Types of fiber optic cable

1. Classification by structure  

A.  Strand fiber optic cable

Several fibers or fiber units spiral stranding around the center reinforcement.

Features:

• Capacity is big,
• Easy to control fiber length
• Good mechanical performance

B. Central tube fiber optic cable

Put the fibers in the center of the tube without stranding.

Features:

• Simple cable structure
• Lightweight, suitable for aerial deployment
• Easy to produce

C.  Skeleton type fiber optic cable

Stranding fiber fixed on the plastic skeleton.

Features:

• Compact design
• High cores fiber
• Easy to deployment, no filling compound, convenient to splice

2. Classification by deploy path

A.  Aerial optical cable

Aerial optical cable deployed across Steep terrain, or across the river, or above the city where is not suitable for direct buried and other on-ground ways.    ADSS cable, OPGW cable is the popular aerial cable with self-supporting feature.  And other cables like GYTA without self-supporting function, can be hooked on the pole and supporting wire.

B.  Conduit cable

Fiber optic cable is Deployed in the conduit which is protecting the fiber.  GYFTY /GTYS/GYTA are suitable for conduit deployment.

C.  Direct buried cable

Fiber optic cable is directly buried underground.   Good compression resistance and excellent corrosion resistance are required.  This type of cable is armoured, please see GYXTW53 , GYFTY53 as an example.

D.  Submarine Optical Fibre (Fiber) Cable

Fiber optic cable is deployed under the sea or lake. Big tension arises when deploying, so the fiber is armoured with steel wire.  High tensile strength, resistance to lateral pressure, sealing property are the key points for submarine optic fiber cable. It is an example of a submarine cable.

3. Classification by fiber status

A.  Loose tube

Loose tube means the fiber can move in the tube, reduce stress on the fiber.

B.  Tigth buffer

Tight buffer means the fiber are fixed with the jacket. Cable diameter is small，ligth weight，easy to strip，but high stress on fiber will cause high attenuation.

C.  Half tight half loose

It is  the middle status between Loose tube and tight buffer

4. Classification by application environment

A.  Indoor cable

Compact design, lightweight, easy to deploy in the indoor applications. Anti flame performance.

B.  Outdoor cable

Used for outdoor applications. Waterproof, not sensitive to temperature, much strong, anti rodent.

C.  Special cable

Used for special environment, such undersea, pollution area, Plateau.

5. Classification by Network layer

A.  Backbone optical cable

Long-distance Optical Cable

B.  Access network optical cable

Access network optical cable, short-haul optical cable.