In telecommunication, minimum bend radius is the radius below which a cable should not be bent.

Note 1: The minimum bend radius is of particular importance in the handling of fiber-optic cables. It will vary with different cable designs. The manufacturer should specify the minimum radius to which the cable may safely be bent during installation, and for the long term. The former is somewhat shorter than the latter.

Note 2: The minimum bend radius is in general also a function of tensile stresses, e.g., during installation, while being bent around a sheave while the fiber or cable is under tension.

Note 3: If no minimum bend radius is specified, one is usually safe in assuming a minimum long-term low-stress radius not less than 15 times the cable diameter.

Source: from Federal Standard 1037C