About Armored Fiber Optic Cable

When transmitting data or conducting power in harsh environment, it is crucial to ensure your cables operation is safe and reliable. Armored fiber optic cables provide extra crush-resistance and rodent protection in that environment. Armored fiber optic cables are constructed with a helical stainless steel tape over a buffered fiber surrounded by a layer of aramid and stainless steel mesh with an outer jacket.

Generally, there are two types of armored fiber optic cables: interlocking and corrugated. 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.  As the following picture shows, from up to down is interlocking armor and corrugated armor.

Benefits of Armored Fiber Optic Cables

• Rodent resistance
• Moisture and chemical protection
• Water blocking of sheath interfaces
• Mechanical strength
• Thermal stability
• Corrosion protection
• Lightning protection
• Ability to be located accurately
• Ability to be monitored.

Armored fiber optic cables have several benefits, but installation is not that easy. The armored fiber cable construction provides additional crush and rodent protection, and this means the armored cable is conductive, so it must be installed properly. Proper installation is required for the safe and effective dissipation of unwanted electrical current, and it promotes personal and site safety.How to Install armored fiber optic cables

• Bend the cable about 10 inches from its end and squeeze with your hand until the coils of the armor come apart. If you can’t do this by hand, use pliers or employ another cutting method.
• Firmly grip the cable on each side of the cut and twist until the split-apart armor coil pops out, away from the wires. Use two pairs of pliers if you can’t do this by hand.
• Using side cutters, cut the exposed coil of sheathing. You may have to grab the coil with the side cutters and work it back and forth to open and make the cut.
• If you are cutting a piece to length, slide back the sheathing and cut through the wires. Otherwise slide the waste piece off and throw it away.
• Cut off any sharp points of sheathing using side cutters. Remove the paper wrapping and any thin plastic strips. If the cable is BX it has a thin metal bonding strip. Cut it to about 2 inches.

Armored fiber optic cable is widely used for gyroscope application and anchor cable aboard minesweepers. It is also used for propeller shafts on a wide variety of vessels and exhibits high fatigue strength in seawater. There is also application in chemical process applications for handling of organic acids, caustic and dry chlorine. Besides, it can be used for marine engineering, chemical and hydrocarbon processing equipment, valves, pumps, shafts, fittings, fasteners, and heat exchangers.Conclusion

Armored cable always for rodent protection both indoor and outdoor. With its various benefits and applications, it can satisfy all your needs