If you plan to deploy a dependable FTTH network, you must select an appropriate drop cable. However, what is an optical fiber drop cable, and what do you need to consider in order to choose the right one for the task?

Indeed, at Zion Communication, the expert fiber optic manufacturer with more than two decades of experience, we are here to help you. This guide will take you through what drop cables are, the different types of drop cables, their roles in FTTH installations, and what should be considered before making an order. Pro or no pro, if you're engaged in installation, distribution, or network planning, we've got you covered. Get hold of the right partner behind you, and you'll succeed.

■ What is optical fiber drop cable

Optical fiber drop cable, often referred to as FTTH (Fiber to the Home) cable, is the last segment in the fiber optic network, which connects the user's home/building terminal to the backbone cable terminal of an ISP provider. It lies at the end-user side and is necessary when FTTH (Fiber to the Home) is considered as accessing high-speed internet.

The cable is noted for its small size, low fiber count (1 to 4 fibers), and about 80 meters support span. It is the best applicable in overhead and duct installations, but it is inapt for underground and direct-burial installations.

The ISP employs drop cables to make a direct connection from the distribution point to the user's terminal devices or equipment. Usually, these cables contain up to 12 fibers, and it is common to treat them as coated-type fibers (for example, when color codes are applied for easy identification, such as blue, orange, green, brown, gray, etc.)

The outer sheath is generally composed of LSZH materials to satisfy the conditions of flame-retardancy and environmental friendliness in the indoor environment. The outer drop cables are designed with the additional elements providing water-blocking features and generally exotic protection for external environments.

■ Character of Fiber Drop Cable

• Compact size and lightweight

• Exceptional bending abilities and flexibility

• Straightforward structure, which helps out with an easy setup

• Very strong tensile strength, either held by parallel FRP or steel

• Unique groove shape helps here in fiber stripping and terminations

• LSZH (Low-Smoke, Zero-Halogen) jacket for indoor usage

• The water-banned and UV-resistant construction is mandated for outdoor usage durability.

■ Application Scenarios of Fiber Drop Cable

Indoor users

Indoor optical cables mainly include 1F, 2F, and 4F.

Household optical cables should use 1F;

Enterprise users should use 2-4F optical cable design.

There are two types of household optical cables: 

FRP reinforcement and steel wire reinforcement. 

Taking into account factors such as lightning protection and strong current interference, FRP reinforcement should be used indoors.

Wire laying in the building

Wiring in buildings Horizontal wiring does not have high requirements for optical cables, while vertical wiring requires optical cables to have a certain tensile strength, as well as flame retardant requirements. Therefore, the tensile strength of optical cables must be considered.

Overhead self-supporting wire laying

The figure-8 self-supporting optical cable adds a steel wire suspension on the optical cable, offers more tensile strength, and can be laid overhead. It is suitable for outdoor overhead wiring to enter the indoor wiring environment. Before fixing the steel hanging wire on the special bracket, first cut off the steel wire, strip off the steel wire cable on the remaining optical cable.

Duct wire laying

Duct optical cables and self-supporting "8" optical cables are both indoor and outdoor integrated optical cables, which can adapt to indoor and outdoor environments, and are suitable for FTTH drop cable from outside to indoor. Because the outer sheath, reinforcement, and water-blocking materials are added on the drop optical fiber cable, the Duct optical cable has higher hardness and waterproof performance and is suitable for outdoor duct laying.

■ What are Drop Cables used for?

Internet service providers connect directly to service equipment by using optical cables. Usually contains no more than 12 fibers. The following four fiber optic cable designs are the most commonly used today.

FTTH optical cable (known as drop cable). The drop flat cable contains 1 to 4 coated ptical fibers. The coating of the optical fiber can be colored, blue, orange, green, brown, gray, white, red, black, yellow, purple, pink or light green in compliance with the requirements.

The single-fiber use natural color. The reinforcement in the cable can be steel wire , or FRP reinforcement. The sheath of the drop cable should be made of low-smoke and zero-halogen materials to meet environmental protection and flame-retardant indoor wiring requirements. Outdoor FTTH drop cables should meet the water-blocking requirements. 

■ Mainly Types of Fiber Drop Cable 

Indoor FRP Drop Cable GJXFH

• Contains two longitudinal FRP or steel wires reinforced with 1F/2F/4F fibers

• FRP reinforcements are recommended for indoors to prevent the interference of electricals and ensure insulation.

Outdoor Flat Steel Drop Cable GJXH

• Flat and compact figure-8 called mini figure-8

• With the incorporation of water-banning materials and sheath, durable ones

• Most applicable for aerial installations and overhead ducting

Outdoor Self-Supporting Figure-8 Steel Drop Cable GJYXCH

• FTTH (Fiber to the Home) and indoor wiring

• Pre-terminated in the factory

• More suitable for optical fiber connection and fast connector

Outdoor Flat Drop Cable

• Fiber to the home(FTTH)

• Office Building

• PC room

Figure-8 Aerial Drop Cable

• Fiber to the home(FTTH)

• Office Building

• PC room

Figure-8 aerial drop cable is self-supporting cable, with the cable fixed to a steel wire, designed for easy and economical aerial installation for outdoor applications. 

This type of fiber drop cable is fixed to a steel wire as showed in the following picture.

Armored Duct/Aerial Drop Cable GYXTW

The communication between the office, metropolitan area network, and access network is especially suitable for occasions that require high-density optical fibers. Laying method: Aerial & Conduit

Rural communications, local trunk lines, cable television and computer network systems, long-distance communications and local area networks

ASU Optical Drop Cable

• Self-supporting Air Installations;

• Fully dielectric, does not need to be grounded;

• Ideal for outdoor applications up to 120 m without messenger;
  Available with normal polyethylene (NR) and flame retardant (RC) cover;

• Adopted to Outdoor distribution

• Network in high electromagnetic interfering places

• Suitable for aerial network

■ FTTH Drop Optic Cable China manufacturer - Zion Communication

Zion Communication is one of the top manufacturers and exporters of Fiber optic cables from China, and also we are your best choice of partner in this field. In the past 10 years, we have been providing high quality products to telecom operators, ISPs, trade importers, OEM customers and various communication projects in more than 100 countries around the world.
Zion Communication focuses on optical fiber OEM production services, and is committed to providing customers with brand customization, personalized packaging design, optimal cable structure design, and the best packaging design for international container transportation.
Optical fiber cables include ADSS cables, FTTH flat drop cables, Aerial installation cables, Duct installation cables, Direct buried installation cables, Air blowing installation cables, Biological protection cables, etc.
As well as a variety of fiber optic cable according to the customer's use scenario, provide a variety of fiber optic cable structure design and manufacturing. 

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

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