Selecting the appropriate outdoor Fiber optic cable is necessary for seamless transmission of data. Whether it is a citywide network, rural broadband expansion, or facilitating connections in demanding environments, the right cable is key. You know Outdoor fiber cables are specially designed to withstand severe climatic conditions, moisture, and even physical impact without losing performance.
However, there are numerous options available, each designed for specific applications, so it is difficult to know which cable can suit your project needs. Don’t panic! This guide will provide a comprehensive analysis of outdoor Fiber optic cable types to help you make the right choice.
Figure no 1 Outdoor Fiber Optic Cable Types
1) Types of Outdoor fiber Optic cables
Outdoor fiber optic cables come in different varieties based on their structure, sturdiness, and installation requirements. Besides this, these cables consist of thin strands of glass or plastic which we call fiber. And each fiber is enclosed in protective layers that act as a barrier against water, heat, and other types of destruction. Moreover, some cables have even stronger materials, like steel wires or aramid yarn, to prevent bending or breaking.
Now, let’s discuss the common types of outdoor fiber cables in detail!
i) Based on structure
a) Loose Tube Fiber Optic Cables – Strong and Weatherproof
Loose tube cables are made to withstand extreme outdoor conditions. This is because its internal construction includes fiber strands sitting in gel-filled tubes, which actually protects them from moisture and also temperature changes. Moreover, these tubes are further surrounded by strong protective covering to safeguard the cable against pressure, bending, and external damage.
Figure no 2 Loose-Tube Fiber Optic Cable
- Key Features:
- Can withstand Extreme Temperatures of -40°C to 70°C.
- Highly durable as it endures up to 2000 N of pressure.
- Holds Multiple Fibers from 6 to 288 fibers per cable.
- Best Uses:
- Fits perfectly for coastal regions having high moisture content.
- Provides seamless connections in telecommunications and internet infrastructure spanning long distances.
- Suitable for connecting outdoor Fiber lines to indoor systems.
b) Micro Fiber Cables – Small but Powerful
Micro cables have a diameter of 1 to 2 mm, thus, they can fit into spaces that standard cables cannot. Moreover, these cables utilize dry water-swellable tapes or powders, rather than gel, to guard against water damage. Thus, there are no sticky residues to clean, which makes installation and upkeep easier.
Figure no 3 Micro Fiber Optic Cable
- Key Features:
- Ultra Thin and Lightweight
- Supports 12 to 288 Fibers in a small cross-section.
- Best Uses:
- Optimal for congested conduits and tight spaces.
- Commonly deployed in Local Area Networks (LAN) for high-speed internet access.
c) Ribbon Fiber Cables- Efficient and Fast
Compared to other cables, ribbon cables have a different design. Rather than having individual fibers loosely arranged, ribbon cables organize them into flat strips resembling ribbons. Moreover, each ribbon strip is capable of holding anywhere from 12 to 24 Fibers. This design allows specialist to carry out a procedure known as multi-Fiber fusion splicing, where multiple Fibers can be fused in a single operation.
Figure no 4 Ribbon Fiber cable
- Key Features:
- One cable can accommodate up to 3,456 fibers.
- Allows mass fusion splicing of 12 to 24 fibers simultaneously.
- Compatible with networks functioning at 100G, 400G, and 800G speeds.
- Best Uses:
- Frequently employed in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments.
- Required for extensive scale internet and telecommunication networks.
ii) Based on Installation Methods
a) Aerial fiber Cables
Aerial fiber cables are installed above ground on utility poles. Moreover, they are built to withstand severe weather as they are subjected to sunlight, wind, and rain. Besides this, most of them have a steel messenger wire to further strengthen them so they can be held over long distances.
Figure no 5 Aerial Fiber Optic Cable
- Key Features:
- High-tensile strength elements
- UV-resistant polyethylene (PE) sheath
- Self-supporting with steel or aramid yarn
- Ideal Uses:
- Highly appropriate for linking rural and suburban regions with broadband networks.
- Very useful for the extension of Fiber lines between poles without requiring underground excavation.
- Commonly used in telecommunications infrastructure and small-cell networks.
b) Direct Buried Cables or Underground Fiber Cable
These direct buried cables are placed directly underground and do not require any additional conduits which differentiates them from aerial cables. With direct soil contact, constant moisture, and heavy load, these have an additional rugged covering to avoid potential damage.
Figure no 6 Direct-Buried Fiber cable
- Key Features:
- Armoured layers for extra strength.
- Water-blocking barriers prevent moisture.
- Thick HDPE jacket for durability.
- Ideal Uses:
- Best for Fiber connections at industrial campuses with long ranges.
- Excellent selection for underground networks in the absence of conduits.
c) Duct Cables
Unlike directly buried cables, duct fiber optic cables have added protection against the elements because they are placed inside conduits. They are exceptionally resistant to wear and tear, and if a replacement is necessary, they are simple to take off. Protective moisture-damage water-blocking tapes are also supplied to keep the Fiber protected from damage.
Figure no 7 Duct Fiber Optic cable
- Ideal Uses:
- Best for underground Fiber optic networks in urban and commercial regions.
- Makes it easier to replace upgraded cables in the future.
- Critical network maintenance that requires long-term durability is ensured.
Thus, having knowledge of different Fiber cable installation techniques allows you to select the perfect installation that will match your network requirements with ease!
iii) Based on Core Sizes
a) Outdoor Single-Mode Fibers
This type of outdoor Fiber cable has a single core (roughly 8 to 10 microns in diameter) and, thus, has low-capacity light transmission. Because light travels with minimal bounces, making reflex loss, single mode tends to perform remarkably well in long-distance ( 40km) signal transmission without the use of repeaters.
- Ideal Uses
- Most suitable for backbone networks allowing for intercity, inter-country, and intercontinental connections.
- Also used for long-haul telecommunications & submarine cables, as well as 5G infrastructure.
- Best go coax with data centres receiving & sending large packets of data over long ranges, enabling increased connections.
b) Outdoor Multimode Fibers
Instead of using a small core, multi-fibers utilize a larger core (50 to 62.5 microns), which increases the capacity of multiple light beams sent through the core at the same time. With multiple beams coming through, short-distance (500m) high-speed data gets transmitted effectively. However, the signal weakens much faster than with single-mode Fiber. Moreover, they are low-cost, and simple to install when compared to single-mode fiber.
- Ideal Uses:
- Best suited for LANs (Local Area Networks) and campus networks spanning multiple buildings.
- Widespread use in data centres and for intra-business high-speed optical links.
- Best suited for scenarios that require greater performance but do not need longer ranges.
2) How to Choose the Right Outdoor Fiber Cable
Each type of fiber optic cable serves a different purpose, so understanding their strengths makes it easier to find the best fit for any project.
i) Minimal Signal Loss And Low Latency
Low optical loss and high stability of Fibers in an FTTx application minimize the risk of data transmission failure. In finance and telecommunications, for instance, even a few milliseconds of delay wreaks havoc. Loose tube cables have a signal loss to the absolute minimum. Ribbon cables, meanwhile, have lower latency due to their compact and efficient design, which ensures smooth and swift high-speed communication.
ii) Flexibility And Future Expansion
Similarly, Network growth required that the most forward-looking designs with regard to scalability be adopted. For instance, loose tube cables with a maximum of 144 Fibers are optimal for medium-sized networks, while ribbon cables performing twice as well with 288 Fibers or more are suitable for large-scale installations. Micr cables provide a subsidized way to upgrade the network and reduce installation costs.
These solutions are implemented at business expansion phases, city-wide networks, or in the case of high-capacity fibers where long-term growth is a necessity.
iii) Swift Emergency Repairs
Outdoor Fiber cables are prone to risk from storms, equipment failures, and damage from surroundings. Recovery time plays an important role in achieving minimal downtime. A 144-Fiber loose tube cable takes a splicing time of about 10 hours, while a 144-Fiber ribbon cable can spool a full splice in just 1.6 hours. The faster the repairs, the quicker the network is restored. There are areas with critical infrastructure or emergency response networks with severe weather. Faster recovery times increase the availability of essential services.
iv) Installation Restrictions
Not all cables can be used with every installation technique. Micro-loose tube cables can only be used with micro-ducts and cannot be used with armored cables. Some high-performance cables come with restrictions as well which need specialized handling and require manufacturer approval for installation.
For projects that come with space restrictions, such as underground ducts or micro-duct-based networks, using the appropriate type of cable ensures ease of deployment and durability.
3) Dekam’s Outdoor Fiber Optic Cable types
Dekam Fiber provides a wide variety of outdoor use Fiber optic cables, all designed to address different environments and performance requirements. These cables are designed to perform reliably and efficiently across applications. Let’s take a look at some of the important products and their specifications:
i) ADSS (All-Dielectric Self-Supporting) Fiber Optic Cable
Cables of this type are best suited for aerial installation because no metallic support is required. They are light, non-conductive, and all-dielectric, which is suited for regions close to power lines as they are prone to electrical interference. They also possess great mechanical strength and resistance to weather while enhancing the reduction of installation costs.
Figure no 8 ADSS Fiber Cable-DEKAM
| Fiber Count | Jacket Material | Colour | Strength Member | Length | |
| ADSS | 2 – 288 Core | PE, AT | black | FRP | Customizable |
ii) GYXTW Fiber Optic Cable
The GYXTW cable has a central loose tube that contains water-blocking gel which protects the Fibers from moisture. For additional strength, it contains steel wire strength members and a polyethene (PE) sheath, which provides SIP protection. This cable has a low collapse risk, making it suitable for outdoor use where mechanical strength and environmental protection are of great importance.
Figure no 9 GYXTW Fiber Cable-DEKAM
| Fiber Count | Jacket Material | Colour | Strength Member | Length | |
| GYXTW | 2 – 24 Core | PE | black | steel wire | Customizable |
iii) GYXTC8Y Fiber Optic Cable
For aerial installations, the GYXTC8Y cable incorporates Fiber and steel wire suspension into a single PE jacket. It has a figure-8, self-supporting structure. Support wires have been eliminated, improving installation efficiency and reducing costs. It is best suited for overhead installations between poles and buildings.
Figure no 10 GYXTC8Y Fiber Cable-DEKAM
iv) GYTA Fiber Optic Cable
The GYTA cable has an aluminum sheath, which provides enhanced protection by shielding fibers from environmental damage. It is robust in construction and suitable for long-distance transmission as well as local area network (LAN) applications. Performance is ensured with this cable in demanding outdoor conditions.
Figure no 11 GYTA Fiber Cable-DEKAM
| Fiber Count | Jacket Material | Colour | Strength Member | Length | |
| GYTA | 2 – 288 Core | PE | black | FRP | Customizable |
v) GYTA53 Fiber Optic Cable
For extreme durability, the GYTA53 cable features double armour protection. The extra layer of shielding makes the cable resistant to physical impact and environmental risks. This fortifies the cable for direct burial installations in harsh environments with extra protection requirements.
Figure no 12 GYTA53 Fiber Cable-DEKAM
vi) GYTS Fiber Optic Cable
The rugged terrain and demanding conditions do not affect the GYTS cable because it is reinforced with steel tape armour. The outdoor design is strengthened with a tight buffer design, enhancing stability and providing extra mechanical protection. Long-term performance and bolstered reliability are ensured with this cable.
Figure no 13 GYTS Fiber Cable-DEKAM
vii) GYFTY Fiber Optic Cable
Non-metallic construction gives outstanding strength to the GYFTY cable. It can be installed next to power lines and in areas with strong electromagnetic interference and a risk of corrosion. Data transmission can be reliably and stably achieved in the most trying environments.
Figure no 14 GYFTY Fiber Cable-DEKAM
| Fiber Count | Jacket Material | Colour | Strength Member | Length | |
| GYTA | 2 – 288 Core | PE | black | FRP | Customizable |
4) Conclusive Notes
With the right cable, a reliable network is created that works in any environment. Dekam Fiber not only offers high quality but also provides strong precision-crafted cables for performance. From the world’s best, Fiber optic cables that provide better network connectivity, trust Dekam, and don’t settle for less. So, reach us today!
