Armored Fiber Optic Cables Tutorial
What is Armored Fiber Optic Cable?
Armored Fiber Optic Cable, just as its name implies, is a kind of fiber optic cable wrapped a layer of protective "armor" outside. The armor is mainly used for protecting fiber optic cable against rodent, moisture and other requirements.
Basic Structure of Armored Fiber Optic Cable
In the design of armored fiber optic cable, the outer sleeve provides protection against solvents, abrasion and etc. This outer sleeve is usually made of plastic such as polyethylene. The next layer between the sleeve and the inner jacket is an armoring layer of materials that are quite difficult to cut, chew, and burn, for example, steel tape and aluminum foil. This armoring material also prevents the fiber cable being stretched during cable installation. Then the Ripcord, Ripcords are usually provided directly under the armoring and the inner sleeve to aid in stripping the layer for splicing the cable to connectors or terminators. The inner jacket is a protective and flame retardant material to support the inner fiber cable bundle. The inner fiber cable bundle includes strength members, fillers and other structures to support the fibers inside. There are usually a central strength member to support the whole fiber cable. In simple terms, in the armored version, the buffered tubes are surrounded by a layer of aramid yarn, an inner polyethylene jacket, and a layer of corrugated steel armor. An overall black medium density polyethylene jacket with ripcords is featured on the version.
Types of Armored Fiber Optic Cable
Armored fiber optic cables are usually classified as indoor and outdoor versions. Three different kinds of cable armoring are used: double armored, single armored, and non armored. The double-armored cables are used at shallow depths near the shore, and the non armored cables are used for most of the ocean floor. The single-armored cable is used between these extremes.
Indoor Armored Fiber Optic Cable
Indoor armored fiber optic cable includes single armored and double armored fiber optic cables (shown as the figure). The structure of common single core armored indoor fiber cable includes tight-buffered fiber, aramid, stainless steel hose, stainless steel braided wire and outer sheath. And the single armored fiber cable does not include stainless steel braided fiber cable, while the double armored just include stainless steel hose and stainless steel braided wire fiber cable.
Key Features: High Tensile Strength High Compressive Strength With Improper Torsion Resistant to Bending Damage Construction is Simple Save Maintenance Costs Adapt to Harsh Environments and Man-Made Damage
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Outdoor Armored Fiber Optic Cable
Outdoor armored fiber optic cables can be classified as light armor and heavy armor versions. The heavy armored fiber optic cables are usually used for river bed and the bottom of the sea. The non armored fiber optic cable is cheaper than armored fiber optic cable and the steel, aluminum wire are cheaper than kevlar fiber cables.
Another Classification
There are three basic types of metal-covered armored cable. BX is the oldest form. This cable type went into production during World War II and saw heavy use for several years. While this cable provided the protections common in armored cable, it had a tendency to leak, and its grounding system was poor.
True Armored Cable is essentially just a heavier form of BX. It features a better grounding system and a heavier internal insulation. The process used to cover the cable in its metal covering allows for better waterproofing and an overall tougher design.
The last style of armored cable is Metal-Clad (MC) Cable. MC cable uses a different grounding system from true armor cable and may have additional waterproofing. This is the newest type of metal-covered cable and is found in a wide range of commercial and industrial buildings.
Applications of Armored Fiber Optic Cable
Armored fiber optic cable is used in direct-buried outside plant applications where a rugged cable is needed and/or rodent resistance. It withstands crush loads well, needed for direct burial applications. Cables installed by direct burial in areas where rodents are a problem usually have metal armoring between two jackets to prevent rodent penetration. Another application for armored cable is in data centers, where cables are installed underfloor and one worries about the fiber cable being crushed. Armored cable is conductive, so it must be grounded properly.
An armored cable used for outdoor applications, is typically a loose tube construction designed for direct burial applications. The armor is generally a corrugated aluminum tape surrounded by an outer polyethylene jacket. This combination of outer jacket and armor protects the optical fibers from gaining animals and the damage that can occur during direct burial installations.
Armored cable used for indoor applications may feature tight-buffered or loose-buffered optical fibers, strength members, and an inner jacket is commonly surrounded by a spirally wrapped interlocking metal tape armor. This type of armor, is rugged and provides crush resistance. These cables are used in heavy traffic areas and installations that require extra protection including protection from rodents.
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