Steel tape armoring involves wrapping or wrapping one or two layers of chrome-plated steel or stainless steel tape inside the sheath and outside the cable core of the optical cable.
The main structure consists of a central reinforcing member, optical fiber/fiber optic bundle tube, cable core, inner sheath, armor layer, and outer sheath.
Steel tape armored optical cable is a heavy-duty protective optical cable designed specifically to withstand high voltage and biting. It is designed for harsh mechanical and outdoor direct burial environments and has extremely strong protective capabilities.
Armored Fiber Optic Cables vs. Standard Fiber Optic Cables: Advantages Comparison
| Contrast dimension | armored optical cable | common optical cable | Summary of the advantages of armored optical cable |
| 1. Mechanical Protection | Additional armored layers, common types: • Steel strip armor: pressure-resistant and rodent-proof. • Steel wire armor: provides tensile and compressive strength, and lightning protection. • Aluminum strip armor: pressure-resistant, lightweight, and moisture-proof. • Stainless steel pipes: Exceptional pressure resistance and moisture-proof properties. | No metal armor layer, mainly relying on: • Plastic sheathing (e.g., PVC, LSZH, PE). • Non-metallic reinforcements (e.g., FRP, aramid yarn) provide tensile strength. | Provide a robust physical barrier that effectively resists penetration by sharp objects, crushing by heavy machinery, accidental construction damage, and gnawing by rodents (e.g., rats). |
| 2. Compression resistance | pole-strength The armor layer (particularly steel strips and wires) evenly distributes external pressure, significantly enhancing the optical cable's lateral pressure resistance and impact resistance. It can withstand soil pressure and construction compression in scenarios such as direct burial and conduit penetration. | relatively weakThe fiber is mainly dependent on the sheath and internal structure, which is easy to cause damage or breakage under direct extrusion or heavy pressure. | It has a much better survival ability than ordinary optical cable in direct burial, complex underground environment and multi-compression area (such as pipe well). |
| 3. Tensile Strength | Extremely strong (especially with steel wire armor).The armor layer (especially the steel wire) itself is a strong load-bearing element, which can withstand extremely high long-term tensile force and short-term traction force. | relatively average.The tensile strength is limited due to reliance on internal aramid yarns or glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP). | Ideal for long-distance aerial and vertical deployment (e.g., shafts), submarine cables, and scenarios requiring large-span or high-tension laying. |
| 4. Environmental Protection | Complete and robust • Moisture/chemical resistance: The armor layer (especially the aluminum strip) forms a tight longitudinal water barrier. • Lightning and electrical protection: The steel wire armor also functions as a ground wire, providing electromagnetic shielding and lightning protection. • Rodent-proof: The metal layer effectively prevents rodents and other animals from gnawing. | Basic protection. • The sheath provides basic moisture protection and mild chemical resistance. • Lightning protection/strong current: Non-metallic structure with no electromagnetic shielding. • Almost no protection against animal bites. | Capable of operating in extreme environments including thunderstorm zones, areas with strong electromagnetic interference, humid or corrosive conditions, and regions with severe rodent infestations. |
Cable structure:
* Central reinforcement
* Optical fiber/fiber bundle tube
* Cable core
* Inner sheath
* Armoring layer
* Outer sheath
Features
* Extremely strong compressive strength:
This is the most prominent advantage of steel tape armor. The steel tape layer effectively resists enormous external pressure, preventing the optical cable from being flattened or damaged. This is crucial in direct burial installations, as it can withstand the backfill pressure from soil and rocks, as well as the pressure from vehicles passing on the ground.
* Excellent resistance to rodent bites:
Rodents such as rats and badgers can cause significant damage to communication lines. Ordinary unarmored optical cables are easily bitten through, but the steel tape's hardness prevents their teeth from penetrating, effectively protecting the internal optical fibers.
* Excellent moisture and humidity resistance:
The steel tape layer itself is metal and has good water resistance. In addition to the sealing at the armored joints and the waterproof sealant inside the cable core, multiple waterproof barriers are formed, ensuring long-term stable operation of the optical cable in humid environments or environments with high groundwater levels.
* Enhanced Mechanical Protection:
Besides resistance to compression and biting, the steel tape layer also enhances the overall impact and shear resistance of the optical cable, providing additional protection during construction or unexpected external impacts.
* Long Lifespan and High Reliability:
Combining the above advantages, steel-tape armored optical cables are typically designed for a lifespan exceeding 25 years, making them ideal for network backbones or permanent installations in harsh environments.
Application:
Direct Burial: Directly buried underground, a common choice for infrastructure construction such as highways, railways, and industrial parks.
Tunnel and Pipeline Laying: Complex environments with potential risks of rockfalls or mechanical damage.
Areas with High Rodent Infestation: Forests, farmland, urban underground pipelines, and other areas with high rodent activity.
Harsh Industrial Environments: Factories, mines, and other places with the risk of being crushed by heavy objects.
Other Armored Fiber Optic Cable
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