Loose Tube Fiber Cable

Loose tube fiber optic cables hereinafter referred to as loose tube cables are the most widely used cables for outside plant trunks because they offer the best protection for the fibers under high pulling tensions and can be easily protected from moisture with water blocking gel or tapes these cables are composed of several fibers together inside a small plastic tube which are in turn wound.

Loose tube fiber cable.

The armoured loose tube cable is available with various constructions. From the picture below we can see that loose tube fiber holds more than one optical fiber each individually. Fiber loose tube cable belden s loose tube cables are ideal for both outdoor indoor outdoor applications including use in conduit direct burial lashed aerial trunking. Loose tube cables are optimized for outdoor applications.

Fiber optic cables are constructed in two ways. Fiber optic cable is available in many physical variations such as single and multiple conductor constructions aerial and direct burial styles plenum and riser cables etc. They protect the fiber core cladding and coating by enclosing everything within semi rigid protective sleeves or tubes. Loose tube cables whether flooded under the jacket or water blocked with dry swellable materials protect the fibers from moisture and the long term degradation moisture can cause.

Both contain a type of strengthening member such as aramid yarn stainless steel wire strands or gel filled sleeves. Their designs utilize 250µm fibers in both central multi loose tube constructions ranging in fiber counts from 2 to 288. But there are two basic styles of fiber optic cable construction. Loose tube fiber and tight buffered fiber.

Loose tube cables the older of the two cable types are specifically designed for harsh outdoor environments. The global source for fiber optic products and solutions. Loose tube and tight buffered. The configuration of loose tube cable comprises of a coated fiber placed within a loose tube which is filled with water resistant gel to protect fiber from tension and stresses caused by such harsh environment as moisture and a wide operation temperature range from thermal shock to ice loading.

These constructions will comprise of armouring to protect the optical fibers such as corrugated steel tape steel wire armouring steel wire braiding and others. The gel within the loose tube construction stops the penetration of water and keeps it away from the fiber.