Detailed Description
What Is Fiber Optic Composite Power Cable?
A fiber optic composite power cable integrates optical fibers (for data communication) and copper power conductors (for equipment power supply) in a single cable — one infrastructure investment, one trench, one cable for the complete connectivity to remote equipment. It solves the fundamental limitation of copper-only outdoor data cables: Ethernet over copper is limited to 100 m by the IEEE 802.3 standard, and extending beyond this requires either a PoE extender (with its own power supply and weatherproof enclosure) or a local power source at the remote device (mains power or solar/battery). The fiber optic composite cable eliminates both — the fiber provides the data link over kilometers, and the copper conductors provide the device power from the central location.
Why Choose Yichi Fiber Optic Composite Power Cables
- Single-mode and multi-mode fiber options — select for the data link distance and bandwidth: SM (G.652D) for long-distance data backhaul over 200 m to 50 km; MM (OM3/OM4) for short-reach, high-bandwidth links within a building or campus where the lower transceiver cost is a factor. Both fiber types available in the same composite cable construction
- OTDR-tested fiber — attenuation verified before and after cabling: Every fiber in every production length is tested with an OTDR at 1 310 nm and 1 550 nm (SM) or 850 nm and 1 300 nm (MM). The attenuation before cabling (fiber on the bobbin) and after cabling (fiber in the finished cable) is recorded. The added attenuation from the cabling process must be <0.05 dB/km — demonstrating that the fiber has not been strained or micro-bent during the cable manufacturing
- Gel-filled stainless steel loose tube — crush-proof, waterproof fiber protection: The SS tube withstands >4 000 N/100 mm crush force and the gel filling prevents water ingress. The tube is positioned at the optimal radial location in the core assembly to minimise fiber strain during cable bending — verified by OTDR measurement at the minimum bend radius
- PE jacket for direct burial — 30+ year underground service life: The PE ST7 outer jacket is the preferred sheath for buried composite cable because it provides the best moisture barrier and chemical stability in soil. The cable is water-blocked with swellable tapes and yarns for longitudinal water protection in the event of jacket damage
Single-Mode and Multi-Mode Fiber Selection
The composite cable is built around either single-mode or multi-mode optical fiber, selected for the distance and bandwidth of the data link. Single-mode fiber (ITU-T G.652D, 9/125 um) operates at 1 310 nm and 1 550 nm with attenuation no greater than 0.35 dB/km, and carries the long-distance data backhaul for links from 200 m out to 50 km where copper Ethernet is limited to 100 m. Multi-mode fiber (OM3 or OM4, 50/125 um) operates at 850 nm with attenuation no greater than 2.5 dB/km and bandwidth of 1 500 MHz·km (OM3) or 3 500 MHz·km (OM4); it serves the short-reach, high-bandwidth links within a building or campus where lower-cost transceivers apply over the typical 200-500 m reach. Both fiber types are available in the same composite construction, with a fiber count of 4, 6, 8, 12, or 24 and spare capacity of 25-50% for future expansion.
Fiber Protection — Gel-Filled Stainless Steel Loose Tube
The optical fibers sit in a gel-filled stainless steel loose tube with an outer diameter of 2.0-3.0 mm and a crush resistance above 4 000 N/100 mm. The gel filling blocks moisture ingress and damps vibration, and the steel tube protects the fibers from the crush and mechanical stress of installation and operation. The loose tube is placed at or near the centre of the core assembly, where the bend radius is largest and the compression from the outer layers is lowest. The fiber strain during bending is controlled by the excess fiber length in the loose tube, typically 0.1-0.3% relative to the tube, and is verified by OTDR measurement at the minimum bend radius. After the cabling process the added attenuation must remain below 0.05 dB/km, confirming that no strain or micro-bend has been introduced.
Copper Power Conductors and Remote Device Supply
The copper power conductors are XLPE-insulated, IEC 60228 Class 2 or Class 5, rated 0.6/1 kV, in cross-sections from 1.5 to 35 mm², with a core count of 2, 3, 4, or 5 to match the equipment supply (DC pair, single-phase L+N+PE, 3P+PE, or 3P+N+PE). These conductors deliver the remote device's operating power, 24 V DC, 48 V DC, or 230 V AC, so a CCTV camera, environmental station, or gate controller is powered from the central location without a local mains supply or a solar/battery system. Optional control cores (0.5-2.5 mm², 300/500 V) carry auxiliary control and monitoring signals.
Jacket Selection — PE for Burial, PUR for Dynamic Use
The outer jacket is PE or PUR. PE (ST7, black, UV-stabilised) is the sheath used for direct burial and outdoor fixed installation because of its moisture resistance over a 30+ year service life; its temperature range is -40°C to +80°C. PUR (TMPU, black) is specified for dynamic applications, cable reeling, drag chain, and robot arm, where flexibility and abrasion resistance are required. The core is water-blocked with swellable tapes and yarns for longitudinal water protection if the jacket is damaged. PE is not inherently flame-retardant; for indoor building routing an LSZH-jacketed composite is specified.