Armored Fiber Optic Cable

With bend-insensitive optical fibers (except OM1), this armored fiber optic cable is built for reliable data transmission at Gigabit, 10G, 40G, and 100G speeds across building distribution. Supported applications include Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 40 Gigabit Ethernet, Fiber Channel, video distribution, security systems, and building automation. OM5 variants also support Short Wave Division Multiplexing (SWDM), which enables cost-effective 40G and 100G transmission over multimode infrastructure by simultaneously using multiple wavelengths, making it a useful option for high-density data center links.

No. This is the indoor-only plenum model, designed specifically for intra-building runs such as risers, drop ceilings, and open plenum spaces. It is not rated for direct burial, outdoor aerial, or underground conduit use. For runs that transition between indoor and outdoor environments, use the Indoor/Outdoor Armored Tight-Buffered Plenum instead, which carries the additional outdoor-rated construction needed for exposure to moisture and UV.

Yes, in most indoor scenarios. The aluminum interlock armor provides continuous mechanical protection along the full cable length, eliminating the need to pull innerduct or install conduit on many jobs. This reduces both material costs and labor time. Local codes and AHJ requirements vary, so always confirm with your building inspector or electrical contractor whether any conduit is still required in your specific installation environment.

These designations refer to the optical fiber type inside the cable:

• OM1 (62.5 µm, orange jacket): Older multimode fiber. Supported but does not use bend-insensitive fiber in this product. Best suited for legacy systems or short-distance Gigabit links where budget is a constraint.
• OM3 (50 µm, aqua jacket): Laser-optimized multimode. Supports 10GbE up to 300m and 40/100GbE at shorter distances. A solid choice for most modern enterprise LAN installations.
• OM4 (50 µm, aqua jacket): Higher-bandwidth multimode. Supports 10GbE up to 550m and offers extended reach for 40G and 100G links. OM4+ variants with extended 10GbE distances are also available upon request.
• OS2 (8.3 µm, yellow jacket): Single mode fiber (G.652.D/G.657.A1). Supports very long distances (kilometers, not meters) and is ideal for inter-building backbone runs, campus networks, or any application requiring future-proof, high-bandwidth capacity. Enhanced bend-insensitive OS2 (ITU-T G.657.B3 & G.657.A2) is available as a custom option.

When choosing between multimode and single mode for intra-building runs, an armored multimode fiber optic cable with OM4 fiber is the most common choice for horizontal and backbone segments within a single facility, while OS2 is recommended when long-term scalability or long-distance reach is the priority.

Tight-buffered construction means each individual glass fiber is coated directly with a 900 µm protective buffer material, as opposed to loose-tube designs where fibers float freely inside gel-filled tubes. Deployed as an indoor, tight-buffered, single-unit plenum cable, this design allows each fiber to be routed, terminated, and managed individually, without requiring a breakout kit or transition pigtail, making field termination significantly faster. You can connect directly to standard LC, SC, or ST connectors, a major labor savings advantage on jobs where you’re field-terminating many fibers.

This cable is available in 6, 12, 24, and 48 fiber counts. The 6- and 12-fiber versions share a 0.520″ (13.21 mm) outside diameter, the 24-fiber version measures 0.643″ (16.33 mm), and the 48-fiber version is 0.964″ (24.49 mm). Selecting the right fiber count upfront matters: it is generally more cost-effective to install a higher-count cable with spare fibers than to run additional cable later, particularly in armored plenum environments where access is difficult.

Aluminum interlock armor consists of interlocking aluminum strips helically wrapped around the cable core, creating a continuous flexible metal shield. Compared to steel wire armoring, aluminum interlock is significantly lighter, with greater flexibility, making it easier to route around corners and pull through trays without damaging the fibers. Compared to corrugated steel armor, it offers better crush resistance while maintaining a smaller bend radius. The aluminum also provides a degree of rodent protection and resistance against accidental impact. This is essential in mechanical rooms, exposed cable trays, or high-traffic areas where bare fiber cables need to be durable.

Minimum bend radius specifications are detailed in the product data sheet, available for download on this page. As a general guideline for armored tight-buffered fibers, the dynamic (installation) bend radius is typically 20× the cable OD, and the static (long-term) bend radius is 10× the OD. The bend-insensitive Corning optical fibers used in this cable (OM3, OM4, and OS2) provide additional tolerance to macro-bending at termination points and in patch panels, reducing signal loss in tight-radius installations. Always consult the data sheet for the exact rated values before designing cable tray or conduit routing.