Optical branching unit

A method for operating an optical communications apparatus connected to first, second, and third optical cables and comprising a branching unit and at least one optical switch, the branching unit comprising a branch optical path, the method comprising:

• operating the at least one optical switch in a branch connecting configuration in which the branch optical path is enabled so that (i) signal wavelengths received over the first optical cable are routed to the third optical cable and (ii) signal wavelengths received over the third optical cable are routed to the second optical cable, the signal wavelengths received over the third optical cable comprising at least one of the signal wavelengths routed from the first optical cable to the third optical cable and returned via a loop connection at a distal portion of the third optical cable;
• and
• in response to a specified condition associated with the third optical cable, operating the at least one optical switch in a bypass configuration in which a connection via the branch optical path to the distal portion of the third optical cable is bypassed so that the signal wavelengths received over the first optical cable are routed to the second optical cable without first being routed through the distal portion of the third optical cable.