What is Indoor Outdoor Cable

Fiber optic cable that is capable of surviving the outdoor environment and meets the flammability requirements for use inside buildings offers many advantages to the end-user, as well as the installer and distributor. The use of only one type of cable between and within buildings can save many labor hours and reduce material costs by eliminating the need to splice outdoor cables to flame-retardant indoor cables.

Indoor outdoor cable assemblies are designed for general outdoor applications, yet they are riser rated and can be used indoors without the restrictions imposed upon loose tube cables, or non-UL approved cable. Indoor outdoor cable, is like many other terms in the wire and cable industry in that the definition depends on the specifics of the subject in question. In general, “indoor” implies that the cable has at minimum an NEC Fire Resistance Rating so that the cable is not subject to the typical 50-foot indoor length limitation that applies to outside plant (OSP) cables. “Outdoor” generally implies that the construction of the cable is such that it will withstand certain environmental extremes typically only experienced outdoors. Beyond that, the specifics of the design must be examined to determine the suitability of any cable for an application requiring indoor outdoor performance.

Indoor -outdoor Fiber Optic cables are designed to meet both the stringent environmental requirements typical of outside plant cable AND the flammability requirements of premise
applications. Ideal for applications that span indoor and outdoor environments, Indoor/outdoor cable can eliminate the need for building entryway splice points, saving both time and money.

Indoor/Outdoor cables combine the flame resistance and safety features of an indoor riser or plenum cable with the durability that is critical for OSP use. The result is a unique, dual-purpose cable that can save time and money by allowing OSP applications to flow seamlessly indoors, using a single cable and no splices.

When referencing unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables, indoor/outdoor is a special designation of cable intended for limited indoor/outdoor use. This cable was designed for the purpose of connecting the Network Interface Device (NID) located on the outside of a building or residence to the inside services, which may be a small telecommunications closet or simply a wall outlet. This cable typically has a minimum NEC Fire Resistance Rating of CMX plus an additional UL rating of “Outdoor”. Other fire resistance ratings are available as applications warrant. The materials used in Indoor/Outdoor UTP cables provide better low temperature properties and UV protection than their strictly indoor counterparts.

Indoor/outdoor UTP cable is not intended for typical outdoor applications for which OSP cables are designed. As with most UTP cables, Indoor/Outdoor cables lack a grounding mechanism for handling the electrical surge that can occur from a lightning strike or contact with another power source. This is a safety issue and should not be taken lightly! The NEC and NESC both require that electrically exposed cable be enclosed in a metallic covering that is grounded at each end. They further require that any communication cable entering a building must have
the individual conductors terminated in a UL Listed Primary grounding device called a building entrance protector (BEP). This is a safety valve for those occasional instances where the
power surge actually makes its way past the shield or conduit and travels along the conductors. Secondary devices of the type used to protect electronic equipment inside a building are not suitable for BEP use and are not allowed by code.

FiberStore is one of the leading suppliers of fiber optic cable in the China stocking hundreds of thousands of feet of fiber optic cable that are ready to ship same day including all types of single mode fiber optic cable, multimode fiber optic cable, loose tube fiber optic cable, breakout fiber cable, mpo cable, hybrid cable and more.

Something About MPO MTP Fiber Cable

MPO/MTP stands for “Multiple-Fiber Push-On/Pull-off”. The purpose of MPO/MTP technology is that you can pull just one single cable with 8 (for example) fibers. So instead of patching 8 separate fiber cables, you only need to patch one cable with one connector. MPO/MTP Fiber Cable is used in various applications for all networking and device needs like 100 Gigabit modules.

MTP/MPO is usually used in ribbon fiber optic patch cords or ribbon fan-out multi-fiber assemblies. The ribbon fiber optic cables feature multi-fiberglass inside each single jacket, and MTP/MPO also multi a multi-fiberglass core inside each single connector. That is to say, there are several fiberglass connections in each single MTP/MPO fiber optic patch cord, for example, 4 fibers, 8 fibers, 12 fibers, etc. Typical MTP/MPO fiber optic patch cord assemblies like MTP/MPO to 8 LC, MTP/MPO to 12 SC, etc. MTP/MPO fiber optic patch cords are also available in single mode and multimode, like UPC and APC Polish.

MTP fiber optic patch cable has MTP fiber optic connectors which are upgraded versions of the former MPO. MTP has better mechanical and optic fiber performance compared with MPO. Both the MTP and MPO series cables are multi-fiber connectors. There are many fiber optic channels in each single connector. Because of such multi-fiber features, these connectors need to be used with multi-fiber cables, especially ribbon multi-fiber optic cables.

MTP and MPO cables are available in female-to-female or a male to male and male-to-female configurations. The male version has MTP pins. These can be made with 12-fiber MTP connectors, 24-fiber MTP connectors, and 48-fiber MTP connector variations. We use MTP fiber optic connectors for all of our MTP and MPO terminations so that the highest performance is accomplished. Many additional options and combinations are available. All multi-fiber optic cables are customizable.

To have a better understanding of MTP, I will introduce you to some MTP terminology as follows:

About MTP Trunks

The MTP Trunk cable is designed for Data Center Applications. This cable is a round cable with an outer diameter of 3,0 mm or 4,5 mm (with two jackets on both sides). The connector where this cable is terminated is the so-called MTP connector (female).

About MTP Fiber Optic Cassette
The MTP cassette is nothing more than a basic case that splits out MTP to SC/LC connectors, which is available for 12 SC/LC connectors and 24 connectors.

About MTP fanouts

MTP fanout cables are cables that are multiple cables that are bundled within the same jacket. This is also often referred to as a Breakout cable.

About Direct Splits (MTP to LC or MTP to SC cables)

MTP Direct Split cables are cables with the fanout made directly in the MTP connector. These are designed for high-density Data Center applications to plug into MTP cassettes and/or MTP patch panels.

FS provides many fiber optic products such as fiber patch cables, Armored Cables, Industrial Cables, and more. MPO/MTP fiber patch cables are available in UPC and APC finishes and support both multimode and single-mode applications. These fiber cables are tested with guaranteed quality, and they can be installed easily, which saves time and money.

Introducing Two Basic Cable Design

There are two basic cable design, loose tube cable and tight buffered cable. Loose-tube cable, used in the majority of outside-plant installations in North America, and tight-buffered cable, primarily used inside buildings.

The modular design of loose-tube cables typically holds up to 12 fibers per buffer tube with a maximum per cable fiber count of more than 200 fibers. Loose-tube cables can be all-dielectric or optionally armored. The modular buffer-tube design permits easy drop-off of groups of fibers at intermediate points, without interfering with other protected buffer tubes being routed to other locations. The loose-tube design also helps in the identification and administration of fibers in the system.

Single-fiber tight-buffered cables are used ase pigtails, patch cords and jumpers to terminate loose-tube cables directly into opto-electronic transmitters, receivers and other active and passive components.

Multi-fiber tight-buffered cables also are available and are used primarily for alternative routing and handling flexibility and ease within buildings.

Loose Tube Cable

In a loose-tube cable design, color-coded plastic buffer tubes house and protect optical fibers. A gel filling compound impedes water penetration. Excess fiber length (relative to buffer tube length) insulates fibers from stresses of installation and environmental loading. Buffer tubes are stranded around a dielectric or steel central member, which serves as an anti-buckling element.

The cable core, typically surrounded by aramid yarn, is the primary tensile strength member. The outer polyethylene jacket is extruded over the core. If armoring is required, a corrugated steel tape is formed around a single jacketed cable with an additional jacket extruded over the armor.

Loose-tube cables typically are used for outside-plant installation in aerial, duct and direct-buried applications.

Tight-Buffered Cable

With tight-buffered cable designs, the buffering material is in direct contat with the fiber. This design is suited for “jumper cables” which connect outside plant cables to terminal equipment, and also for linking various devices in a premises network.

Multi-fiber, tight-buffered cables often are used for intra-building, risers, general building and plenum applications.

The tight-buffered design provides a rugged cable structure to protect individual fibers during handling, routing and connectorization. Yarn strength members keep the tensile load away from the fiber.

As with loose-tube cables, optical specifications for tight-buffered cables also should include the maximum performance of all fibers over the operating temperature range and life of the cable. Averages should not be acceptable.

If you’d like to purchase or learn more about our loose tube cable, breakout fiber cable or hybrid cable, simply visit our offical website or call our customer service.

The Commonly Available Optical Fiber Cable Types

As uses for optical fiber have become more varied, manufacturers have begun producing, cables to meet specific needs. Cable configurations vary based on the type of use, the location, and future expansion needs, and it is likely that more will be created as future applications emerge.

Bear in mind that different cable arrangements are variations on a theme. Different combinations of buffer type, strength members, and jackets can be used to create cables to meet the needs of a wide variety of industries and users.

Let’s look at some of the commonly available optical fiber cables.

Breakout Cable

Breakout cables are used to carry optical fibers that will have direct termination to the equipment, rather than being connected to a patch panel. Breakout fiber cable consist of two or more simplex cables bundled with a strength member and central member covered with an outer jacket. These cables are ideal for routing in exposed trays or any application requiring an extra rugged cable that can be directly connected to the equipment.

Distribution cable

When it is necessary to run a large number of optical fibers through a building, distribution cable is often used. Distribution cable consists of multiple tight-buffered fibers bundled in a jacket with a strength member. These cables may also feature a dielectric central member to increase tensile strength, resist bending, and prevent the cable from being kinked during installation.

Distribution cables are ideal for inter-building routing. Depending on the jacket type they may be routed through plenum areas or riser shafts to telecommunications rooms, wiring closets, and workstations. The tight-buffered optical fibers are not meant to be handled muchbeyond the initial installation, because they do not have a strength member and jacket. Distribution cables may carry up to 144 individual tight-buffered optical fibers, many of which may not be used immediately but allow for future expansion.

Ribbon Cable

Ribbon cable is a convenient solution for space and weight problems. The cable contains fiber ribbons, which are actually coated optical fibers placed side by side, encapsulated in Mylar tape similar to a miniature version of wire ribbons used in computer wiring. A single ribbon may contain 4, 8, or 12 optical fibers. These ribbons can be stacked up to 22 high.

Because the ribbon contains only coated optical fibers, this type of cable takes up much less space than individually buffered optical fibers. As a result, ribbon cables are denser than anyother cable design. They are ideal for applications where limited space is available, such as in an existing conduit that has very little room left for an additional cable.

Ribbon cables come in two basic arrangements. In the loose tube ribbon cable, fiber ribbons are stacked on top of one another inside a loose-buffered tube. This type of arrangement can hold several hundred fibers in close quarters. The buffer, strength members,and cable jacket carry any strain while the fiber ribbons move freely inside the buffer tube.

The jacketed ribbon cable looks like a regular tight-buffered cable, but it is elongated to contain a fiber ribbon. This type of cable typically features a small amount of strength member and aripcord to tear through the jacket.

While ribbon fiber provides definite size and weight savings, it does require special equipment and training to take advantage of those benefits. Connectors, strippers, cleavers, and fusion splicers must all be tailored to the ribbon fiber. For these reasons, ribbon fiber may not be the best solution in all situations.

Armored Cable

Armored cable can be used for indoor applications and outdoor applications. An armored cable typically has two jackets. The inner jacket is surrounded by the armor and the outer jacket or sheath surrounds the armor.

An armored cable used for outdoor applications is typically a loose tube fiber construction designed for direct burial applications. The armor is typically a corrugated steel tape surrounded by an outer polyethylene jacket. This combination of outer jacket and armor protects the optical fibers from gnawing animals and the damage that can occur during direct burial installations.

Armored cable used for indoor applications may feature tight-buffered or loose-buffered optical fibers, strength members, and an inner jacket. The inner jacket is typically surrounded by a spirally wrapped interlocking metal tape armor. This type of armor is rugged and provides crush resistance. These cables are used in heavy traffic areas and installations that require extra protection, including protection from rodents.

Hybrid Cable

Hybrid cable, as applied to fiber optics, combines multimode and single-mode optical fibers in one cable. Hybrid cable should not be confused with composite cable, although the terms have been used interchangeably in the past.

Composite Cable

Composite Cable, as defined by the National Electrical Code (NEC), is designed to carry both optical fiber and current carrying electrical conductors in the same run. This composite cable consists of optical fibers along with twisted-pair wiring typical of telephone wiring. This arrangement is convenient for networks that carry fiber optic data and conventional telephone wiring to the same user. Composite cable also provides installers with a way to communicate during fiber installation and provides electrical power to remote equipment, such as repeaters, along the fiber’s route.

Simplex Cordage

Simplex cordage, consists of a single optical fiber with a tight buffer, an aramid yarn strength member, and a jacket. Simplex cordage gets its name from the fact that, because it is a single fiber, it is typicalyy used for one-way, or simplex, transmission, although bidirectional communications are possible using a single fiber.

Duplex Cordage

Duplex cordage, also known as zipcord, is similar in appearance to household electrical cords. Duplex cordage is a convenient way to combine two simplex cords to achieve duplex, or two-way, transmissions without individual cords getting tangled or switched around accidentally.

Why Fiber Optic Cable More Popular Than Copper Cable?

Today fibre optic cables are used the world over for communications. The improvement in communication is brought by the development in fiber optic cables. Why fiber optic cable more popular than copper cable?

Fiber optic cable is a kind of cable which has more than one fiber optic. These kinds of cables are widely used and are also considered as one of the best options for a lot of people. There are a lot of advantages that one can be able to get when using this type of cable.

One of the advantages is that these cables are lighter, flexible and less bulky as compared to other kind of cables. They are widely used in urban areas where there is a shortage of space such as sewer lines, subways and power lines as well. Since this cable is lighter, it can easily fit in small and crowded placed. Optical cables are also easy to transport in various installation location. There is no doubt that flexibility is an advantage since it can be easily fitted in every corner.

Moreover, fiber optic cable cost is low. You can be able to save a lot on your budget when you replace your old copper wirings with optical fiber cable. As compared to copper wires, it also has a higher carrying capacity. This means that you will be able to have transmissions of many signals at a time without experiencing a lot of intrusion.

There are four advantages of fiber optic cabling, these advantages explain why fiber is becoming the preferred network cabling medium for high bandwidth, long-distance applications:

1. Immunity to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

All copper cable network media sharing a common problem: they are susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI), fiber optic cabling is immune to crosstalk because optical fiber does not conduct electricity and uses light signals in a glass fiber, rather than electrical signals along a metallic conductor to transmit data. So it cannot produce a magnetic field and thus is immune to EMI.

2. Higher Possible Data Rates

Because light is immune to interference, can be modulated at very high frequencies, and travels almost instantaneously to its destination, much higher data rates are possible with fiber optic
cabling technologies than with traditional copper systems. Data rates far exceeding the gigabit per second (Gbps) range and higher are possible, and the latest IEEE standards body is working on 100Gbps fiber based applications over much longer distances than copper cabling. Multimode is preferred fiber optic type for 100-550 meters seen in LAN network, and since single mode fiber optic cables are capable of transmitting at these multi-gigabit data rates over very long distances, they are the preferred media for transcontinental and oceanic applications.

3. Longer Maximum Distances

Typical copper media data transmission by the distance limits the maximum length of less than 100 meters. Because they do not suffer from the electromagnetic interference problems of traditional copper cabling and because they do not use electrical signals that can dramatically reduce the long distance, single-mode fiber optic cables can span 75 kilometers (about 46.6 miles) without using signal-boosting repeaters.

4. Better Security

The Copper cable transmission media is susceptible to eavesdropping through taps. A tap (short for wiretap) is a device that punctures through the outer jacket of a copper cable and touches the inner conductor. The tap intercepts signals sent on a LAN and sends them to another (unwanted) location. Electromagnetic (EM) taps are similar devices, but rather than puncturing the cable,they use the cable’s magnetic fields, which are similar to the pattern of electrical signals. Because fiber optic cabling uses light instead of electrical signals, it is immune to most types of eavesdropping. Traditional taps won’t work because any intrusion on the cable will cause the light to be blocked and the connection simply won’t function. EM taps won’t work because no magnetic field is generated. Because of its immunity to traditional eavesdropping tactics, fiber optic cabling is used in networks that must remain secure, such as government and research networks.

If you are looking for high quality communication solution, FiberStore’s fiber optic cable is the best choice. FiberStore provides a wide range of quality optical fiber cables, such as indoor
outdoor cable, loose tube cable, breakout cable fiber, Hybrid cable and so on. Our fiber optic cable specification is very detail and very convenient for you selecting. The optical cable price on the website is per meter price. The more, the cheaper. Customers can also have the flexibility to custom the cable plant to best fit their needs. Only fiber cable that meets or exceeds industry standards is used to ensure quality products with best-in-class performance.