Indoor and outdoor multi-core optical cables

Indoor/outdoor multi-core optical cables are versatile fiber optic cables designed for both indoor and outdoor installations, offering high-density fiber counts, environmental protection, and compliance with flame and safety standards.

Key Features and Components

Fiber Optic Strands: These cables consist of multiple fiber optic strands, or cores, made of glass or plastic, which transmit high-speed data, voice, and video signals over long distances. Multi-core designs typically range from 2 to 144 fibers, supporting high-density installations and scalable network requirements . Jacketing Material: The outer jacket protects the fibers from environmental hazards such as moisture, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and mechanical stress. Common materials include polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), and low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) compounds. LSZH jackets are particularly useful indoors as they reduce toxic gas emissions during fire incidents . Strength Members: These are internal reinforcements, often made of aramid yarn or fiberglass rods, that provide tensile strength and prevent fiber damage during installation and handling . Water-Blocking and Gel-Free Designs: Many indoor/outdoor cables feature gel-free, water-blocked cores to prevent moisture ingress, ensuring reliable performance in ducts, trays, or covered outdoor pathways without the need for splicing between indoor and outdoor sections .

Fiber Types and Applications

Indoor/outdoor cables are available in singlemode (OS2) and multimode (OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4) variants, supporting various network speeds and distances. They can be terminated with connectors such as LC, SC, or ST, and are often used in backbone networks, campus installations, and high-density data centers .

Flame and Safety Ratings

When routed indoors, cables must meet fire safety standards. Riser-rated jackets are suitable for vertical runs between floors, while plenum-rated jackets are required in air-handling spaces. Indoor/outdoor cables are designed to meet these requirements, eliminating the need for a transition splice from outdoor to indoor-rated cables .

Advantages

• Versatility: Can be installed in both indoor and outdoor environments without splicing.
• Durability: Resistant to UV, moisture, chemicals, and mechanical stress.
• High Density: Supports multiple fiber cores for scalable network expansion.
• Compliance: Meets international standards such as UL, CPR, and Riser flame ratings for safe indoor use . Indoor/outdoor multi-core optical cables provide a reliable, high-performance solution for modern network infrastructures, combining environmental resilience with compliance to safety standards, making them ideal for complex installations spanning both indoor and outdoor environments.