Write Up on Printing Test

GR-20-Core Issue4, Jul 2013, Generic Requirement for Optical Fibre and Optical Fibre Cable,
is guiding specification for OF Cables.
The target audience for this standard is Communication providers; optical fiber, ribbon, and cable
manufacturers; the fiber industry in general; and Independent Testing Laboratories (ITLs)
The main participants in the development of GR20-Core, Issue 4 are:
- Berk-Tek (a Nexans Company)
- CenturyLink
- Corning Incorporated
- OFS Fitel, LLC,
- Prysmian Communications Cables and Systems USA, LLC
- Samsung
- Sterlite Technologies Limited,
- Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corp.
- Superior Essex Communications LP
- Telcordia
- Verizon
- Yangtze Optical Fibre & Cable Company, Ltd. (YOFC).

This standards provides communications service providers and manufacturers view of generic
requirements for optical fiber, optical fiber ribbon, and optical fibre cables intended for use in the
interoffice, loop feeder, distribution, Fibre-To-The-Home environments and Outside Plant.

Globally this standards is referred for establishing compliance to requirement.

GR-20-Core along with ICEA S-87-640: Standard for Optical Fiber Outside Plant
Communications Cable, specifies a very practical test procedure for Printing Durability, the
extract of which is given in the next page.
(Alcohol Rub Test and Tape Peel off tests are not required by the GR-20-Core. This is
because the OF Cables are subject to only abrasion in its life time. There is no exposure of
Alcohol or any material sticking on the cable surface which can cause damage to the printing
on the cable surface.)
As per GR-20-CORE Issue 4, July 2013:

6.1 Requirements for Optical Cables

As per ANSI/ICEA S-87-640-2006

As per GR-20-CORE Issue 4, July 2013:

6.6 Environmental Requirement