FTTH Drop Cable: Types, Selection & Manufacturer Guide

■1) How to Select an FTTH Drop Cable

An FTTH drop cable is the final optical link between a building or pole-mounted distribution point and the subscriber premises. In many networks, the indoor tail or pre-terminated lead continues to the optical network terminal (ONT). The correct construction depends on the route—not on one product name alone.

■2) Round Cables (Indoor Flexibility & Fire Safety)

Fire-conscious indoor FTTH routes often need a compact cable that can pass through walls, floors and conduits while presenting a neat circular profile.

Best for: apartment buildings, offices, risers and indoor pathways where routing flexibility, appearance and the specified fire-performance requirement are important.

Product	Image	Structure	Strength member	Sheath	Diameter	Application	Key advantage	Tensile strength
GJYFJHH		Round, tight-buffered	Aramid yarns	LSZH	4.8 mm	Indoor FTTH	Fire-conscious, robust round profile	250 N long term / 800 N short term
GJYFJH		Round, tight-buffered	Aramid yarns	LSZH	3.0 mm	Indoor FTTH	Compact and lightweight	60 N long term / 120 N short term
GYFJU		Round, tight-buffered	Aramid yarns	LSZH	2.0–4.0 mm typical	Indoor / outdoor FTTH	Flexible, versatile construction	400–800 N, subject to model

■3) Flat Cables (Lightweight & Durable FTTH Solutions)

Bow-type flat cable is widely used for short subscriber drops because it is compact, easy to strip and available with metallic or non-metallic strength members. The narrow profile fits surface routing, small conduits and building entry work.

Best for: homes, offices and commercial premises needing a compact indoor or protected indoor/outdoor subscriber connection.

Product	Image	Structure	Strength member	Sheath	Dimensions	Fiber count	Application	Tensile strength
GJXFH		Flat, tight-buffered	FRP	LSZH	2.0 × 3.0 mm	1–4	Indoor / outdoor FTTH	100 N long term / 200 N short term
GJXH		Flat, tight-buffered	Steel wire	LSZH	2.0 × 3.0 mm	1–4	Indoor / outdoor FTTH	100 N long term / 200 N short term
GJXH Small		Flat, tight-buffered	Steel wire	LSZH	1.6 × 2.0 mm	1–2	Indoor FTTH	100 N long term / 200 N short term
GJXFDH / GJXDH		Flat, ribbon fibers	FRP or steel wire	LSZH	2.0 × 4.0 mm	2–4 ribbon	Indoor FTTH	40–200 N, subject to model
FDC		Flat, central tube	Steel wire	LSZH	3.0 × 6.0 mm	1–12	Indoor / outdoor FTTH	300 N long term / 600 N short term

■4) Self-Supporting Cables (Aerial Deployment)

Aerial subscriber drops require a cable designed to carry the specified span load. A dedicated steel or FRP messenger, or a self-supporting round/uni-tube construction, transfers tensile force away from the optical fiber.

Best for: pole-to-building and façade routes that need a purpose-designed aerial FTTH drop rather than an unsupported indoor cable.

Product	Image	Structure	Support / member	Sheath	Dimensions	Fiber count	Key advantage	Tensile strength
GJYXCH		Flat, tight-buffered	Steel messenger + steel members	LSZH	2.0 × 5.1 mm	1–4	Durable steel-supported aerial drop	300 N long term / 600 N short term
GJYXFCH		Flat, tight-buffered	FRP messenger + FRP members	LSZH	2.0 × 3.0 mm body	1–4	Lightweight, non-metallic	100 N long term / 200 N short term
GJYXFDCH / GJYXDCH		Flat, ribbon fibers	Steel or FRP members + messenger	LSZH	2.0 × 6.2 mm	2–4 ribbon	Higher fiber count aerial drop	300 N long term / 600 N short term
ASU		Round, uni-tube	FRP	HDPE	6.8 / 7.8 mm	1–12	All-dielectric longer-span option	300 N long term / 600 N short term
GYXY-8S		Figure-8, uni-tube	Steel messenger + aramid	HDPE	2.8 × 4.6 × 8.8 mm	1–12	Heavy-duty figure-8 profile	500 N long term / 1250 N short term
GYFXBY		Flat, uni-tube	FRP	PE	4.6 × 8.1 mm	1–12	All-dielectric, wind-resistant profile	400 N long term / 1400 N short term

■5) Specialized Outdoor Cables (Aerial/Duct Durability)

Outdoor cable is exposed to sunlight, moisture, temperature cycling and mechanical damage. Select a jacket and reinforcement system verified for the actual route instead of assuming that every LSZH indoor/outdoor drop is suitable for long-term duct or aerial service.

Best for: outdoor ducts and selected aerial routes where a lightweight, non-metallic, weather-resistant cable is required.

Product	Image	Structure	Strength member	Sheath	Typical size	Fiber count	Application	Tensile strength
GYGXY		Uni-tube	Glass-yarn tapes	HDPE	Typically 5.0–8.0 mm, by fiber count	1–4	Outdoor aerial / duct drop	600 N long term / 1500 N short term

Published dimensions and tensile values above are product-family reference data from the supplied source. Confirm the current model-specific data sheet before design approval or purchase.

■6) G657A1 vs G657A2, Steel Wire vs FRP, and Indoor vs Outdoor

■7) ONT Drop Cable, Patch Cords, Clamps & Accessories

The cable between the distribution box and subscriber ONT is commonly a 1- or 2-fiber FTTH drop cable using bend-insensitive G.657 fiber. A factory-terminated or field-terminated SC APC FTTH patch cord may form the final indoor connection, depending on the box, outlet and ONT interfaces.

A complete list of FTTH drop cable accessories may include a compatible drop cable clamp or wedge clamp, pole/building anchors, stainless bands or hooks, protective conduit, entry seal, splice closure or terminal box, fiber outlet, mechanical connector or fusion-splice protector, SC/APC pigtail/patch cord, cleaning tools and optical test equipment.

■8) FTTH Drop Cable Buyer & Installation FAQ

■9) FTTH Drop Cable RFQ Checklist

• Network and routeDistribution point to ONT, distance, indoor/outdoor zones, duct, façade or pole span.

• Optical requirementsFiber count, G.657.A1/G.657.A2 category, attenuation and wavelength requirements.

• Cable constructionRound/flat/uni-tube, steel wire or FRP, messenger, sheath, dimensions and color.

• Mechanical and environmental dataTensile, crush, bend, temperature, UV, water and required fire-performance classification.

• Termination and accessoriesSC/APC ends, patch-cord length, clamps, anchors, closures, outlets and splice items.

• Commercial deliveryQuantity, drum/coil length, printing, label, packaging, destination, documents and delivery date.