OSB : Optical Splitter Box for FTTH Project

OSB : Optical Splitter Box - In this article, I will try to cover that what is the importance of OSB in FTTH project. What is an OSB and where is it used and why? And how OSB is an important part of the FTTH project.

In FTTH project OSB shall be used to provide a fiber termination point and housing of an optical splitter for fiber optic access network at the customer’s building. The OSB shall be installed inside customer building.

OSB technical specification 

OSB : Optical Splitter Box

What is OSB Optical Splitter Box

The most important and valuable issue is that OSB must be compatible with telecom industry installation standards and operation and maintenance practices. Different types of OSB are used in different parts of the world, but the technical specification of all is almost same.

OSB equipment shall be wall mounted allowing termination, splicing, storage and management of optical fibers contained within. The OSB shall employ a fiber management system such that all fibers are properly routed and secured. All points in the fiber path shall maintain a minimum bending radius of 30mm.

I have already mentioned above that The OSB shall be installed inside customer building and OSB shall be fitted with one splitter unit of (1:16), (1:32) or 2 splitter units (2 X 1:32), complete with pigtails pre-terminated at the input and output adapter panel, for connections to incoming drop cable and in-building distribution cords.

The OSB equipment shall be designed such that it can be installed and access operated when only front is available. All components of the OSB shall be free of sharp edges or other defects that may detract from the service requirements of the equipment. Installation of the OSB equipment shall require only simple hand-tools. All metallic parts of the OSB equipment shall be protected against corrosion.

OSB Design Requirements

The OSB shall be designed and built with major components and parts,I will write here everything one by one.

OSB Housing:

Materials : Metal boxes shall be 1.5 mm sheet steel, powder coated,Shall be resistant to corrosive effects.Plastic based boxes, suitable for indoor use, are 
also acceptable.

Outside dimensions, mm : OSB (1:16 Splitter); 250(H) x 300(W) x100(D), max, OSB (1:32 Splitter); 300(H) x 400(W) x100(D), max. , OSB (2 X 1:32 Splitters); 400(H) x 400(W) x120(D), max. , The OSB shall be suitably sized, corresponding to the number of fiber terminations or splices, to allow efficient 
fiber management and easy access to all components.

Termination capacity : LC panel used for mounting LC-type adapters. OSB (1:16); 17 fiber total terminations: (1) for splitter inputs, (16) for outputs, OSB (1:32); 34 total fiber terminations: (2) for splitter 1 main + 1 spar inputs, (32) for outputs. OSB (2 X 1:32); 68 fiber total terminations: (4) for each splitter’s main + 1 spare inputs and (64) for outputs

Splice capacity : OSB (1:16); 2 units of trays, each with capacity for 24 fusion-spliced fibers per tray. OSB (1:32); 3 units of trays, e4qach with capacity for 24 fusion-spliced fibers per tray. OSB (2 X 1:32); 4 units of trays, each with capacity for 24 fusion-spliced fibers per tray.

Type of adapter LC through-adapter (supplied with end caps), securely fixed on the patch panel and Insertion loss will be 0.1 dB typical). Single mode fiber compatibility to OSB.

OSB Accessories

Fiber optic splitters: 1:16 or 1:32 splitter units with pre-connectorized LC/APC connectors, based on the standard and requirements.

Pigtails: 17 units of pigtails for OSB with 1:16 splitter, 33 units of pigtail for OSB with 1:32 splitter and 66 units for OSB with 2 X 1:32 splitters, with LC/APC connectors.

Other Requirements for OSB

Each OSB equipment and its accessories shall be as one packaged unit such that all components are ready for a complete installation requirements.

The OSB equipment shall be supplied completely assembled (ready to install) with the following components:

➤ Housing equipped with base and cover.
➤ Patch panel (Plate).
➤ Required number of Splic trays, equipped with splice holders.
➤ Required number of LC Adapters.
➤ One splitter unit complete with LC/APC connectorized pigtails (1:16 or 1:32).
➤ Number labels.
➤ Cable clamp hardware.
➤ Fiber guide rings or clips.
➤ 17 (1:16 OSB) or 33 (1:32 OSB) or 66 (2 X 1:32 OSB) Feeder and Distribution Pigtails, single mode, LC/APC connector.
➤ Required number of fusion splice protection sleeves.
➤ Protective tube set.
➤ Adapter cap for stand-by adapter.

I have tried my best to provide complete information about the OSB to the telecom friends and perhaps I have been successful in my attempt.You will tell me by commenting how much I have been successful in writing this OSB article.