Cables with multiple fibers are widely used for high-density indoor and outdoor applications. While breakout and distribution fiber optic cable is the commonly used types. In this article, some differences between breakout and distribution cables will be discussed.
Breakout VS. Distribution Cables
Breakout and distribution cables both consist of 900μm tight-buffered fibers. But they differ from each other , let's take look at the main differences between them.
Structure
Breakout cable (also called fan-out cable ) consists of two or more simplex cables bundled around a central strength member. Each fiber has its jacket and all of the fibers are packaged together inside the same outer jacket. Thus, breakout cables can also be broken out into individual simplex cables for separate use when running through the walls of a building. Breakout cable is designed with φ900um tight buffer fibers and the fiber counts are varied from 2 to 24 fibers.
Distribution fiber optic cable uses φ900um tight buffer fibers as an optical communication medium and aramid yarn strength member.The cable is compliant with a PVC or LSZH jacket. Generally, distribution cable is available in fiber counts ranging from 2 to 144 fibers. According to different application requirements, this cable is usually plenum and riser for flame resistance, as well as in unitized and non-unitized constructions that fit a wide array of environments.
Cable Types
According to different fiber ratings, breakout cable can be divided into breakout riser cable and breakout plenum cable. Breakout riser cable is widely used for vertical risers and general horizontal applications. However, when the cable is needed for ducts, plenums and other spaces with environmental air returns, breakout plenum cable is the better choice.
Distribution cable also has the riser and plenum cable types for indoor/outdoor applications. Apart from these types, distribution cable is sometimes equipped with an armored jacket for stronger protection. Armored distribution riser or plenum cable can be applied to harsh premise environments where heavy-duty protection is required.
Applications
Breakout cables are suitable for local data centers, local area networks (LAN), indoor, backbone, horizontal, riser, plenum, conduit, junction boxes, patch panels, and industrial applications.
Distribution cables are suitable for indoor, indoor/outdoor applications, intra, and inter-building backbones, patch panels, routing between telecommunications rooms and connected cables in riser and plenum environments, horizontal distribution for FTTD, data center EDA areas, and factory floor automation.
Conclusion
In summary, it is a convenient solution to use breakout cables or distribution cables for multi-fiber applications. Breakout cable is more durable and larger than the distribution cable, thus breakout cable is more expensive and less flexible than distribution cable. Sun Telecom provides breakout and distribution cable products for the global market.
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