Abstract: An optical fibre management system manages a plurality of optical fibres such that the fibre(s) of each single circuit is/are routed separately from the fibres of other circuits. By providing such single circuit management, optical signals carried by any given single circuit are not degraded by handling operations carried out on the fibres of other circuits.

Abstract: An optical fibre management system includes a plurality of splice trays arranged in a stack. Each splice tray has a main body portion for holding at least one splice, and for storing fibres leading to the splice(s), and a fibre entry/exit portion for feeding fibre to/from the main body portion. Each tray is mounted in the stack so as to be movable from a stacked position, in which it is aligned with the other trays, to first and second operating positions in which the fibre entry/exit portion and the main body portion respectively are accessible.

Abstract: An optical communications route is provided between the inside of a customer's premises and a node of an optical telecommunications network. An optical fibre transmission line including at least one optical fibre is moved along first and second pre-installed tubular pathways. The first tubular pathway passes from the inside of the customer's premises to the outside thereof via an aperture in a wall of the premises. The second tubular pathway passes from the outside of the premises to the network node. The optical fibre transmission line is fed through the first tubular pathway by a mechanical pushing process, and the optical fibre transmission line is propelled along the second tubular pathway by fluid drag of a gaseous medium passed through the second tubular pathway towards to the network node.

Abstract: A splice organiser comprises a tray having a plurality of formers (14, 15) which control the minimum bend radius of the fibres, a groove for retaining a splice, an enclosure into which coiled fibre loops are introduced and permitted to expand so that they are retained by the resilience of the fibre itself, and a plurality of guide tracks (23, 24, 25) which enable fibres to enter and exit the organiser at any corner of the tray.

Abstract: Light transferred between an optical fibre housed within a fibre management unit and an optical device external to the fibre management unit. The transfer arrangement incudes an aperture formed in the fibre management unit, a mandrel mounted in the fibre management unit adjacent to the aperture and positioned so that the optical fibre lies between the mandrel and the aperture, and a probe housing the optical device. The probe is provided with an optical head in optical communication with the optical device, and with an arrangement for moving the optical head into the aperture so as to deform the optical fibre against the mandrel sufficiently to permit light to be tapped between the optical fibre and the optical head.

Abstract: A distribution arrangement for optical fibre comprising a branched coupling array (1) and a plurality of splice organizers (2) for storing splices associated with connections to the coupling array. Each fibre connected to the array passses through a manifold block (8) that is provided with a plurality of capillaries extending to the splice organizers. Fibres from other parts of the network also pass through the manifold and into the capillaries for conduction to the splice organizers where they are connected to a respective fibre from the coupling array. Preferably the array (1) has alternative winding routes for fibre tails extending from individual couplers within the array to facilitate multiple splice attempts. A preferred splice organizer comprises an enclosure into which coiled fibre loops are introduced and permitted to expand so that they are retained by the resilience of the fibre itself.

Abstract: The propulsive force on an optical transmission line member moving through a tubular passageway can be varied so the line travels at or close to optimum speed without risk of damage to the line or associated apparatus. A curve is provided in a portion of the passageway such that a transmission line subject to unacceptable compressive forces buckles towards the outer side of the curve. A sensor detects the presence or absence of the line at this point and a control circuit varies the propulsive force. Excessive tension in the fibre may also be detected. A modified system uses deflectors to ensure that buckling occurs by bowing in the direction towards the sensor with the transmission line undeflected under correct tension. The invention finds particular application in a method of fibre blowing where an optical fibre transmission line is propelled along a tube by fluid drag.