Compare the four main outdoor fiber optic cable types: ADSS, direct-burial armored, armored indoor/outdoor patch, and OPGW. Includes cost comparison, decision guide, and installation scenarios. The interlocking steel tape armor provides crush resistance and rodent protection but adds significant weight and stiffness—making long pulls through conduit challenging. Runs are limited by pull tension — typically under 100 meters through existing ducts. Not rated for direct sun exposure long-term; use only inside conduit outdoors. Designed to go straight into a trench. Use armored or water-blocked designs. But when it comes to protecting your fiber optic network from rodents, construction damage, and harsh weather, the difference between these two cable types can mean the difference. Armored fiber optic cables are designed to protect delicate optical fibers from physical damage while maintaining high transmission performance. With a durable protective layer, they are ideal for harsh or high-traffic environments. A dielectric (metal-free) cable should be.
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