Outdoor fiber optic cable is most suitable for outdoor use. It is durable, can withstand wind and sun, has thick outer packaging, and has mechanical and environmental characteristics such as pressure resistance, corrosion resistance, and tensile resistance.
Outdoor fiber optic cable types
By Application
Depending on the application, outdoor optical cables include overhead optical cables, direct buried optical cables, and duct optical cables.
- Aerial Fiber Optic Cable: Aerial fiber optic cables are the solution for installations that require height placement. This special case means that the fiber optic cable has a special resistance to permanent tension, which is caused by the weight of the fiber optic cable, and continuous oscillations due to strong winds and ice loads. Some of these cables are also known as self-supporting cables because they are usually made with heavier jackets and stronger metal strength members.
- Direct Burial Fiber Optic Cable: In the absence of conduit infrastructure, fiber optic cable can be buried directly underground in a trench or using a vibrating plow.
- Duct Fiber Optic Cable: Ducts (or conduits) provide a highly protected environment for fiber optic cables. They are typically buried and the fiber optic cable is then blown, jetted, pulled or pushed into the conduit.
By Structure
Outdoor fiber optic cable is divided into loose tube fiber optic cable, ribbon fiber optic cable, micro fiber optic cable and drop fiber optic cable according to the structure of fiber optic cable.
- Loose Tube Outdoor Fiber Optic Cable: Loose tube outdoor fiber optic cables typically consist of an array of multiple optical fibers placed inside a small plastic tube. These fibers surround a central cable and are jacketed around it. This configuration allows it to contain many fibers in one splice, so the final fiber count cable tends to be quite large.
Loose tube outdoor fiber optic cables typically consist of an array of multiple optical fibers placed inside a small plastic tube. These fibers surround a central cable and are jacketed around it. This configuration allows it to contain many fibers in one splice, so the final fiber count cable tends to be quite large. Loose tubing fiber optic cable provides stable performance over a wide temperature range, small size, high fiber count, and compatibility with any carrier-grade fiber. Loose tubing fiber optic cable is made of loose tubing filled with gel or absorbent powder to prevent water damage to the fiber. This fiber optic cable consists of several fibers inside a small plastic tube that is sequentially wrapped around a central reinforcing member and sheathed. - Ribbon Fiber Optic Cable: Ribbon fiber optic cable offers a higher fiber count and fiber density than any other fiber optic cable construction designed for outside plant (OSP), and is four times higher than the highest fiber count loose tube fiber optic cable. It also enables mass fusion splicing, where each 12-fiber ribbon can be spliced in one simple process. This facilitates quick installation and network restoration after a fiber optic cable cut.
Ribbon cables are often among the most densely populated in telecommunications because the fibers inside are arranged in rows. Plus, they stack on top of each other. Their most common application is power plants, so they tend to be filled with gel to keep water out. - Armored Fiber Optic Cable: armored fiber optic cable is an outdoor fiber optic cable with protective armor wrapped around the core of the fiber optic cable. The armor is primarily used to protect the fiber optic cable from animal bites, moisture erosion or other damage. Armored fiber optic cable is designed to withstand crushing, pressure and rodent problems and to provide high flexibility and durability when used in harsh environments or in limited spaces. Armored outdoor fiber optic cables are often used in areas prone to animal plagues, especially rodents, due to the metal armor usually placed between two jackets. These cables can withstand a lot of stress, so they are also the first choice when installing in rock or other similarly challenging soils.
- Micro Duct Fiber Optic Cable: Micro ducts are miniaturized plastic conduits that subdivide the internal duct space into smaller compartments into which micro fiber optic cables can be installed by blowing, jetting or pushing.
- Drop Fiber Optic Cable: Drop fiber optic cable is a fiber optic cable that runs from a distribution point or fiber optic cable to a subscriber/user.
- Underwater Fiber Optic Cable: Its casing material is hydrolysis resistant and strong. The cable is filled with fiber optic gel to provide critical protection for the fiber.
Outdoor fiber optic cables are designed to be rugged and protect the fiber for safe operation in complex outdoor environments. If you need to get some outdoor fiber optic cables, you can contact us and send us specific requests for installation requirements. We can assist with which type of outdoor fiber optic cable meets your needs. We design and create custom solutions for custom projects and can ship very quickly.
