What is Armored Flame Retardant Optical Cable?
What is Armored Flame Retardant Optical Cable?
Blog Article
What is armored flame retardant optical cable? Armored flame retardant optical cable is a special type of fiber optic cable designed to improve the mechanical strength and fire resistance of the fiber optic cable. It mainly used in environments that require enhanced protection and safety. Such as subways, tunnels, high-rise buildings, power facilities, military bases, and chemical plants. This type of fiber optic cable combines the advantages of armored structure and flame retardant materials. It can not only resist external pressure, wear and bite, but also effectively prevent the spread of fire, ensuring the continuous operation of communication networks under harsh conditions.
Structure of Armored Flame Retardant Optical Cable
1.Armored structure
(1) Fiber unit
Located in the center, composed of one or more optical fibers, responsible for signal transmission.
(2) Loose tube
The protective layer that wraps the optical fiber usually made of polymer materials and has good flexibility and waterproof properties.
(3) Reinforcement
Such as aramid yarn or steel wire rope, it wrapped around the loose tube to improve the overall tensile and compressive strength of the optical cable.
(4) Shielding layer
Aluminum foil or copper mesh added to some designs to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI).
(5) Armor layer
The outermost layer made of galvanized steel strip or stainless steel wire spirally wound to form a solid barrier to prevent gnaws and mechanical damage.
2.Flame retardant materials
In order to achieve flame retardant effect, the outer sheath of armored optical cable usually made of flame retardant polyolefin (such as flame retardant PE or flame retardant PVC) or LSZH (low smoke zero halogen) material. Such materials are not easy to burn under high temperature conditions and produce less smoke and toxic gases, thereby reducing the risk of fire and harm to human health.
Application of Flame Retardant Fiber Optic Cable
Given its excellent protection and safety, armored flame retardant optical cable is widely used in the following fields:
- Rail transit system: communication and monitoring network of public transportation such as subway, high-speed rail and light rail.
- Public facilities: internal communication systems in crowded places such as schools, hospitals, shopping malls, etc.
- Energy industry: dedicated communication links in power plants, power transmission and transformation projects, oil drilling platforms, etc.
- Military and national defense: information transmission of important strategic facilities such as command and control centers, weapon systems, radar stations, etc.
- Hazardous chemical production and storage units: emergency communication networks in high-risk areas such as chemical plants, oil depots, and natural gas pipelines.
International Standards and Safety Standards for Armored Flame-retardant Optical Cables
Armored flame retardant optical cable must comply with a series of international and regional safety and performance standards. For example:
(1) IEC 60332-3
Test method for evaluating the flame propagation characteristics of vertically installed cables, used to assess the flame retardancy level of optical cables.
(2) UL 1666
Test for the flame propagation characteristics of vertical tray cables by Underwriters Laboratories. Applicable to evaluating the fire performance of optical cables in vertical channels such as cable wells.
(3) EN 50575
Classification system for cable reaction fire behavior developed by the European Union. It specifies the fire protection requirements for optical cables and other cable products.
Summary
Armored flame-retardant optical cables, with their unique structure and high-quality materials, can ensure smooth communication in complex and changing environments, and safeguard the informationization process of modern society. Report this page