Loose Tube Vs Ribbon Fiber

Fiber optic cables are constructed in two ways.

Loose tube vs ribbon fiber.

Each however is designed for very different environments. Loose tube vs tight buffered fiber optic cable. However it is capable of accommodating the maximum fiber density relative to cable diameter. The gel within the loose tube construction stops the penetration of water and keeps it away from the fiber.

As is usually the case. Loose tube and tight buffered. Loose tube cables whether flooded under the jacket or water blocked with dry swellable materials protect the fibers from moisture and the long term degradation moisture can cause. The configuration of loose tube cable comprises of a coated fiber placed within a loose tube which is filled with water resistant gel to protect fiber from tension and stresses caused by such harsh environment as moisture and a wide operation temperature range from thermal shock to ice loading.

Both contain a type of strengthening member such as aramid yarn stainless steel wire strands or gel filled sleeves. But each is designed for very different environments. As is usually the case in these networks specific architectural characteristics and particular applications may dictate the deployment of one type of cable. The economics of fiber counts notwithstanding there are still a few areas where either ribbon or loose tube is the preferred option.

Tight buffered and loose tube fiber are the two styles of constructions fiber optic cables offered. Both contain some type of strengthening member such as aramid yarn stainless steel wire strands or even gel filled sleeves. Loose tube can directly impact ease of installation and future performance. Loose tube cables are optimized for outdoor applications.

Loose tube and tight buffered. Making the right fiber cable choice can improve overall performance of distribution cables in the pon in the distribution portion of the passive optical network pon for fiber tothe premise fttp architectures the choice of fiber cabling ribbon vs. Between them there are several common denominators like the fact that both have in their interior a strengthening member of sorts that can be made of stainless steel in the form of wire strands aramid yarn or gel filled sleeves. Ribbon optical cables provide an ideal choice for deployment in campus building and data center backbone applications where fiber counts of more than 24 are required just like the stranded loose tube cable ribbon cable offers robust performance as well.

For example it takes four splices to repair a 48 fiber count ribbon cable compared to 48 splices for the loose tube equivalent.