Which optical cables have armor

Optical cable armor comes in several types, including steel tape, steel wire, interlock, spiral, square-lock, and corrugated, each offering specific protection against mechanical stress, crushing, rodent damage, and environmental hazards.

Overview of Armored Fiber Optic Cables

Armored fiber optic cables are designed to protect delicate optical fibers from physical damage while maintaining high transmission performance. The armor layer, typically made of steel or other durable metals, shields the cable from crushing, impact, abrasion, rodent bites, and harsh environmental conditions. These cables are commonly used in direct-buried installations, industrial environments, and outdoor applications where mechanical protection is critical .

Main Types of Optical Cable Armor

1. Steel Tape Armored (STA) Corrugated steel tape is wrapped around the cable, providing radial compression resistance. STA is flexible and suitable for outdoor or underground installations where moderate mechanical protection is needed .
2. Steel Wire Armored (SWA) Multiple steel wires are helically wound around the cable, offering superior crush resistance, tensile strength, and impact protection. SWA is ideal for underground or high-stress environments and is considered the strongest armor type .
3. Double Armored Combines steel tape and steel wire layers for maximum protection, often used in submarine, mining, or extremely harsh environments .
4. Interlock Armor Interlocking metal strips wrap around the cable, providing enhanced tensile strength and crush resistance. This type is commonly used in industrial and outdoor installations where the cable may be exposed to heavy mechanical stress .
5. Spiral Steel Armor A helically wound steel strip offers flexibility and ease of installation while protecting against rodent bites, UV radiation, and mechanical stress. Spiral armor is suitable for outdoor applications requiring frequent bending or movement .
6. Square-Lock Armor Square-profiled metal strips tightly wound around the cable provide excellent flexibility and bending resistance, making it suitable for applications with frequent cable movement .
7. Corrugated Armor Coated steel tape folded longitudinally around the cable, offering robust protection against crushing and environmental hazards. This type is often used in direct-buried or rodent-prone routes .
8. Steel Wire Braided Armor Primarily designed to shield against electromagnetic interference and provide some torsional strength, rather than heavy mechanical protection. It is sometimes used in specialized industrial applications .

Summary

Choosing the right armor type depends on the installation environment, mechanical stress, rodent exposure, and flexibility requirements. For example, SWA is preferred for underground high-stress areas, spiral or square-lock armor for flexible outdoor runs, and double-armored cables for extreme conditions like submarine or mining applications. Each armor type balances protection, flexibility, and ease of installation to ensure the longevity and reliability of fiber optic networks .