What is Fiber Optic Drop Cable? What are the commonly used types of them?

What is fiber optic drop cable? Fiber Optic drop cables are a crucial component of FTTH networks. They not only form the final external link between subscribers and the feeder cables but also bring fibers closer to users. Issues such as network reliability, operational flexibility, and FTTH deployment costs highlight the importance of selecting the right fiber-optic drop cable. While the market offers many types of fiber-optic drop cables, flat, figure-8, and circular types remain the most popular.

What is fiber optic drop cable?

FTTH fiber optic drop cable is characterized by small size, low fiber count, and a support span of about 80m. It is laid out at the user’s end and used to connect the terminal of the backbone optical cable to the user’s building or house. Fiber Drop Cable is common for overhead and pipeline construction, and it is not common for underground or buried installation.

What are the commonly used types of them?

Flat drop cables feature a flat design and typically consist of a polyethylene sheath, multiple fibers, and two dielectric strength members to ensure high pressure resistance. Previously, flat drop cables typically housed one or two fibers; now, they can accommodate up to 12 or even more fibers.

The figure-8 drop cable features a central tube cable secured to steel wires; it is intended to combine the installation of messenger wires and optical cables into a single process. The figure-8 drop cable is a self-supporting design, specifically intended for outdoor aerial applications. Typically, the figure-8 drop cable includes 2 to 48 optical fibers.

Round Drop Cables typically feature a bend-insensitive optical fiber, cushioned and encased within insulation reinforcement and an outer sheath. They ensure durability and reliability in the drop sections of networks.

Conclusion

With the continuous development of the communication industry, fiber to the home is becoming increasingly important. Fiber optic cables are widely used for FTTH access networks. Flat drop cable, figure-8 cable, and round drop cable are still the three most popular types of fiber optic cable. You can make a wide selection between them.