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Author: James Publish Time: 06-06-2025 Origin: Site
OPGW played a dual function of providing ground wires for the supports and being an optical fiber communication line in modern power transmission systems. Engineers and procurement teams can design and cost an OPGW model by fully understanding its type, how it differs from other types of cables in terms of structure, fiber count, and mechanical performance. This article explains the OPGW cable code naming convention, with a focus on different structure types and how to interpret the codes.
OPGW cable models typically follow a structured format:
OPGW-XX[S]-YY(ZZ;AA)
Code Part | Meaning |
OPGW | Optical Ground Wire |
XX | Number of optical fibers (e.g., 24, 36, 48, 72) |
[S] | Structure code (e.g., B1, B2, C, D, etc.) – defines the cable structure |
YY | Design ID or nominal outer diameter (mm) |
(ZZ;AA) | Performance parameters: |
OPGW cables come in various structural designs to meet different mechanical and environmental requirements. Below is a table summarizing the most common structure codes and their meanings:
Structure Code | Structure Type | Description |
B1 | Central Stainless Steel Tube | Compact design with central stainless steel tube and stranded wires |
B2 | Aluminum Pipe Loose Tube | Fiber placed in a loose tube within an aluminum pipe for better protection |
C | Central Aluminum-Clad Steel Tube | Lightweight with good mechanical and electrical performance |
D | Double-Stranded Layer | Suitable for long spans and high mechanical stress |
E | Aluminum Alloy Multi-Tube | High fiber capacity and fault tolerance |
F | High Fiber + High Short-Circuit Design | Balances high fiber count with strong current-carrying capability |
G | Anti-Corrosion Enhanced Structure | Specially designed for harsh environments |
Let’s analyze a few typical OPGW cable model codes:
Model Code | Explanation |
OPGW-24B1-40(51;9) | 24 fibers, B1 structure, design #40, weight: 51 kg/km, tensile: 9 kN |
OPGW-36B2-60(70;17.5) | 36 fibers, B2 structure, design #60, weight: 70 kg/km, tensile: 17.5 kN |
OPGW-48C-70(77;24) | 48 fibers, C structure, design #70, weight: 77 kg/km, tensile: 24 kN |
OPGW-24D-90(109;35.5) | 24 fibers, D structure, design #90, weight: 109 kg/km, tensile: 35.5 kN |
OPGW-48E-100(118;50) | 48 fibers, E structure, design #100, weight: 118 kg/km, tensile: 50 kN |
Some manufacturers extend the basic code with additional suffixes to indicate special features or applications:
Suffix | Meaning |
-HT | High Tensile design |
-SC | High Short-Circuit capacity |
-XL | Extra Long Span design |
-AS | Aluminum Sheath protection |
-SUS | Stainless Steel Tube version |
Code Element | Example | Meaning |
OPGW | OPGW | Optical Ground Wire |
Fiber Count | 24, 36, 48 | Number of optical fibers |
Structure Code | B1, B2, D | Cable structure type |
Design ID | 40, 60, 90 | Cable diameter or manufacturer design # |
Performance | (51;9) | Weight in kg/km; RTS in kN |
By becoming familiar with the OPGW cable naming system, you can save time on choosing the appropriate product, and then concentrate on design and procurement. The significance of structure codes like B1, B2, or D is that they help engineers select the right OPGW type with consideration to conditions such as length of span, environment, and performance needs.
For more technical support or to download the full OPGW product catalog, feel free to Contact Us.
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
