All fiber optic cables have specifications that must not be exceeded during installation to prevent irreparable damage to the cable. This includes pulling tension, minimum bend radius or diameter and crush loads. Installers must understand these specifications and know how to install cables without damaging them.
Bending of a fiber optic cable can damage the cable if the curvature of the bend is too small. 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 structural damage ro the cable that may lead to reliability problems.
This FOA Lecture defines bend radius, as it is commonly known, and bend diameter as is used by some cable manufacturers. We discuss how to under bend radius as the cable bends around corners and bend diameter when considering the use of pulleys or capstans and storage loops of cable.
This video is referenced in a course on Fiber U, FOA's free online learning website.