Optical Fiber Cable Water Penetration Instrument

Sample
Method F5A
A circumferential portion of sheath and wrapping 25 mm wide shall be removed 3 m from one end of a sample length of cable and a watertight sleeve shall be applied over the exposed core so as to bridge the gap in the sheath and allow a 1 m height of water to be applied.
Method F5B
A cable sample 1 m longer than the length to be tested, which shall not exceed 3 m is used. If required, the sample is submitted to the bending procedure according to 14.4.2. A maximum cable length of 3 m shall then be taken from the central portion of the sample. A watertight seal shall be applied to one end of the sample to allow a 1 m height of water to be applied.
NOTE – For armoured cables where the armour is not designed to be water-blocked, the armour may be removed before the application of the seal.
Procedure
Unless otherwise specified in the detail specification, the sample shall be supported horizontally and a 1 m height of water shall be applied for 24 h, at a temperature of (20 ± 5) °C.
A water soluble fluorescent dye or other suitable coloring agent may be used to aid in the detection of water seepage. Care should be taken in choosing a fluorescent dye that does not react with any of the cable components.