Are you in search of the optimal fiber optic cable for your network? Well! It is critical to choose the right cable so that performance, longevity, and cost-effectiveness are not compromised. ADSS or All-Dielectric Self-Supporting Cables offer the best performance in high-voltage environments, long-distance installations, and extreme weather conditions.
In this guide, I’ll provide you with a deep insight into ADSS cables, including specifications and pricing, comparisons with OPGW, and everything else you need to make the best decision for your fiber optic requirements. So, be with us!
Figure no 1 Understanding ADSS Fiber Optic cable
1) What is ADSS Cable?
ADSS cable full form is All-Dielectric Self-Supporting which is a type of fiber optic cable designed to be installed aerially without requiring additional support cables or messenger wires.”
ADSS cable is commonly found in power transmission systems, telecommunications systems, and broadband infrastructure because of its low weight, high strength, and environmental resistance. Unlike traditional cables, ADSS cables are completely dielectric, which means they do not conduct electricity. This feature makes ADSS cables safer and more reliable when installing fiber optic networks close to high-voltage power lines.
Figure no 2 DEKAM ADSS Fiber cable
- Construction and Design
ADSS cables are designed for optimal data transmission under the most harsh conditions. So, let’s discuss the features incorporated into the cables for durability:
i) Central Strength Member: First, the central strength member is the backbone of the cable, which is usually made of fiberglass-reinforced material in order to maintain the tensile strength of the cable.
ii) Optical Fibers: These are the core components that permit data transmission in light signals. Depending on your needs, the number of fibers in the ADSS cables may range from 2 to 144 or even 288.
Figure no 3 ADSS cable construction components
iii) Water Blocking Elements: Moreover, moisture damage may be prevented by gel or dry water-blocking materials placed in the cable.
iv) Aramid Yarn Layer: Next, the aramid yarn layer enables the most stretchable cables to withstand breaking under greater distance spanning.
v) Outer Sheath: Finally, the outer layer acts as armor for the cable, preventing UV radiation, weather conditions, and any mechanical damages that can disrupt the functionality of the network.
- Key Features and Advantages of ADSS Cable
For setting up a fiber optic network, performance over time is critical along with the industry’s demands. ADSS cables provide multiple advantages which enable saving on money and maintenance. For instance;
- Self-Supporting Design: First, of all this type of fiber cable doesn’t require any additional hardware, or support wire. Thus, installation time and money are saved by using ADSS cables.
- High Tensile Strength: For long-distance needs, it is the optimal solution as the lack of additional support enables it to stretch over 1200 meters.
- Non-Conductive: Unlike traditional cables, ADSS cables not only withstand harsh weather conditions but can also be set up near high-power electrical towers without conductive dangers. This is because they are made of non-metallic materials(non-conductors, being not able to pass current).
Figure no 4 ADSS cable installation near high-voltage towers
- Lightweight and Flexible: ADSS cables are made up of fiber-reinforced strength members which are lightweight compared to other cables having steel strength members. Thus, their lightweight nature allows them to be easily installed in urban, rural, and mountainous terrains b.
- Long Lifespan: Furthermore, when installed correctly, ADSS cables are predicted to last over 30 years, thus proving to be economical.
2) ADSS Fiber Optic Cable Specifications
I must say that you also need to factor in the technical specifications of an ADSS (All-Dielectric Self-Supporting) cable if you want optimal performance across different operating conditions. So, look at the given table!
| Fiber Count | Outer Sheath Material | UV Protection | Span Length | Tensile Strength | Temperature Range | Attenuation | Standards Compliance | |
| ADSS Fiber Optic Cable | 2-144 fibers | Polyethylene (PE), Track-Resistant PE (TRPE) | UV-resistant coating | 50m – 1,200m | 1,500N – 15,000N | -40°C to 85°C | ≤ 0.35 dB/km (1310 nm), ≤ 0.21 dB/km (1550 nm) | ITU-T G.652D, IEC 60794, IEEE 1222 |
3) ADSS Cable vs. OPGW: Which One is Better?
When choosing between All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) cables and Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), you must evaluate their design, functionality, cost, and environment. Both cables are different from each other and are advantageous for some applications.
- Quick Comparison
| Features | ADSS ( All Dielectric Self-Supporting) | OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) |
| Material | Non-metallic (Dielectric) | Metal + Fiber Optics |
| Self-Supporting | Yes | No |
| Grounding | Not required | Required (Acts as ground wire) |
| Voltage Suitability | Up to 220kV | Extra-high voltage (EHV) |
| Installation | Easier, no power shutdown | Complex requires power shutdown |
| Lightning Protection | No | Yes (Conducts lightning strikes) |
| Cost | Lower initial and maintenance | Higher due to the rounding function |
| Best for | Telecom & distribution lines | High-voltage power transmission |
i) Design and Construction
- ADSS cables are made of entirely non-metallic components which makes it fully dielectric.
- OPGW cables consist of fiber optic strands embedded within a metallic conductor, allowing the cable to serve simultaneously as a communication cable and a grounding wire for power lines. Moreover, the metal structure offers considerable mechanical strength and makes it resistant to lightning strikes.
ii) Suitability for High Voltage Environments
- ADSS Cable: With appropriate spacing to avoid electrical interference, ADSS can function in high-voltage environments (up to 220kV). Moreover, its non-metal construction means there is no electricity conduction, which mitigates damage from electrical faults.
- OPGW: On the other hand, the OPGW is specially made for extra High Voltage power lines, ranging from 110kv to 500kV. It has dual functionality: it acts like a grounding conductor as well as a fiber optic cable. Thus, this design OPGW adds protection against lightning strikes and also enables high-speed data transmission between grids.
Figure no 5 OPGW wire vs ADSS fiber cable
iii) Installation and Maintenance
- ADSS Cable: Due to the fact that ADSS cables don’t need grounding with metallic frameworks, ADSS installations are relatively simpler. Moreover, maintenance is equally easy as the technicians can access the cable without having to shut down the power.
- OPGW: The integration of the OPGW cable into the power grid is one of the reasons why its installation is more complex. Because it serves as a grounding system, all power lines need to be turned off when operating or repairing which greatly increases the operational costs.
iv) Cost and Long-Term Investment
- ADSS Cable: As discussed earlier such cables don’t require an additional grounding system or messenger wire, so ADSS cables are considered the more economically viable choice. Moreover, little initial investment and little maintenance make the ADSS cable more appealing.
- OPGW: The need for shutdowns during installation and maintenance increases the ADSS cable’s cost due to its metal components. However, it also serves as a fiber-optic cable which makes it financially justifiable when used on high voltage power lines.
In short, OPGW cables are only required for installation in high-voltage environments where act as both grounding conductor and fiber cable. On the other hand, ADSS cables are lightweight, easy to install and cost-effective. Moreover, due to their dielectric construction, they can be easily installed in high-voltage environments. So, the overall winner is ADSS cable.
4) ADSS Cable Pricing in 2025
When choosing ADSS (All-Dielectric Self-Supporting) cable, analyze the investment cost alongside bottom-line savings. First, consider the factors wich may influence the pricing.
What factors affect ADSS cable prices?
? Span Length: You will be charged more if you require longer spans from 50m to 1,500m as stronger materials will be needed. Greater spans mean fewer poles which reduces the cost of installation.
? fiber Count: Moreover, the more fibers included, the more the charge. ADSS cables are available from 2 to 144 fibers or 288 and higher counts are utilized for large-scale networks.
? Sheath Material: ADSS cables are equipped with UV protection, water-blocking features, and rodent-proof sheaths. Although these are a bit expensive, they increase the lifespan of the cables, which makes them cost-effective in the long run.
? Weather Resistance: In case your territory experiences extremely strong winds, heavy rainfall, or icing, an ADSS cable with extra reinforcement will be needed. These cost more but prevent costly repairs in the future.
ADSS Cable Price Per meter
With the addition of fiber count and the span length, the price of ADSS cables also changes:
| 2-12 fibers | 24-48 fibers | 72-144 fibers | Custom heavy-duty cables | |
| ADSS cable price per metre | $0.50 – $1.50 per meter | $1.50 – $3.00 per meter | $3.00 – $5.00 per meter | Above $6.00 per meter |
Thus, ADSS cables are cheaper and easier to install than OPGW cables because they do not require grounding. While concealed fiber lines may be a bit cheaper, the digging costs associated with ADSS make it faster to deploy. So, for anyone looking for a reliable, low-maintenance fiber solution, ADSS is the best choice from a long-term financial perspective.
5) Choose Reliable manufacturer and supplier- DEKAM Fiber
Prior to purchasing ADSS cables, making sure the supplier selected is reputable is extremely important, as it impacts the performance, durability, and efficiency for the long haul. However, DEKAM is a great choice as we provide customized top-of-the-line All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) Fiber Optic Cables that are designed for high-performance data transmission. Being customized, you can easily design it according to your project needs from us!
Moreover, our ADSS cables are ideal for high electric field penetrability while providing protection from electromagnetic interference and can also be installed on high-voltage power lines. Our cables have the following specifications!
- Key specifications
| No. of fibers | Jacket Material | Strength Member | Standard Length | Fiber Types | Jacket Colour | |
| ADSS Fiber cable | 2 to 288 cores | polyethene (PE), Anti-Tracking (AT), and great durability jackets are ensured. | fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) | 1 km, 3 km, 2 km, and 4 km, Custom length | G652D, G657A1 and G657A2 | Black |
6) Final Verdict
An in-depth analysis of specs, pricing, and some other factors as compared to OPGW ADSS offers makes substantiated decision-making possible. Keep in mind that making the right choice guarantees long-term savings, performance, durability and investment for an ADSS cable.
However, when reliability is the foremost requirement, DEKAM Fiber is the first name that comes to mind since we design with precision and strength in mind. So visit DEKAM Fiber today and get the best ADSS cable which will ensure the best performance of your entire network!
