Fiber optic cables for outdoor applications are engineered to withstand the more demanding conditions seen outside, from environmental extremes to mechanical forces. These are the cables you see strung along telephone poles (aerial), installed inside an underground duct or even buried directly below ground. Outdoor cables therefore feature rugged constructions to resist ultra-violet light and temperature fluctuations, and may include features to withstand the requirements of being installed outdoors.
Cables For Outdoor Applications
Cables For Outdoor Applications
Distributed Sensing Cables
Distributed Sensing Cables
Our distributed sensing cables provide optimized monitoring of your critical harsh environment infrastructure. Distributed sensing is a technology that enables continuous measurements along the entire length of a fibre optic cable.
Applications
Aerial Cables
Aerial Cables
These cables are suspended from poles or pylons or mounted on buildings. Some are self-supporting, requiring no separate messenger wire between poles to support the cable’s weight.
These cables are suspended from poles or pylons or mounted on buildings. Some are self-supporting, requiring no separate messenger wire between poles to support the cable’s weight.
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Direct Buried Cables
Direct Buried Cables
In the absence of duct infrastructure, cables can be buried directly into the ground in a trench or using a vibratory plow.
In the absence of duct infrastructure, cables can be buried directly into the ground in a trench or using a vibratory plow.
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Duct Cables
Duct Cables
Ducts (or conduits) offer a highly protective environment for fiber-optic cables. They are typically buried, and then the cables are air-blown, jetted, pulled or pushed into the duct.
Ducts (or conduits) offer a highly protective environment for fiber-optic cables. They are typically buried, and then the cables are air-blown, jetted, pulled or pushed into the duct.
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Microduct Cables
Microduct Cables
Microducts are miniaturized plastic conduits that sub-divide internal duct space into smaller compartments into which micro cables can be installed by blowing, jetting or pushing.
Microducts are miniaturized plastic conduits that sub-divide internal duct space into smaller compartments into which micro cables can be installed by blowing, jetting or pushing.
Learn MoreOutdoor Cable Frequently Asked Questions
Outdoor Cable Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about our outdoor cable? We have a come up with a few question to assist you in determing exactly which type of cable may suit your needs.
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What fiber count?
The fiber count you deploy on day one depends on the number of connections you need to make, or will expect to make in the future. It is always recommended to install the maximum number of fibers in the space you have available, to avoid costly civil works for upgrades. Corning offers a comprehensive portfolio of outdoor cables with fiber counts ranging from a single fiber to 3,456 fibers.
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What optical fiber type?
From the desktop to the ocean, Corning optical fiber is enabling voice, data, and video communications to meet the demands of many network applications. Whether you need ultra-low loss for long-haul transmission, or bend-resistance for indoor cabling, the Corning Optical Fiber portfolio offers a full range of products optimized a diverse array of challenges faced throughout the network. Click here to learn more.
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Loose tube or ribbon cable?
Loose tube cables are the most commonly-deployed outdoor cable design, featuring a central strength member, stranded buffer tubes containing loose optical fibers and fiber counts up to 288 fibers. This construction ensures installer familiarity and optimum splice performance.
In a ribbon cable, typically twelve fibers are encapsulated in an array (or ribbon) and multiple ribbons can then be stacked to achieve the required fiber count. Ribbon cables offer higher fiber counts and greater fiber density than any other outdoor cable in Corning’s portfolio and enable mass-fusion splicing for significantly faster cable installation and restoration.
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What is a micro cable?
Micro cables are miniaturized stranded loose tube cables which offer up to a 60% reduction in size and 80% reduction in weight versus traditional loose tube cables. Micro cables are installed in microducts and enable reutilisation of congested duct space, flexible scalable capacity upgrades and innovative, cost-effective deployment techniques.
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Do I need an armored or dielectric cable?
Armor can be applied to a loose tube or ribbon cable for increased mechanical robustness and protection against rodents. It is a pre-requisite requirement when a cable is to be buried directly into the ground. A dielectric (metal-free) cable should be selected when it is deployed on or near high-voltage power lines, though dielectric armor options are available.
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Do I need a gel-filled or gel-free (dry) cable?
Traditionally, gel was used inside buffer tubes to protect fibers from moisture, but thanks to advances in cable water-blocking technology, this messy element can now be eliminated from loose tube and ribbon cables. With no need to clean gel from fibers before splicing, gel-free cables enable fast and efficient splicing preparation and drive cost savings through the elimination of cleaning consumables.