ABSTRACT: Optical fiber fanouts provide an efficient connect/disconnect capability for joining optical fibers. They are used primarily in Central Offices (COs), at installations on customer premises, and in some Outside Plant (OSP) applications within a suitable closure. Typical usage includes connecting equipment to the telecommunications plant, optical cross-connect points, and connecting optical test equipment to the plant.

GR-2866, Issue 2 contains proposed generic criteria and characteristics required of optical fanouts used in the CO and OSP portions of interoffice, subscriber loop, and distribution networks.

The Value of GR-2866:

• Includes generic functional design criteria; generic mechanical, environmental, and optical performance requirements; and desired fanout features
• Contains test methods for comparing the product features and performance against the stated criteria
• Includes new developments in fiber fanout technology over the last decade
• Applies to singlemode optical devices in today's networks

• The scope has been broadened to include other types of fanouts besides the ribbon fanouts that were discussed in Issue 1
• Fiber media type definitions have been expanded to better cover the variety of potential media characteristics (e.g., reinforced, unreinforced, fiber-coupled, and fiber-uncoupled)
• Mechanical test load applications have been redefined to align the appropriate stresses with the expanded media type definitions
• Features the more user-friendly format of pulling the criteria and test methods together for easy referencing
• Revised optical performance metrics based on industry input to align with current products on the market
• Fire-resistance criteria have been aligned with recent changes in national standards and in Telcordia GR-63, NEBS Requirements: Physical Protection