Installation Quality Bulletin
Installation Quality Bulletin Number: 12-04
To: All Installation Suppliers / Regional Markets Groups
(formerly Central Office Operations) Representatives / Design
Engineering Representatives / Sr. Technical Support Manager
(formerly Quality Managers) / Field Engineering Representatives
/ Planning and Engineering Guidelines (formerly AMC
Representatives)
Date: Thursday, August 16, 2012
From: CenturyLink LPEC Installation Quality Assurance
Subject:
Routing
NG3 Panel – Approved Cable Assemblies and Cable
Action Required:
YES:
NO:

Description of Bulletin:
This Installation Quality Bulletin describes the approved cable assembly types and their use
within the NG3 termination panel in CenturyLink central offices. This Bulletin will also detail
correct cable routing practices within the NG3 panel for Equipment (EQP), Outside Plant (OSP)
and Cross-Connect (XCONN) termination applications.
Refer to the P&EG NG3 Fiber Distribution Frame configuration document for additional details
regarding cabling through the NG3 frame.
Cable Assemblies for NG3 Equipment and/or OSP
The NG3 panel is optimized for 72 positions when using connectorized cable assemblies
equipped with individual fibers jacketed to a maximum of 2.0mm outer diameter within the
panel. Any combination of the following approved cable assemblies may be used provided that
the ultimate number of EQP or OSP fibers do not exceed 72 fibers. Proper cable selection and
routing is essential to avoid abandoned termination capacity.
 Single or Dual fiber cables (2.0mm outer diameter maximum)
 Quad cable with (2.0mm outer diameter subunits maximum)
o DO NOT ROUTE QUAD JACKETED ASSEMBLY FIBERS INTO THE NG3
PANEL. Doing so will create cable congestion and ultimately lead to abandoned panel
termination capacity. Using the rip cord, strip back and remove the outer quad jacket to
within 6.0in-12in of the cable entering the rear of the NG3 panel. Only the single fiber
subunits (2.0mm max outer diameter) of the Quad cable assemblies should be routed
into the NG3 panel itself.
 Multi-fiber breakout/fanout: cable assemblies equipped with ≤6 subunits containing ≤12
individual fibers each. The individual fibers may have an up-jacketed outer diameter as small
as 900µm or maximum outer diameter of 2.0mm. The CTL approved multi-fiber cable
assemblies with factory installed connectors, have a fixed breakout/fanout length determined
by the design of the NG3 shelf. See Chapter 2.7.4 of the NG3 P&EG Configuration Guide.
This assembly design allows for proper fiber routing within the panel. Use of multi-fiber
cable assemblies with a non NG3 breakout/fanout may result in increased signal attenuation
and damaged fiber due to improper cable routing and storage within the panel.
 Multi-fiber cable: assemblies equipped with 6-24 individual fibers each with 1.2mm to
2.0mm outer diameter. These cable assemblies may or may not have a central strengthening
unit and do not have a defined breakout length. Only the single fiber subunits (1.2mm to
2.0mm outer diameter) of these multi-fiber cable assemblies should be routed into the NG3
panel. Using the rip cord, strip back and remove the outer multi-fiber cable jacket (and central
strength unit if applicable) to within 6.0in-12in of the cable entering the rear of the NG3
panel.
Cable Assemblies for NG3 – Cross-Connect
The following describes the approved cable assembly types and their use with the NG3
termination panel in CTL central offices for cross-connect applications.
 Single or Dual fiber cables (2.0 mm outer diameter maximum)
Cable Routing for NG3 Panel – Equipment and/or OSP
Equipment and OSP cables access the NG3 panel from the rear cable entry point. Multi-fiber
cables that do not require excess cable management access the NG3 panel from the left (Refer to
Figure 1).
Figure 1
In this first application, the multi-fiber cable assembly is clamped to the rear of the NG3 panel.
The cable is positioned and secured within the clamp at the heat shrink point in which the multifiber cable breaks out into the multiple fiber subunits. This applies for both stranded and ribbon
fiber cable assemblies (Refer to Figure 2).
Figure 2
Single, dual, or quad cable assemblies or multi-fiber cable assemblies requiring excess cable
management access the NG3 panel from the right and are not secured before entering the panel
(Refer to Figure 3). Refer to the NG3 Termination Panel installation manual for further details.
Figure 3
The fiber subunits should extend into the NG3 panel just past the cable retention guides.
Loosely secure the subunits within the cable retention guides using the O-ring or plastic retainer
provided. Ribbon fiber transition blocks should be positioned between the cable guides and
secured with the O-ring or plastic retainer provided (Refer to Figure 4).
Figure 4
Cable Routing for NG3 Panel – Cross-Connect
Cross-connect cables access the NG3 panel from the left side cable entry point and are routed
through the cable guides to terminate to ports located on the left side of the sliding adapter pack
(Refer to Figure 5). See the NG3 Termination Panel installation manual for further details.
Figure 5
Acknowledgments to Erica Stockford of the PEG Group for her efforts in compiling this content.
CenturyLink Installation Quality Assurance
Jeff Bostow
612-798-2460
jbostow@qwest.com