China Optical Fiber Cable Naming Rules: Fiber Cable Code System (GYTS, GYTA, GYXTW)

■ Fiber Optic Cable Type Designation Explained: How to Read GYTA, GYTS, GYXTW Codes

Fiber optic cables form the backbone of the contemporary communication systems. However, when it comes to picking the right cable, the task is not very easy because of the codes of different kinds of cables, like GYTA, GYTS, GYXTW, GYFTY, GYUV, and the like. The patterns are not a fortuitous happening - they have a meaning to be a code to identify the cable's various attributes, including its structure, materials, type of protective cover, and the suitability for outdoor and indoor conditions.

This article brings an all-in-one, hands-on guide that serves to decrypt fiber optic cable model numbers, to enhance your choosing efficiency, and to entrust the proper come-out and settlement in overhead, duct, buried, or indoor environments.

■ 1. A guide to the structure of the cable code 

Usually, the cable model codes for fiber optic cables start with a systematic outline:

“ G + Function Code + (Reinforcement Code) + Structure Code + Sheath Code + [Armor Code][Outer Jacket Code] ”

Every segment provides specific characteristics of the cable, for example, its dedicated use, the material of inner reinforcement, core structure, cover material, and the design of mechanical protection.

■ 2. Functional Classification Codes (an initial prefix) 

The prefix refers to the cable’s functional areas or the installation conditions:

They make a clear way in separating ones that are more suited for use indoors, outdoors, aerial, direct-buried, or special applications.

■ 3. Reinforcement Material Code 

Between the functional code and structure the presence/absence is concerned about letter code (which is optional) tells if the cable is embedded with type of strength member:

Importance is apparent by: 

• Metallic cable (e.g., GYFTY) are safer for the areas near high-voltage lines where currents would be induced. 

• Cable reinforced with metal is more powerful for spans in aerial than that of ordinary one.

■ 4. Cable Core Structure Code

This particular section determines the method of fiber positioning and protection, such as:

■ 5. Sheath Material Code 

The metallic mesh is for shielding the weakest point of the wires.

Note: 

• PE (Y) is typically used for outdoor wiring due to its weather and UV resistance. 

• In an area that has a human impact, it is useful to consider that LSZH (H) is favored to reduce toxic smoke in case of a fire.

■ 6. Armor and Outer Jacket Code 

A new set of codes are used for cables the need additional shielding:

Armor Layer Code 

Outer Sheath Code

These codes contain more than just the protection against the mechanical stress, but also indicate the cable’s ecological sustainability (e.g., against rodents, ants, crushing forces, UV, humidity etc.).

■ 7. Common Cable Models and Their Applications

■ 8. Practical Tips for Decoding Fiber Cable Names 

Utilizing this broadly simplified diagram, you can assume names of all models in no time:

“Prefix = Application → Middle = Structure → Suffix = Protection”

Example 1: GYTA53

GY = Outdoor cable

T = Loose tube stranding

A = Aluminum-polyethylene bonded sheath

5 = Corrugated steel tape armor

3 = PE outer sheath

→ Ideal for direct burial with medium mechanical protection.

Example 2: GYXTW

• GY = Outdoor

• X = Central tube

• T = Full-filling

• W = Parallel steel wires + steel-PE bonded sheath

• → Used for aerial/duct where extra tensile strength is needed.

Example 3: GYFTY

• G = Outdoor

• F = Non-metallic

• T = Full-filling

• Y = PE sheath

• → Safe for high voltage environments, fully dielectric, lightweight.

■ 9. When to Choose Which Cable?

 ■ Conclusion 

Acquiring knowledge of fiber optic cable model codes helps specialists to: 

• Choose the right cable for the environment it was intended for. 

• Prevent the installation errors, as well as compatibility issues. 

• Conform to safety standards concerning fire or electrical and mechanical protection. 

If you are involved in the deployment of FTTx, telecommunication, or power systems, this is the naming guide on which you can rely.

James is a technical manager and associate at Zion Communication. 

Specializes in Optical Fiber communications,  FTTH Solutions, 

Fiber optic cables,  ADSS cable, and ODN networks.

james@zion-communication.com

+86 13777460328