Prysmian Group: the only manufacturer to produce colour coded 180µm fiber optic 4 Later, when cables were needed to be installed in zones combining not only severe bending but also reduced space, Prysmian Group invented and introduced the first class of fibers combining bend-insensitive properties and reduced outer coating diameter. A standard fiber is made up of a glass core of a diameter of 125µm surrounded by protective plastic primary coating and secondary clear coating. Finally, a layer of UV cured coloured ink is applied to reach the final - coloured - fiber diameter. In the 1990s, Draka introduced the ColorLockTM fiber coating system for the first time, which eliminated the need for this additional layer of UV cured ink by using a secondary plastic coating, already including pigments (mass coloured). Later, the ColorLock-XSTM fiber coating system was introduced, upgrading to brighter, more intense colours for better differentiation in cables, and improved primary coating. Further to this in 2009, Prysmian Group was the first to introduce a 200µm bend-insensitive reduced diameter fiber, keeping the glass part at 125µm. Reducing the thickness of the primary and secondary coatings has been made possible by combining an improved primary coating and Colorlock-XS technology. The outer overall diameter was produced at 200µm, saving one third of the standard fiber cross section. When Prysmian Group (Draka at that time) invented and introduced the first bendinsensitive fiber in 2006, it was meant to enable the FTTH last mile, where cables are often installed in spaces with more severe bending. Then, in 2019, Prysmian Group introduced a 180µm bend insensitive fiber, saving half the standard fiber cross section, with a glass that is still a standard dimension of 125µm and subsequently, compatible with legacy products. The performance of this fiber was maintained thanks to further improved primary coating combined with Colorlock-XS technology. 125µm 250µm 200µm 180µm Diagram 2: Example of a UV inked optical fiber. Diagram 3: Example of a Prysmian Colorlock-XS optical fiber.
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