Why Data Centers Should Use Armored Fiber Patch Cords

Armored-fiber-patch-cords are a great way to protect fiber cable from rodents and environmental damage. These cables have a layer of protective metal, such as aluminum interlock armor or stainless steel micro-armor, preventing breakage.

These cables can be used in complex environments such as building wiring, optical connection of equipment in key machine rooms, field work, sensing and residential backbone network wiring. The small diameter and lightweight of these cables makes it easier to run through clogged pathways.

High Tensile Strength

Conventional optical fiber patch cords are prone to wear and tear after a long period of use, resulting in poor transmission quality. Armored patch cables, however, provide significant protection without sacrificing flexibility and performance inside fiber networks. They are also designed to be resilient and reliable in harsh environments, making them the ideal choice for data centers.

A layer of stainless steel armor is taped over a buffered optical fiber to make the cable. This protective layer is surrounded by aramid yarn, which adds to the cable’s durability and strength. The result is a tough patch cord that resists rodent bites and other forms of damage.

This makes them perfect for demanding applications, such as building wiring, optical connection of equipment in key computer rooms, field operations, sensor detection, and residential backbone network wires. Additionally, the stainless steel sleeve protects the optical fiber from external pressure and prevents rodents from chewing through it.

ShowMeCables offers both single mode and multimode armored patch cables in OM1, OM2, OM3, and OM4 categories. Our armored patch cables feature premium Corning Infinicore glass and ceramic ferrules, providing superior precision and durability. We also have a variety of termination interface options, including SC, LC, FC, and armored-fiber-patch-cords MTP. Our most popular option is our QuickTreX armored plenum patch cable, which provides maximum versatility for indoor applications. It’s OFCP rated, meaning it can be installed in plenum spaces and is safer than riser-rated cable types.

Rat Bite Resistance

Armored fiber patch cords have a stainless steel layer surrounding the optical cable, protecting it from rodent bites. They also have high crush resistance, making them suitable for harsh environments. Compared to conventional optical cables, armored-fiber-patch-cords are much more durable and can be reused several times. This reduces wiring costs and saves space, as well as improving data transmission quality.

In addition, they are flame retardant, environmentally friendly, and have small external warp and good bending performance. This makes them perfect for use in complex environments such as building wiring and optical connection of equipment in key computer rooms.

Depending on the material, armored-fiber-patch-cords can be classified into two categories: steel and aluminum. Steel armored cables are more effective against rodent gnawing than glass-roving armor cables. The splintered glass in the sheathing of these cables is capable of irritating the skin of chewing rodents, preventing them from biting through the fiber optic cable.

SteelFlex armored-fiber-patch-cords have a specialized design that increases the durability of fiber cable by up to 10x, while still maintaining a high level of flexibility. This unique combination of strength and flex allows it to be used in various applications, including building wiring, office cabling, field operations, sensor detection, and community backbone network wiring. In addition, it can be equipped with a variety of terminal interfaces, such as SC, ST, FC, and LC.

Crush Resistance

Conventional fiber optic patch cords are prone to damage when exposed to environmental conditions, such as weather or rodent bites. However, armored fiber patch cords feature a stainless steel sheath that protects the optical cable from these threats. This type of cable is a more reliable alternative to standard patch cords, and it provides better protection for your network. It has a high tensile strength, crush resistance, compression resistance and bending resistance. The sheath also provides fire and moisture resistance, which makes it an excellent choice for harsh environments.

These cables are ideal for a wide range of applications, including indoor-outdoor connectivity and critical data center backbones. They can also be used in military applications and harsh environments, where conventional fiber optic cables would otherwise be vulnerable to rodent bites and other environmental hazards. In addition, they are lightweight and easy to install.

OptoSpan’s SteelFlex tactical fiber cables feature a revolutionary system that uses stainless steel metal tubes to hold the optical cable in place. This design allows the armored fiber to be installed without requiring costly conduit installations, which are usually time-consuming and inconvenient. The tactical fiber patch cords are available in a variety of lengths and configurations, and they can be terminated with precision ceramic ferrule LC or SC connectors. They are ideal for extending fiber networks across multiple floors or between buildings, and they provide enhanced durability compared to traditional conduit installation.

Environmentally Friendly

Armored-fiber-patch-cords are a more durable version of standard fiber optic cable. They provide stronger protection against physical damage, such as rodent bites or crushing, making them ideal for use in harsh environments. They are also highly resistant to moisture and other environmental factors that can negatively affect the performance of fiber optic cable.

There are many types of armored optical patch cords on the market, including single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic cables with various connector types. These armored optical patch cords can be used in a wide range of applications, such as building wiring, field work, and connecting equipment in key machine rooms. They are suitable for backbone network wiring and can be installed in walls, between floors, and in plenum air handling ducts.

Metal armored optical patch cords are bare fiber or tight-sleeved fibers wrapped with a flat stainless steel material. This design greatly improves the anti-side pressure capability of the fiber itself, while reducing the overall cable size. It also uses high-strength aramid reinforcement to multimode fiber optic cable assemblies manufacturer ensure the fiber is free from tensile strain. In addition, it is made with flame-retardant, environmentally friendly or high-temperature resistant cable covering material and has small external warp, light weight and good bending performance with flexibility.

Outdoor armored fiber optic cables are specifically designed to meet the challenges of direct burial and aerial applications. These cables are constructed from a combination of a tough corrugated steel tube and aluminum interlocking armor to protect against rodents, abrasion and other environmental damage.