Loose Tube Fiber Cable

Both contain a type of strengthening member such as aramid yarn stainless steel wire strands or gel filled sleeves.

Loose tube fiber cable.

Loose tube cables are optimized for outdoor applications. The configuration of loose tube cable comprises of a coated fiber placed within a loose tube which is filled with water resistant gel to protect fiber from tension and stresses caused by such harsh environment as moisture and a wide operation temperature range from thermal shock to ice loading. Their designs utilize 250µm fibers in both central multi loose tube constructions ranging in fiber counts from 2 to 288. They protect the fiber core cladding and coating by enclosing everything within semi rigid protective sleeves or tubes.

Loose tube cables the older of the two cable types are specifically designed for harsh outdoor environments. Loose tube fiber and tight buffered fiber. Between them there are several common denominators like the fact that both have in their interior a strengthening member of sorts that can be made of stainless steel in the form of wire strands aramid yarn or gel filled sleeves. The gel within the loose tube construction stops the penetration of water and keeps it away from the fiber.

Tight buffered and loose tube fiber are the two styles of constructions fiber optic cables offered. From the picture below we can see that loose tube fiber holds more than one optical fiber each individually. Loose tube cables are designed for harsh environment conditions in the outdoors. Fiber loose tube cable belden s loose tube cables are ideal for both outdoor indoor outdoor applications including use in conduit direct burial lashed aerial trunking.

But there are two basic styles of fiber optic cable construction. Loose tube cables whether flooded under the jacket or water blocked with dry swellable materials protect the fibers from moisture and the long term degradation moisture can cause. Loose tube and tight buffered.