Armored Fiber Cable for Fiber Link Protection

With build-in metal armor inside the outer jacket, armored fiber cable provides extra protection for fiber optic cables. And this is how it distinguishes from standard optical fibers. Therefore, armored fiber cable is more robust and reliable when encountered with rodent, moisture and other issues that may cause damage. Since failures in fiber links can result in an assortment of problems and losses, it is imperative to secure your network with the durable armored fiber cable.

Structures of Armored fiber Cable

Designed with light weight and durable material, the armored fiber cable is proved to be a rodent, cost-effective and flexible alternative to protect the fragile fiber links. Armored fiber cable comes in an array of types in regard to various applications (indoor, outdoor, indoor/outdoor), therefore the structures of one usually differ from another. I’d like to illustrate the structure of indoor armored fiber cable here, to explain the basic construction of common armored cable.

Inferring from the picture below, we can see a light steel tube between the optic fibers and the outer jacket, which offers better protection to the fibers in the center. And the Kevlar is placed inside the outer jacket to cover the steel tube. This picture simply demonstrates the most basic structure of armored cable, and it changes according to different usage occasion.

How to Adopt Armored fiber Cable for Indoor Applications?

Generally, three types of armored fiber cable are often employed for indoor applications, including armored patch cables, armored trunks and armored bulk cables. The use of each in different conditions will be explained in the following.

Armored Fiber Patch Cable

Armored fiber patch cable is widely found in data centers, server rooms and other cabling environments, providing strong and flexible fiber link between devices. Although it is much stronger, armored fiber patch cable is actually as flexible as standard fiber patch cable, and it can be bending randomly without being broken. Armored fiber patch cable can protect the cable from damage caused by twist, pressure or rodent bite, which ensures excellent operation of the network. Installation procedure and maintenance are also easy.

Armored Fiber Trunk Cable

Armored breakout trunks are used extensively in cable trays and riser shafts-connecting to the horizontal cross-connect or the telecommunications closet. Use of pre-terminated trunks eliminates the need for field termination, thus dramatically shortening installation time and reducing end-user office downtime. Armored breakout trunks are especially suitable for high-speed and high-density network within limited spaces. They are available with various types of connectors, fiber counts (4,6,8 or 12 fibers) and cable rating (Riser OFCR, Plenum OFCP).

Armored Bulk Cable

We basically know that armored bulk cable is commonly applied to indoor, indoor/outdoor and outdoor applications. As for light armored fiber cable which features light weight and great flexibility, it shares much popularity for indoor use. With the prevalence of FTTx, there is a fast growing demand for installing indoor optical cables between and inside buildings. Indoor armored fiber cable is less sensitive to temperature and mechanical stress which offers an ideal choice for direct connectorization. Moreover, it can be used in harsh environments without adding extra protection. Apparently, armored fiber cable provides an efficient solution for all fiber cable problems such as twist, pressure and rodent damage.

Conclusion

Armored fiber cable provides an optimum alternative to secure your network-by protecting fiber links that exposed to mechanical or environmental damage under normal operating conditions. When selecting the right one for your specific need, take fiber count, fiber type, cable riser as well as termination types into account. For more armored fiber cable tutorial and custom information, visit www.fs.com.

Source: http://www.china-cable-suppliers.com/armored-fiber-cable-fiber-protection.html

An Introduction of Armored Fiber Patch Cables

Armored fiber patch cable, just as the name indicates, is made with robust connectors and a stainless steel armored flexible tube inside the outer jacket, which acts as an effective protection against rodent, moisture and other issues that may cause the damage.

The Structure of Armored Fiber Patch Cables

The outer sleeve of armored patch cable is usually made of plastics like polyethylene to protect it against solvents and abrasions. The layer between sleeve and inner jacket is an armored layer made of materials that are quite difficult to cut, chew and burn. Besides, this kind of material is able to prevent the fiber patch cable from being stretched during cable installation. Ripcords are usually provided directly under the armored and the inner sleeve to aid in stripping the layer for splicing the cable to connectors or terminators. And the inner jacket is a protective and flame retardant material to support the inner fiber cable bundle. The inner fiber cable bundle often includes structures to support the fibers inside, like fillers and strength members. Among them, there is usually a central strength member to support the whole fiber cable.

The Features of Armored Fiber Patch Cables

Armored fiber patch cable serves as a member of the patch cable family, thus it retains all the features of standard patch cables. However, comparing with those common patch cables, armored fiber patch cables are much stronger and tougher. For example, once stepped by an adult, standard patch cables may get damaged easily and fail to work normally. But things are totally different with armored patch cables which can withstand the strength and perform well. Besides, armored patch cables are rodent-resistant, that means as long as armored patch cables are employed in applications or systems, you don’t need to worry about rats biting the cables any longer.

Basically, armored fiber patch cable offers the benefits and features of a traditional patch cable, but with the production and durability of armor. Armored fiber patch cable features light-weighted that allows high flexibility without causing damage, which proves to be helpful especially in limited space. Moreover, it offers an ideal option for harsh environments without adding extra protection. Apparently, armored fiber patch cable provides an efficient solution for all fiber cable problems such as twist, pressure and rodent damage.

The Types of Armored Fiber Patch Cables

There exist two types of armored fiber patch cable, namely, indoor armored fiber patch cable and outdoor armored fiber patch cable.

Armored fiber patch cable used for indoor applications often consists of tight-buffered or loose-buffered optical fibers, strengths members and an inner jacket. The inner jacket is commonly surrounded by a spirally wrapped interlocking metal tap armor. As the fiber optic communication technology develops rapidly with the trend of FTTX, there is a fast growing demand for installing indoor fiber optic cables between and inside buildings. Indoor fiber patch cable experiences less temperature and mechanical stress. Besides, it can retard fire effectively, which means it only emits a low level of smoke in the face of fire. This type of armored cable is rugged and crush resistance.

Outdoor Armored Fiber Cable is made to ensure operation safety of the fiber in complicated outdoor environment. Most Outdoor Armored fiber patch cables are loose buffer design, with the strengthen member in the middle of the whole cable, loose tubes surround the central strength member. Inside the loose tube there is waterproof gel filled, the whole cable materials and gels inside cable between the different components (not only inside loose tube) help make the whole cable resist water. The combination of the outer jacket and the armor protects the fibers from gnawing animals and damages that occur during direct burial installations.

The Application of Armored Fiber Patch Cables

Armored patch cable is generally adapted in direct buried outside plant applications where a rugged cable is needed and for rodent resistance. Armored cable withstands crush loads well. Cable installed by direct burial in areas where rodents are a problem usually has metal armor between two jackets to prevent rodent penetration. Another application of armored patch cable is in data centers, where cables are installed under the floor and the fiber cable is easily being crushed. Single or double armor fiber patch cable is typically used underwater near shore and shoals. Armored patch cords are used in customer premises, central offices and in indoor harsh environments. The patch cords provide flexible interconnection to active equipment, passive optical devices and cross-connects.

Conclusion

In summary, When transmitting data or conducting power in harsh environments, protecting your cables is crucial to safe and reliable operation. This is where armored fiber patch cables come into play. Armored cables are used in applications where cables will be exposed to mechanical or environmental damage under normal operating conditions. These applications include power circuits in industrial plants, commercial buildings, processing plants and central and substation utility applications. Moreover, armored cables may be installed in trays, racks, hangers to eliminate the need for conduit.

First Published: www.fiber-patch-cords.com/blog/a/126/An-Introduction-of-Armored-Fiber-Patch-Cables