The words Distribution, Dry Loose Tube, Gel Filled Loose Bucket, Breakthrough, Simplex, and ADSS-what do all have in common they are all different types of fiber optic cable structures, as you may see on the fiber optic work site. Each cable type provides different protection, structure, and different application qualifications.
Some cables are only installed inside the building without additional protection to the external environment. Some cables, such as gel-filled loose tubes and ADSS cables, are not installed in buildings, they are only suitable for outdoor conditions. In addition, there is a satisfactory compromise, an indoor/outdoor cable that can be installed indoors and outdoors at the same time. In the following paragraphs, we will look at what makes each cable structure different from the others. In addition, it an important note-when using armored fiber optic cables, it is necessary to connect the cables and ground them to prevent electrical charges.
1. Simplex, duplex
Simplex cable is a single-layer fiber optic cable, which is wrapped in a riser, static pressure box, or low-smoke halogen-free (LSZH) outer sheath, then uses aramid yarn to provide tensile strength, and finally a tight buffer optical fiber. The duplex cable, as it sounds, is a two-fiber cable with a typical zipper structure, but in some cases, it can also be a circular structure. The twin-core cable also includes aramid yarn and tightly buffered fibers. Both cable styles can be found in different outer diameters sizes, such as 3mm, 2mm, or even 1.6mm and 1.2mm. Simplex and duplex cables are most commonly used in the manufacture of fiber optic cable assemblies or patch cords.
2. Ribbon cable
The ribbon cable is “stuck” together by multiple bare fibers to form a flat “ribbon”, hence the name. Their configuration is usually 12, sometimes (but rarely) 16, and sometimes even as high as 144 or 288 fiber counts. The higher fiber count is achieved by including a plurality of 12 fiber belts in the jacket. There are 12 fiber tapes inside a 144-fiber tape cable. These cables are usually installed indoors, but some manufacturers use them for outdoor applications. Ribbon cables save space and are ideal for high-density solutions.
3. Distribution cable
Distribution cables are the most popular kind of indoor optical cable. The number of fibers can range from 2 to 288, and it can be constructed with risers or static pressure external jackets. In some cases, you will see power distribution cables suitable for indoor/outdoor applications. There are multiple color-coded subunits in the outer jacket. Each subunit contains a set of 900um color-coded tight buffer fibers. Each subunit is surrounded by aramid yarn. There is usually a central bending strength member for supporting and Tensile Strength. If necessary, these cables can also be armored.
4. Breakout Cables
Breakout cable is a cable structure in which each fiber is 900um tightly buffered, including Kevlar or aramid yarn strength members, all of which are wrapped in a 2.0mm or 3.0mm sheath. The entire structure is supported by a central bending strength member. Each individual fiber can be decomposed separately, and the number of fibers is generally between 2-24. This kind of cable is essentially composed of multiple simplex cables bundled together in an outer sheath. Split cables are generally heavier, more expensive, and bulkier than split cables (because of the extra sheath), which makes split cables less popular.
5. Micro distribution
Micro Distribution cables are the perfect solution for tight-fitting applications such as data centers because these cables are the smallest multi-fiber indoor cables on the market. The micro-distribution is usually composed of a single outer cable sheath and a layer of aramid yarn. The aramid yarn has multiple smaller color-coded subunits, wrapped with 250-micron color-coded bare fibers. There may be some in the cable structure. There may not be a central strength member. The number of fibers on these cables can reach 288 or even higher. These cables are ideal for high fiber count applications and may not have enough space to accommodate larger diameter cables. These cables are also very suitable for the use of MTP/MPO multi-fiber connectors.
6. Loose Tube Optical Cable
Loose tube cables have two structures-dry loose tubes or filled with petroleum-based water-blocking gel (Icky Pic) structure. Both options can be armored, and they all have different fiber counts.
For gel-filled loose tubes, this cable structure provides superior protection in outdoor environments, especially in very cold places. These cables are usually double-sheathed with a waterproof gel material (often called Icky Pic) that helps protect the fiber strands from moisture that can cause long-term damage.
Loose tube cables can be installed underground, but in order to achieve the best protection effect, directly buried cables should be armored to protect rodents and ensure that they can be positioned after being buried. Gel-filled cables limit the maximum distance of the installer in the building to 50 feet. The 50-foot standard is based on the fact that this gel is made of petroleum and can burn and release toxic fumes.
The dry loose pipe is a kind of indoor and outdoor cable because there is no petroleum gel in construction, only water-absorbing swellable yarn or water-absorbing powder is used for water blocking protection, eliminating the 50-foot rule. In addition, the absence of gel makes it easier to terminate or weld the cable because it eliminates the cleaning step during the termination process. A dry loose tube should not be buried directly underground. If it is necessary to install this type of cable underground, it should be placed in a conduit or pipeline.
7. Indoor/Outdoor Cable
Indoor/outdoor cables can be used in indoor and outdoor spaces without distance limitation; they are created to withstand some harsh outdoor conditions while still complying with indoor cable standards. These cables are usually either a dry loose tube construction or a tight buffer construction-they do not have gel (Icky Pic) like a traditional loose tube cable.
These cables can also be armored for additional protection if necessary for application. They usually have a durable UV-resistant black jacket, which is either risen or inflatable rated and waterproof aramid yarn or absorbent powder.
8. American Depositary Receipts
ADSS or all-dielectric self-supporting cables are used in outdoor transmission environments. There is no transmission line in this cable, nor any conductive material. The construction of this cable allows ADSS to be installed in a single channel, fast and relatively easy for technicians to install. ADSS has a variety of fiber counts. These fibers are usually wrapped in an ultra-sturdy polyethylene shell, which is usually gel-filled to prevent water clogging.
9. Optical cable
Optical ground wire cable (OPGW) is the most commonly used cable in the power industry and is installed on the top of a transmission line or on the top of a pole. OPGW is a dual-purpose cable. It contains optical fibers for communication, but it can also protect the cable from lightning because it provides a grounding wire and shields the conductors on the line.
Therefore, as you can see from above, there are hundreds of different ways to configure cables. These factors include the type of building, the method of optical fiber, the number of optical fibers, and a very important factor, the location of the installation, such as whether it is going to enter the building or the outside. All of these are features and details that must be considered when finding the correct cable structure for the application.
