, are generally the result of buckling or tensioning of the fibres resulting from differences between their thermal expansion coefficient and the coefficients of the cable strength and sheath members, Test conditions for temperature-dependent measurements shall simulate the worst conditions.
This test can be used either for monitoring cable behaviour in the temperature range, which can occur during storage, transportation and usage, or to check, in a selected temperature range (usually wider than that required for the above-mentioned case). the stability behaviour of the attenuation connected to a substantially microbend-free situation of the fibre within the cable structure.
The above article is extracted from the industry standard YTD9001