Introduction to Armored Fiber Optic Cables
Armored fiber optic cable is a type of fiber optic cable. Armoring involves wrapping another layer of armor material on the outside of the optical fiber, to protect the optical cable from animal bites, moisture erosion or other damage. Protective layer of armor material helps improve pressure resistance, tensile strength and bite resistance of optical cable, so that the optical cable can be used normally even under unfavorable conditions, which meets customer's requirements for optical cable against rodent bites, humidity, erosion, etc. Due to their good mechanical resistance and electrical properties, their resistance to high pressure, as well as their strong anti-corrosion and anti-erosion capacity, Armored fiber optic cables have a wide range of applications in electric power fields, communications and railways, among others.
Number of fibers in an armored fiber optic cable
Armored fiber optic cables have different types of cores, just like ordinary fiber optic cables. There exists 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 et 96 armored cable cores. Among them, the cables to 12 et 24 conductors are small, common armored optical cables, often used on small occasions ; the cables to 36, 48, 72 et 96 conductors are large armored optical cables, suitable for large-scale communications transmission projects.
Classification of armored fiber optic cables
Depending on the place of use, THE armored fiber optic cables can be divided into indoor armored fiber optic cables and outdoor armored fiber optic cables.
Indoor Armored Fiber Optic Cable
Inner armor fiber optic cables are divided into two categories : single armored cables and double armored cables.
Single armor is for fiber optic cables without stainless steel braid.
Double armor is for fiber optic cables with stainless steel pipe and stainless steel braid.
Let’s take the example of a single-core shielded indoor optical cable..
The structure of a single-core armored indoor cable is as follows : fiber optics + aramide + stainless steel pipe + stainless steel braid + outer sheath.
Aramid plays a traction role ; the stainless steel pipe plays an anti-pressure role, d’anti-flexion, anti-rodent ; the braided stainless steel wire plays an anti-twist role ; the outer sheath is generally PVC, but there are also fireproof PVC pipes, a LSZH, teflon, and silicone, etc. depending on the different roles.
Benefits : high tensile and compressive strength, anti-rodent bite ; ability to resist damage from improper twisting and bending ; construction simple, which helps reduce maintenance costs ; adaptation to various harsh environments and human-caused damage.
Disadvantages : higher weight than normal fiber optic cables. The price is higher than ordinary fiber optic cable.
Outdoor armored fiber optic cable
Outdoor armored fiber optic cable features light armor and heavy armor.
Light armor consists of a steel belt and an aluminum belt. Its role is to reinforce the cable and prevent rodents from biting it.
The heavy armor is wrapped with a ring of steel wire on the outside ; it is generally used in river beds and underwater. In general, THE armored fiber optic cables are more expensive than unshielded cables, and steel and aluminum belts are generally much cheaper than aramid (aramid is mainly used for special occasions).
Single armor optical cable for outdoors, common models : GYXTW optical cable, optical cable GYTA, GYTS optical cable (based on these models, it is also possible to continue the extension). Single armor optical cable is suitable for antenna penetration, outdoor bridges and pipes.
Outdoor Double Armored Fiber Optic Cable, common models : fiber optic cable GYXTW53, fiber optic cable GYTA53, fiber optic cable GYTS53 (based on these models, it is also possible to continue the extension). Double armored fiber optic cables are suitable for direct burial outdoors.
Common Models Metal Armored Fiber Optic Cables : GYXTS fiber optic cables, GYTA33 fiber optic cables, GYTS33 fiber optic cables (based on these models, it is also possible to continue the extension). THE armored fiber optic cables of steel wires are suitable for direct burial and underwater use in harsh conditions. Optical field cables are armored with wires.
Type of armored fiber optic cable
The type of armored fiber optic cable generally consists of two parts : the type of cable and the type of armor.
The cable type indicates the basic characteristics of the cable, such as insulation material, the material of the inner sheath, etc. The armor type indicates the external protection of the cable, and commonly used types of armor include double steel belt armor, fine round steel wire armor and non-magnetic metal belt armor. Therefore, the specific model of armored optical cable should be determined based on the type of armor used.
For example, if an armored fiber optic cable has the model number YJV22, this means it uses cross-linked polyethylene insulation (YJ), an inner PVC sheath (V) and double steel ribbon armor (2). This type of cable is suitable for use where some mechanical protection is required, because the armor layer increases the mechanical resistance of the cable and protects it from the effects of the external environment.
The model number of an armored fiber optic cable is made up of the cable model and armor type, depending on the type of armor used.
Common models of armored fiber optic cables are as follows :
GY corresponds to a outdoor fiber optic cable for communication, X corresponds to a tubular structure of central cable bundle, T corresponds to a filled structure and W corresponds to a glued polyethylene sheath on steel tape with trapping armor.
GYTA type fiber optic cable
Outdoor, fat filling, aluminum belt wrapped longitudinally with an outer polyethylene sheath, usage environment : air, pipeline.
The side pressure index of aluminum belt is not as good as that of steel belt, but the anti-moisture and anti-rust effect is better than that of steel belt, and GYTA belt has a long service life when used for pipe threading.
GYTY53 Fiber Optic Cable
Double polyethylene outer jacket, filled with fat, wrapped longitudinally with a steel strip.
Utilisation : direct burial.
Double layer sheath, good anti-compression flattening effect, can be used as rodent repellent, GYTA53 is used in locations with high moisture protection requirements, GYTY53 is used in places with high mechanical strength requirements.
TOGETHER
Outdoor, type tube central, grease-filled steel strip with steel wire – polyethylene sheath.
Usage environment : pipeline, air.
GJFJV（GJFJZY）
Indoor use, non-metallic reinforcement (aramide), waterproof coated polyvinyl chloride jacket. Usage environment : used to remove fiber optic cable subunit.
Résumés
Armored fiber optic cable is a common type of fiber optic cable that is resistant to pressure, traction and bite, and which has a wide range of applications. Armored fiber optic cable has long been used in some large-scale communication transmission projects which need to protect the optical cable, like the highways, urban buildings, airports, public places, etc. It is also suitable for certain complex geomorphologies and difficult geological conditions, like the rivers, the oceans, the mountains, etc.
Armored fiber optic cables are available in a variety of specifications, for different application scenarios and needs, you can choose different specifications of armored fiber optic cables to improve the efficiency and stability of signal transmission. ZMS is committed to providing high quality armored fiber optic cables. If you would like to know more about our products, do not hesitate to contact us !