OPGW 48 Core Optical Fiber Cable

■ What is OPGW 48 Core Cable? 

OPGW, or Optical Ground Wire, is a self-supporting cable used for the installation of optical fibers on overhead power transmission lines. It consists of lightning protection and high-speed optical communication capabilities within a single unit. The configuration of 48 fibers OPGW allows for enhanced communication capacity dedicated to smart grid solutions and long-distance data transfer.

■ Types of OPGW 48 Fiber Optical Ground Wire

OPGW, or Optical Ground Wire, is a particular kind of fiber optic cable placed at the top of the towers of high-voltage lines. It provides the dual function of lightning grounding and fiber-optic communication. The OPGW 48-core  is almost always the fiber cable of choice for major undertaking ventures where systems protection and communication capacity are required. They are several types of construction that can perfectly fit different terrains, mechanical requirements, and environmental considerations. 

Comparison Table – OPGW 48 Fiber Types

Type	Structure	Fiber Count	Tube Material	Armor Type	UTS (daN)	Weight (kg/km)	Outer Diameter (mm)	Application
OPGW-48 ACS	Central loose tube	48 G.652D	Dry aluminum tube	ACS wires	11000	~690	~15.0	Standard spans, general power lines
OPGW-48 SS	Multiple SS tubes	48 G.652D/G.655	Stainless steel	Steel wire armor	12300	~723	15.2	High corrosion zones, coastal areas
OPGW-48 Hybrid	Central aluminum + fillers	48 G.652D	Dry aluminum	ACS + steel	11600	~715	15.2 ± 0.5	Mixed terrain, moderate tension
OPGW-48 Dry	Central dry tube	48 G.652D	Aluminum, gel-free	ACS wires	11200	~700	~14.8	Hot or dry climate, easy splicing
OPGW-48 High Tension	Reinforced core	48 G.652D/G.655	SS tube or aluminum	High-strength steel	13,000+	~750	~15.5	Long spans, mountain/river crossings

 

✅ Notes:

All types are customizable in terms of fiber mix (e.g., G.652D + G.655), outer sheath, armor layer, and accessories

Fiber count can be adapted (e.g., 24, 36, 72 fibers) upon request

Each design meets international standards (IEC 60794, IEEE 1138)

ACS Structure – Type of Wire

Aluminum-Clad Steel Type Structure: 

A central loose tube - surrounded or wrapped with numerous aluminum-clad steel (ACS) wires. 

Strength: A good strength-to-weight ratio with moderate tensile strength per unit area of weight. 

Weight: Lightweight, allowing for fast mounting. 

Application: Found on standard transmission lines functioning in normal but not extreme environments. 

Advantage: Cost-friendly and exhibit comparable mechanical and electrical capacity.

 

SS Tube Type – Type of Wire

Stainless Steel Tube Design Structure: 

Stainless steel tube (SS tube) containing the optical fibers, with steel wires as an armor. 

Strength: Excellent tensile power and anti-corrosion characteristics. 

Environmental Resistance: Built for use in severely contaminated or coastal areas and industrial zones. 

Application: Extreme conditions and long-distance routes with increased mechanical strains. 

Advantage: Providing fiber core a 100 percent shield for reliable operation.

 

ACS + SACS Mixed Armor Type

ACS + SACS Hybrid Structure: 

Aluminum core tube reinforced with a hybrid form of ACS and stranded alloy-clad steel wires (SACS). 

Flexibility: Allows elastic view and ability to adapt to undulated terrain. 

Application: Areas with tough mountain conditions or urban unless mixed with soil. 

Advantage: Uniform performance meeting a diversity of standard.

 

Dry Aluminum Tube Type

Dry Aluminum Tube Type

Clean & Lightweight Structure: 

Central aluminum tube packed with dry thixotropic compound, so there is no gel. 

Benefit: Allow simple splicing and quick tune-up rates, no cleaning and hassle when installation. 

Weight: With a lesser weight than gel-filled cables. 

Application: Areas with dryness, quick growth might be installed in such places. 

Advantage: Greenish in the environment, plus it is less time-consuming.

 

High Tensile Strength Type

Longer Span Configuration Structure: 

A reinforced core central, possibly an ACS as well as SACS combination of the wires. 

Strength: For extreme spans, the UTS (Ultimate Tensile Strength) is boosted highly. 

Application: Projects involving petite towers spacing or exceptional mechanical tension. 

Advantage: Designed for heavy-duty needs which comes with responsibilities.

 

■ Additional Notes of OPGW 48 Fiber Optical Ground Wire

Fiber Types Explained

G.652D: Standard single-mode fiber with low attenuation; works perfectly for long-distance transmission. 

G.655: The fiber was designed as a non-zero dispersion shifted fiber with minimization of the nonlinearities in DWDM systems. 

Mixed (G.652D + G.655): It resolves both long distance and high capacity needs. 

Structural Designs

SS Tube (Stainless Steel Tube): Optical fibers mounted in a stainless steel tube offering the highest mechanical protection. 

Dry Aluminum Tube: An aluminum tube filled with dry thixotropic compound but with no gel – light in weight, easy to do installation. 

Gel-Filled Loose Tube: Tubes in which the loose fibers are surrounded with gel for top moisture protection, but also tends to be heavy. 

Armor Materials

ACS (Aluminum Cladded Steel): The material with high electricity transfer and supplemental for lines above the ground. 

SACS (Steel-Aluminum Clad Steel): OBS with a huge strength and exceptionally ice and wind proof. 

Hybrid Armor: The alloy chain armor which is flexible and can be utilized depending on the project.

■ Technical Specifications (48 Fiber OPGW Cable Types) 

For reference only, please contact us for OPGW 48 Fiber specific models

Parameter	ACS Structure (Aluminum Clad Steel)	SS Tube Type (Stainless Steel Tube)	Mixed Armor Type (ACS + SACS Hybrid)	Dry Aluminum Tube (Clean & Lightweight)	High Tensile Strength (Long Span Design)
Fiber Count	48 G.652D	48 G.652D / G.655	48 G.652D	48 G.652D	48 G.652D / G.655
Structure	Central loose tube	Multiple SS tubes	Central tube + fillers	Dry aluminum loose tube	Reinforced core / extra steel
Tube Material	Aluminum extruded tube	Stainless steel tube	Aluminum tube	Aluminum (gel-free)	Aluminum / SS combination
Armor Type	ACS wires (20–24 wires)	Stainless steel + armor wire	ACS + SACS (dual layer)	ACS wires	ACS / SACS high-strength
Outer Diameter	14.5 – 15.5 mm	14.0 – 15.0 mm	14.8 – 15.5 mm	13.5 – 15.0 mm	15.0 – 16.5 mm
Weight (kg/km)	660 – 720	700 – 740	690 – 730	640 – 700	730 – 780
UTS (daN)	10,500 – 11,500	11,800 – 12,500	11,000 – 12,000	10,800 – 11,300	12,500 – 13,800
Max. Short Circuit Current (kA, 0.25s)	16 – 17	16 – 17	16 – 18	15 – 16	17 – 19
Electrical Resistance (Ω/km)	≤ 0.39 @ 20°C	≤ 0.38 @ 20°C	≤ 0.39 @ 20°C	≤ 0.40 @ 20°C	≤ 0.38 @ 20°C
Thermal Expansion (x10⁻⁶/°C)	13.0 – 14.0	11.5 – 12.5	12.5 – 13.5	13.0 – 14.0	12.0 – 13.0
Elastic Modulus (MPa)	110,000 – 120,000	125,000 – 130,000	115,000 – 125,000	110,000 – 115,000	130,000 – 140,000
Water Blocking	Thixotropic gel or dry yarn	SS sealing + dry yarn	Gel + water-swellable yarn	Fully dry, thixotropic	Gel/dry combo
Applications	Standard transmission lines	Coastal, industrial, corrosive areas	Mountainous, mixed terrains	Easy installation, low maintenance	Long spans, river crossings

 

OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) is a dual-purpose cable intended to be mounted on high-voltage overhead power lines. Its roles can be divided into two: 

Grounding: Defends power lines against lightning and offers an accessible way for fault currents to reach the ground. 

Telecommunications: Houses optical fibers for rapid data transfer. 

Ultimately, this combination of features contributes to power grid efficiency and safety, as well as communications capacity, thereby making OPGW an integral element of updated power infrastructures.

 

HANGZHOU ZION COMMUNICATION CO., LTD is a renowned provider of high-performance OPGW cables and related components. Our clients, including utilities, ISPs, and system integrators, rely on our products for time-critical power and communication infrastructure in more than 80 countries. 

Zion Communication's Fiber Optic Expertise Covers: 

➡ OPGW 

➡ ADSS Cables 

➡ FTTH Drop Cables 

➡ Fiber Optic Patch Cords 

➡ Distribution Boxes and Closures  

Our company is dedicated to "Top Quality and Outstanding Service at Reasonable Rates," driven by skills in R&D, flexible customization, and 24/7 global technical support.

 

Usually put at the top of transmission towers, OPGW serves as a shield wire: 

• Lightning strikes encounter first wire and get transferred there. 

• Provides a low-resistance grounding path for fault current dissipation. 

• Increase system reliability as well as operator safety because of reduced outages and electrical hazards.

 

While in-line with single-mode fibers, OPGW permits: 

Transmission of any data in real-time along a great distance with close to zero distortion. 

Support for SCADA systems, teleprotection, and remote grid monitoring. 

Communication in a secured manner which is shielded against electromagnetic interference or extreme weather.

 

• Dual Functionality 

  Integrates grounding and fibre optic communication into the more cost-effective and space-efficient cable. 

• Installation Efficiency 

  Fits directly onto existing towers with minimal structural changes. Live-line installation may also be done. 

• Highly durable and safe 

  Untroubled with electric, lightning-insertion, and exterior physical destruction. 

  The temperature stability range is from -40C to 85C, compatible with extreme environment. 

• Smart Grid Ready 

  Enables the transport of data and information in advanced grids, including smart systems. 

• Revenue generating prospects 

  Allowing dark fibers space gives utility owners incentives for making additional sum of money.

 

SCADA Systems: Manages all operation in substations via change and auto commands. 

Grid Monitoring: Ensures temperature sensing and detecting faults along transmission lines. 

Utility Communication Networks: Creates the path of voice, video data transfer in and between utility facilities. 

Telecom Backbone: Leased fibers can act as area or intercity fiber backbones.

 

OPGW installation is usually done for the new line construction, and for retrofitting OPGW onto live wires, live-line methods are used. Cable lengths must correlate with the spans of the towers, as junctions mid-span are not practical. 

Fiber jointing and transitioning to current fiber cables are performed at the towers using splice boxes.

• Your Honest Supplier & Long-term Partner 

• The company operates as R&D and testing facilities all in-house. 

• Sophisticated manufacturing facilities with checks on ISO-compliant QC. 

• Provision of expert help for one-of-a-kind OPGW designs and necessary accessories. 

• A timely world-class delivery service with complete documentation. 

• Telecom and utility compliance brought about by multiple certificates. 

Just reach out to us to get the prices, data sheets, and technical consultations at info@zion-communication.com

 

Our Mission & Vision 

Mission: Provide cost and performance competitive low-voltage and signal transmission solutions, targeted at customers’ satisfaction. 

Vision: To become a pioneer in cables, wires, fiber, and copper system providing through innovation, quality, and service. 

In the smart grids and data-oriented energy systems era, OPGW is much more than just optional; it's a must. It comprises: 

✔ Protection against lightning 

✔ Communication safety 

✔ Efficiency in operations 

✔ Cost-savings on the long run

 

ZION COMMUNICATION as your OPGW partner could just be what you need to invest in because you are putting money on reliability, scalability, and global presence.