ALTOS® with FastAccess® Technology FAQ | Corning

[{"faqCategory":"ALTOS® Cable with FastAccess® Technology Frequently Asked Questions","faqList":[{"question":"What is FastAccess® Technology? ","answer":"FastAccess&nbsp;technology is Corning’s innovative cable jacket design that allows installers to peel the cable jacket away by hand, reducing access time by at least 50 percent and dramatically reducing overall risk of harm to the fibers within the cable."},{"question":"How does binderless FastAccess® technology differ from standard FastAccess® technology?","answer":"As a result of extensive customer feedback, we have eliminated the binders that hold the buffer tubes together during the cable manufacturing process for dielectric/duct cables. Removing the binders is time-consuming and involves the use of sharp tools that can damage the buffer tubes if done improperly. All the benefits and performance of our current ALTOS^® cable with FastAccess technology remain, with the addition of even faster and potentially safer cable preparation."},{"question":"Will ALTOS loose tube cable with binderless FastAccess® technology contain a ripcord? ","answer":"No. With the new cable construction improvements, ripcords, binders, and water- blocking tape have been eliminated with no change in performance."},{"question":"Is there an armored version of the cable with FastAccess® technology?","answer":"Yes. Corning is proud to introduce ALTOS^® Lite Loose Tube Cable with FastAccess^®Technology our first armored cable featuring FastAccess technology and the elimination of traditional binders.&nbsp; The armored version utilizes a protective thin film around the core which enables an innovative new accessing procedure which eliminates removal of the jacket and armor using a ripcord and can reduce access times by as much as 60%.<b> </b>"},{"question":"Will ALTOS® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess® Technology contain a ripcord? ","answer":"Yes. &nbsp;However, the ripcord is not to remove the jacket and armor.&nbsp; The ripcord is located under the new thin film protection around the cable core that prevents any damage as the core is pulled through the armor during the accessing procedure.&nbsp; The ripcord enables fast and trouble free removal of the protective thin film.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;"},{"question":"How does the performance of the new ALTOS® loose tube cable with binderless FastAccess® technology and ALTOS® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess® Technology compare to traditional ALTOS® cables?","answer":"The optical, mechanical, and physical performance of the new cables meets or exceeds all standard industry performance criteria, just like the standard ALTOS cables deployed today. All standard installation methods and environments are acceptable, as with our existing ALTOS cables."},{"question":"Is Corning obsoleting its standard ALTOS® cable?","answer":"No. The two newest cables ALTOS loose tube cable with binderless FastAccess technology and ALTOS^® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess^®Technology are only replacing the traditional standard single-mode as the core offering for 12- to 72-fiber ALTOS loose tube cables."},{"question":"Are ALTOS® loose tube cable with binderless FastAccess® technology and ALTOS® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess® Technology available in all fiber types and fiber counts?","answer":"No. The two newest cables are available in 12- to 72-fiber-count cable, single-mode only.&nbsp;For customers needing more than 72 fibers, traditional ALTOS cables are still available. Currently, we are offering ALTOS loose tube cables with binderless FastAccess technology and ALTOS^® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess^®Technology with Corning SMF-28^® Ultra fiber only."},{"question":"Can I get jacket stripes on ALTOS loose tube cable with binderless FastAccess technology or ALTOS® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess® Technology? ","answer":"At this time, jacket stripes will not be available as an option."},{"question":"Can I still get a special print statement on the cable jacket? ","answer":"Options for special print will be available in Q1 in 2017.&nbsp; This can be requested through your Corning Sales Engineer or Customer Care representative. As with current offerings, special instructions can impact cost and lead time."},{"question":"What is the water-blocking mechanism of ALTOS® loose tube cable with binderless FastAccess® technology and ALTOS® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess® Technology? ","answer":"The water-blocking tape has been replaced with an equally effective water-blocking powder that maintains the existing level of water-blocking performance."},{"question":"Will I notice a difference by looking at the cables?","answer":"Yes. The jacket print on ALTOS^® loose tube cable with binderless FastAccess^® technology will read:<br>ALTOS^® Cable w/ Binderless FastAccess^® Technology.<br><br>The jacket print on ALTOS^® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess^®Technology:<br>ALTOS^® Lite w/ FastAccess^® Technology."},{"question":"Is the weight of the new cables different?","answer":"The weight and outside diameter of the new cable will be slightly less than the traditional cable.<b></b>"},{"question":"What tools are needed to strip the cable?","answer":"The only tools needed to access the cable are a pair of needle-nose pliers and side-cutting, or diagonal lineman's, pliers.&nbsp;No sharp blades or additional tools are required<b>.</b>"},{"question":"Do ALTOS® loose tube cable with binderless FastAccess® technology and ALTOS® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess® Technology pass all industry standards?","answer":"Yes.&nbsp;The cables are designed and tested to ANSI/ICEA S-87-640."},{"question":"What is the temperature range for ALTOS cable with binderless FastAccess technology and ALTOS® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess® Technology?","answer":"Both cables have an operating temperature of -40 ̊ to +70 ̊C (-40&nbsp;̊ to +158 ̊F) and an installation temperature of -30 ̊ to +70 ̊C (-22&nbsp;̊ to +158 ̊F). This is the same as traditional ALTOS cable with FastAccess technology."},{"question":"Can cable with FastAccess® technology be installed in all outdoor application spaces?","answer":"Yes, in accordance to the above-mentioned operating and installation temperature ranges, ALTOS loose tube cable with binderless FastAccess technology and ALTOS^® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess^®Technology perform exactly the same as the standard cable. The only change is the technology surrounding binders and water-blocking."},{"question":"Can ALTOS® cable with binderless FastAccess® technology and ALTOS® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess® Technology be installed with cable jetting equipment?","answer":"Yes, in accordance to the above-mentioned operating and installation temperature ranges, ALTOS loose tube cable with binderless FastAccess technology and ALTOS^® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess^®Technology perform exactly the same as the standard cable. The only change is the technology surrounding binders and water-blocking."},{"question":"What type of pulling grips should be used with ALTOS loose tube cables with binderless FastAccess technology or ALTOS® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess® Technology?","answer":"Standard wire-mesh pulling grips should be used, following the pulling grip manufacturer's procedures."},{"question":"Will hardware that uses grommets to seal out the elements work with binderless FastAccess technology cable and ALTOS® Lite loose tube cable with FastAccess®?","answer":"Yes.&nbsp;The cable is compatible with the same hardware used with traditional ALTOS loose tube cables."},{"question":"How does an ALTOS® loose tube cable binderless FastAccess technology and ALTOS® Lite with FastAccess® Technology react when using a heat gun to install into a closure that requires heat shrinks?","answer":"The cable is compatible with the same hardware used with existing ALTOS cables ."},{"question":"Does using sandpaper to scuff the jacket to install with in closures with B-tape affect the performance of ALTOS cable with binderless FastAccess technology or ALTOS® Lite with FastAccess® Technology?","answer":"No. The performance is the same as with existing ALTOS cables."}],"resourcePath":"/optical-communications/asean/en/home/products/fiber-optic-cable/outdoor-cables/altos.html"}]