Armored Fiber Cable for Robust and Flexible Network

Fiber optic failures in telecommunication industry can cause a lot of problems and loss. Thus, protection of the fragile optical fibers is always an important factor to be considered during fiber cable installation. Harsh environment that might meet and impact or crushing from other objects in the future use of fiber optic cables should all be considered.

 

Why Do We Need Armored Fiber Cables?

Traditionally, outside fiber optic cables are deployed in conduit which is like a strong and robust jacket protecting fiber cables from the outside impact. However, adding conduit for fiber optic cable installation increases the costs for both time and money. The deploy process is complex and required a lot of labor. So adding a build-in robust shield—metal armor for the fiber optic cable could be an ideal alternative to decrease costs and installation time. The deployment and cabling of fiber optic cable with armor are more flexible. Thus, armored fiber optic cables are being widely deployed in telecommunication network.

 

Structure of Armored Fiber Cables

The biggest difference from armored fiber cable and other fiber cable is the build in metal tube inside the armored fiber cable. There is a wide range of armored fiber cable according to the structure, fiber count, jacket type, fiber type, etc. Here offers the example of a commonly used 12-fiber armored cable for indoor and outdoor applications. This armored fiber cable has 12 fibers and two layers of jacket one outside jacket and one inner jacket. A steel tube armor is between the inner jacket and outside jacket. Between the steel tube and outside jacket, there is a layer of aramid yarn as shown in the following picture.

 

Types of Armored Fiber Cables

As the metal tube of armored fiber cable is used to protect the optical fibers, there are also different types of armors which are used for different applications. The most commonly used metal tube of armored fiber cables usually has interlock structure or corrugated structure. The interlock armored fiber cables are generally used for indoor and indoor/outdoor applications. The corrugated armored fiber cables are usually used for outdoor applications. The following picture shows two armored fiber cables using interlock armor and corrugated armor separately.

 

Armored fiber optic cables might use armors made from different material. For now, there are two popular materials adopted by armored fiber cable—steel and aluminum. Both indoor and outdoor armored fiber cables use steel or aluminum materials for armor. But most fiber patch cables provided in the market use steel tubes.

 

Applications of Armored Fiber Cables

Armored fiber cable can be used for indoor, indoor/outdoor and outside plant applications. According to different installation environments, tight-buffered armored fiber cables and loose-buffered armored cables are available. For outdoor applications, loose-buffer armored fiber cables are usually used. Both loose-buffered and tight-buffered armored fiber cable can be used for indoor and indoor/outdoor applications. The following pictures illustrate three commonly used armored fiber cables for the above mentioned three applications.

 

Indoor armored fiber cables usually use interlock armors. Riser jackets or LSZH jackets are usually selected for the consideration of safety. This one shows the structure of an indoor distribution armored fiber cable.

 

Indoor/outdoor armored fiber cable is very popular in today’s telecommunication network, which allows links from building to building eliminating the transition from indoor cable to outside plant cable. The following picture shows the structure of commonly used multi-fiber I/O armored fiber cable.

 

Outdoor armored fiber cable usually uses corrugated armor and very durable jacket to protect optical fibers extra crush-resistance and rodent protection. The following picture shows the structure an outdoor armored fiber cable.

 

Conclusion

Armored fiber cable can provide cost-effective and reliable solution for optical fiber protection and installation. There is a wide selection of armored fiber cable available in the market, for applications like indoor, outdoor plant, and indoor/outdoor. There is also specially designed armored fiber cable for special applications like armored GYFTZA53 double armored fiber cable for mining application. For data center and server room applications, armored fiber patch cables can also be used. Kind contact [email protected] or visit fiber-mart.COM for more details about armored fiber cables.