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Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 28-04-2026 Origin: Site
For FTTH project orders, the right drop cable structure should be selected according to installation environment, route method, tensile load, bending space, sheath requirement, strength member type and termination method — not only by fiber count or unit price.
Indoor routes usually use flat FTTH drop cable such as GJXH or GJXFH.
Aerial pole-to-building drops usually require self-supporting drop cable such as GJYXCH.
Terminal-side flexible routing may benefit from round aramid yarn drop cable such as GYFJU.
For procurement and engineering teams, the first selection rule is to match the cable structure with the real installation route. The same 1-core, 2-core or 4-core FTTH drop cable may require a different structure when used indoors, outdoors, aerially or near terminal equipment.
| Project Scenario | Recommended Structure | Typical Strength Member | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor apartment FTTH wiring | Flat indoor drop cable | Steel wire or FRP | Compact, easy to strip and cost-effective for building routes |
| Indoor non-metallic requirement | Flat non-metallic drop cable | FRP | Avoids metallic components and grounding concerns |
| Outdoor pole-to-building drop | Self-supporting drop cable | Messenger wire + strength member | Supports short aerial spans and reduces sag risk |
| Tight indoor terminal routing | Round aramid yarn drop cable | Aramid yarn | Better flexibility near ONT, ONU and terminal boxes |
| Outdoor wall-mounted route | Outdoor-rated flat or self-supporting cable | Steel wire, FRP or messenger wire | Better sheath durability and mechanical protection |
FTTH drop cable structure refers to the physical design of the cable, including cable shape, fiber count, fiber type, strength member, sheath material and installation purpose. For project orders, this structure decides whether the cable can survive pulling, bending, outdoor exposure, clamp pressure and long-term service conditions.
Flat, round or self-supporting structure affects routing, stripping and hardware matching.
Steel wire, FRP, aramid yarn or messenger wire affects tensile strength and electrical safety.
Indoor flame performance and outdoor UV/moisture resistance must be separated clearly.
Field splicing, fast connectors and pre-terminated cables need different handling performance.
Flat drop cable is one of the most common FTTH cable structures. It usually places one or more optical fibers in the center, with two parallel strength members on both sides. It is widely used because it is compact, easy to strip, easy to route and suitable for large-scale FTTH deployment.
Self-supporting drop cable includes an additional messenger wire section. It is designed for short aerial routes, especially pole-to-house or pole-to-building connections. It helps control sag and reduces stress on the optical fiber during outdoor installation.
Round FTTH drop cable usually uses aramid yarn as the strength member and has a circular outer sheath. It is more flexible than many flat designs and is often used for terminal-side connection, pre-terminated cable assemblies and compact indoor routing near ONT or ONU equipment.
| Cable Type | Typical Structure | Common Application | Selection Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| GJXH | Flat drop cable with metallic strength member | Indoor FTTH wiring, subscriber connection | Cost-effective for standard indoor routes |
| GJXFH | Flat drop cable with non-metallic strength member | Indoor wiring where non-metallic design is preferred | Useful when steel wire should be avoided |
| GJYXCH | Self-supporting flat drop cable with messenger wire | Outdoor aerial drop from pole to building | Match with clamps and span requirements |
| GYFJU | Round drop cable with aramid yarn | Flexible indoor routing and terminal connection | Better for connectorized or flexible cable assemblies |
The strength member is one of the most important technical fields in an FTTH drop cable RFQ. It affects tensile strength, flexibility, electrical safety, cost and compatibility with installation hardware.
| Strength Member | Advantages | Limitations | Better For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel wire | Strong, cost-effective, good mechanical support | Metallic component may need attention in electrical-sensitive areas | Standard indoor and outdoor drop cable |
| FRP | Non-metallic, lightweight, electrically insulating | May have lower tensile performance than steel in some designs | Non-metallic indoor FTTH and safety-sensitive routes |
| Aramid yarn | Flexible, lightweight, good for round cable | Usually higher cost than basic steel or FRP structures | Flexible indoor drop, pre-terminated cable and terminal connection |
| Messenger wire | Supports aerial span | Adds structure size and requires matching hardware | Pole-to-building aerial drop |
Need aerial installation? Choose a self-supporting structure with messenger wire. Need non-metallic construction? Choose FRP or aramid yarn. Need flexible terminal routing? Consider round aramid yarn drop cable.
Indoor and outdoor FTTH drop cables may look similar, but their performance requirements are different. Procurement should not select the cable only by color, shape or fiber count.
| Selection Item | Indoor FTTH Drop Cable | Outdoor FTTH Drop Cable |
|---|---|---|
| Main concern | Flame performance, compact routing, easy installation | UV exposure, moisture, tension and outdoor aging |
| Common sheath | LSZH or PVC | PE, UV-resistant sheath or outdoor-rated LSZH |
| Typical route | Wall, conduit, riser, indoor terminal box | Pole-to-building, façade, outdoor conduit |
| Mechanical stress | Lower | Higher |
| Risk if misused | Fire rating mismatch or bending damage | UV cracking, water ingress or tensile failure |
FTTH drop cables are often installed through narrow ducts, wall corners, distribution boxes and subscriber rooms. Because of this, bend-insensitive fiber is commonly used to reduce attenuation risk during installation and maintenance.
| Fiber Type | Practical Meaning | Typical FTTH Use |
|---|---|---|
| G.652.D | Standard single-mode fiber | Feeder and distribution networks |
| G.657.A1 | Better bending performance than standard single-mode fiber | General FTTH drop cable |
| G.657.A2 | Stronger bend tolerance than A1 | Tight indoor routing, compact boxes and wall corners |
For projects with tight bends, small terminal boxes or high-density indoor routing, G.657.A2 can reduce bending loss risk. For standard routes with normal bending control, G.657.A1 may be sufficient.
Indoor, outdoor, aerial, conduit and wall-mounted routes require different cable structures. Do not quote only by “1F / 2F / 4F”.
Aerial drop installation must match clamps, hooks and anchoring hardware. Wrong matching can damage the sheath or stress the fiber.
Indoor cable may not have sufficient UV, moisture or outdoor mechanical protection, causing aging and service failure.
A stronger structure is not always better. Over-specification may increase cable cost, weight and installation difficulty.
FTTH drop cable pricing is affected by more than fiber count. Procurement teams should compare the full specification, not only price per meter.
| Cost Driver | Impact on Price | Procurement Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber type | G.657.A2 may cost more than basic options | Use when bend risk is important |
| Strength member | Aramid yarn and special FRP may increase cost | Match to flexibility and non-metallic needs |
| Sheath material | Outdoor-rated and LSZH materials affect price | Match environment and fire requirement |
| Cable structure | Self-supporting structure uses more material | Use for aerial routes only when required |
| Connectorization | Pre-terminated cable increases unit price | May reduce labor and field termination risk |
The lowest unit price is not always the lowest project cost. A structure mismatch can create hidden costs in rework, service calls and delayed installation.
For accurate quotation and lower project risk, procurement should define the following information before mass production or project bidding.
| RFQ Field | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Application | Indoor, outdoor, aerial, conduit, wall-mounted or subscriber drop |
| Fiber count | 1F, 2F, 4F or customized |
| Fiber type | G.657.A1, G.657.A2 or other specified fiber |
| Cable structure | Flat, round or self-supporting |
| Strength member | Steel wire, FRP, aramid yarn or messenger wire |
| Sheath material | LSZH, PVC, PE or UV-resistant jacket |
| Cable size | Example: 2.0×3.0 mm, 2.0×5.2 mm or customized |
| Installation span | Especially important for aerial route and hardware matching |
| Packing length | 1 km/reel, 2 km/reel, drum, carton or project-specific packing |
| Accessories | Clamp, hook, fast connector, terminal box, closure or installation kit |
For most indoor FTTH projects, flat drop cable such as GJXH or GJXFH is commonly used because it is compact, easy to route and cost-effective. If non-metallic construction is required, GJXFH with FRP strength members may be more suitable.
Self-supporting FTTH drop cable should be used when the cable is installed aerially, especially from pole to building. The messenger wire helps support the cable and reduce sagging or tensile stress.
GJXH usually uses metallic strength members, while GJXFH usually uses non-metallic strength members such as FRP. GJXH is often selected for cost-effective standard indoor wiring, while GJXFH is better when non-metallic construction is required.
G.657.A2 is not always mandatory, but it is recommended for routes with tight bends, wall corners, compact terminal boxes or high-density indoor routing. For standard FTTH routes, G.657.A1 may be sufficient.
Indoor FTTH drop cable should not be used outdoors unless its sheath and structure are designed for outdoor exposure. Outdoor routes require attention to UV resistance, moisture resistance and mechanical strength.
Prices differ because of fiber type, strength member, sheath material, cable structure, packing length, testing requirement and connectorization. Fiber count alone is not enough for accurate price comparison.
Choosing FTTH drop cable structure for project orders should start from the route, not from the price list. Indoor flat drop cable, self-supporting aerial drop cable, round aramid yarn drop cable and non-metallic drop cable each solve different engineering problems. For procurement teams, the most important fields are installation environment, strength member, sheath material, fiber type, span requirement, bend condition and termination method.
For large FTTH deployments, a clear cable structure specification helps reduce quotation errors, installation failures, compatibility problems and future maintenance cost. The right cable is not always the strongest or the cheapest one. It is the structure that matches the project route, installation method and long-term service requirement.
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