Armored fiber optic cable is a kind of fiber optic with a metal armor sheath wrapped around the core. This layer of armor makes the cable resistant to strong pressure and stretch, and also protects it from harsh environments. Armored fiber optic cables are stronger, more reliable and more durable than ordinary fiber optic cables.
It can withstand harsh environments and its cabling is much more flexible than pipe cabling. Today, armored fiber optic cables are widely used in the field of optical communication. Outdoor fiber optic cables and submarine fiber optic cables are often armored to cope with the complex environment.
Structure of armored fiber optic cables
The inner jacket of armored fiber optic cable is a material with protective and flame retardant properties. It supports the inner glass fiber. Between the outer casing and the inner sheath is the metal armor layer. The armor of fiber optic cable is divided into two types: steel armor and aluminum armor. It has the advantages of natural bending, high pressure resistance and strong tensile strength, which provides reliable protection.
The armor material can also effectively prevent the stretching of fiber optic cable during laying. The outer jacket of armored fiber optic cable protects the fiber from damage caused by solvents and abrasion. The outer jacket is usually made of plastic material such as polyethylene. For special requirements, LSZH, silicone and other materials can be used.
Applications of armored fiber optic cables
Armored fiber optic cable for indoor use is usually wrapped in a spiral-wound metal armor. Indoor armored fiber optic cable can also be subdivided into single layer armored fiber optic cable (without stainless steel braid) and double layer armored fiber optic cable (with stainless steel hose and braid).
Double armored fiber optic cable is commonly used in extreme environments such as near shore and shallow sea. The single-layer armored fiber optic cable is used in other situations outside these extreme environments. With the rapid development of fiber optic communication technology, the demand for indoor armored fiber optic cable is growing rapidly.
Armored fiber optic cables for outdoor use are designed to ensure safe operation in complex outdoor environments. Most of the outdoor fiber optic cables are of loose sheathed fiber structure. Outdoor armored fiber optic cable can be divided into light armored fiber optic cable and heavy armored fiber optic cable.
Light armored cables offer the same durability and protection as stainless steel cables, but are lighter in weight and suitable for most industrial applications. Heavy armored fiber optic cable is a coil of steel wire wrapped around the outside of the original structure to protect the fiber from damage caused during direct burial installation. This kind of fiber optic is suitable for submarines and riverbeds because is strongly waterproof.
In the field of modern fiber optic communication, cable failure can lead to huge losses, so protecting the fiber optic cable is the top priority of fiber optic communication system. Armored fiber optic cable meets the needs of protection from animal gnawing, moisture resistance, and tensile resistance. As outdoor cable applications and submarine cable applications continue to grow, the demand for armored fiber optic cables will also increase greatly.
