What is Armored Fiber Optic Cable?
Armored fiber optic cable can be divided into two types according to the metal tube: interlock armored fiber cable and corrugated armored cable. Interlocking armor is an aluminum armor that is helically wrapped around the cable and found in indoor and indoor/outdoor cables. It offers ruggedness and superior crush resistance. Corrugated armor is a coated steel tape folded around the cable longitudinally. It is found in outdoor cables and offers extra mechanical and rodent protection. Both types of these armored fiber cables enable installation in the most hazardous areas, including environments with excessive dust, oil, gas, moisture, or even damage-causing rodents.
According to different environment for installation of fiber optic cable, loose buffered armored fiber optic cable and tight buffer armored cable are use.Both loose buffered and tight buffered armored fiber optical cable can use indoor or indoor/outdoor but usually loose buffer armored fiber optic cable use in outdoor environment
Indoor Armored Fiber Optic Cable is used in building wiring applications. Installed in walls, between floors, in plenum air handling ducts and under data center floors indoor application usually use loose buffered and tight buffered fiber or tight buffered fiber optic cable , inner jacket & strengths members .inner jacket usually surrounded by a spirally wrapped interlock armor .indoor armored fiber optic cables are less able to withstand mechanical pressure and temperature than outdoor fiber optic cables but they can retard fire effectively by using LSZH material in jacket .Tight Buffered is flexible and easy to handle. Light-weight aluminum interlock armor is standard. This design eliminates the need for inner duct or conduit and the cost associated with the installation of either. Ideal intra-building cable solution
Indoor/Outdoor Armored Fiber optic cable allow to link network from building to building Without changing the indoor cable to outdoor cable or vise versa . it’s important that cable does not have any electrical code to pass into building and damage equipment .Indoor/Outdoor Armored Fiber optic cable Cables are designed to meet both the stringent environmental requirements typical of outside plant cable AND the flammability requirements of premise applications.The advantages to using Indoor/Outdoor Armored Fiber optic cable include fewer connection points, thus fewer points of potential failure, enhanced security and improved electrical performance since light attenuation, which occurs as the result of connectors, splices, etc., is avoided. Attenuation negatively impacts network performance. Additionally, many I/O cables are tight buffered, which allows them to accept connectors without the use of any kits.No Need for Inner Duct or Conduit to pass the cable.using Aluminum Interlock Armor.Color Coded for Easy Identification.Suitable for Intra-building Cable Solution.Flexible and Easy to Handle.Lightweight, Flexible Aramid Yarns Enhance Strength
3-Outdoor Armored Fiber Optic Cable
Armored cable for outdoor is made to ensure operation safety in complicated outdoor harsh environment, and most of them are loose buffer design: with the strengthen member in the middle of the whole cable, loose tubes surround the central strength member. Inside the loose tube there is waterproof gel filled to make the cable water resistance. The combination of the outer jacket and the armor protects the fibers from gnawing animals and damages that occur during direct burial installations.Double armoured version can be achieved by adding a layer of aluminium tape armour before the inner jacket.they have two main type Outdoor Double Jacket Steel Armoured Fiber Optic Cabledirect burial , Outdoor Double Jacket Steel Armoured Figure 8 Aerial Fiber Optic Cable
Aluminum Interlocking Armor
This armored plenum fiber cable is ideal for industrial and other installations requiring a metallic armor and has a greater flexibility than standard corrugated steel-armored (CST) cables. The interlocking preloaded armor may eliminate the need for conduit, reducing installation costs. The interlocking armor can be easily removed leaving an intact inner plenum rated cable for installation into plenums and air-handling spaces.
Direct Burial Fiber Optic Cable – Corrugated Steel Tape
Direct burial armor fiber optic cables are ideal for installations that require a rugged armored fiber cable to be buried directly in the ground or for installation in conduit where rodents are still able to get inside. The corrugated steel tape has excellent water blocking abilities, providing a protective barrier between the fiber cable and the elements surrounding it. With an operating temperature range of between -40°C and 85°C, you can be sure that the armored direct burial fiber cable will be well protected in harsh conditions.
The outdoor armored fiber cable uses tight buffered inner fibers, allowing the technician to perform direct field terminations with standard fiber connectors. This helps save time and money and offers a huge benefit over using a loose tube fiber cable. The inner cable utilizes a distribution series riser design, so the cable can even be run indoors if the armoring is removed. The versatility of this armored direct burial fiber cable is nearly endless!
Overview: An Armored Fiber Optic Cable is a ruggedized optical cable designed to provide superior mechanical protection and environmental resistance while maintaining excellent transmission performance. It features an additional metal or non‑metallic armor layer that safeguards delicate optical fibers from crushing forces, rodents, and harsh conditions in both outdoor and indoor deployments.
Construction Overview
- Central Strength Member (CSM): Steel wire or FRP rod for structural stability
- Loose Tubes: PBT tubes filled with thixotropic jelly containing optical fibers
- Armoring Layer: Corrugated steel tape (STA) or aluminum tape (ATA) for metal-armored, or kevlar/yarn layer for non‑metallic type
- Outer Jacket: PE, LSZH, or PVC protective sheath depending on installation environment
- Fiber Count: Available from 2 cores up to 288 cores
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Fiber Types | Singlemode (G.652D, G.657A1/A2) or Multimode (OM1‑OM5) |
| Armoring Options | Steel Tape Armored (STA), Aluminum Tape Armored (ATA), Kevlar or Non‑metallic Armor |
| Crush Resistance | ≥ 2000 N/100 mm (STA) |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 1500 N (Outdoor Type) |
| Operating Temperature | −40 °C ~ +70 °C |
| Outer Jacket Material | PE (Outdoor), PVC or LSZH (Indoor/Special Use) |
| Installation Method | Buried, Duct, Aerial, or Indoor Routing |
| Standards Compliance | IEC 60794‑1 / TIA‑568.3‑D / RoHS |
Features
- Exceptional crush and rodent‑proof protection from STA/ATA sheath
- Stable optical transmission with gel‑filled loose‑tube construction
- Long service life with UV‑resistant polyethylene sheath
- Available in dielectric or metallic armored variants
- High tensile and impact strength suitable for outdoor ducts or direct burial
- Supports long‑distance data transmission without signal degradation
Applications
- Telecom and broadband backbone infrastructure
- Direct burial and duct installations in harsh environments
- FTTH and FTTB network backbone links
- Industrial and military communication networks
- Campus and backbone distribution cabling
Related keywords: Armored fiber optic cable datasheet, Steel tape armored cable, Outdoor armored optical fiber, ATA armored fiber, Direct burial fiber optic cable.
FAQ – Armored Fiber Optic Cable
1. What is an armored fiber optic cable?
It is a fiber optic cable with metal or non‑metallic protective armor around the core to shield fibers from mechanical damage and environmental stress.
2. What materials are used for the armoring layer?
Common materials include steel tape (STA), aluminum tape (ATA), or kevlar yarn for non‑metallic versions to maintain dielectric properties.
3. What are the main types of armored fiber cables?
The two primary types are metal armored (STA/ATA) and non‑metallic armored (FRP or Kevlar strengthened). Metal types are used for outdoor burial; non‑metallic for aerial or FTTH networks.
4. Can armored fiber cables be buried directly?
Yes, STA/ATA armored cables are specifically designed for direct burial and duct applications where extra crush and rodent protection is required.
5. How does an armored cable differ from standard optical cable?
Armored cables include an additional protective layer, providing mechanical strength and environmental protection that standard cables lack.
6. Is armored cable heavier than non‑armored cable?
Yes, the additional metal or strength layer adds weight and slightly reduces flexibility compared to non‑armored cables.
7. Can armored fiber cables be used indoors?
Yes, LSZH armored indoor types are used in data centers and industrial spaces where flame resistance and mechanical durability are important.
8. What testing standards do these cables follow?
They conform to IEC 60794‑1, TIA/EIA‑568.3‑D, and RoHS requirements for optical performance and safety.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful information. keep sharing.
Good Artical