Summary

Recommendation ITU-T L.87 describes the characteristics, construction and test methods of optical fibre cables for drop applications. Optical fibre drop cables are used to connect customer and optical access networks. Access points may be located both outdoors or indoors, depending on the access network configuration. When access points are located outdoors, optical drop cables are exposed to both outdoor and indoor environments. In this case the optical drop cable should be designed for both environments.

This Recommendation also describes the characteristics that a cable requires for an optical fibre to perform appropriately. Moreover, a method is described for determining whether or not the cable has the required characteristics. The required conditions may differ according to the installation environment; detailed test conditions must be agreed upon between the user and manufacturer as regards the environment in which the cable is to be used (in case of applying small bends during and after installation, especially).

Amendment 1 aims to provide the latest standard development and application experience of drop cables in China.