Network Communications News (NCN) May 2016 | Page 16

PROJECT FOCUS

Two 3km long
perpendicular arms
used to detect
and measure
gravitational waves

European Gravitational Observatory

Investment
A Brand-Rex Cat6Plus copper system
and Fibre Plus office backbone had
previously been installed in the
EGO control room and office so
the organisation knew and trusted
Brand-Rex solutions. On the back
of substantial investment and with
the international community eagerly
awaiting the results, the team at the

In total, more than
40km of fire survival
singlemode cable was
installed on the EGO site.

EGO were looking to run a series of
tests that could not be interrupted
for any reason – even in the event of
a fire. For this reason they looked to
Brand-Rex to provide a solution that
would safeguard their data in the most
extreme conditions imaginable.
After carrying out a full assessment
and consulting with Brand-Rex, copper
cabling expert Cima Telematica
and fibre expert FO.Net, the
recommendation was made to use
Brand-Rex fire survival singlemode
cable – a robust solution that has been
specifically designed for use in areas
where critical data transmission must
continue, even in the event of a fire
in the building or structure. The cable
consists of a gel filled loose tube, flame
retardant tape, a high performance LSZH
inner sheath, corrugated polymer coated
steel tape, water blocking elements and
a high performance LSZH outer sheath.

Tough enough
Independently tested to confirm
compliance to IEC 60331-25, the
speciality cable is one of the toughest
available, capable of maintaining its
structural integrity for 120 minutes in
temperatures up to 950°C. If the worst
should happen this would give the team
at the EGO enough time to implement a

disaster recovery plan and save all of the
vital data garnered from the experiments.
The IEC 60331 Fire Test requires a
minimum flame temperature is 750°C and
with a recommended flame application
time of 90 minutes, plus 15 minutes
cooling time. While the specification only
requires that the cable maintains circuit
integrity, Brand-Rex has adopted a pass
criteria of no more than a 1.5dB increase
in attenuation under test conditions.
The fire survival cable has also been
subjected to the BS EN50200:2000 Class
PH120 test which includes additional
mechanical shock and water spray
during the fire test period. This simulates
a real life situation with fire containment
systems in operation and potential
impacts from building debris.

Completion
In total, more than 40km of fire survival
singlemode cable was installed on the
EGO site, alongside Brand-Rex fibre
cassettes, pigtails and patch cords.
The installation was carried out in two
phases and was completed in less than
12 months – all according to plan and
without any hold-ups. The new network
infrastructure is expected to last for up
to 10 years, depending on the moves,
adds and changes that are actioned in
that time.

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19/04/2016 17:07