The normal recommendation for fiber optic cable is the minimum bend radius under tension during pulling is 20 times the diameter of the cable (d). Damage may not always be obvious, like a kink in the cable, but may include broken fibers, fibers with higher loss due to stress and cable structural damage that may lead to reliability problems. Note:. The bend radius of fiber cables is critical for maintaining high performance and longevity. It is measured from the inside of the bend, not the outer curve. While installers are aware of the fundamental importance of minimum bend radii, they often lack the practical know-how to. Every fiber optic cable has a number that determines whether it survives a gig or comes back dead: its minimum bend radius. Exceed it once and you might get away with it.
